#11
Slipways does one thing: it asks you to connect planets in a way that makes economic sense, then scores you on how well you did it. Each run takes under an hour. The puzzle logic is clean and the hardware demands are close to zero. What kept it out of the main list is range: it sits closer to an economy puzzle than a full strategy game, and readers looking for campaigns, combat, or large-scale management will want something broader. For short-session strategy on a low-spec laptop, though, it is quietly one of the best options available. I keep coming back to it on evenings when I have 45 minutes and want something that actually requires thought.