The Best Licensed Strategy Games

When a cherished movie, TV show, or book is merged with another form of media, it can create an experience that is thrilling yet refreshingly familiar. Fortunately, as versatile as they are, strategy games have a long and proven history of successfully adapting or recreating licensed IPs, at least more so than most other gaming genres. They have the ability to seamlessly blend the intricacies of strategic planning with narratives that fans already adore.

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This list of games demonstrates the strategy genre’s versatility in incorporating various liscensed IPs. Each entry features distinct design elements while collectively allowing players to immerse themselves in already richly developed worlds to enjoy them in new and engaging ways.

8

Jurassic World Evolution 2

Master Dino-Park Management In This Theme Park Simulator

Jurassic World Evolution 2 is a love letter to fans of the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World films, placing players in the role of park creator and enabling them to create their own prehistoric theme park. Like all successful park management simulators, it’s about satisfying visiting guests and making money. However, this one has a bit more bite to it. Players must design enormous electrified enclosures, and research and accommodate over 70 species of dinosaurs. Then, they must prepare for unexpected dino breakouts or natural disasters that jeopardize the safety of their park, which quickly turn the game into more of a dinosaur disaster strategy game than a true tycoon game.

The game builds upon the foundation established by its predecessor, enriching it with an array of new features, including dynamic environmental effects, enhanced dinosaur behaviors, and a much-needed range of management tools. Players also benefit from guidance by the iconic Ian Malcolm, voiced impeccably by Jeff Goldblum himself. Although it may not explore the complexities of park management simulation in-depth, Jurassic World Evolution 2 effectively keeps the spotlight on the dinosaurs and manages to connect the experience to the films just enough to make it worthwhile for longtime fans.

7

Aliens: Dark Descent

Squad-Based Strategy Against The Perfect Organism

Capturing horror in the strategy genre can be challenging, and few titles have effectively pulled it off. This is particularly evident when trying to evoke the essence of a film that has defined what it means to be a horror movie. Set in the universe of James Cameron’s Alien movies, Aliens: Dark Descent challenges players to engage in what all previous installments of the classic series excel at: navigating through intensely dark ships and planets while surviving against relentless Xenomorph threats. This time, the action unfolds on the alien-infested moon of Lethe. While many may draw comparisons to XCOM due to its use of isometric squad-based action, there’s a deeper layer of complexity waiting to be uncovered.

Aliens: Dark Descent operates much faster than XCOM, deviating from a grid-based system and leaning much more on real-time elements in combat and movement across significantly larger mission maps. In addition to being hunted by the ever-present threat of the Xenomorphs, players must contend with an in-game stress meter that diminishes their squad’s effectiveness, creating high-pressure situations that are essential for any game set in the Alien universe. Fortunately, the game’s high-stakes missions and menacing use of Xenomorphs successfully translate the iconic sci-fi horror from the films into an isometric strategy framework, creating a unique example of a strategy game successfully incorporating horror elements.

6

Dune: Spice Wars

Wield Political Intrigue And Military Might In This 4X Fight For Arrakis

Dune: Spice Wars

Systems

Released

September 14, 2023

Developer(s)

Shiro Games

Publisher(s)

Funcom, Shiro Games

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

One of the earliest forms of strategy games was Dune 2, released in 1992, which played a pivotal role in shaping the entire RTS genre. Today, developers Shiro Games have returned to author Frank Herbert’s desolate world of Arrakis with a 4X game of political intrigue, resource management, and territorial control. In Dune: Spice Wars, players can choose from factions such as the arch-enemies House Atreides and House Harkonnen, as well as lesser-known houses from the Imperium, each offering distinct advantages and playstyles as they vie for the central resource, Spice Melange.

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While it may not be the most compelling or tactically complex 4X game on the market, Dune: Spice Wars excels in its ability to immerse players in its evocative sci-fi setting. Whether harvesting spice, trading with the CHOAM organization, voting on Landsraad propositions, or surviving sandworm attacks, every gameplay element is tastefully acquired from the novels and woven into a well-crafted strategic framework. These clever mechanics result in a rewarding experience that effectively captures the essence of the IP, making it a delight for fans of Dune’s vast lore.

5

Marvel’s Midnight Suns

Play Your Cards Right To Lead Marvel’s Heroes To Victory

Assemble some of the big players from the Marvel universe and have them battle against supernatural forces in a turn-based tactical RPG with an engrossing narrative—that’s Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Loosely inspired by the comic series of the same name, the game initially struggled to capture widespread attention upon its release, partly due to its niche choice of a deckbuilding card-based combat system, which closely resembles roguelikes such as Slay the Spire or Monster Train. However, over time, it has garnered positive reviews and is highly recommended as a special entry in Marvel’s vast collection of games.

