Now that 2018 is behind us, it’s time to start looking forward to the games we’ll be playing in 2019. Over the next several days, I’ll be bringing you a tidal wave of indie and AA games that will be releasing throughout the year.
This will by no means be a comprehensive list, especially since it was create primarily by me browsing through hundreds of games in the Steam upcoming releases tab, but hopefully I’ll manage to highlight a sizeable chunk of the upcoming releases you guys might not be aware of.
For my first article, I’ll be focusing on strategy games, one of my personal favorite genres. I’ve also thrown in some management and city building games here, too. There’s so many that I’m excited about that the strategy category will actually take up the first two articles in this series, but don’t worry, I’ll get to some other genres soon enough.
Here’s 16 upcoming strategy games to watch out for in 2019:
Age of Wonders: Planetfall
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Developer: Triumph Studios
Platforms: Windows PC
The classic fantasy 4X series is traveling to space in Age of Wonders: Planetfall. This latest installment will translate many of the mechanics and races found in Age of Wonders III into a sci-fi setting, and as someone who really enjoyed the previous games, Planetfall is one of my most anticipated games of 2019. No firm release date has been announced.
At the Gates
Developer: Conifer Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux
At the Gates is a medieval 4X strategy game by Jon Shafer, the designer of Civilization 5. Control a dark ages lord eager to build an empire to replace the crumbling Romans. At the Gates will release on January 23rd.
Re-Legion
Publisher: 1C Entertainment
Developer: Ice Code Games
Platforms: Windows PC
Re-Legion is an RTS game where you are the prophet of a techno-cult in a dystopian cyberpunk metropolis. New units are recruited by converting civilians to your religion instead of building a barracks like in most traditional RTS games. Re-Legion was supposed to come out late 2018, but was delayed to sometime in Q1 2019.
Conan Unconquered
Publisher: Funcom
Developer: Petroglyph
Platforms: Windows PC
Conan Unconquered is a city-building RTS set in the famous Robert E. Howard fantasy world of Hyboria about constructing a mighty stronghold to repel hordes of savages. It’s made by Petroglyph, a company comprised of former Westwood developers that recently made the 8-Bit Armies games. The game is set to release in Q2 2019.
Godhood
Developer: Abbey Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux
Godhood is the next title by Abbey Games, developers of Renowned Explorers and Reus. You play as a newborn deity trying to gather followers to spread your religion, and then crush other gods that stand in your way. No concrete release date has been announced.
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Developer: Tindalos Interactive
Platforms: Windows PC
Another game I’m really excited about is Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2. This fleet RTS set in the 40k universe takes place during the Fall of Cadia arc that led up to the release of 8th Edition, and will feature all 12 major 40k factions from the start. You don’t have to wait long either, because Armada 2 releases on January 24th.
Necromunda: Underhive Wars
Publisher: Focus Home Interactive
Developer: Rogue Factory
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One
Necromunda: Underhive Wars is another 40k game coming to us this year from Focus Home Interactive. This turn-based strategy game is based on the recent reboot of the Necromunda license, and focuses on gang warfare in the 40k world. It’s being made by the same guys behind 2015’s PC adaptation of Mordheim. No release date has been announced yet.
Tropico 6
Publisher: Kalypso Media
Developer: Limbic Entertainment
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux
Tropico 6 is the latest installment in the long-running city management game where you get to control the incompetent dictator of a Caribbean banana republic. Its coming to Steam on the 25th, and will be making its way to consoles at some point in Summer 2019.
Industries of Titan
Developer: Brace Yourself Games
Platforms: Windows PC
Industries of Titan is the next game by the developers of Crypt of the Necrodancer. This city-building game is set on Titan in an industrial future ruled by greedy megacorporations that wage war via economic espionage and private fleets of starships. Industries of Titan is due out in the second half of 2019.
Phantom Brigade
Developer: Brace Yourself Games
Platforms: Windows PC
Brace Yourself Games recently merged with the company that was working on Phantom Brigade, an upcoming turn-based mech strategy game. You are the commander of The Brigade, a ragtag band of mech pilots fighting a guerilla war after their homeland was conquered by a foreign power. No release date has been announced.
Warborn
Developer: Raredrop Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
If you are craving more turn-based mech combat, maybe Warborn will satisfy your hunger. This hex-based strategy game seems to be inspired more than a bit by Advance Wars, and will be making its way to pretty much ever modern gaming platform in mid-2019.
Wargroove
Developer: Chucklefish
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Switch, Xbox One
We can’t discuss upcoming Advance Wars clones without mentioning Wargroove, a fantasy turn-based strategy game by Chucklefish with some adorable pixel art. The game features four factions, each with three commanders to customize your playstyle. The game is set to release sometime within the next few months.
Pathway
Publisher: Chucklefish
Developer: Robotality
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux
Chucklefish is also publishing another interesting turn-based strategy game coming out later this year. Pathway is a pulp adventure strategy game where you control a band of adventurers racing against the Nazis to prevent them from uncovering powerful and ancient occult artifacts across the globe. No release date has been set yet.
Steel Division 2
Developer: Eugen Systems
Platforms: Windows PC
Speaking of Nazis, Eugen Systems is already making a follow-up to their WWII RTS from 2017. The game will feature hundreds of accurately modeled historical vehicles, 25 enormous maps, and a 1:1 scale strategic map in the campaign mode. No release date has been confirmed.
Iron Harvest
Developer: King Art Games
Platforms: Windows PC, PS4, Xbox One
If you prefer a more alternate history take to your RTS games, Iron Harvest might hopefully come out this year. This Company of Heroes-inspired RTS is set in the World of 1920+ universe that spawned the hit board game Scythe. If it does come out in 2019, don’t expect it until very late in the year, however.
The First Men
Developer: Pera Games
Platforms: Windows PC, Mac, Linux
Finally, we come to The First Men, a fantasy 4X strategy game with some fairly unique ideas. Create and customize your own Adam and Eve that will spawn the human race, then guide them through the ages to become the dominate race on Earth. No release date has been confirmed yet.
That’s all for now. Check back soon for my second batch of highlights featuring strategy games to watch in 2019. Which of these games are you most interested in?
