Jagged Alliance

Released in 1994, Jagged Alliance helped define tactical turn-based strategy long before every game wanted to be an open-world crafting survival experience. Set on the troubled island of Metavira, it puts you in charge of a colorful team of mercenaries hired to reclaim territory from a ruthless enemy force. Success depends on careful planning, resource management, and knowing which hired gun is worth the paycheck. The cast is packed with memorable personalities, making the battlefield feel surprisingly alive. Even today, the game remains engaging thanks to its blend of strategy and role-playing elements. It also taught many players that hiring mercenaries is easy; paying them on time is the real challenge.