Fortunately, this card combat system is surprisingly intricate, especially when compared to a more conventional system of activating assigned abilities using a no-frills meter. The combat is also visually stunning and flawlessly animated, allowing a team of three chosen superheroes to unleash their powers in dynamic ways. They will blast energy beams, execute powerful kicks, and soar gracefully through the air, utilizing the environment to their advantage by hurling objects and leaping from high vantage points to gain the upper hand against enemies and the occasional supervillain. It all makes for a captivating optical treat. Coupled with a worthwhile storyline that will surprise many, Marvel’s Midnight Suns is well worth the time for both fans and non-fans of Marvel.

4

South Park: The Stick Of Truth

Fight, Explore, And Laugh In South Park’s Authentic Visual Style

Widely regarded as one of the most entertaining cartoons on television, South Park captivates audiences with its unique blend of bold, often controversial humor. Building on the show’s success, South Park: The Stick of Truth is a role-playing game played from an exact representation of the source material’s famed 2D aesthetic and comedic style, achieving both with great effectiveness.

While primarily an RPG involving outlandish quests and exploring famous locales from the show, South Park: The Stick of Truth integrates strategic, turn-based combat that earns its place on this list, highly reminiscent of Nintendo’s Paper Mario strategy series. Combat involves using melee and ranged attacks, casting hilariously exaggerated effects, and even summoning a choice of the series’ favorite characters; Mr. Hankey included. Ultimately, the game’s faithful recreation of South Park’s quirky world and its biting satire, coupled with an enjoyable gameplay loop, distinguishes it as an outstanding licensed title and a strategy-rich RPG.

3

Star Wars: Empire At War

Strategize And Conquer The Galaxy In This Star Wars RTS Masterpiece

Systems

Released

February 16, 2006

Developer(s)

Petroglyph Games

Released in 2006, Star Wars: Empire at War quickly captured the hearts of strategy gamers and Star Wars fans alike. This real-time strategy gem allows players to take command of either the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire in epic battles across the Star Wars galaxy—many of which are iconic conflicts from the original film’s trilogy—whilst strategically distributing forces across captured planets.

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While it has aged considerably and does not offer much compared to the graphics of today’s high-end titles, Star Wars: Empire at War still presents a distinct Star Wars charm with all its recognizable ships, units, and characters. While the modding community still keeps the game alive today, it is a title sorely deserving of an official remaster. Regardless, it is important to note that this game remains the de facto Star Wars strategy experience, with strong connections to the movies, the expanded universe, and the Force.

2

The Lord Of The Rings: The Battle For Middle-Earth 2

Recreate The Most Epic Battles In Fantasy’s Most Beloved Universe

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II

Systems

Released

February 28, 2006

Developer(s)

EA Los Angeles

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Another standout real-time strategy game released in 2006 is The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth 2. While it draws heavily from the traditional RTS formula, it remains an extraordinarily authentic adaptation of Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy and J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore. Every battle, unit, hero, and piece of soundtrack is recreated with such meticulous detail that it immediately immerses the player in Middle-earth, drawing them back to anything Lord of the Rings-related.

Featuring a lengthy good and evil campaign, six playable factions, and numerous custom game modes, The Battle for Middle-earth 2 offers hours of engaging and, most importantly, replayable content. It is undoubtedly one of the most influential strategy games set in perhaps the most iconic fantasy IP ever.

1

Total War: Warhammer 3

Transforming Tabletop Tactics Into Real-Time Strategy

Systems

Released

February 17, 2022

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

With numerous Warhammer-based strategy games available, most notably the Dawn of War series, it can be challenging to pinpoint a standout title. The Warhammer IP, originating from the tabletop wargame, has carved out a prominent position within the realm of strategy gaming—and rightly so. Yet one game elevates the Warhammer experience to a new level: Total War: Warhammer 3. This game is the epic conclusion to Total War’s fantasy saga, featuring over 20 unique playable races and an expansive sandbox map, all while delivering the franchise’s signature large-scale strategic battles.

The captivating combination of expansion, diplomacy, and trade in the turn-based campaign modes across various races can be challenging to put down. However, the true standout feature of this title is its battles. These encounters are breathtaking, showcasing the grandeur of fantasy as gruesome monsters clash, powerful magic is unleashed, and diabolical war machines are deployed. Total War has taken the essence of this franchise and turned it into something unimaginable. Whether for a die-hard fan of Warhammer lore or simply stopping by for some epic strategy gameplay, Total War: Warhammer 3 stands out as the crowning achievement in licensed strategy gaming.

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