Summary
Strategy games cover a broad and varied number of sub-genres, but many of them feature recruitable units or some form of unit management. Many strategy games take ona fantasy theme, but, unfortunately, not all of them feature dragons.
This is a shame, as dragons are an iconic part of fantasy. However, although some games choose to omit dragons, others embrace them. From defending against ferocious dragon enemies inKingdoms And Castlesto recruiting the dragons themselves, strategy games have been creatively including dragons for years.
Kingdoms AndCastlesis a city-building strategy game that tasks players withbuilding and defending a castled townfrom waves of bloodthirsty Vikings and fire-breathing dragons. The game features a bright and colorful art style and engaging city-building mechanics that make managing the town and the people within its walls an engaging task.
Kingdoms AndCastlesalso features base defense gameplay, tasking players with building static defenses and armies to fight off the dual threat of the Vikings and dragons. The different strategies required to survive and overcome these unique threats ensure players are kept on their toes throughout, constantly working to better defend their miniature kingdom.
Divinity: Dragon Commanderis a creative combination ofthird-person action, RPG systems, and real-time strategy. The game focuses on building and managing armies, conquering territory via a world map not dissimilar toTotal War. Most notably, however, players are able to take control of a dragon during each battle, allowingDivinity: Dragon Commanderto offer unique gameplay.
Outside of its dragon combat, however,Divinity: Dragon Commanderis a relatively straightforward real-time strategy game. For hardcore fans of the genre, it may lack challenge, but for players that enjoy more lightweight experiences,Divinity: Dragon Commanderis consistently engaging.
Total Wargamesare known for their blend of turn-based, over-world campaigns and large-scale real-time strategy battles. Many of these games take on a historical theme, but theTotal War: Warhammerfranchise takes the fantastical world ofWarhammerand combines it withTotal War’siconic gameplay. There are currently threeTotal War: Warhammergames available, but the second game in the trilogy is arguably the best.
Total War: Warhammerfeatures a variety of playable factions, each with their own units. Dragons are predominantly used by the High Elves but can be recruited by a select few factions outside of them. These creatures inflict terror and some can also be mounted by characters.
This 4X grand strategy game takes place in a stylish fantasy setting and is packed with strategic choices and tactical turn-based combat encounters.Age Of Wonders 4features a dynamic event system that drives the game forward and provides narrative context for the strategic layer, while the deep levels of customization and large variety of units keep the game’s replay value high.
In keeping with its high fantasy setting,Age Of Wonders 4features dragon and wyvern units. Furthermore,Age Of Wonders 4also features a dragon-focused expansion in the form of paid DLC, appropriately titledAge Of Wonders 4: Dragon Dawn.
3Heroes Of Might And Magic 3
Old-School Turn-Based Strategy With A Strategic Layer
Resource management, elements of grand strategy, and tactics all play important roles inHeroes Of Might And Magic. There have been a variety ofgames in the franchise, and every fan has a favorite, but it could be argued thatHeroes Of Might And Magic 3is where the series peaked.
AlthoughHeroes Of Might And Magic 3may appear inaccessible on the surface with its old-school visuals and busy user interface, it’s a frequently engaging and consistently charming experience. As its title suggests,Heroes Of Might And Magic 3is a fantasy-themed strategy game, and it features a large variety of high-fantasy units. Among its many units are a variety of recruitable dragons.
Though not quite as massive as RTS franchisessuch asStarCraftandCommand & Conquer,Strongholdis a cornerstone of the real-time strategy genre and, more notably, a pioneer of base defense games. Although the originalStrongholdtook place in medieval England, FireFly Studios got creative with one of its later sequels,Stronghold Legends, which added fantasy elements inspired by myths and legends.
These fantasy elements include everything from frost giants and werewolves, all the way to wizards and, of course, dragons. For fans of both fantasy and the classic castle-sim gameplay ofStronghold,Stronghold Legendsis worth a look.
TheWarcraftfranchise may be better known for the MMO,World Of Warcraft, butWarcraft 2andWarcraft 3are arguably among the best real-time strategy games of their time.Warcraft 3provides players with colorful stylized graphics and creative, engaging campaigns that make it a relativelyaccessible real-time strategy game.
Set in a fantasy world,Warcraft 3is able to provide players with fantastical locations, monsters, and creatures of all kinds. There are a variety of units across the game’s variety of factions, and although dragons aren’t always available as units, they can be recruited as mercenaries through a unique building known as a Dragon Roost.
