Strategos, a large-scale real-time tactics game set in the ancient world, launches on PC on January 20, and it looks to be a deliberate counterpoint to the long-running Total War series rather than a direct imitation.
Published by the revived MicroProse, Strategos focuses on command limitations, morale, and battlefield uncertainty, drawing more from tabletop wargaming than from mainstream RTS design. Battles involve thousands of troops operating in formation, with fatigue, disorder, terrain, and fog of war all playing a significant role.
It sports modern graphics, but the core ethos of this strategy title is the tactical drive that has been present in war games all the way back to the original tabletops.
A different challenge to Total War
Where the 25-year-old Total War series has increasingly emphasised spectacle and accessibility, Strategos leans in the opposite direction. Orders aren’t always instant, units don’t always behave predictably, and generals matter as much for maintaining cohesion as they do for raw bonuses. Command ranges and couriers mean players must manage not just armies, but the flow of information across the battlefield.
The game spans nearly a thousand years of classical antiquity, from the Persian Wars through to Imperial Rome and the Sasanian Empire. At launch, Strategos includes historical battles such as Issos and Raphia, alongside an extensive custom battle system that allows players to mix factions, eras, terrain, and AI behaviour to create both historical and hypothetical match-ups.
Rather than focusing on cinematic presentation, Strategos prioritises systems: morale shocks, routing, pursuit, flanking, and the gradual breakdown of formations under pressure. It’s a more austere take on ancient warfare, and one that aligns closely with MicroProse’s recent run of complex, simulation-heavy strategy releases.
Campaigns are planned
An operational campaign layer is also in development. These map-based campaigns will begin with Sicily during the First Punic War, linking tactical battles to wider decisions around movement, supply, and limited recruitment. More campaigns are planned post-launch.
Strategos arrives on PC on January 20, and you can wishlist it now. While it’s unlikely to trouble Total War’s mainstream audience, it offers a clear alternative for players looking for a slower, more demanding approach to ancient warfare.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
