Difficult Strategy games
Discovery Queue

Games like Gothic II, Katana Zero, and Balatro, ranked by the GamesGraph community.
Last updated: July 1, 2026

  • 1
    1
    Gothic II
    2002 November 2002 by Piranha Bytes
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    7.91 Excellent++
    Rating Gothic II
  • 2
    2
    Katana Zero
    2019 April 2019 by Askiisoft
    Platform, Strategy, Adventure
    Platform, Strategy, Adventure
    7.86 Excellent+
    Rating Katana Zero
  • 3
    3
    Balatro
    2024 February 2024 by LocalThunk
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Board Game
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Board Game
    7.83 Excellent+
    Rating Balatro
  • 4
    4
    Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
    2013 February 2013 by PlatinumGames
    Shooter, Strategy, Hack and Slash
    Shooter, Strategy, Hack and Slash
    7.74 Excellent+
    Rating Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
  • 5
    5
    Patrick's Parabox
    2022 March 2022 by Patrick Traynor
    Puzzle, Strategy, Adventure
    Puzzle, Strategy, Adventure
    7.60 Excellent
    Rating Patrick's Parabox
  • 6
    6
    Monster Train 2
    2025 May 2025 by Shiny Shoe
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Board Game
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Board Game
    7.57 Excellent
    Rating Monster Train 2
  • 7
    7
    Dwarf Fortress
    2022 December 2022 by Bay 12 Games
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    7.52 Excellent
    Rating Dwarf Fortress
  • 8
    8
    Battle Brothers
    2017 March 2017 by Overhype Studios
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    7.32 Excellent-
    Rating Battle Brothers
  • 9
    9
    Slay the Spire
    2019 January 2019 by Mega Crit Games
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    7.42 Excellent
    Rating Slay the Spire
  • 10
    10
    XCOM 2
    2016 February 2016 by Firaxis Games
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    7.41 Excellent
    Rating XCOM 2
  • 11
    11
    Insaniquarium! Deluxe
    2004 September 2004 by Flying Bear Entertainment
    Shooter, Puzzle, Simulator
    Shooter, Puzzle, Simulator
    7.38 Excellent
    Rating Insaniquarium! Deluxe
  • 12
    12
    FTL: Faster Than Light
    2012 September 2012 by Subset Games
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    7.30 Excellent-
    Rating FTL: Faster Than Light
  • 13
    13
    Caves of Qud
    2024 December 2024 by Freehold Games
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    7.08 Excellent--
    Rating Caves of Qud
  • 14
    14
    Sid Meier's Pirates!
    1987 May 1987 by MicroProse Software, Inc.
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    7.23 Excellent-
    Rating Sid Meier's Pirates!
