The Best One-Shot Strategy Video Games

Summary

• Real-time strategy games like FTL offer strategic and accessible gameplay with a fast pace for varied experiences.
• Titles like Wildfrost and Super Auto Pets offer unique, fast-paced, one-shot gameplay experiences that are different from traditional strategy genres.
• Dune: Imperium and Balatro offer immersive, one-shot experiences with engaging AI opponents and unique gameplay mechanics.

The strategy genre covers a wide variety of titles, from real-time strategy games such as StarCraft 2 to the strategy on turns a Darkest dungeon or XCOM. There are many experiences for all types of players, but a large number of them require a large amount of time to play.

Some strategy games are able to provide faster and generally more accessible experiences, avoiding gameplay that requires extended play sessions. Few titles actually manage to do this without sacrificing mechanical depth.

8 FTL: Faster than light

Real-time strategy keeps the pace sharp

Essentially an indie classic, FTL: Faster than light is a carefully crafted roguelike that offers real-time strategy gameplay with the addition of a tactical break. This allows FTL to be both strategic and accessible, and the real-time gameplay keeps the pace sharp.

This fast pace helps to enhance the inherent one-shot structure FTL which is determined by its gender, with moments of reprieve provided by random events. The ensemble of playable ship classes and potential builds also keeps the gameplay varied from run to run. However, FTL runs tend to play a little longer than the average roguelike.

7 Wild frost

A fast-paced Roguelike with a great daily mode

Wild frost is a gorgeously elegant deck builder that focuses on a unique core mechanic supported by an evocative framework and tactile user interface. A roguelike, Wild frost it's naturally built to be played in one sitting, though it's entirely possible to quit and come back later.

This run-based nature is supported by an easy unlock system, but more importantly is elevated by a unique mechanic where winning a run moves the player's team into the next final battle. In addition, Wildfrost's strengths as a unique experience are enhanced by the addition of a fantastic daily mode that dramatically shakes up the starting position.

6 Super Auto Pets

A unique and affordable match-based Auto-Battler

Super Auto Pets is a highly strategic and surprisingly deep auto-fighter that requires players to build a team of synergistic animals. Visual, Super Auto Pets it may be quite simple, but its mechanical depth keeps the game playing consistently.

This depth is achieved through a variety of passive abilities, and unlike many self-fighters, Super Auto Pets ditch the scenery, a mechanic that will be familiar to fans of the genre. However, this allows players to mix and match team members without consequence. Best of all, a match of Super Auto Pets it plays very little time and the simplicity of its game loop makes it extremely easy to learn.

5 The fall of the throne

An affordable mix of RTS and Tower Defense with a tight structure

The fall of the throne combines the easy-to-learn structure of a tower/base defense game with powerful real-time strategy elements. Despite working in RTS genre mechanics, The fall of the throne it's a remarkably accessible experience thanks to its intuitive controls and minimalist design.

This minimalism prevents Thronefall's the variety of mechanics from hindering its pace, and the limited number of waves in each level puts a satisfying climax to the play sessions. The fall of the throne it requires players to balance their defense and economy in equal measure, and it stays strategic in both the build-up and action phases of the game, resulting in an experience that's consistently engaging without being overly long or complex.

4 Slay The Spire

An act-based structure and an intuitive map

Known for bringing tabletop deck-building gameplay to the forefront of indie gaming, Slay The Spire is a cornerstone of modern indies and a highly addictive roguelike. Its tight three-act structure and intuitive node-based map keep each race focused and relatively similar in length, making it a seamless experience.

Slay The Spire follows a simple structure focused on node-based exploration and strategic card battles. Augmenting this experience is a variety of bosses, unique playable characters, and potential builds and synergies. This, along with the game's “Ascension” system to increase difficulty, gives Slay The Spire tremendous replay value.

3 Dune: Imperium

A digital board game based on matches with competent AI opponents

• Platforms: PC, Xbox, Mobile
• Released: 2024
• Developer(s): The dire wolf
• Gender: Digital board game

As an adaptation of a board game, Dune: Imperium it's inherently match-based, offering a one-shot experience designed to be played over an hour or two. Despite being designed to be played with other players, the digital adaptation of Dune: Imperium features surprisingly trained AI opponents that make it great for single-player as well.

Dune: Imperium combines classic deck-building gameplay with unique card and worker placement mechanics, resulting in a distinctive structure. This creates a real playground for strategy, especially when combined with the multitude of unique leaders to play.

2 Balatro

A deck builder with a score-attack structure and a rigid hand limit

With its winning combination of roguelike deck-builder synergies and accessible Poker gameplay, Balatro in the end it deserves its extraordinary praise. Everyone goes through of Balatro Uncertain gauntlet is a fast-paced thrill ride thanks to its nature of a score attack game.

Assuring Balatro remains a do-or-die experience is the limited number of hands, preventing players from getting caught in a slug-fest. This sleek design offers an immersive one-shot experience that can keep players coming back, only enhanced by a full touch interface and unique art style.

1 Dune: Spice Wars

An expanded 4X title that can be played in one sitting

Dune: Spice Wars it's not a fast game. However, when you play its battle mode, it's a surprisingly fresh and fast-paced experience compared to similar games. Matches are slow-burning, but each one can take anywhere from one to three hours to play (depending on speed settings), keeping an experience that can still be enjoyed in a single sitting.

Based on the expertly crafted world of Frank Herbert, Dune: Spice Wars it's a deeply thematic experience that does its best to tie its mechanics to the source material. Theming helps make the mechanics feel more natural – and therefore easier to learn and remember. Additionally, the variety of playable factions and multitude of win conditions make it replayable.