The Best Turn-based Games for Linux

Update : Shogun Showdown added at rank #2.
1

Cassette Beasts (2023)

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85
Review score
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Xbox One Linux PC Windows

Embark on an epic adventure in Cassette Beasts, a fresh take on monster collecting games! Capture, transform, and fuse monsters for thrilling turn-based battles. Explore the rich world of New Wirral, master a deep battle system, and enjoy the compelling narrative and stunning art. This game is a must-play for all monster collector enthusiasts!

Buy

What we like:
  • Unique and original monster collecting concept
  • Intuitive and strategic battle system
  • Gorgeous art and creature designs
  • Engaging story with complex themes
  • Immersive soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Main story ending
  • Confusing puzzle and map design
  • Lack of clear instructions on battle mechanics
  • Post-game content feels unrewarding

  • turn-based
  • rpg
  • japanese
  • battle
  • open-world
  • collector
  • creature
  • jrpg
  • pixel
  • pokemon
  • exploration
  • local
  • combat
  • boss-fight
  • retro

2

Shogun Showdown (2024)

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92
Review score
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early access Linux Xbox Series X web browser Xbox One Playstation 4 Playstation 5 PC Windows Mac OS Nintendo Switch

Shogun Showdown is a turn-based combat game with rogue-like and deck-building elements. Position yourself and attack at the right time, upgrade your tiles and combo them to get ready to face the Shogun!


  • turn-based
  • rogue-like
  • deckbuilder
  • rogue-like-deckbuilder
  • strategy
  • tactical
  • replay-value
  • ninja

3

Worms W.M.D (2016)

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95
Review score
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Xbox One Linux Mac OS PC Windows

'Worms W.M.D' is a classic physics-based game featuring teams of pink invertebrates battling it out with an arsenal of ridiculous and comical weapons. This game brings back the original 2D engine and gameplay of the franchise, and introduces new elements such as random vehicle placements, turrets, buildings, and a crafting system.


What we like:
  • Fun gameplay with new features like mechs, tanks, mortars, and stationary machine guns
  • Entertaining and addictive
  • Lots of replay value
What could be improved:
  • Some in-game text and menus are hard to read on larger screens
  • Crafting tutorial is "hidden" in one stage of the campaign mode

  • turn-based
  • strategy
  • team
  • artillery
  • mech
  • crafting
  • online
  • tanks
  • local
  • multiplayer
  • classic
  • battle
  • ninja
  • tactical
  • physics

4

Monster Sanctuary (2020)

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84
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One Mac OS Linux

Monster Sanctuary is a retro-inspired RPG where you collect over 100 unique monsters to fight alongside you in strategic turn-based combat. The game offers a huge world to explore and highly customizable equipment for each monster. With free DLCs and alternate music tracks, there's always something new to experience. Jump in and start your journey as a Monster Keeper now!


What we like:
  • Intricate teambuilding and turn-based gameplay
  • Huge map with many secret locations and over 100 monsters
  • No required grind, relies mostly on monster synergy and tactics
  • Highly customizable equipment and skill trees for each monster
  • Generous amount of content, including free DLCs and alternate music tracks
What could be improved:
  • Game may be too difficult for players expecting a Pokemon-like experience
  • Story and general progression may not do a great job of directing players towards building monster synergies
  • Sudden difficulty spike relative to the rest of the story may turn some players off
  • Plot is basic and nothing breathtaking

  • turn-based
  • metroidvania
  • rpg
  • battle
  • japanese
  • pixel
  • exploration
  • collector
  • creature
  • jrpg
  • combat
  • platform
  • fight
  • tactical
  • 2d

5

West of Loathing (2017)

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98
Review score
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PC Windows Linux Mac OS stadia Nintendo Switch

Say howdy to West of Loathing, a hilarious Wild West adventure where you can punch cowboy skeletons, wrestle demon cows, and explore snake-infested gulches. Choose your path as a smooth-talking Snake Oiler, a wise Beanslinger, or a tough Cow Puncher. With an open world full of danger and quests, thousands of jokes, and charming hand-drawn graphics, this game will keep you entertained for hours.


