7 Hardcore games like DEFCON that you should try

It comes from the same genre as DEFCON and shares punishing difficulty, tactical combat and historical setting. To that it adds single-player focus and resource management. They part company on visuals and progression: this one brings base building.

It comes from the same genre as DEFCON and shares punishing difficulty, tactical combat and historical setting. The common ground extends to PvP competition. Where the two diverge is visuals and game mode: 3D presentation.

Shelved next to DEFCON for good reason: strong narrative focus, open world exploration and tactical combat. The common ground extends to single-player focus and an isometric view. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: procedural generation and a sci-fi setting.

The genre is the same as DEFCON’s, and with it strong narrative focus, tactical combat and single-player focus. The common ground extends to an isometric view. Where the two diverge is setting and progression: fantasy world and base building.

Genre puts it alongside DEFCON, and so does strong narrative focus, open world exploration and tactical combat. To that it adds historical setting and single-player focus. They part company on progression and game mode: this one brings stealth mechanics and post-apocalyptic world.

It comes from the same genre as DEFCON and shares punishing difficulty, tactical combat and single-player focus. To that it adds 2D presentation. They part company on setting and game mode: this one brings a medieval setting.

Genre puts it alongside DEFCON, and so does punishing difficulty, tactical combat and single-player focus. Both also lean on 2D presentation. The distance is in setting and game mode — its own ground is a medieval setting.