  • 15
    15
    Bloons TD 5
    2011 December 2011 by Ninja Kiwi
    Simulator, Strategy, Tactical
    Simulator, Strategy, Tactical
    7.23 Excellent-
    Rating Bloons TD 5
  • 16
    16
    Library of Ruina
    2021 August 2021 by Project Moon
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    7.19 Excellent-
    Rating Library of Ruina
  • 17
    17
    Kingdom Rush Vengeance
    2018 November 2018 by Ironhide Game Studio
    Strategy, Fantasy, Isometric
    Strategy, Fantasy, Isometric
    7.16 Excellent-
    Rating Kingdom Rush Vengeance
  • 18
    18
    XCOM: Enemy Unknown
    2012 October 2012 by Firaxis Games
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    7.14 Excellent-
    Rating XCOM: Enemy Unknown
  • 19
    19
    X-COM: UFO Defense
    1994 March 1994 by Mythos Games
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Tactical
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Tactical
    7.14 Excellent-
    Rating X-COM: UFO Defense
  • 20
    20
    Puyo Puyo Tetris 2
    2020 December 2020 by Sega
    Puzzle, Strategy, Arcade
    Puzzle, Strategy, Arcade
    7.13 Excellent-
    Rating Puyo Puyo Tetris 2
  • 21
    21
    Yomawari: Night Alone
    2015 October 2015 by Nippon Ichi Software
    Strategy, Adventure, Horror
    Strategy, Adventure, Horror
    7.12 Excellent--
    Rating Yomawari: Night Alone
  • 22
    22
    Baba Is You
    2019 March 2019 by hempuli
    Puzzle, Strategy, Fantasy
    Puzzle, Strategy, Fantasy
    7.14 Excellent-
    Rating Baba Is You
  • 23
    23
    Session: Skate Sim
    2022 September 2022 by Crea-ture Studios
    Simulator, Sport, Strategy
    Simulator, Sport, Strategy
    7.10 Excellent--
    Rating Session: Skate Sim
  • 24
    24
    Monster Train
    2020 May 2020 by Shiny Shoe
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    7.09 Excellent--
    Rating Monster Train
  • 25
    25
    Hexcells Infinite
    2014 September 2014 by Matthew Brown
    Puzzle, Strategy, First person
    Puzzle, Strategy, First person
    7.03 Excellent--
    Rating Hexcells Infinite
  • 26
    26
    Wildfrost
    2023 April 2023 by Deadpan Games
    Strategy, Tactical, Adventure
    Strategy, Tactical, Adventure
    7.00 Excellent--
    Rating Wildfrost
  • 27
    27
    Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
    2018 February 2018 by Tantalus Media
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    6.96 Excellent--
    Rating Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
  • 28
    28
    Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
    2021 September 2021 by Owlcat Games
    RPG, Strategy, Tactical
    RPG, Strategy, Tactical
    6.83 Good++
    Rating Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous
  • 29
    29
    Bloons TD 6
    2018 June 2018 by Ninja Kiwi
    Strategy, Tactical, Kids
    Strategy, Tactical, Kids
    6.93 Excellent--
    Rating Bloons TD 6
  • 30
    30
    Vaporum
    2017 September 2017 by Fatbot Games, s. r. o.
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    6.91 Excellent--
    Rating Vaporum
  • 31
    31
    Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
    2008 March 2008 by Ubisoft Montreal
    Shooter, Strategy, Tactical
    Shooter, Strategy, Tactical
    6.89 Excellent--
    Rating Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
  • 32
    32
    LoneStar
    2025 April 2025 by Math Tide
    Puzzle, RPG, Simulator
    Puzzle, RPG, Simulator
    6.89 Excellent--
    Rating LoneStar
  • 33
    33
    StarVaders
    2025 April 2025 by StarVaders Team
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Isometric
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Isometric
    6.88 Excellent--
    Rating StarVaders
  • 34
    34
    Chrono Ark
    2024 May 2024 by Al Fine
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.88 Excellent--
    Rating Chrono Ark
  • 35
    35
    GemCraft: Frostborn Wrath
    2020 January 2020 by Game in a Bottle
    Strategy, Isometric, Dark
    Strategy, Isometric, Dark
    6.83 Good++
    Rating GemCraft: Frostborn Wrath
  • 36
    36
