[Top 15] Best Turn-Based Combat Games With Great Gameplay

Best Turn-Based Combat Games
Updated:
08 Aug 2021

Howdy boys, today I’ll be nagging your butt about da best turn-based games, as somebody who was raised on Swords and Sandals, I gotta say, I’m quite excited about sharing this article with you!

Turn-based games are about players taking turns in moving moves against each other(putting more minions on the deck, fortifying your bases, hitting each other, etc) - pretty much games like Hearthstone, Swords and Sandals, or even Wargroove. Alright, I’m gonna start with my first game:

15. Griftlands

Welcome to the post-apocalyptic hell that is called Griftlands, this game is a deck-building roguelike game where you can negotiate, steal or beat the crap out of your opponents.

You can take quests from others, but be careful though, as every decision matters and can hold some consequence if you decide to piss somebody off. Other reviewers rate this game quite positively, so I think it’s worth a try!

14. Pathfinder: Kingmaker

This game takes pretty long to finish, from 80 to 140 hours, it all depends on how experienced you are in similar games. As the name of the article states, this is a turn-based game, with plenty of lore as well.

It’s a fun, action RPG that was inspired a bit by games like Fallout 1, Fallout 2, and Baldur’s Gate. The best part about this game IMO is how difficult it is, it won’t hold your hand and you’ll have to thoroughly plan out everything you do. Give this game a try, it’s worth it!

13. ATOM RPG

Another post-apocalyptic game, released by an independent studio Atom Team back in 2017. This time USA and USSR decided it would be a great idea to start a nuclear war and annihilate each other, the game takes place on the blasted USSR territories. 

This game is… pretty much Fallout 1 and Fallout 2, similarities are endless, so if you’ve played F1 and F2, you will probably love this game. It allows you to create your character, engage in combat activities in a turn-based fashion, develop your stats and simply go on a journey that revolves around slaying things and discovering the lives of post-apocalyptic Soviet survivors.

12. Divinity: Original Sin 2

You wish to play as a Dwarf, who swings a 2-handed axe, or a more sinister character, for example, an Undead who specializes in rogue activities. If neither are your cups of tea, worry not, as this game has to offer outstanding 14 different classes.

The game has pretty interesting lore, fun/challenging combat, a leveling system, and diverse classes that will make this game very difficult to get bored of. The game has cutscenes and characters with which you can interact. Although this game might not be as good as the first part, it’s still worth giving a try as it will make you waste hundreds of hours on it!

11. Yakuza: Like a Dragon

A game with a big and open world where the difficulty spikes up as you progress. Contains wild RPG combat, at times ridiculous humor(in a good way), and even more bizarre fighting scenarios. 

When fighting others, the damage dealt will be displayed above the enemies. This game also offers ragdoll physics, although they might be buggy at times, they will make you laugh at least. My most favorite aspect of this game are the cutscenes which 90% of the time made me laugh, they either made no sense or were completely bizarre. Hey man, if you like games with cool plots, big worlds, and highly enjoyable combat, this game is totally for you!

10. BATTLETECH

A cool as heck game where you can do quests and receive money, gear, and war loot as a reward. You’re playing as a chief pilot mercenary who has other pilots under his command, you can pick which planet to land on and wherever there is conflict, there is mercenary work for you and your team to do.

Planets that you can land on offer plenty of terrain, anything from the surface of the moon to a tropical forest. Combat feels fun, requires strategic thinking, and will keep you addicted to it for a long time. The campaign is interesting and pretty lengthy as well. If you like strategic, Sci-Fi space travel games, then check this one out!

9. Total War: WARHAMMER 2

A turn-based strategy RTS developed by Creative Assembly and released by SEGA in 2017. This game offers large-scale battles between different races, such as the Lizardmen, High Elves, Dark Elves, Skaven, Tomb Kings, and Vampire Coast - each race offers different battle formations and fighting styles, they serve you as units that are under your control.

Total War: WARHAMMER 2 has multiple campaigns that depend on which race you have picked, so far I have only finished the one High Elves storyline and gotta say that it was awesome!

It’s also worth adding that this game is pretty noob-friendly and runs relatively well. These sorts of games can accumulate hundreds of hours of gameplay, so it’s most definitely worth a try!

