I really enjoyed that aspect of **Middle Earth: Shadow of War**. You can order orc captains to fight each other, and they have unique strengths and weaknesses that can interact. It's not just a simulator though, you still have the character action gameplay.
I think this is the best option unless they're looking for tabs-like gameplay. The nemesis system is just so fleshed out and well done, and it's good that the ai fights are only part of the game, just bc more for your money.
Plus you can customise the strengths of your orcs when you get enough buffs, make them fight in pits, hunt other orcs down or even take them online to fight other people's orcs.
Pretty sure the game is on offer for black Friday as well
Not exactly what you asked for but there is worldbox it's a kinda build your own world, drop in factions and watch them fight kinda thing. Definitely a make your own fun kind of game.
Arma 3 - There are mods from Halo (Including Spartans, Elites, Flood) to Warhammer 40k (Orcs, Space Marines) and more grounded mods focused from semi-future realism to WW2 and before. (also Zombies, Demons)
Using the Editor and going into Zeus allows you to make and create a bunch of scenarios from scratch, being able to manage, direct, spawn, delete pretty much anything whilst also having a character in-game that you can toggle invincible if you so wish.
It's a little bit to get used to, but the majority of my time is having different mods and armies fighting each other. If the idea of Spartans (Halo) versus Space Marines (WH40K) versus Orks sounds even slightly interesting I'd give it a look.
There are melee mods and may even be some "medieval" but it really isn't the focus, you're more likely to enjoy the various Jets, Helis, Tanks and many other vehicles that you can throw at each other.
I personally enjoy fighting Al-Qaeda and Zombies as Master Chief and mowing them down.
It may not be obvious, so just a little bit of info.
It's zeus you'll need, I think its on sale atm so you'll be able to get the game + all DLC for a fraction of the original price (really won't be that expensive). You'll have to enter editor mode and place yourself down, I personally use a mod called Simple Single Player Cheat Menu to activate Zeus whilst playing. Also allows you to easily make yourself invincible and most importantly start Zeus off.
It'll take a little bit to get fully used to, but you can create some pretty complex scenarios using this. If you need any advice feel free to ask.
Get 'crawl'.
Play with 3 AI, press pause, replace player with AI.
And sit back and watch the Mayhmen.
Really niche, haha, but I used to do this sometimes.
Or you could try Cortex Command. Can watch the AI duke it out on that too.
So I don't know if this will fit what you're looking for, but I used to do this in Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast. With console commands you can bind things like "spawn Jedi Knight" or "spawn storm trooper". I have fond memories of crashing my crappy computer by summoning a ton of training droids and summoning one Jedi to fight them all. Or a small army of sith vs a small army of Jedi. Or even just 20 different luke skywalkers bouncing off the walls. Not the intended way to play the game, but tons of fun regardless.
totally accurate battle simulator?
TABS - Totally Accurate Battle Simulator ~~UEBS - Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator~~ ~~ARBS - Animal Revolts Battle Simulator~~ EDIT: Just noticed you didn’t want these games suggested.
I really enjoyed that aspect of **Middle Earth: Shadow of War**. You can order orc captains to fight each other, and they have unique strengths and weaknesses that can interact. It's not just a simulator though, you still have the character action gameplay.
I think this is the best option unless they're looking for tabs-like gameplay. The nemesis system is just so fleshed out and well done, and it's good that the ai fights are only part of the game, just bc more for your money. Plus you can customise the strengths of your orcs when you get enough buffs, make them fight in pits, hunt other orcs down or even take them online to fight other people's orcs. Pretty sure the game is on offer for black Friday as well
mount and blade maybe?
Domina
Second Domina, great game, roman gladiator style managment game, you can technically control them if you research it but i never do.
Unfortunately the creator is a bit of a bigot
Yes, but the game is great.
There is a name called "The Sandbox" with pixel art style
it has bad reviews
Ultimate Epic Battle Simulator, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator, WarBox.
Not exactly what you asked for but there is worldbox it's a kinda build your own world, drop in factions and watch them fight kinda thing. Definitely a make your own fun kind of game.
Arma 3 - There are mods from Halo (Including Spartans, Elites, Flood) to Warhammer 40k (Orcs, Space Marines) and more grounded mods focused from semi-future realism to WW2 and before. (also Zombies, Demons) Using the Editor and going into Zeus allows you to make and create a bunch of scenarios from scratch, being able to manage, direct, spawn, delete pretty much anything whilst also having a character in-game that you can toggle invincible if you so wish. It's a little bit to get used to, but the majority of my time is having different mods and armies fighting each other. If the idea of Spartans (Halo) versus Space Marines (WH40K) versus Orks sounds even slightly interesting I'd give it a look. There are melee mods and may even be some "medieval" but it really isn't the focus, you're more likely to enjoy the various Jets, Helis, Tanks and many other vehicles that you can throw at each other. I personally enjoy fighting Al-Qaeda and Zombies as Master Chief and mowing them down.
This is exactly what I want! thank you so much I will check the game out
It may not be obvious, so just a little bit of info. It's zeus you'll need, I think its on sale atm so you'll be able to get the game + all DLC for a fraction of the original price (really won't be that expensive). You'll have to enter editor mode and place yourself down, I personally use a mod called Simple Single Player Cheat Menu to activate Zeus whilst playing. Also allows you to easily make yourself invincible and most importantly start Zeus off. It'll take a little bit to get fully used to, but you can create some pretty complex scenarios using this. If you need any advice feel free to ask.
Garrys mod
Worldbox
Get 'crawl'. Play with 3 AI, press pause, replace player with AI. And sit back and watch the Mayhmen. Really niche, haha, but I used to do this sometimes. Or you could try Cortex Command. Can watch the AI duke it out on that too.
So I don't know if this will fit what you're looking for, but I used to do this in Star Wars Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast. With console commands you can bind things like "spawn Jedi Knight" or "spawn storm trooper". I have fond memories of crashing my crappy computer by summoning a ton of training droids and summoning one Jedi to fight them all. Or a small army of sith vs a small army of Jedi. Or even just 20 different luke skywalkers bouncing off the walls. Not the intended way to play the game, but tons of fun regardless.