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Strategy

The Banner Saga – Stoic (Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, iOS, PSN, XBLA)
Homepage
January 14, 2014

What is it?
Successfully Kickstarted, this is indie title blending 2D, hand-animated cells in with an isometric combat engine hearkening back to classic tactical CRPGs like SSI’s Gold Box series if Don Bluth were the art director. It takes its inspiration from Viking legend featuring a gritty, low-fantasy world, consequence-based choices that will affect the main story, and it’s being put together by a staff of three former developers from BioWare. This release is the first chapter of what is intended to be a trilogy with a free-to-play multiplayer feature.

Massive Chalice – Double Fine Productions (Linux, Mac OS X, Windows)
Homepage
September 2014

What is it?
It’s Double Fine’s second Kickstarted project after Broken Age. This time, it’s a tactical strategy fantasy title where players will manage not only the defense of their kingdom but their bloodline as their heroes grow up, grow old, and ultimately, die, all the while trying to ensure the next generation can continue the fight and eventually reforge the eponymous chalice. It’s being led by Brad Muir of Iron Brigade fame.

Planetary Annihilation – Uber Entertainment (Linux, OS X, Windows)
Homepage
TBA 2014

What is it?
It’s the long awaited return to the “Annihilation” series by the veteran team behind the original Total Annihilation and, more recently, Supreme Commander, thanks to a massively successful Kickstarter bid. This time, entire planets will lie before players like a buffet as they lead fleets to seek out and take over hundreds of worlds. There will still be a fair bit of ground pounding, but now you’ll also have giant space fleets to drop rocks on planets for those personal touches. The game is also available as an “Early Release” title on Steam if you want to pay to get into the beta and give it a spin – and hopefully, give the team a little feedback on how to improve it.

Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare – PopCap Games (X360, XBO, Windows)
Homepage
February 18, 2014

What is it?
It’s the next big installment of the popular tower defense franchise by PopCap turning garden variety plants into weapons of mass destruction as they battle an onslaught of zombies, now all in third-person built on top of the Frostbite 3 engine.

Transistor – Supergiant Games (Linux, OS X, PS4, Windows)
FAQ
TBA 2014

What is it?
A new, isometric turn-based strategy game set in a new world by the makers of Bastion. You’ll take on the role of a young girl into whose hands falls a powerful weapon that everyone wants to kill her for. Taking place in a “futuristic city”, players will fend off enemies in turn-based combat, picking options and watching them execute in lightning fashion. I enjoyed Bastion quite a bit so am definitely looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

War for the Overworld – Subterannean Games (Linux, OS X, Windows)
Homepage
TBA 2014

What is it?
This Kickstarter project still promises a rebirth of the same kind of gameplay that made Dungeon Keeper incredibly fun pushing the potential official release for the game into 2014. In this dungeon sim, and just like in Dungeon Keeper, players build up a dungeon, stock it with traps and monsters, and then lure good guys in to get squashed. It’s all good fun, especially if you want to see how the bad guys do it from their side of the moss covered wall.