Strategy games with permanent consequences are relatively uncommon, but the ones that do exist are exceptional within the genre. Permanent consequences add weight to players' choices and compel them to think critically about their decisions. This feature also presents players with the challenge of deciding whether to reset a difficult battle or continue without the lost character.
While permanent consequences may initially seem punishing, they enrich the game's narrative by adding a sense of tragedy and demanding strategic planning from players. Additionally, underutilized characters may see more action as replacements or even bait. Games with permanent consequences also allow players to engage in Iron Man Mode playthroughs and experiment with different strategies. Some of today's best strategy games are renowned for their permanent consequence mechanics.
6 The Banner Saga
A Gripping Turn-Based Narrative Strategy Game with Permanent Consequences
The Banner Saga stands out as one of the decade's premier strategy games. It follows the poignant journey of a Norse Caravan led by Rook and his daughter Alette. Players are immersed in a somber world grappling with an impending apocalypse and human adversaries.
This game is defined by the far-reaching consequences of player choices and actions. When a character dies in battle, they are permanently lost. Players' decisions can result in new recruits or altered caravan dynamics. The game seamlessly integrates permanent consequences into its narrative, creating a compelling and melancholic experience. The original Banner Saga was a captivating and gloomy game, and player decisions and mistakes carried forward throughout the trilogy.
5 Fire Emblem 7
The Inaugural Entry in a Legendary Franchise with Permanent Consequences
Fire Emblem 7, also known as Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade or simply Fire Emblem, marked the franchise's first foray into Western markets. It remains one of the top GBA games and an excellent entry point for newcomers to the strategy genre. This game offers various difficulty levels and incorporates the franchise's signature permanent consequence mechanics. Fire Emblem 7 chronicles the saga of three young lords, Hector, Eliwood, and Lyn, as they navigate a continent-wide conflict while grappling with loss, political turmoil, and assuming their newfound positions of power.
Fire Emblem 7 presents a formidable yet balanced strategic experience, featuring a diverse array of characters and classes. Despite the presence of permanent consequences, certain characters like Marcus and Pent, though 'dying' in-game and becoming inaccessible to players, continue to appear in the story.
4 Tactics Ogre: Reborn
A Modernized Remake of a Strategy Classic with Permanent Consequences
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together ranks among the finest turn-based strategy games available. As a counterpart to Final Fantasy Tactics, it prominently features permanent consequences. While the game poses significant challenges, it affords players some flexibility. Major characters possess three lives, after which they are permanently lost. Although this may seem generous, given the extensive maps, prolonged battles, and numerous engagements, players can easily lose characters.
Besides its captivating storyline and impactful choices, the game boasts exceptional gameplay. The recent remake, Tactics Ogre: Reborn incorporates rebalancing, adjustments to the class/job system, and notably eliminates the three-life system. Now, when a unit perishes, they are gone for good, intensifying the game's difficulty. Losing a character like Canopus early on could spell disaster.
3 Fire Emblem: Path Of Radiance
Noteworthy for Its Large-Scale Battles and Permanent Consequences
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance represents the ninth installment in the Fire Emblem series and continues to be recognized as one of the franchise's standout titles. Its compelling narrative and diverse, memorable characters, particularly the protagonist Ike, contribute to its appeal. Players accompany Ike's transformation from a humble mercenary mourning his father's loss to a renowned general liberating the continent from a tyrannical ruler.
Path of Radiance delivers exceptional turn-based strategy gameplay and poses a significant challenge, especially on higher difficulty settings. It introduces varied victory objectives and new beast units that players must navigate. What sets it apart from other Fire Emblem installments is the extensive enemy regiments encountered in each chapter. This necessitates the deployment of more units than usual, making permanent consequences a critical factor. Losing a vital unit like Tatiana or Oscar early on could spell trouble for the entire campaign.
2 Tactics Ogre: The Knight Of Lodis
An Overlooked Gem in the Tactics Ogre Series with Permanent Consequences
The Knight of Lodis represents a forgotten gem from the early 2000s. Set in the same world as Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, it recounts Alphonse's tragic tale and his gradual disillusionment with the existing world order. The game offers extensive customization and a diverse range of classes. Despite the opportunity for players to build formidable armies, the game presents considerable challenges, further compounded by its permanent consequence mechanics.
Players can unexpectedly lose their best units, compelling them to rapidly adapt to upcoming battles. Although the gameplay may not be as intricate as other series entries, it features a compelling and empathetic narrative, along with memorable characters.
1 XCOM 2
XCOM 2 undoubtedly stands as one of the finest strategy games of this decade, justifying players' years-long anticipation for a sequel or successor. It represents the pinnacle of turn-based strategy gameplay, featuring procedurally generated maps, dynamic terrain crucial to combat conditions, a diverse array of adversaries, and, notably, permanent consequences.
While XCOM 2 may not have original characters inherently tied to the narrative, all player-created characters are susceptible to permanent death, with no chance of revival. This makes it challenging to fill the void within the team, and the loss of meticulously customized and upgraded units is keenly felt. With varying difficulty settings, this game is a must-play for enthusiasts of permanent consequences and grid-based strategy games.