Stratego (video game)

Stratego is a digital adaptation of the classic two-player strategy board game of the same name. The core gameplay revolves around strategic deployment of a fixed set of pieces, each representing a different rank of military personnel (or traps and bombs), on a 10x10 board. The objective is to capture the opponent's flag, while protecting one's own.

Unlike many strategy video games, Stratego lacks resource management or base-building. The focus is purely on tactical movement, deception, and deduction. Each player arranges their pieces in a starting formation hidden from their opponent. During gameplay, pieces move one space at a time (with Scouts having the unique ability to move multiple spaces in a straight line), and when two opposing pieces meet, their ranks are revealed, and the lower-ranking piece is removed from the board. Certain pieces, such as Bombs and the Flag, cannot move.

The strength of the pieces varies. The Marshal is the highest-ranking movable piece, while the Spy can defeat the Marshal (but only if the Spy attacks first). Bombs can eliminate almost any attacking piece (except Miners, who can defuse them). The numerical ranking of pieces is typically hidden during gameplay, adding an element of uncertainty and bluffing.

Video game adaptations of Stratego often include features such as:

• Single-player campaigns: Allowing players to practice against AI opponents with varying difficulty levels.
• Multiplayer modes: Enabling players to compete against others online or locally.
• Different rule sets: Some versions may include variations on the standard Stratego rules.
• Visual enhancements: Modern versions often feature improved graphics, animations, and user interfaces compared to earlier adaptations.
• Tutorials: To help new players learn the rules and basic strategies.

Stratego video games have appeared on various platforms, including PC, consoles, and mobile devices. They provide a way to experience the classic board game with the convenience of digital technology, offering features such as automated rule enforcement, online multiplayer, and save games. They are generally categorized as strategy games, and more specifically as turn-based strategy games.