What Are The Best Turn-based Games?
Looking for the ultimate thrill of strategizing every move? Look no further, as we present to you a curated list of the finest turn-based games in existence. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer seeking a challenge or a casual player looking for some lighthearted fun, these games offer endless hours of excitement and intellectual stimulation. From epic battles in a fantasy realm to tactical warfare on a digital chessboard, prepare to embark on a journey where each decision carries weight and leads to either victory or defeat. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where strategy reigns supreme and every move counts. Let the games begin! Turn-based games offer a unique and engaging gaming experience. Whether you’re a fan of strategy, role-playing, tactical gameplay, card battles, or board games, there’s something for everyone in this genre. Today, we want to explore the best turn-based games across various categories and provide you with a comprehensive list of must-play titles.
Strategy Games
Strategy games allow players to exercise their strategic thinking and planning skills. In this category, Civilization VI is undoubtedly a standout title. With its intricate gameplay mechanics and immersive world-building, players can guide their civilization from the Stone Age to the Information Age. The choices you make, alliances you forge, and battles you fight will shape the outcome of your empire.
Another highly acclaimed strategy game is XCOM 2. As the commander of an elite military organization, it is your duty to lead your squad against an alien invasion. This game combines turn-based tactical combat with base management elements, offering a thrilling and challenging experience.
For those looking for a strategy game with a rich story and character-driven gameplay, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a fantastic choice. As a professor at an esteemed academy, you will guide your students and shape their destinies amidst political intrigue and epic battles. The game’s deep strategic battles and relationships between characters make for a captivating experience.
Total War: Warhammer II is a strategic masterpiece that combines turn-based empire management with real-time battles set in the iconic Warhammer Fantasy universe. With its vast array of factions, in-depth campaign mechanics, and breathtaking visuals, this game is a must-play for strategy enthusiasts.
And last but not least, Divinity: Original Sin II offers an immersive and interactive world where players can craft their own stories through choices and actions. This game embraces both turn-based combat and cooperative multiplayer, allowing players to experience an epic adventure together.
Role-Playing Games (RPGs)
If you’re a fan of immersive storytelling, character development, and epic quests, the world of RPGs is where you’ll find some of the best turn-based games. Final Fantasy X, a beloved classic, takes players on a journey through a vibrant and enchanting world. With its captivating story, memorable characters, and unique turn-based combat system, this game remains a fan favorite to this day.
For those who love to catch ’em all, Pokémon Sword and Shield offer an exciting and immersive RPG experience. As a Pokémon Trainer, you’ll embark on a grand adventure in the new Galar region, battling and capturing Pokémon while unraveling the mysteries of the legendary Pokémon, Zacian and Zamazenta.
One of the standout RPGs of recent years is Persona 5. This game transports players into the lives of high school students who have the ability to enter an alternate reality known as the Metaverse. With its stylish visuals, compelling story, and turn-based combat, Persona 5 is a must-play for RPG enthusiasts.
Octopath Traveler offers a unique blend of modern graphics with a retro-style turn-based combat system. Players will embark on the individual stories of eight diverse characters, each with their own unique abilities and motivations. The game’s visually stunning world, captivating storytelling, and engaging combat mechanics make it a standout in the genre.
Wasteland 3 is a post-apocalyptic RPG that combines turn-based combat with deep storytelling and player choice. As a Desert Ranger, you’ll navigate a dangerous wasteland and make choices that will shape the fate of Colorado. With its immersive world, robust character customization, and tactical combat, Wasteland 3 delivers a gripping RPG experience.
Tactical Games
Tactical games challenge players to think strategically and make calculated moves in turn-based combat scenarios. Advance Wars, a beloved handheld franchise, offers an addictive and challenging experience. As a commander, you’ll deploy units, capture enemy territories, and defeat your opponents in a variety of engaging missions.
Valkyria Chronicles blends turn-based strategy with real-time action in a beautifully animated world inspired by World War II. Players will lead a squad of brave soldiers in intense battles against a totalitarian regime. With its strategic gameplay, memorable characters, and stunning visuals, Valkyria Chronicles is a must-play for tactical game enthusiasts.
The quirky crossover game, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, combines the tactical gameplay of XCOM with the whimsical charm of the Mario franchise. Players will control a team of characters from both worlds as they navigate challenging levels and engage in strategic battles. With its accessible gameplay, delightful humor, and satisfying tactical combat, this game is a standout in the genre.
The Banner Saga Trilogy is a story-driven tactical RPG that immerses players in a beautifully hand-drawn Viking-inspired world. As a leader, you’ll make difficult choices that will impact the lives of your clan and lead them through a gripping narrative. With its stunning art style, meaningful decision-making, and challenging battles, The Banner Saga Trilogy is a must-play series for tactical game enthusiasts.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a unique blend of turn-based tactical combat, stealth, and exploration. Players control a team of mutant animals navigating a post-apocalyptic world in search of salvation. With its strategy-focused gameplay, atmospheric setting, and engaging storyline, Mutant Year Zero offers a fresh take on the tactical genre.
