The 15 Best Turn Based Strategy Games

MOBAs and battle royales are everywhere you turn but fear not, brave game developers are still making brilliant games for those resisting this zombie gamer apocalypse. Here is a list of the best turn based strategy games to keep your brain from going mush. 

15. Phantom Doctrine

Phantom Doctrine Gameplay

Tensions are high in Phantom Doctrine, a Cold War-esque turn based strategy game. This thriller is filled with spies and agents. Can you outmanoeuvre and out-think your opponents or will you risk sending your agents into traps. Missions take place across the globe and combat relies on stealth and tactics. Who can you trust, or are you going to be keeping your enemies closer than your friends?

Map: Missions takes place around the world so be wise who you send out there

Combat: I mustache you to die with my scoped rifle

14. XCOM 2

XCOM 2 Gameplay

Aliens have taken over Earth. It is up to you to command your troops and overthrow these high tech, psych enhanced bullies. Scout and recruit troops and then send them on different missions. Choose from several classes, depending on the mission. Once deployed use squad tactics and abilities to succeed, fail and your favorite troops might just end up in body bags. XCOM 2 allowed Pavonis Interactive to make a stellar mod that makes an already legendary game even better and the modding community is thriving. If you haven’t picked up this game, do humanity a favor and take back your home.

Management: Several missions will appear at once so you will have to strategically send out troops

Combat: hey E.T. say hello to my little friend

13. Battletech

Battletech Gameplay

The year is 3025 and it is up to you and your ragtag mercenaries to reclaim the throne. Battle it out with over 30 mechs to choose from in this turn-based strategy game. Customize, replace, and upgrade your units so they’re ready to bring on the pain. When not fighting explore space and manage your reputation. PVP is also available to take on your friends and prove who is the Mech Champion.

Dialogue: Side with one, side with the other, or let them fight it out

Combat: Imma firin’  mah lazer

12. Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach

Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach Gameplay

Enter the world of Warhammer in this turn-based, strategy game. Lead the Space Wolves, a band of men, against the Orkish horde in two story-driven campaigns. Choose your troops and deploy them as you see fit, unleashing their tactical abilities upon your foes. Level up and gain new skills; each battle requires strategic manoeuvring. Sanctus Reach also has an addictive multiplayer mode available for fun with with your friends.

Tactics: Make sure to use cover so you’re not caught out in the open

Tactics: the terrain makes a difference and so does height, plan accordingly

11. Vigilantes

Vigilantes Gameplay

Take down the criminal underworld in this turn-based, strategy RPG. Immerse yourself in this gritty world with several skills, stats, and perks to choose from and customize your vigilante how you want. Build facilities and craft weapons, use every advantage you can to take down your enemies, you’re the vigilante Reiker needs you to be not the one it deserves. Will your squad succeed in turning the town around or will crime reign supreme?

PSA: Alright class, we will be creating chemical reactions in today’s lesson

Combat: catch them hands, 2v1 and they still can’t take you down

10. Hard West

Hard West Gameplay

XCOM meets the wild west, in this turned based, tactical RPG. This game has some innovative features like ricocheting and the luck system. Everytime you dodge an attack your luck bar decreases until eventually you’re going to get hit. Shots can ricochet off metal objects and end up hitting your enemies even if they are in cover in front of you. Bullseye.

Subdue: why waste bullets when you can everything under control

Ricochet: according to my calculations, if I fire at this angle and trajectory, death will be upon you in 1.43 seconds

9. Valkyria Chronicles 4

Valkyria Chronicles 4 Gameplay

Valkyria Chronicles 4 is a beautiful anime turned-based RPG. Commander Claude Wallace and Squad E takes on an army of Imperial Soldiers and other adversaries. Choose from several classes as you fight using the BLiTZ Battle System. Be prepared, this game will make you want to watch more anime and play more games like this!  

Dialogue: It is our duty to protect our homeland no matter the cost!

Combat: Bang. You’re dead.

