Ready your strategy and prepare to play the long game in these 8 Turn-Based games on Steam.
Ready your strategy and prepare to play the long game in these 8 Turn-Based games on Steam.
Header image courtesy of GAMETYRANT.
As the title suggests, this article lists the best turn-based games on Steam. But, before we can jump in we have to answer one important question, what is a turn-based game? Well, it is as it sounds, players take turns making decisions that will affect the game’s outcome. A game can be labeled “turn-based,” for its type of combat, its requirement of large-scale strategy, or the need for more small-scale tactics. Therefore, turn-based combat games include combat sequences where each character takes turns choosing their next move, turn-based strategy games require well-thought-out turn decisions to benefit a larger strategy, and turn-based tactic games require turn decisions to achieve a smaller goal. Turn-based games can often be RPGs but this is not a genre requirement.
With that out of the way let’s jump into the list!
Very Positive (86%) | Turn-Based Strategy | Single-player/Multiplayer | $59.99
A classic of the turn-based strategy category, Sid Meier’s Civilization franchise is a must for this list. Of the six main games in the series, many regard Sid Meier’s Civilization VI to be the best. Over eight years after its release it remains highly ranked in the top-selling and top-rated charts in the turn-based game section on Steam.
The general goal of this game, as is the goal of the others in the franchise, is to build an empire that can last “from the Stone Age to the Information Age.” As a city builder, this game falls under the turn-based strategy subgenre, meaning each turn you need to make choices that ensure long-lasting stability for your empire.
Will you wage war? What kind of technology will you research? How well can you conduct diplomacy?
This game is all about strategy, and if you play right you’ll be able to achieve one of the five possible winning conditions. Every step matters, including which of the 20 possible leaders you choose to play as.
“Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is a joy to play and the best the series has produced. Which pretty much makes it the best 4X strategy game yet made.” - HSD. on Steam
Art from the game Backpack Hero
Backpack Hero’s retro graphics and use of color paired with its unique use of character’s inventory makes it a one of a kind Turn-Based game.
Image courtesy of Steam.
Very Positive (87%) | Turn-Based | Single-player | $19.99
Leaning toward the turn-based strategy subgenre, Backpack Hero is described as an “inventory management roguelike.” While a large chunk of your time is spent exploring caves, swamps, and dungeons, the turn-based strategy appears in the game’s most important element, your backpack. How you choose to organize it affects the power of your items and therefore, your ability to succeed. Furthermore, in combat you’re given 3 points during each turn to apply to different items in your bag and attack or defend.
“It's a pretty deep game with tons of cool combos, long unlock progression that steadily ramps complexity, and characters that differ in mechanics and strategies.” Lomek on Steam
Very Positive (94%) | Turn-Based | Single-player | $59.99
Octopath Traveler II follows your chosen character as they travel through the world of Solistia. The “octopath” in the game's title stands for its eight playable characters and the path they will be traveling. This game is fully turn-based, from the combat to the strategy, so every choice you make is crucial to the success of your journey. As you travel you can add three new members to your party that you’ve met along the way, furthering your need for a well-planned strategy. You explore towns, defeat enemies, and uncover your character's storyline. To win you must defeat the enemies by strategically playing the members of your party, and choosing your party members well.
“Loved the first one, and this one is even better. The characters interact more, the stories are better, the latent potential mechanic adds a lot to the combat as well. Great game.” - PotPi on Steam
Very Positive (94%) | Turn-Based | Single-player | $24.99
In Wandering Sword, you play as a young swordsman who just escaped an almost deadly feud. This sets you on the path to seek the highest form of martial arts while exploring the vast landscape this game offers.The game offers both turn-based and real-time combat modes that can be toggled between depending on preference. The game’s turn-based label also shows in its requirement for long-term strategy and immediate use of tactics in combat.
“If you are a fan of Wuxia/Xainxia genre this is one of the best/most complete games on Steam. Very good game. Very underrated” stematric360 on Steam
Very Positive (86%) | Turn-Based | Single-player | $59.99
Number 21 in the Atelier Ryza game series, Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout is one of the highest-selling Turn-Based games on Steam, and was rated the 3rd best game of the series by GameRant. This game is perfect for “slice of life” anime enjoyers as its fantasy coming-of-age plot follows Ryza as she meets new friends and improves as an alchemist. It uses a hybrid turn-based combat system that is mixed with real-time elements. This means while you select your character’s next action, time progresses normally so you have to act quickly and strategically.
“I love this series. Gameplay is fun and addicting, story is really nice for what it is, OST is amazing, characters are super likable and the voice actors give them so much personality.” K-Om! on Steam
Overwhelmingly Positive (96%) | Turn-Based Tactics/Strategy | Single-player | $19.99
In Tactical Breach Warriors, you lead a team of wizards through battles in order to prevent a world war. In this world, magic exists, and each wizard has a unique set of abilities. You control each of your wizards one at a time during combat, so it is imperative that you choose correctly to succeed.
“What a perfect puzzle/tactics game. Great humor. Fun story and characters. Great game play. Loved it.” Snipe3pt0 on Steam
Very Positive (84%) | Turn-Based | Single-player | $59.99
Aliens rule the world, and you’ve become humanity’s last hope for freedom. You must recruit resistance fighters and control them one by one each turn on the battleground. You’re head of your team so the responsibility to strategize falls on you, and your team's fate falls on you. This is the sequel to the immensely popular XCOM: Enemy Unknown, however, XCOM 2 follows an alternate timeline so it doesn’t matter which you choose to start with.
“I've put over 2000 hours into this game..... this and xcom enemy unknown are both amazing games . If you like turn-based strategy games with a squad focus ...... buy it . Start off on normal and work your way up, it's worth it.” odst57 on Steam
Overwhelmingly Positive (96%) | Turn-Based Combat/Strategy | Single-player | $59.99
Have you ever wanted to fight crime in Tokyo? Persona 5 Royal follows a Tokyo High School student who forms a group called The Phantom Thieves of Hearts to fight crime and stage heists. It uses classic Turn-Based combat but each character has unique “persona” abilities that can be used. Only one of a character’s multiple personas can be activated at once, and new ones can only be created at certain times so a planned strategy is important. With the massive popularity of this franchise, you can never go wrong with a Persona game.
“Finishing P5 left me completely hollow. This is a story and game everyone should have witnessed at some point in their lives.” ChaosKiller7 on Steam
That’s all for this list! Let us know your favorite turn-based game in the comments below.
