1. Resource Management
Resource management is the key mechanic in most strategy games, determining what you build, what army you create, and how you progress your civilization or empire. These resources can be anything from money, food, wood, stone, gold, oil, etc. You’ll have to balance these resources to progress and create a successful empire. Balancing resources can be a tricky endeavor, and each resource can be used in different ways. This makes resource management an essential mechanic in strategy games, as it involves planning, foresight and careful consideration.
2. Research and Development
Research and Development (R&D) is the process of learning new technologies, skills, and abilities that help your empire grow. R&D is crucial because it ensures your civilization can keep up with competing civilizations and stay ahead of them. R&D focuses on technologies, units, abilities, and other elements that improve your civilization’s overall abilities. This mechanic also encourages players to experiment, unlocking powerful bonuses and benefits as they progress through the game.
3. Unit and Army Management
In strategy games, you will need to create units to progress through the game. Creating units involves managing your resources and prioritizing which units to build. Units can have different abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and uses. Units can be used to scout the area, defend against enemy attacks, attack specific targets or to conquer territory. An important aspect of unit management is army composition, as having a good mix of units can be the difference between victory and defeat.
4. Strategic Deployment
Deploying your forces strategically is essential to winning in a strategy game. Strategic Deployment requires you to place your units in the right place at the right time. You will need to read the enemy’s movements and intentions precisely before deciding how to deploy your forces. Some games even have terrain mechanics, which can affect positioning and the damage output of your units.
5. Combat and Combat Mechanics
Combat and combat mechanics can vary greatly in different types of strategy games. Some games rely on individual units’ strengths and weaknesses, while others have a more rock-paper-scissors approach with counters and abilities. Combat mechanics require you to read the enemy’s strengths and weaknesses and adapt your strategy accordingly. Proper understanding and management of the combat mechanics of a game can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
Conclusion
Strategy games are complex, deep, and require careful consideration and planning. The game mechanics present in these games are crucial to their success, allowing players to compete against each other and level up their empires. Understanding the mechanics and the different elements of a strategy game is vital to succeeding in the game. Players who master the game mechanics of strategy games will undoubtedly have a better chance of dominating their competition.
