Episode 5: The Best Franchises That Should Be Strategy Games

What if some of your favourite franchises were transformed into deep, tactical experiences? In this episode of Critical Moves, Al is joined by Joe and Nuno to discuss the intellectual properties they believe would make exceptional strategy games. From sci-fi book series to fantasy epics and classic literature, they break down the mechanics, narrative possibilities, and unique gameplay elements that could bring these franchises to life in the strategy genre.

The episode kicks off with Joe introducing the Bobiverse series, a lesser-known but highly engaging set of books about an AI-driven space exploration adventure. He envisions a 4X-style game reminiscent of Stellaris but with a twist—players wouldn’t have direct control over their expanding AI fleet. Instead, each Bob AI would have its own autonomy, potentially leading to unpredictable developments, conflicts, and even AI civil wars. Al and Nuno explore the sandbox potential of such a game and how its emergent gameplay could set it apart from traditional 4X strategy titles.

Nuno follows up with a more mainstream pick: Game of Thrones. He envisions a strategy game that goes beyond the existing mods for Crusader Kings 3 or Total War, arguing that an officially developed game could better capture the political intrigue, alliances, betrayals, and large-scale warfare that define the series. Al and Joe discuss the challenges of asymmetric faction design and the difficulty of differentiating the various houses on the battlefield. They also touch on why, despite its obvious potential, no major studio has yet developed a definitive Game of Thrones strategy game.

Al’s first pick takes a classic literary turn with War of the Worlds, imagining an RTS where Victorian-era human forces must fend off the unstoppable advance of Martian tripods. The discussion delves into asymmetry in RTS design, comparing the Martian invasion to Terminator: Dark Fate – Defiance, where humans play a largely defensive role while the Martians employ vastly superior technology. They explore unique gameplay mechanics, such as the Martians requiring human captives to fuel their war machine and the strategic depth of forcing them into battle by cutting off their food supply.

The episode also covers potential strategy games for G.I. Joe, Star Wars, and Mass Effect. Joe pitches a G.I. Joe game in the style of XCOM, where players build their own elite squad to fight against a Cobra-controlled world. Nuno suggests a Star Wars tactical game focusing on stormtroopers maintaining order in the galaxy—completely disconnected from the main saga to allow for greater creative freedom. Meanwhile, Al envisions Mass Effect as a grand strategy game, bringing the galaxy’s many factions into a larger 4X or RTS experience.

The conversation wraps up with a humorous critique of Ubisoft’s monetization tendencies, the potential for a Planet of the Apes strategy game, and Joe’s final pitch for Dungeon Crawler Carl, an MMO survival game inspired by the book series. The episode is packed with deep dives into mechanics, faction balance, and the kind of emergent storytelling that makes strategy games truly compelling.

For strategy game enthusiasts and fans of these franchises, this episode is a must-listen. The team’s mix of deep knowledge, humour, and unfiltered opinions makes for an engaging discussion on the endless possibilities for strategy gaming’s future. Whether you’re into grand strategy, RTS, or turn-based tactics, this episode will leave you wondering: which franchise should be adapted next?

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