What we like:
  • Funny and humorous gameplay
  • Large amount of content
  • Nostalgic trip down memory lane
What could be improved:
  • Locks you out of major story pieces for small mistakes
  • Requires constant use of wiki for puzzle solutions

  • rpg
  • turn-based
  • comedy
  • western
  • funny
  • stick-figure
  • battle
  • combat
  • adventure
  • fight
  • inventory

6

SteamWorld Heist (2015)

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96
Review score
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IOS iPhone Linux Mac OS PC Windows

Experience the adventure of a lifetime as a steam-driven pirate crew in SteamWorld Heist. With its insane skill shots and turn-based strategy gameplay, this game lets you manually aim the guns of your robots and upgrade your recruits' unique abilities, weapons, and stylish hats. With a well-written story, engaging characters, and a challenging battle system, it combines the best of XCOM and Worms gameplay in a beautifully designed world of robot pirates. And with a soundtrack by Steam Powered Giraffe, this is a game you won't want to miss!


What we like:
  • Fun and challenging battle system
  • Numerous items, weapons, and equipment to collect
  • Engaging characters and well-written story
  • Mixes XCOM and Worms gameplay perfectly
  • Packed with content and replayability
What could be improved:
  • Lack of ability trees for customization
  • Inability to customize preferred characters
  • Linear progression with no choice in bonuses

  • turn-based
  • robots
  • strategy
  • steampunk
  • tactical
  • cover
  • pirates

7

Terraformers (2022)

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87
Review score
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early access Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Playstation 5 Xbox Series X Xbox One Linux PC Windows Mac OS m

Transform Mars into a habitable planet in Terraformers. With challenging strategizing and resource management, explore the planet and expand population, all while watching the stunning new natural wonders build up before your eyes. Take on different scenarios and bonuses and create a thriving utopia. Get lost in the addictive puzzle-like game with unique replayability and rewarding graphics and UI.


What we like:
  • Focus on strategy
  • Various difficulty levels
  • Unique victory conditions
  • Nice graphics and UI
  • Rich soundtrack
What could be improved:
  • Only one way to lose the game
  • Some bugs present
  • Game can become repetitive

  • turn-based
  • mars
  • space
  • resource-management
  • science
  • rogue-like
  • nonlinear
  • card
  • procedural
  • board-game
  • colony
  • sci-fi
  • choices
  • simulation
  • management

8

Oaken (2022)

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78
Review score
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early access Xbox One Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch Android Mac OS Linux PC Windows Xbox Series X

Oaken, a turn-based tactical roguelike set in the spirit inhabited world. Explore the Great Oak, gather allies and trinkets, learn to use the positioning for your advantage, choose how to upgrade your cards. Wake the spirits and save the Oak!


  • turn-based
  • hex
  • battler
  • card
  • collector
  • creature
  • grid
  • strategy
  • tactical
  • deckbuilder
  • rogue-like
  • board-game
  • tabletop
  • deck

9

Darkest DungeonA (2016)

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93
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Linux Playstation 4 vita Nintendo Switch Xbox One

Darkest Dungeon is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG about the psychological stresses of adventuring. Recruit, train, and lead a team of flawed heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark. Can you keep your heroes together when all hope is lost?

Buy

  • dungeon
  • turn-based
  • rogue-like
  • dungeon-crawler
  • rpg
  • gothic
  • battle
  • fight
  • psychological
  • narration

10

The Battle of Polytopia (2016)

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94
Review score
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IOS iPhone PC Windows Linux Mac OS Android Nintendo Switch

The Battle of Polytopia is a simplified 4X game that allows players to experience the Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate aspects of the genre in under an hour. Available for mobile devices, it's the pocket-sized 4X that anyone can play anywhere.

Buy

What we like:
  • Distillation of the 4X genre in a great turn-based action game
  • Mechanism for competitive play
  • Addresses limitations of chess
What could be improved:
  • Limited multiplayer and co-op options
  • Not ideal for players who want a longer game

  • turn-based
  • 4x
  • strategy
  • civilization
  • diplomacy
  • empire
  • multiplayer
  • building
  • economy
  • tactical
  • real-time

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