Welcome to Episode 14 of the Critical Moves Podcast! This time, Al, Nuno, and Tim dive into a topic every strategy gamer wrestles with: do strategies from one game work in another? Whether you’re a dedicated turtle or an aggressive rusher, this episode unpacks the merits of different playstyles and the challenges they present across a variety of strategy games.
Turtling vs. Rushing: Finding Your Strategy Style
Al and Nuno admit to being turtle players. Al explains his love for sitting back, building an impregnable fortress, and taking things slow. He confesses that his cautious approach may be tied to his competitive streak mixed with a fear of losing, particularly in multiplayer settings where aggressive players can steamroll slower tactics. Nuno shares a similar mindset, recalling his early days with Age of Empires where he’d turn the game into a pseudo-city builder, focusing on creating fortified medieval towns.
Tim offers a different perspective from the competitive multiplayer scene, explaining that in games like Beyond All Reason, a turtling strategy is often seen as playing ‘greedy’—investing heavily in the economy early on while risking a rush from an opponent. He highlights that effective strategy often involves scouting and reacting to the enemy’s approach, showing how multiplayer dynamics can shift strategies on the fly.
The Shift to Combined Arms and Complexity
The team discusses how RTS games have evolved from the old-school tank rush tactics of Command & Conquer to more complex strategies that require a blend of unit types. Al appreciates how modern games encourage combined arms tactics, making it more important to balance air, artillery, and ground units rather than just spamming tanks.
Nuno also brings up Company of Heroes as a standout example, showing how the game’s cover and suppression mechanics reflect authentic WWII strategies. The discussion emphasizes that while absolute realism isn’t necessary, authentic and thematic mechanics can significantly enhance the gaming experience.
Realism and Authenticity in Strategy Games
The conversation shifts to how strategy games balance realism with fun. Nuno points out that historical authenticity doesn’t always mean strict realism but rather capturing the essence of historical tactics. He praises games like Empire: Total War for implementing mechanics such as line infantry only allowing the front row to fire unless the rear ranks kneel—a nod to real military drills.
Al, ever the lover of historical details, shares how he enjoys when games present unique challenges and break away from generic skirmish modes. The team agrees that a good strategy game should offer missions that challenge players to think differently, keeping the experience fresh and engaging.
Looking Forward: AI and Strategy Evolution
Tim introduces the concept of how AI development could revolutionize strategy games by allowing them to adapt dynamically to player tactics. The idea of setting AI behavior to mimic historical generals like Zhukov or Rommel sparks the team’s imagination. Al notes how this could bring a new level of replayability and depth to single-player experiences.
The Gauntlet Is Thrown: Multiplayer Challenge
A highlight of the episode is Tim suggesting a Beyond All Reason multiplayer showdown. With Al and Joe already set to face off, Nuno throws his hat in the ring, promising a three-way battle where only one strategist will emerge victorious. Tim hints at a special map that will push everyone toward the center, adding a chaotic twist to the competition.
Join the Conversation
If you’ve got strategies that work across different games or if you’ve got a favorite game that challenges you to adapt your tactics, we’d love to hear from you. Join our Discord through the link at criticalmovespodcast.com and share your thoughts. And if you enjoyed this episode, sharing it with a friend is the best way to support us.
Listeners can find this episode on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. For ways to get involved visit the Critical Moves Podcast website.
We’ll catch you next week for a ‘mystery episode’—stay tuned!