    Motorsport Manager
    2014 August 2014 by Christian West
    Racing, Simulator, Sport
    Racing, Simulator, Sport
    6.83 Good++
    Rating Motorsport Manager
  • 37
    37
    Braid
    2008 August 2008 by Number None Inc.
    Platform, Puzzle, Strategy
    Platform, Puzzle, Strategy
    6.82 Good++
    Rating Braid
  • 38
    38
    Dirt Rally 2.0
    2019 February 2019 by Codemasters
    Racing, Simulator, Sport
    Racing, Simulator, Sport
    6.82 Good++
    Rating Dirt Rally 2.0
  • 39
    39
    Oxygen Not Included
    2019 July 2019 by Klei Entertainment
    Simulator, Strategy, Science fiction
    Simulator, Strategy, Science fiction
    6.81 Good++
    Rating Oxygen Not Included
  • 40
    40
    Puyo Puyo Tetris
    2014 February 2014 by Sonic Team
    Puzzle, Strategy, Arcade
    Puzzle, Strategy, Arcade
    6.79 Good++
    Rating Puyo Puyo Tetris
  • 41
    41
    Suzerain
    2020 December 2020 by Torpor Games
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    6.78 Good++
    Rating Suzerain
  • 42
    42
    BattleTech
    2018 April 2018 by Harebrained Schemes
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Adventure
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Adventure
    6.78 Good++
    Rating BattleTech
  • 43
    43
    Per Aspera
    2020 December 2020 by Tlön Industries
    Simulator, Strategy, Sandbox
    Simulator, Strategy, Sandbox
    6.76 Good++
    Rating Per Aspera
  • 44
    44
    Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children
    2020 April 2020 by Dandylion
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.74 Good++
    Rating Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children
  • 45
    45
    Frostpunk
    2018 April 2018 by 11 bit studios
    Simulator, Strategy, Survival
    Simulator, Strategy, Survival
    6.71 Good++
    Rating Frostpunk
  • 46
    46
    World of Goo
    2008 October 2008 by 2D Boy
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    6.73 Good++
    Rating World of Goo
  • 47
    47
    Across the Obelisk
    2021 April 2021 by Dreamsite Games
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.72 Good++
    Rating Across the Obelisk
  • 48
    48
    Cogmind
    2017 October 2017 by Grid Sage Games
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    6.70 Good++
    Rating Cogmind
  • 49
    49
    Hexcells Plus
    2013 December 2013 by Matthew Brown
    Puzzle, Strategy, First person
    Puzzle, Strategy, First person
    6.69 Good++
    Rating Hexcells Plus
  • 50
    50
    Starpoint Gemini 2
    2014 September 2014 by Little Green Men Games
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    6.69 Good++
    Rating Starpoint Gemini 2
  • 51
    51
    Hexcells
    2013 September 2013 by Matthew Brown
    Puzzle, Strategy, First person
    Puzzle, Strategy, First person
    6.66 Good++
    Rating Hexcells
  • 52
    52
    They Are Billions
    2019 June 2019 by Numantian Games
    Real Time Strategy, RPG, Strategy
    Real Time Strategy, RPG, Strategy
    6.63 Good++
    Rating They Are Billions
  • 53
    53
    TrackMania Nations
    2006 January 2006 by Nadeo
    Racing, Strategy, First person
    Racing, Strategy, First person
    6.65 Good++
    Rating TrackMania Nations
  • 54
    54
    Insurgency: Sandstorm
    2018 December 2018 by New World Interactive
    Shooter, Simulator, Strategy
    Shooter, Simulator, Strategy
    6.63 Good++
    Rating Insurgency: Sandstorm
  • 55
    55
    Overcooked! 2
    2018 August 2018 by Ghost Town Games
    Simulator, Strategy, Tactical
    Simulator, Strategy, Tactical
    6.59 Good+
    Rating Overcooked! 2
  • 56
    56
    Shogun Showdown
    2024 September 2024 by Roboatino
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.59 Good+
    Rating Shogun Showdown
  • 57
    57
    Darkest Dungeon
    2016 January 2016 by Red Hook Studios
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.57 Good+
    Rating Darkest Dungeon
  • 58
    58
    Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
    2016 December 2016 by Mimimi Games
