Some players may not understand the difference between a strategy game and a tactical game, as both genres are mixed in titles like Citadelum. The best system to differentiate between the two styles of gameplay goes through the objectives and mechanics that we are going to apply.
Strategy is defined by a long-term objective. In a video game of the genre, traditionally this objective consists of conquering a territory, wiping out enemies or reaching a number of supplies to send to Rome, if we focus on our next game. Tactics would be the short-term decisions we make to achieve that goal, such as constructing certain buildings or training and deploying armies in a way to wipe out our opponents.
A perfect example for this may be chess. Chess is a tactical game, as we decide the movement of each of our pieces. Our main strategy should be winning the game or just killing the king.
So are all strategy games tactical and vice versa?
In a way, yes. All strategy games include tactical decisions and in turn, all tactical games involve an overall strategy, which allows us to achieve our goal. But in the world of video games, strategy and tactics are differentiated by other nuances.
Both games propose a long-term objective, either to complete the campaign or to take control of a territory. If they are divided into levels, strategy may depend on more clearly defined missions. Strategy games are those in which we control different factors: resources, unit formation, combat or diplomacy, in a continuous timeline.
To define tactical games, we focus on the main mechanic: combat. In those combats the player defines much more detailed elements, such as the movement and operations of each of the units separately. RPG elements may also be introduced, such as upgrading units with experience gained or selecting equipment. To allow for these decisions affecting minimal aspects of the battle, mechanics may include square-based movement and turn-based decisions, whereas in a strategy game it is not common for the battlefield to be divided.
Strategy or tactics in Citadelum.
In the case of Citadelum, the city building game set in Ancient Rome, we find a game style closer to strategy. Not only because of the general objectives set by each of the levels of the campaign, but also because our decisions in battle are more limited. As generals, we have to decide the initial battle formation, and once hostilities begin. We can send a unit to engage an enemy group or order it to establish a defensive position at a point, but we have no decision-making power over other elements.
Although experience does not improve the performance of units after a battle, we can restore or improve their strength in battle through reinforcements. Reinforcements require that we have previously trained the soldiers and that they are stationed on the map, ready to be deployed.
