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Traditionally, consoles had very, very few passable strategy titles. Even fewer truly good titles, and outstanding or even great entries were not to be had at all. The reason for that is of course, that strategy games, at least those great grand titles you get on PC, require a control set that a console’s controller can’t offer. A keyboard is needed for countless shortcuts. A mouse is needed to delegate quick, precise commands, for navigating the countless menus.
Even though a console can’t offer that level of quick while still intricate and precise control, a number of great titles have cropped up during the last years, that bucked the trend and dared for greatness even on the Xbox 360. Not just turn based titles, but real time strategy, tactical games and even strategic simulation style titles have found their way onto the console, and actually shifted respectable amounts of units while getting critical praise.
Updated: XCOM: Enemy Unknown added to #1
#10 South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play!
South Park hasn't done enough in the world of video games and video game adaptations of the popular TV show series have either been off the mark or just plain boring, but that's not the case with the XBLA game, South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play. The game has the show's atmospheric feel to it along with the signature humor and is probably the best looking South Park game out there. The gameplay follows in the footsteps of traditional tower defense lines, we're conceding that the game has a few flaws, but the combination of action, strategy, and south park humor makes this a game that cannot be missed by fans of the show or even those who like Tower defense games with a bit of sick humor.
#9 Tom Clancy's End War
In the case of RTS games on consoles it is hard to fit in the control scheme on a controller, but controls aside Tom Clancy's End War is an incredible cinematic and satisfying experience. The highlight of the game is its innovative voice command mechanic which for the most part recognizes the voice commands and those who wish not to use it can alternately use the controller. Your typical goal in the game is to capture points and then defend them, seasoned RTS players might not be impressed by the simplicity of the game, but that's what End War is all about, it streamlines the micro-management found in other RTS games and focuses on combat.
#8 Battlestations: Pacific
Battlestations: Pacific, the RTS action hybrid, is probably another one of those games that provides hope for RTS games on consoles. The game allows players to take control of the aerial and naval units, which provides a fun mix of action and tactics. It also provides two sets of campaigns, one for the Americans and another from the Japanese perspective with Historical references supporting the fragile yet action packed story line. Successful attacks are satisfying, intuitive interface is simple, and the AI is effective, an amazing WW II pacific theater which makes this a game worth trying if you don't care for shoddy voice acting.
#7 Worms 2 Armageddon (XBLA)
Worms 2: Armageddon is a complete package for new comers to the series and fans of the worms franchise, players controls their own group of Worms which can be given their own personality with a great selection of voices to choose from. The turn based strategy elements of the game make standard battles against AI teams, solving puzzles and completing challenges an enjoyable experience. The game is a lot deeper than you think if you are interested in fun TBS games.
#6 Supreme Commander 2
Apart from some major sound issues, Supreme Commander 2 is a great RTS game with controls a whole lot better than its predecessor on the Xbox 360. The single player campaign is disappointing, but the game is a lot of fun if you're looking to play online and the interface in Supreme Commander 2 makes it easier to control. One of the special features of the game is strategic zoom which allows players to zoom out far enough to see the entire map and then zoom in to view individual units. Players looking for an RTS game looking for plenty of depth and an easy learning curve will find this game interesting.
#5 Halo Wars
Set 20 years before the events of combat evolved, the game just takes Halo fans deep into the Halo universe. Although the game was not appreciated by critics, it goes without saying that the game has fantastic presentation. The game does not allow much freedom to the players as to how they want to approach missions, but there is quite a bit of depth. Units are fun to command and fairly well balanced
#4 LOTR: Middle-earth II
LOTR: Middle-earth II, was the first RTS game that played really well on the Xbox 360. Inspired from the movie and the books, since EA has the license to both, LOTR: ME II allows players to battle it out as good or evil in the single player campaign. The game also has about 4-5 multiplayer modes and is probably one of the best RTS games on the Xbox 360. LOTR fans will really enjoy the single player campaign as interacting with characters from a well known universe is wholesome fun.
#3 Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars
Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars is the perfect example of a console RTS game done right with an exciting and fast paced campaign. Packed with signature C & C epic stroyline, sci-fi heroes, treacherous villains, alien invasion and world domination with full motion video it just doesn't get any better for C & C fans or rookies of the genre.
#2 Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
Anyone who hasn't played a single Civilization game simply doesn't know what he's been missing out on. Civilization Revolution will be a great introduction for those unfamiliar with the franchise. The game provides an engrossing strategic depth which the Civ series is known for plus fantastic presentation makes this game the best Strategy game available on the Xbox 360. Personal glory is what it's all about in the single player mode by building vast armies and battling challenging AI, the multiplayer modes is just an icing on the cake. One last turn!
#1 XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Firaxis's XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a true successor to the turn-based strategy game series by Microprose. XCOM: Enemy Unknown sees the invasion of our cities by an extraterrestrial force that seeks, it seems, to purge mankind from the face of the planet.
Players are tasked with controlling a squad of earth's finest soldiers to take on the alien menace head-on in turn-based combat in locations ranging from dense urban environments to labyrinthine alien structures.
Revived by the makers of Civilization, the new XCOM streamlines everything that made the original title a little annoying to play through and improves upon all of its best qualities for a modern, turn-based strategy game that's like no other.
The game's best played on the console—like the Xbox 360—if only because it's perfectly suited for a controller. Even if you get the game on the PC, the game's more comfortable on a 360 pad.
If you've yet to be convinced, be sure to read the five reasons you should play XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