Card Games
Card games have surged in popularity in recent years, offering players a unique way to engage in strategic battles with a deck of cards. Slay the Spire is a highly addictive rogue-like deck-building game where players ascend a treacherous spire, battling foes and collecting powerful cards to improve their deck. With its challenging gameplay, endless replayability, and strategic depth, Slay the Spire is a must-play for card game enthusiasts.
Gwent: The Witcher Card Game takes the popular card game from The Witcher series and turns it into a standalone experience. Players create powerful decks and engage in strategic battles against both AI-controlled opponents and other players. With its deep strategy, engaging gameplay mechanics, and rich lore from The Witcher universe, Gwent provides a rewarding card game experience.
Hearthstone, developed by Blizzard Entertainment, is one of the most popular digital card games in the world. It offers a dynamic and fast-paced gameplay experience set in the rich Warcraft universe. With its constant updates, engaging multiplayer matches, and extensive card collection, Hearthstone provides endless hours of strategic card battles.
Legends of Runeterra is a free-to-play digital card game set in the world of League of Legends. With its unique gameplay mechanics and deep strategy, players can build decks and challenge opponents in intense battles. The game’s generous economy system and regular content updates make it an excellent choice for card game enthusiasts.
Magic: The Gathering Arena brings the iconic trading card game to the digital realm, allowing players to experience the depth and complexity of Magic: The Gathering from the comfort of their own homes. With its vast card pool, strategic gameplay, and frequent updates, Magic: The Gathering Arena provides an immersive and competitive card game experience.
Turn-Based Strategy Games
Turn-based strategy games offer players the opportunity to engage in strategic battles, empire management, and exploration. Heroes of Might and Magic III is a classic title in this genre, where players can build armies, conquer territories, and explore a vast fantasy world. With its addictive gameplay, rich lore, and strategic depth, Heroes of Might and Magic III remains a beloved turn-based strategy game.
Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a sci-fi strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic universe. Players can build their own empire, explore diverse planets, and engage in tactical battles using a variety of units and abilities. With its deep strategic gameplay, diverse factions, and stunning visuals, Age of Wonders: Planetfall offers a captivating turn-based strategy experience.
Total War: Three Kingdoms transports players to ancient China, where they can experience the epic battles and political intrigue of the Three Kingdoms period. With its immersive campaign mode, real-time battles, and complex diplomacy system, Total War: Three Kingdoms offers a comprehensive turn-based strategy experience that combines empire management with tactical warfare.
The Banner Saga is a critically acclaimed series that combines turn-based combat with a branching narrative. Players will make difficult decisions that will impact the outcome of their journey as they lead a caravan of characters through a beautifully hand-drawn world. With its stunning art style, challenging battles, and gripping storyline, The Banner Saga is a must-play for turn-based strategy enthusiasts.
Endless Legend is a fantasy turn-based strategy game that offers a rich and immersive gameplay experience. With its unique faction system, detailed world-building mechanics, and engaging quests, players can create their own legendary civilization. The game’s strategic depth, beautiful visuals, and robust multiplayer options make it a standout in the genre.
Tactical Role-Playing Games (TRPGs)
Tactical RPGs combine deep storytelling, character development, and strategic battles to create a compelling gaming experience. Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is a standout title in the genre, offering a zany and humorous storyline set in the Netherworld. Players can explore diverse maps, engage in tactical battles, and level up their characters in this addictive and lighthearted TRPG.
Fire Emblem: Awakening is a popular entry in the long-running Fire Emblem series. With its engaging characters, challenging battles, and deep tactical gameplay, this game is a must-play for TRPG enthusiasts. As a commander, you’ll lead your army into battle, make important tactical decisions, and forge bonds between characters in a rich and immersive world.
Vagrant Story, a cult classic, combines elements of action, strategy, and puzzle-solving to create a unique TRPG experience. Players assume the role of Ashley Riot, a skilled Riskbreaker, as he unravels a complex web of political intrigue and battles dangerous foes. With its innovative combat system, intricate puzzles, and atmospheric storytelling, Vagrant Story is a standout title in the TRPG genre.
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is a tactical RPG that explores themes of war, power, and morality. As a leader of a resistance group, players will make critical decisions that will shape the outcome of the story. With its deep tactical combat, branching narrative, and multiple endings, Tactics Ogre offers a thought-provoking and immersive TRPG experience.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is the first installment in a beloved JRPG series. With its rich world-building, expansive storyline, and strategic battles, this game offers a captivating TRPG experience. Players will follow the journey of Estelle and Joshua Bright as they uncover the mysteries of their world and confront powerful adversaries.
Board Games
Board games have found a new life in the digital realm, offering players the chance to enjoy their favorite games online. Gloomhaven, a highly acclaimed cooperative board game, has been adapted into a digital version that retains the depth and complexity of the original. Players can embark on epic quests, battle monsters, and uncover the secrets of the dark fantasy world.
Terraforming Mars is a strategic board game where players take on the role of corporations working together to terraform the red planet. With its deep gameplay mechanics, resource management, and variable player powers, this game offers an engaging and challenging experience.
Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization is a digital adaptation of the popular board game that allows players to build and guide their own civilization. With its deep strategic gameplay, historical accuracy, and immersive campaign mode, Through the Ages provides a satisfying and educational board game experience.
Scythe is a visually stunning board game set in an alternate 1920s world. Players vie for control of territories using unique faction abilities and strategic decision-making. With its beautiful art style, immersive world-building, and strategic depth, Scythe is a beloved board game that has found success in the digital realm.
Caverna: The Cave Farmers is a worker placement board game where players take on the role of dwarven farmers building and expanding their underground dwellings. The game offers a rich and immersive experience with its intricate resource management, variable play styles, and stunning artwork.
Sports Games
Sports games offer players the chance to experience the thrill and excitement of their favorite sports from the comfort of their own homes. Football Manager 2021, the ultimate football management simulation, puts players in the shoes of a football coach. With its realistic gameplay mechanics, in-depth player management, and immersive scouting, this game provides a comprehensive sports management experience.
Out of the Park Baseball 22 is a baseball management simulation that allows players to build and guide their own baseball team. With its realistic statistics, player development, and strategic decision-making, this game offers a deep and rewarding sports management experience for baseball fans.
NBA 2K22 is a basketball simulation game that delivers an authentic and immersive NBA experience. With its realistic player movements, detailed graphics, and engaging gameplay mechanics, this game offers basketball fans an unrivaled sports simulation.
FIFA 22, the latest installment in the popular soccer simulation series, provides players with the opportunity to experience the excitement of the beautiful game. With its realistic player animations, strategic gameplay, and extensive online multiplayer, FIFA 22 offers a comprehensive soccer simulation experience.
Cricket 19 is a cricket simulation game that captures the nuances and excitement of the sport. With its realistic gameplay mechanics, deep career mode, and immersive graphics, this game is a must-play for cricket enthusiasts.
Simulation Games
Simulation games allow players to step into various roles and experience different aspects of life or create their own world. Stardew Valley, a beloved farming simulation game, offers a charming and relaxing experience as players cultivate their own farm, interact with villagers, and explore the picturesque Pelican Town. With its addictive gameplay, charming characters, and endless possibilities, Stardew Valley is a must-play simulation game.
Cities: Skylines is a city-building simulation game that puts players in charge of designing and managing their own metropolis. With its realistic mechanics, extensive modding support, and intricate city management systems, Cities: Skylines provides an immersive and satisfying city-building experience.
Prison Architect allows players to assume the role of a prison architect and manage every aspect of a correctional facility. From designing cells and facilities to managing security and inmate needs, this game offers a unique and challenging simulation experience. With its deep mechanics, engaging sandbox mode, and thought-provoking gameplay, Prison Architect is a standout in the simulation genre.
RimWorld is a sci-fi colony simulation game where players manage a group of survivors stranded on a hostile alien planet. With its complex AI, dynamic storytelling, and deep strategic gameplay, RimWorld offers a captivating and unpredictable simulation experience.
Planet Zoo is a zoo management simulation game where players can create and manage their own wildlife sanctuary. With its stunning graphics, realistic animal behaviors, and extensive customization options, Planet Zoo provides a compelling and immersive zoo simulation experience.
Indie Games
Indie games have gained significant recognition in recent years for their innovation, creativity, and unique gameplay experiences. Into the Breach is a turn-based strategy game where players control mechs to defend against a massive alien threat. With its tactical depth, challenging gameplay, and clever mechanics, Into the Breach is a must-play indie game.
Darkest Dungeon is a challenging and atmospheric roguelike game that combines turn-based combat with psychological horror. Players must manage a team of flawed heroes as they explore dark dungeons and battle eldritch horrors. With its haunting visuals, deep strategic gameplay, and unforgiving difficulty, Darkest Dungeon offers a gripping and memorable indie gaming experience.
Dead Cells is a fast-paced action-platformer with roguelike elements, where players must fight their way through a sprawling castle filled with enemies and traps. With its fluid combat, satisfying progression system, and beautiful pixel art, Dead Cells is a must-play indie game for fans of the genre.
Oxygen Not Included is a space colony simulation game where players must manage resources, construct infrastructure, and keep their colonists alive in the harsh conditions of an alien planet. With its complex systems, challenging gameplay, and charming art style, Oxygen Not Included provides an immersive and addictive experience.
Moonlighter combines elements of action RPG and shopkeeping simulation genres, creating a unique and engaging gameplay experience. Players control Will, a courageous shopkeeper by day and a daring adventurer by night, as he explores dungeons, battles monsters, and manages his shop. With its addictive gameplay loop, vibrant visuals, and compelling mechanics, Moonlighter is a standout indie game.
In conclusion, the world of turn-based games is vast and diverse, offering something for every gaming enthusiast. Whether you’re a fan of strategy, RPGs, tactical battles, card games, board games, sports simulations, or indie titles, there’s a game out there that will capture your imagination and keep you entertained for hours on end. So gather your wits, plan your moves, and embark on epic adventures in the exciting world of turn-based gaming!
