General What's the first turn-based strategy game you ever tried, even if you didn't finish it?

The first turn-based strategy game I tried was Civilization. Honestly, I didn't finish it. The tutorial says I should build a warrior, but five minutes into the game, I was managing trade routes and the city. I couldn't afford to waste time relearning mechanics. That first overwhelm actually taught me strategy games reward patience, not speed.

That early overwhelm is not a joke at all. It almost made me drop strategy games completely. I remember trying one game some years back, I just lost interest instantly. But I later realized those games punish you so hard if you are impatient. That first confusion is actually part of the process, even if it's annoying.