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    6.58 Good+
    Rating Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun
  • 59
    59
    Voxelgram
    2019 November 2019 by Procedural Level
    Puzzle, Strategy, Isometric
    Puzzle, Strategy, Isometric
    6.53 Good+
    Rating Voxelgram
  • 60
    60
    Door Kickers: Action Squad
    2018 September 2018 by PixelShard
    Shooter, Platform, Real Time Strategy
    Shooter, Platform, Real Time Strategy
    6.52 Good+
    Rating Door Kickers: Action Squad
  • 61
    61
    Monster Sanctuary
    2020 December 2020 by Moi Rai Games
    Platform, RPG, Strategy
    Platform, RPG, Strategy
    6.55 Good+
    Rating Monster Sanctuary
  • 62
    62
    Darkwood
    2017 August 2017 by Acid Wizard Studio
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    6.51 Good+
    Rating Darkwood
  • 63
    63
    140
    2013 October 2013 by Carlsen Games
    Music, Platform, Puzzle
    Music, Platform, Puzzle
    6.51 Good+
    Rating 140
  • 64
    64
    Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
    2018 November 2018 by Bulwark Studios
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.50 Good+
    Rating Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
  • 65
    65
    The Wonderful 101: Remastered
    2020 May 2020 by PlatinumGames
    Strategy, Hack and Slash, Adventure
    Strategy, Hack and Slash, Adventure
    6.50 Good+
    Rating The Wonderful 101: Remastered
  • 66
    66
    One Step From Eden
    2020 March 2020 by Thomas Moon Kang
    Shooter, Real Time Strategy, RPG
    Shooter, Real Time Strategy, RPG
    6.47 Good+
    Rating One Step From Eden
  • 67
    67
    Banished
    2014 February 2014 by Shining Rock Software
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    6.44 Good+
    Rating Banished
  • 68
    68
    The Banner Saga 2
    2016 April 2016 by Stoic
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    RPG, Simulator, Strategy
    6.44 Good+
    Rating The Banner Saga 2
  • 69
    69
    Death and Taxes
    2020 February 2020 by Placeholder Gameworks
    Point-and-click, Puzzle, RPG
    Point-and-click, Puzzle, RPG
    6.43 Good+
    Rating Death and Taxes
  • 70
    70
    Desperados III
    2020 June 2020 by Mimimi Games
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    6.43 Good+
    Rating Desperados III
  • 71
    71
    Duskers
    2016 May 2016 by Misfits Attic
    Simulator, Strategy, Science fiction
    Simulator, Strategy, Science fiction
    6.43 Good+
    Rating Duskers
  • 72
    72
    Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles
    2023 September 2023 by Little Leo Games
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.40 Good+
    Rating Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles
  • 73
    73
    Wall World
    2023 April 2023 by Alawar
    Shooter, Platform, RPG
    Shooter, Platform, RPG
    6.39 Good+
    Rating Wall World
  • 74
    74
    Star Traders: Frontiers
    2017 November 2017 by Trese Brothers
    RPG, Strategy, Science fiction
    RPG, Strategy, Science fiction
    7.20 Excellent-
    Rating Star Traders: Frontiers
  • 75
    75
    Invisible, Inc.
    2015 May 2015 by Klei Entertainment
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Tactical
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Tactical
    6.37 Good
    Rating Invisible, Inc.
  • 76
    76
    Ghostrunner II
    2023 October 2023 by One More Level
    Platform, Strategy, Hack and Slash
    Platform, Strategy, Hack and Slash
    6.36 Good
    Rating Ghostrunner II
  • 77
    77
    DotAge
    2023 October 2023 by Michele Pirovano
    Simulator, Strategy, Board Game
    Simulator, Strategy, Board Game
    6.36 Good
    Rating DotAge
  • 78
    78
    Human Resource Machine
    2015 October 2015 by Tomorrow Corporation
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    6.35 Good
    Rating Human Resource Machine
  • 79
    79
    Cook, Serve, Delicious!
    2012 October 2012 by Vertigo Gaming
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    6.35 Good
    Rating Cook, Serve, Delicious!
