In Episode 29 of Critical Moves, Jack, Tim, and Adam explore the world of strategy spin-offs, diving into how popular franchises fare when they cross over into the strategy genre. From cult classics to tactical misfires, the episode covers everything from Halo Wars to Minecraft Legends, and the good, the bad, and the copyright that comes with it.
Franchise Strategy Adaptations: The Good, The Bad, and The Tactical
Jack kicks things off by revisiting Episode 5's wishlist of franchises they wanted to see in strategy form. This time, the crew looks at the titles that actually made it to release. They discuss how well these games adapted their source material and whether the mechanics did justice to the worlds they’re set in. Tim admits he approaches these games with caution, as adaptations can easily go wrong. However, there are examples where the genre match works, with Adam pointing to Fallout Tactics and Jack bringing up Gears Tactics as examples of successful tactical spin-offs.
Minecraft Legends – A Surprising Take on Strategy
Jack delves into Minecraft Legends, explaining how it blends open-world exploration with strategy elements and light construction. You command units while riding on horseback, building defenses, rallying allies, and shaping the battlefield with a magic staff. The game’s unconventional mechanics are rooted in the Minecraft sandbox idea, but they work in a way that feels true to the spirit of the franchise. The crew discusses whether this mix of genres was successful and what it adds to the overall Minecraft universe.
Dune’s Strategy Legacy
Tim shifts the discussion to Dune and gives a brief history of the original Dune game from 1992, arguing it was a hybrid adventure-strategy title that captured the tone of Frank Herbert's books better than many modern adaptations. Adam briefly discusses Dune: Spice Wars, acknowledging that while it’s not bad, it doesn’t quite break free from RTS norms. The crew agrees that while the Dune universe is rich with strategy potential, recent entries haven’t quite captured the same magic as earlier works.
Mods and Fan Creativity
The discussion shifts to the massive modding scenes surrounding Crusader Kings, Stellaris, and Hearts of Iron. These mods turn beloved franchises like Game of Thrones and Mass Effect into full strategy experiences, demonstrating the power of fan creativity. Tim takes aim at current copyright laws, arguing that over-protection stifles creativity in fan communities. Jack and Adam agree, though they acknowledge the challenges of quality control and financial sustainability. They use Warhammer 40K as an example of a franchise with wildly inconsistent quality but huge volume.
Halo Wars – A Solid Spin-Off or a Missed Opportunity?
Jack defends both Halo Wars games, especially the second one, which he argues is a fantastic 3v3 multiplayer experience that delivers on both fanservice and gameplay. The crew praises the game for adding new lore without breaking the Halo universe, and Jack explains how the strategy entries fit into the broader Halo canon, appealing to long-time fans who want to see units and vehicles not featured in the FPS games. Tim questions how well the FPS tone translates to strategy, while Jack offers his thoughts on how the two genres align.
Wildcard Mods – Fallout and Elder Scrolls Conversions
Adam introduces a wildcard with a Fallout mod for Hearts of Iron IV. While he admits the gameplay changes enough that he lost his grip on it, the mod offers an interesting adaptation of the Fallout universe into a strategy game. Jack follows up with a Starsector mod and a Elder Scrolls conversion for Crusader Kings III. The group agrees that some of the most ambitious adaptations are coming from fans rather than studios, showing the potential for creativity within the strategy genre.
What Would Beyond All Reason Look Like in Another Genre?
Jack poses the question: What would Beyond All Reason look like in another genre? Tim pitches a MechWarrior-style shooter adaptation. While not entirely serious, the idea sparks some fun debate about how a game like BAR could transition into a different genre while retaining its core tactical elements.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when beloved franchises venture into the strategy genre—or what happens when they fail—this episode is a must-listen. From Halo Wars to Minecraft Legends, the Critical Moves crew takes you through the hits and misses of franchise spin-offs in the strategy world, offering honest insights and plenty of banter along the way.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music. Or find us on your preferred podcast service by searching Critical Moves Podcast.
Franchise Strategy Adaptations: The Good, The Bad, and The TacticalJack kicks things off by revisiting Episode 5's wishlist of franchises they wanted to see in strategy form. This time, the crew looks at the titles that actually made it to release. They discuss how well these games adapted their source material and whether the mechanics did justice to the worlds they’re set in. Tim admits he approaches these games with caution, as adaptations can easily go wrong. However, there are examples where the genre match works, with Adam pointing to Fallout Tactics and Jack bringing up Gears Tactics as examples of successful tactical spin-offs.
Minecraft Legends – A Surprising Take on StrategyJack delves into Minecraft Legends, explaining how it blends open-world exploration with strategy elements and light construction. You command units while riding on horseback, building defenses, rallying allies, and shaping the battlefield with a magic staff. The game’s unconventional mechanics are rooted in the Minecraft sandbox idea, but they work in a way that feels true to the spirit of the franchise. The crew discusses whether this mix of genres was successful and what it adds to the overall Minecraft universe.
Dune’s Strategy LegacyTim shifts the discussion to Dune and gives a brief history of the original Dune game from 1992, arguing it was a hybrid adventure-strategy title that captured the tone of Frank Herbert's books better than many modern adaptations. Adam briefly discusses Dune: Spice Wars, acknowledging that while it’s not bad, it doesn’t quite break free from RTS norms. The crew agrees that while the Dune universe is rich with strategy potential, recent entries haven’t quite captured the same magic as earlier works.
Mods and Fan CreativityThe discussion shifts to the massive modding scenes surrounding Crusader Kings, Stellaris, and Hearts of Iron. These mods turn beloved franchises like Game of Thrones and Mass Effect into full strategy experiences, demonstrating the power of fan creativity. Tim takes aim at current copyright laws, arguing that over-protection stifles creativity in fan communities. Jack and Adam agree, though they acknowledge the challenges of quality control and financial sustainability. They use Warhammer 40K as an example of a franchise with wildly inconsistent quality but huge volume.
Halo Wars – A Solid Spin-Off or a Missed Opportunity?Jack defends both Halo Wars games, especially the second one, which he argues is a fantastic 3v3 multiplayer experience that delivers on both fanservice and gameplay. The crew praises the game for adding new lore without breaking the Halo universe, and Jack explains how the strategy entries fit into the broader Halo canon, appealing to long-time fans who want to see units and vehicles not featured in the FPS games. Tim questions how well the FPS tone translates to strategy, while Jack offers his thoughts on how the two genres align.
Wildcard Mods – Fallout and Elder Scrolls ConversionsAdam introduces a wildcard with a Fallout mod for Hearts of Iron IV. While he admits the gameplay changes enough that he lost his grip on it, the mod offers an interesting adaptation of the Fallout universe into a strategy game. Jack follows up with a Starsector mod and a Elder Scrolls conversion for Crusader Kings III. The group agrees that some of the most ambitious adaptations are coming from fans rather than studios, showing the potential for creativity within the strategy genre.
What Would Beyond All Reason Look Like in Another Genre?Jack poses the question: What would Beyond All Reason look like in another genre? Tim pitches a MechWarrior-style shooter adaptation. While not entirely serious, the idea sparks some fun debate about how a game like BAR could transition into a different genre while retaining its core tactical elements.
Final ThoughtsIf you’ve ever wondered what happens when beloved franchises venture into the strategy genre—or what happens when they fail—this episode is a must-listen. From Halo Wars to Minecraft Legends, the Critical Moves crew takes you through the hits and misses of franchise spin-offs in the strategy world, offering honest insights and plenty of banter along the way.
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Amazon Music. Or find us on your preferred podcast service by searching Critical Moves Podcast.