In Episode 10 of Critical Moves, Al, Nuno, and Tim explore the impact of storytelling in strategy games. From classic linear campaigns to emergent storytelling in sandbox games, they break down how narrative elements influence player engagement and whether story even matters in a genre known for its focus on mechanics.
Here’s what the episode covered:
- The Golden Age of RTS Campaigns: Games like Starcraft, Warcraft III, and Red Alert mastered the linear single-player campaign, using cutscenes and character-driven plots to keep players invested. But does modern strategy gaming still follow this model?
- Story as a Mission Framework: Some games use narrative to set up scenarios rather than to tell deep, character-driven stories. Age of Empires campaigns, for example, often feel like historical reenactments rather than dynamic narratives.
- The Rise of Sandbox Storytelling: In Crusader Kings, Stellaris, and Total War, the player’s actions shape the narrative. Tim argues that this approach creates the most memorable moments, as players craft their own stories rather than following a script.
- RTS vs. Character-Driven Strategy: While traditional RTS games struggle with emotional depth due to their large-scale, unit-focused gameplay, games like XCOM and Company of Heroes introduce character-driven tactics that make individual soldiers matter.
- Established Lore vs. Original Stories: Al points out that strategy games set in existing universes, like Dawn of War or Battlefleet Gothic: Armada, benefit from pre-built lore, making storytelling easier. Meanwhile, original settings must work harder to build a compelling world from scratch.
Classic Campaigns vs. Player-Driven Storytelling
Tim kicked things off by sharing his first experience with a compelling RTS story—Warcraft III. He recalled how its well-developed characters and dramatic plot twists kept him playing mission after mission. Al countered with Red Alert, praising its campy FMV cutscenes and time-travel narrative, which, while ridiculous, still made the game engaging. The team agreed that while these classic campaigns were memorable, modern strategy games are shifting toward emergent storytelling.
Nuno brought up an interesting perspective—language barriers. As a kid playing Age of Mythology in Portuguese, he struggled to engage with the story because the dialogue wasn’t localized. He reflected on how his appreciation for strategy game narratives grew once he learned English, showing that even well-crafted stories can lose impact if they aren’t accessible.
From there, the conversation moved to whether story really matters in strategy games. Al argued that many RTS campaigns are just a vehicle to present a series of missions, with the plot serving as little more than window dressing. Nuno agreed, noting that Age of Empires 2 campaigns feel more like a history lesson than a character-driven experience. Meanwhile, Homeworld was praised for seamlessly integrating story with gameplay, making the player feel like part of an epic journey rather than just jumping from one scenario to another.
Sandbox Strategy and Emergent Narratives
Tim made the case for sandbox storytelling, arguing that games like Crusader Kings create more compelling stories than scripted campaigns. He described how personal connections to in-game characters—whether a trusted advisor, a scheming rival, or a heroic general—make the experience more immersive. Al pointed out that Stellaris allows players to roleplay different factions, from benevolent democracies to oppressive slaver empires, shaping the galaxy’s narrative in unique ways.
The group debated whether Total War fits into this category, with Tim arguing that its lack of true roleplaying elements makes it less immersive than Crusader Kings. Al countered that Rome: Total War had moments of narrative brilliance, like the infamous “occupy, enslave, exterminate” decision when capturing a city, but agreed that most Total War games prioritize gameplay over storytelling.
The Challenges of Storytelling in Strategy Games
The hosts discussed why RTS games struggle to tell emotional stories. Unlike RPGs, where players connect with individual characters, RTS titles focus on commanding armies, making it hard to build attachment to any single unit. Tim argued that XCOM succeeds because it lets players customize their soldiers, creating personal stakes in their survival. Nuno added that war games with persistent units—where every loss is permanent—force players to care more about individual troops.
Al brought up Saurian, a strategy game that blends narrative choice with strategic decision-making. Unlike traditional RTS campaigns, Saurian allows players to interact with characters, make decisions that shape relationships, and experience consequences beyond just winning or losing battles. The group agreed that more games should explore this type of storytelling rather than relying on static mission structures.
Do Strategy Games Need Story to Succeed?
As the episode neared its end, Al asked the big question: Are strategy games less popular than other genres because they don’t prioritize storytelling? He noted that gaming as a whole is a multi-billion-dollar industry driven by narrative-heavy titles, from The Last of Us to God of War. Yet, strategy games often struggle to market themselves because mechanics are harder to sell than an emotionally gripping story.
Tim argued that strategy gamers are a niche audience who prioritize mechanics over plot, making deep narratives less essential. Nuno pointed to Civilization 7’s announcement as proof that strategy still has mass appeal, with fans more excited about gameplay innovations than any potential story elements. However, Al countered that Beyond All Reason’s lack of a campaign is likely hurting its broader appeal.
Final Thoughts
The hosts wrapped up by agreeing that while story isn’t always necessary in strategy games, it can elevate the experience when done well. They praised games like Dawn of War, Homeworld, and Terra Invicta for successfully integrating narrative with gameplay, while noting that many RTS titles treat campaigns as an afterthought.
Listeners can find this episode on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. For ways to get involved visit the Critical Moves Podcast website.
Next Week: The hosts explore Underrated Strategy Games You Might Have Missed, uncovering hidden gems that deserve more attention. Don’t miss it.
