The Best Strategy Games You Can Play Without Audio

Audio, encompassing voice acting, musical scores, and sound effects, can enhance the gaming experience and provides essential communication between the game and the player. However, it is not always necessary. One genre that excels in this regard is strategy games. Whether the player is restricted to a quiet gaming environment, multitasking, listening to music, watching videos, or simply seeking concentration, many strategy titles remain enjoyable on mute.

From turn-based tactics to fast-paced RTS, some of the best strategy games utilize clear visual indicators and intuitive user interfaces to convey essential information rather than depending on sound. Here are some of the best strategy games that feature delightful visuals, thoughtful mechanics, and captivating gameplay, all enjoyable when experienced in silence.

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Master The Beautiful Game With Spreadsheets & Strategy

Management

Simulation

Sports

Released

November 6, 2024

Like all editions before it, every aspect of managing a virtual football club in Football Manager 2024 relies on menus and statistics. From transfers and training to match tactics and press conferences, the game communicates instructions through text-based information and detailed data analysis. While matches are visually represented through a simple 3D simulation, they, too, can be replaced by text-based commentary or skipped by an auto-resolve feature.

In Football Manager 2024, zero decisions are influenced by audio cues. The series has done this since Football Manager 2005. UIltimately, it’s a perfect fit for those who enjoy sports games, and ideal for those who seek to enjoy their time in virtual management with some background music.

Lead The Resistance With An Interface That Speaks Volumes

Released

February 5, 2016

While XCOM 2 is a challenging turn-based tactics game, it does not rely on audio to support squadmates’ survival. Instead, it delivers all essential information in visual form. From hit chances and movement ranges during intense battles, to squad statistics and upgrades back at the base, everything is packaged in punchy text, recognizable icons, and a straightforward on-screen UI. In combat, where information is vital, XCOM 2 also excels with percentage-based indicators for attack success rates, unit positioning markers, and enemy detection zones. This ensures players can strategize their moves effectively without sound.

Furthermore, the game’s turn-based combat structure enables players to analyze the battlefield at their own pace, making decisions based on visual feedback. Although the threat of squad permadeath is ever-present, and the game features exceptional voice acting and cutscenes, XCOM 2 remains a top-tier strategy experience that players can appreciate in silence.

6

Cities: Skylines 2

Focus On What Matters With Powerful Overlay Filters

Released

October 24, 2023

Developer(s)

Colossal Order

Cities: Skylines 2 immerses players in the complexities of urban planning within a vast metropolis. While the challenge of satisfying hundreds of thousands of citizens may seem daunting, the game offers numerous visual indicators instead of audio that simplify the task. These indicators include color-coded blocks, overlay filters, and detailed graphs. These help players address fundamental aspects such as building size, resource management and overall city performance. Moreover, the game includes pop-up messages and alert icons highlighting critical issues such as congestion, power shortages, and even natural disasters.

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While sound can help identify areas of a city that experience excessive noise pollution, this issue can also be addressed through another functional overlay. For many players, Cities: Skylines 2 is best enjoyed when creating intricate layouts and designing beautiful districts while listening to music or unwinding with a podcast.

5

Hearthstone

Watch Cards Come To Life With Spectacular Animations

Systems

While offering charming, brilliant, and, for those who played World of Warcraft, often nostalgic audio cues, it is unnecessary to use audio in Hearthstone. Like all exemplary card games, Hearthstone displays its card effects, abilities, and interactions through text. Animated visual alerts provide additional clarity.

Some players may consider the sound effects for card draw, discard, and the turn-end timer to be essential. However, they become redundant after many hours of engaging with the game’s mechanics and gameplay loop. Thanks to Hearthstone’s captivating, high-quality animations, each card’s ability becomes instantly recognizable, even if one’s attention is drawn elsewhere.

4

Crusader Kings 3

Manage Power And Succession With Visual Clarity

Systems

Released

September 1, 2020

This incredible grand strategy game is characterized by intricate details and complex decision-making. Crusader Kings 3 incorporates every aspect into well-polished, organized, and presentable UI elements that inform the player what is happening, where, and how it affects their campaign. While it may take considerable time to become familiar with the game’s deep mechanics, highlighted keywords provide additional context. Frequent notification pop-ups also deliver essential information regarding kingdom affairs.

If things become too hectic and require attention, the turnless nature of the game allows players to pause and strategize without any time pressure, ensuring that they don’t overlook any crucial details. While some may appreciate the soothing serenades of choir monks or the melodies of a medieval band of lute players, Crusader Kings 3 remains enjoyable without sound.

3

Slay The Spire

Master The Game Using A Comprehensive Set Of Visual Cues

Released

January 23, 2019

Developer(s)

Mega Crit

Publisher(s)

Humble Bundle

Nothing embodies the essence of roguelike deck-builders like Slay the Spire, a superb indie strategy game with replay value and finely tuned visuals. In this context, these visuals prove invaluable. Every decision regarding card selection, attacks, relic effects, and even predictions of enemy behavior is represented without audio cues. Instead, a comprehensive library of icons, which soon becomes second nature, signifies all offensive and defensive actions.

This simple yet endearing design feature makes strategic planning in Slay the Spire entirely visual and surprisingly calming, especially with the absence of a turn timer. It culminates in an experience perfect for gamers in quiet environments that wish to enjoy the brief bursts of replayability that Slay the Spire offers.

2

Balatro

Artful Graphics Make Every Move Clear Without Sound

Strategy

Digital Card Game

Roguelike

Released

February 20, 2024

Developer(s)

LocalThunk

Publisher(s)

Playstack

Balatro is another captivating roguelike deck-builder that puts a premium on strategic planning accentuated by stunning visuals. Players can make informed decisions thanks to the eye-catching and dynamic UI. Points collected burst onto the screen with vibrancy, the text appears in a bold digital font reminiscent of a keyboard, and the card hands snap into play with a satisfying pop. It’s a joy to engage with and devilishly simple gameplay to master.

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While those playing on mute may miss the futuristic tech synths and the satisfying clack of cards being played and chips dropping, Balatro truly shines when paired with personal music. This way, players can crank up the rhythm, elevating the game’s fast-paced mechanics to an electrifying level that complements the brilliant randomness.

1

Civilization 6

Mastering A Civilization With Easy-To-Understand Icons

Released

October 21, 2016

Like the previous games in the series, Sid Meier’s Civilization 6 continues to provide a rich, turn-based, fictional empire-building experience that can be enjoyed even without audio. Identifiable resources are represented by simple icons, research advancements are governed by a timed countdown, and player and enemy-controlled territories ae marked by vibrant colors. Players will not miss anything significant in the absence of sound.

Admittedly, players will feel the absence of Sean Bean’s delightful voice acting during technological advancements, and may miss the progressive changes in music from era to era. However, the sound design in Civilization 6 is not fundamental to the gameplay experience. In fact, by replacing the background music with personal tunes, players may find themselves more engaged, eager to take that one more glorious turn for many more hours to come.

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