  • 80
    80
    This War of Mine
    2014 November 2014 by 11 bit studios
    Simulator, Strategy, Adventure
    Simulator, Strategy, Adventure
    6.33 Good
    Rating This War of Mine
  • 81
    81
    Mini Metro
    2015 October 2015 by Dinosaur Polo Club
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    6.34 Good
    Rating Mini Metro
  • 82
    82
    Quantum Conundrum
    2012 June 2012 by Airtight Games
    Platform, Puzzle, Strategy
    Platform, Puzzle, Strategy
    6.32 Good
    Rating Quantum Conundrum
  • 83
    83
    Slayaway Camp
    2016 August 2016 by Blue Wizard Digital
    Puzzle, Strategy, Horror
    Puzzle, Strategy, Horror
    6.32 Good
    Rating Slayaway Camp
  • 84
    84
    DemonCrawl
    2019 November 2019 by Therefore Games
    Puzzle, RPG, Strategy
    Puzzle, RPG, Strategy
    6.31 Good
    Rating DemonCrawl
  • 85
    85
    Kingdom Rush
    2011 December 2011 by Ironhide Game Studio
    Real Time Strategy, Strategy, Tactical
    Real Time Strategy, Strategy, Tactical
    6.30 Good
    Rating Kingdom Rush
  • 86
    86
    Gloomhaven
    2019 July 2019 by Flaming Fowl Studios
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.29 Good
    Rating Gloomhaven
  • 87
    87
    Magicka
    2011 January 2011 by Arrowhead Game Studios
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    RPG, Strategy, Adventure
    6.29 Good
    Rating Magicka
  • 88
    88
    Guild of Dungeoneering
    2015 July 2015 by Gambrinous
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.28 Good
    Rating Guild of Dungeoneering
  • 89
    89
    Golf With Your Friends
    2016 January 2016 by Blacklight Interactive
    Simulator, Sport, Strategy
    Simulator, Sport, Strategy
    6.27 Good
    Rating Golf With Your Friends
  • 90
    90
    Game Dev Tycoon
    2012 December 2012 by Greenheart Games
    Simulator, Strategy, Business
    Simulator, Strategy, Business
    6.27 Good
    Rating Game Dev Tycoon
  • 91
    91
    7 Billion Humans
    2018 August 2018 by Tomorrow Corporation
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    Puzzle, Simulator, Strategy
    6.26 Good
    Rating 7 Billion Humans
  • 92
    92
    Kingdom Rush Origins
    2014 November 2014 by Ironhide Game Studio
    Real Time Strategy, Strategy, Fantasy
    Real Time Strategy, Strategy, Fantasy
    6.26 Good
    Rating Kingdom Rush Origins
  • 93
    93
    Shortest Trip to Earth
    2018 October 2018 by Interactive Fate
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    6.25 Good
    Rating Shortest Trip to Earth
  • 94
    94
    GemCraft - Chasing Shadows
    2015 March 2015 by Game in a Bottle
    Strategy, Difficult, Tower Defense
    Strategy, Difficult, Tower Defense
    6.23 Good
    Rating GemCraft - Chasing Shadows
  • 95
    95
    Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator
    2017 December 2017 by Scottgames
    Simulator, Strategy, Horror
    Simulator, Strategy, Horror
    6.22 Good
    Rating Freddy Fazbear's Pizzeria Simulator
  • 96
    96
    Galak-Z: The Dimensional
    2015 August 2015 by 17-BIT
    Shooter, Simulator, Strategy
    Shooter, Simulator, Strategy
    6.20 Good
    Rating Galak-Z: The Dimensional
  • 97
    97
    Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines
    1998 July 1998 by Pyro Studios
    Puzzle, Strategy, Tactical
    Puzzle, Strategy, Tactical
    6.20 Good
    Rating Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines
  • 98
    98
    X-COM: Terror From the Deep
    1995 January 1995 by MicroProse Software, Inc.
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Tactical
    Strategy, Turn-Based, Tactical
    6.19 Good
    Rating X-COM: Terror From the Deep
  • 99
    99
    Crown Trick
    2020 October 2020 by NExT Studios
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    RPG, Strategy, Turn-Based
    6.18 Good
    Rating Crown Trick
  • 100
    100
    Knights and Merchants: The Shattered Kingdom
    1998 September 1998 by Joymania Entertainment
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    Real Time Strategy, Simulator, Strategy
    6.17 Good
    Rating Knights and Merchants: The Shattered Kingdom
Related lists:
Best Single player Strategy games
Best Isometric Strategy games
Best Great Soundtrack Strategy games
Best Difficult Simulator games
Best Difficult Adventure games
Best Difficult RPG games