If games are especially good at one thing, it’s testing players’ ability to figure out survival methods in harsh environments. Strategy projects like Frostpunk, Homeworld, Against the Storm, and Manor Lords all take place in settings, whether stretches of unforgiving wilderness or the lifeless outer reaches of space, that demand careful planning. Their premise is a natural fit for the genre, lending an inherent drama to the logistical challenges of founding and taking care of groups of people. It also seems to be a popular one, given that new space strategy game The Crust, which takes place on the surface of the moon, is already attracting a healthy player base and positive reviews on Steam.

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