The Best Turn-based Games

Update : Songs of Silence added at rank #43.
1

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

2

UFC 5 (2023)

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96
Review score
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Android Xbox One

EA SPORTS™ UFC® 5 is as real as it gets. Powered by Frostbite engine’s advanced rendering capabilities. All-new authentic damage system brings intensity and strategy of a fight to life. New Transition-Based Submissions make grappling feel more fluid and realistic.


  • turn-based
  • strategy
  • card
  • diplomacy
  • rpg
  • grand-strategy
  • wargame
  • japanese
  • immersive
  • 4x
  • sport
  • military
  • tactical
  • cooperative

3

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

4

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

5

The Banner Saga 2 (2016)

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95
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Xbox One Playstation 4 IOS iPhone Android Nintendo Switch

The Banner Saga 2 is a gripping Norse-inspired fantasy adventure that engages you with its exceptional narrative and captivating art direction. The game features a turn-based combat system that challenges your strategic thinking, new creatures and obstacles, and battles resolved through primary objectives rather than max-murdering the other side. Make difficult decisions that can lead to starvation, mutiny or death, while defying traditional conventions and rejecting typical rules of morality. The sequel is a must-play, with vastly improved combat, deep and rewarding narrative, and an immersive visual and sound design.


What we like:
  • Engaging narrative
  • Captivating art direction
  • Improved combat system
  • New creatures and obstacles
  • Battles resolved through primary objectives
What could be improved:
  • Difficult for new players who did not play the first game
  • Console controls are awkward and obtuse
  • Environmental art can make combat harder to navigate
  • Not very action-packed
  • Characters can die without notice

  • turn-based
  • tactical
  • battle
  • strategy
  • rpg
  • combat
  • narrative
  • story
  • grid
  • fantasy
  • hand-drawn

6

Kingdom Rush Frontiers TD (2023)

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95
Review score
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IOS iPhone Android

Defend exotic lands from dragons, man-eating plants, and ghastly denizens of the underworld -all with flashy towers, levels, heroes, and more goodies to help you crush your enemies to a pulp.


  • turn-based
  • card
  • strategy
  • rpg
  • battler
  • tower-defense
  • japanese
  • tactical
  • historical
  • grand-strategy
  • pvp
  • stylized
  • jrpg
  • anime

7

Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden (2018)

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95
Review score
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Xbox One PC Windows

A tactical game combining the turn-based combat of XCOM with story, exploration, stealth, and strategy. Take control of a team of Mutants navigating a post-human Earth. Created by a team including former HITMAN leads and the designer of PAYDAY.


  • turn-based
  • tactical
  • stealth
  • post-apocalyptic
  • combat
  • strategy
  • rpg
  • real-time
  • exploration
  • cover
  • squad
  • xcom
  • battle

8

Six Ages 2: Lights Going Out (2023)

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94
Review score
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Mac OS PC Windows IOS iPhone

Survive an apocalyptic world in Six Ages 2: Lights Going Out, where every decision you make shapes your clan's fate. Engage with gods, manage resources, and navigate a rich lore-filled saga. With stunning hand-drawn artwork and immersive storytelling, this game offers a unique blend of strategy and narrative gameplay.


What we like:
  • Engrossing lore
  • Unique resource management gameplay
  • Beautiful hand-drawn artwork
  • Immersive survival element
  • Excellent storytelling
What could be improved:
  • Limited access to rituals
  • Consequences of actions not always clear
  • Repetitive tasks

  • turn-based
  • choices
  • lore
  • survival
  • survival-storybook
  • strategy
  • system-driven
  • procedural
  • grand-strategy
  • socio-economy
  • stand-alone
  • narrative
  • old-school
  • simulation
  • combining

9

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.


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

10

Metaphor ReFantazio (2024)

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93
Review score
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PC Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4

The throne sits empty after the king’s assassination. With no heirs, the will of the late king decrees that the next monarch will be elected by the people, & thus begins your fight for the throne..


  • turn-based
  • rpg
  • japanese
  • dungeon
  • fantasy
  • combat
  • battle
  • jrpg
  • political
  • orchestral
  • anime

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