Exploring different subgenres within strategy games is a fantastic way to narrow down your preferences and find the type of gameplay that resonates with you. Here's a brief overview of some common subgenres along with examples:
1. **Grand Strategy:** Games in this subgenre typically involve complex, large-scale management of nations or civilizations. Examples include Europa Universalis IV (EU4), Crusader Kings III (CK3), and Empire: Total War (ETW).
2. **City Builders:** City-building games focus on constructing and managing cities or settlements. Tropico is a great example, where you play as a dictator managing a Caribbean island nation, balancing political and economic factors.
3. **Real-Time Strategy (RTS):** These games emphasize quick decision-making and real-time combat. Age of Empires, as you mentioned, is a classic example where you build and manage civilizations while engaging in battles with other players or AI opponents.
4. **Turn-Based Strategy (TBS):** In contrast to RTS, turn-based strategy games allow players to take turns executing actions. Examples include Civilization VI, where you guide a civilization from the ancient era to the space age, making strategic decisions in diplomacy, warfare, and technology.
5. **Simulation:** Simulation strategy games often focus on simulating specific industries, businesses, or activities. Cartel Tycoon, which you enjoyed, falls into this category, where you manage a drug cartel's operations and navigate the challenges of the black market.
6. **Tower Defense:** These games task players with defending a base or territory against waves of enemies. Popular examples include Plants vs. Zombies and Kingdom Rush.
By exploring these subgenres, you can identify the gameplay mechanics and themes that appeal to you the most, helping you to narrow down your choices and find strategy games that you'll enjoy. If you have any specific preferences or questions about a particular subgenre, feel free to ask!
