5 – Jagged Alliance 3
For nearly 2 decades, Jagged Alliance fans couldn’t get a break. Each and every game that came after the second iteration (released in 2000) failed to capture the essence of the originals. That was until 2023, when Jagged Alliance 3 came out, and finally managed to not only meet expectations, but also widely surpass them. The series soul is all here: its tropical setting, over-the-top character design, dry humor, and a lot of complexity in both the turn-based and strategy layers. Equipping your mercs, taking them out on missions, and getting into scuffles for the domination of the island has never been this great. For the price, this is an absolute steal, and especially if you take into consideration that there are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of gameplay in here.
4 – Attack at Dawn: North Africa
I had to sneak in a wargame, didn’t I? Since I know most of you are here looking for new experiences, let me introduce you to this fast-paced (well, as fast-paced as you want it to be), operational wargame that will have you fighting the sweeping desert battles of World War II’s North African campaign. Despite Attack at Dawn: North Africa being a wargame through and and through, the game features a very clean UI, an easy-to-read map, and features no obscure or obtuse mechanics that require manual reading or complex mathematical resolutions. Players can play as either the Axis or Allied Forces, and it features a unique setting that lets players choose if they want to play it using real-time with pause or turn-based (hence what I said about, as fast-paced as you want it to be).
3 – City of Gangsters
We already had some amazing turn-based strategy games, some city-builders, and even some wargames. Now, I want to direct your attention to a game that went under a lot of people’s radars. Welcome, City of Gangsters, a game that can best be described as a true gangster-management sim, in the truest sense. Be prepared to micromanage every little aspect of your digital criminal enterprise, where every bottle of whiskey, beer keg, and cigarette has to be manufactured and transported to be sold to your thirsty customers. Your character exists in the world, and it’s not just an all-controlling entity; players have to go and individually acquire new fronts, create protection rackets, and deal with opposing gangs and the police. It’s quite possibly one of the most intricate supply-management games around.
2 – Invisible, Inc.
One of the greatest gaming disgraces of all time is the lack of any proper successor to Invisible, Inc. Released during a time when everybody was trying to capitalize on the explosive impact the 2012 XCOM had in the gaming scene, Invisible, Inc. decided to ditch the invasion angle, the hectic firefights, and complex management for a minimalist experience that rewards avoiding combat and rewards stealth, to go on and become one of the best alternative for players who want XCOM, but not really XCOM. Players take the role of spies, and it’s their job to infiltrate and hack the corporate network to find a new mainframe for their AI, in less than 72 hours, after the Agency headquarters gets raided. With each victory, players accrue funds and improve their agents.
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