8. Darkest Dungeon®

Darkest Dungeon offers over 80 hours of gameplay and interesting game mechanics - there’s a stress meter that you need to keep low at all times, otherwise, you or your partners will meet their demise. Combining the dark atmosphere of this game and this mechanic reminds me a lot of Amnesia: The Dark Descent. You lower your stress levels by visiting an inn!

The game has many classes to pick and is also mod-friendly(it has access to the Steam Workshop) and it’s overall a great RPG turn-based game, unless you are suffering from severe mental health problems, this game might reinforce your problems!

7. Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War

Another Warhammer game, this one is about completely different factions, such as the: Space Marines, Astra Militarum, Orks, and Necrons. Each one of them has a different playstyle and different forms of technology, You can either play against the game’s decent AI or against other players, maybe even your friends!

Besides turning your friends into enemies, you can also construct your cities and fortifications and upgrade your army. You can also gather resources and improve your technology. Lovely game, if you like space-related strategy games!

6. Battle Chasers: Nightwar

Create your team with which you’ll explore random dungeons, fight unique bosses and meet foes or friendlies, and maybe potential allies that will accompany you!

You can pick 3 out of 6 available heroes, every single one of them has their abilities, pros and cons, items, and special powers while exploring dungeons. You can also create your items with different qualities(epic, common, etc). Another cool game that’s a turn-based RPG - try it out!

5. Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark

This game is a small combination of XCOM and Final Fantasy, it contains class changing, creation of your character, you can also recruit guilds. There are also some hidden classes that you can unlock, has an awesome storyline and plenty of interesting side quests. 

You wanna hear something else that’s interesting? This game was made by only 2 people and Fell Seal: Arbiter's Mark turned out to be a great success. the beginning of the game might seem difficult, but with time you’ll get used to it and learn to enjoy this awesome game!

4. Baldur's Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate is a game with a story about friendship and betrayal, sacrifice and survival in a world full of foes. Some evil dudes also injected some weird parasite into your brain, so uh, good luck!

Like with previously mentioned games, you’re gathering a decent squad of kick-ass mofos that will accompany you on your adventure of brutally murdering anything that stands in your way. This game so has some sexy scenes, so if that’s your cup of tea, this game is totally for you!

3. Wasteland 3

Welcome to a post-apocalyptic world where you and your squad will do anything in your power to revert the world to how it used to be once. 

This game does a great job at making you seem like a significant, petty creature who has to start from 0, to eventually become a hero - you have to build your own base, find a vehicle, acquire and train your squad to withstand the harsh climate and foes that you’ll encounter.

The game has an enjoyable storyline with multiple plot twists, decisions that might question your morals - you’ll be surrounded with deceitful characters, but also with loyal ones. It’s a great game with plenty of environments - one of the more incredible turn-based games!

2. XCOM® 2

Humanity has failed to defeat the aliens and now the humiliated humans were forced to sign a “peace” treaty with the aliens. The aliens occupy the Earth and are forcing the people to live in their cities, those who resist though, face extermination.

But that doesn’t stop the hard-headed portion of humanity from forming their own armies to fight off the aliens - manage your operations, set the locations of combat. You can recruit soldiers with their own tree perks, obtain the support of the oppressed population and defeat the spooky aliens once and forever! This game surely deserves a second spot!

1. TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children

An anime, RPG strategy game - a perfect game for weebs. Less difficult than XCOM at the start and less tense, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending on what kind of player you are. 

You’re allowed to greatly customize your characters, mix abilities into OP combos, the game also contains trillions of classes that you can select and highly enjoyable combat that uncovers more game mechanics as you progress. Although you might find the beginning pretty moderate when it comes to difficulty, it grows more and more difficult as you progress.

I believe this game deserves the first spot, it has an interesting plot and fancy Anime graphics, which might potentially convert you into a weeb. Try it out, probably the fanciest turn-based game out there so far!

Check my other articles:

image
Gamer Since:
2007
Favorite Genre:
MOBA
Currently Playing:
Dota 2
Top 3 Favorite Games:
DOTA 2, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Dead Space