8. Phoenix Point

Phoenix Point Gameplay

From the creator of X-COM, a new alien threat has appeared and it is up to your troops to fight against them. Some unique features include the willpower system and targeted attacks. Willpower is used for certain abilities like overwatch, you can gain it by killing, completing objectives, or by using a turn just to increase it. Once you run out you might just start panicking. Shooting enemies got a whole lot more tactical with specific body parts being harder or easier to hit as well as more and less..hurtful? Hurtful or maybe deadlier would be more accurate?

Map: Be sure to deploy the right troops for the right occasion...this feels like déjà vu

Combat: this soldier just landed some pretty reaction fire, two point for Gryffindor

7. This Is the Police

This is the Police Gameplay

This strategy, management game sure involves a lot of turn-based tactics. Take control of Police Chief Jack Boyd and manage your police officers. Crimes will occur throughout the city and it is up to you to decide how best to handle each situation. Will you uphold the law or look the other way for personal benefit.

Choices: you’re the law, you get to choose what happens in this town

Squad Management: you get to choose with officers to send out for each crime

6. Shadowrun Dragonfall

Shadowrun Dragonfall Gameplay

Enter the world of Shadowrun and experience all of its cyberpunk glory. As a shadowrunner you will be taking on some dangerous mission with squad members, so customize your character however you like by following class builds or going jack of all trades, the choice is yours. A rich story with a rugged cyberpunk world, what’s not to like?

Dialogue: Gimme one of those cool spells so I can show off to my friends

Combat: the floor is lava, don’t try this at home

5. Age of Wonders: Planetfall

Age of Wonders: Planetfall Gameplay

Build a galactic empire as you grow and settle different planets. Choose how you want to play: from diplomatic solutions to all out warfare and subjugation. Explore the beautiful worlds and encounter different factions, fight with customizable weapons and interactive environments. Age of Wonders: Planetfall is an all new exciting experience with all the goodness of its predecessors.  

Map: manage your base and expand as you see fit, choose how you play

Combat: you could always shoot first and ask questions later

4. Wasteland 3

Wasteland 3 Gameplay

Wasteland 3 is an upcoming turn-based RPG, where you shape the future of Colorado. As the last Ranger, it is up to you to decide on gaining allies and being productive or just messing with gangs and letting anarchy thrive. Make use of squad tactics and abilities in combat as well as the environment. Wasteland 3 can be played by yourself or with a friend and the decisions each of you make can greatly affect the other player even when they are not playing. Imagine waking up and logging on and having all the chores you dreaded being taken care of, now that’s cool.

Story time: There seems to be a cult gathered dangerously close to this unstable energy or explosion thing

Combat: take control of a turret and drop these plebeians like flies  

3. UnderRail

 

UnderRail Gameplay

Enter the world of UnderRail an old-school, indie, turn-based RPG, now that's a mouthful. Be prepared to immerse yourself in this post-apocalyptic world as you change your fate of ordinary to shaping everything around you. Side with different factions depending on what their agendas for the metro station-states are. Even the combat allows for multiply playstyles; whether you want to charm your way out of situations, use stealthy to go by unnoticed, or destroy everything in your path.

Dialogue: have fun talking to cults and different ideologies

Combat: rain death on your enemy...wait that’s not water it's fire

2. Crusader Kings II

Crusader Kings II Gameplay

Have you ever wanted to travel back in time to the Dark and Middle Ages? Enter Crusader Kings II and become a ruler. Manage your vassals and troops, fend off political enemies, or marry and form alliances. It ain’t easy being a ruler when you can be betrayed at any moment. Will your name go down in history or will your lineage be broken and forgotten?

Politics: hey girl, wanna make an heir to my throne?

Map: make sure your vassals are doing their job, so the tides don’t turn on you

1. Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon Gameplay

When your family estates turns into a dark dungeon, it make sense to want to explore it. This gothic style dungeon crawler will have you exploring for days. With 16 classes to choose from, form a party of four and explore. Be wary as death can come from enemies, or even stress. Strategically use your items and abilities to fend off the darkness within and around you. Pray or party your way to sanity, equip and upgrade your heroes...anything to keep those pesky heart attacks from offing your mates.

Camping: When dungeon crawling some of the larger areas, one must destress with a little morbid humor

Combat: When the whole squad gets hit so you pretend you get hit as well

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