Best Turn-Based Games

The best rated turn-based games right now are Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Sid Meier's Civilization VI, and Persona 5 Royal. The list updates every day, so new releases join as soon as they come out.

There are three big groups. Turn-based RPGs like Sea of Stars and Octopath Traveler 0 mix story and party battles. Tactics games like Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles and BattleTech are about moving your squad across the battlefield. And strategy games like Age of Wonders III let you build an empire one turn at a time.

If you love stories, try Wasteland 3 or Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire - both let your choices shape the world. If you want tactics, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a modern classic. And if you have ever said "one more turn" at 2 a.m., a big strategy game is probably already on your list.

Yes - because the game waits for you, there is no pressure to react quickly, and you can learn the rules at your own pace. Many turn-based RPGs also have easier difficulty settings. Like anime-style RPGs? Many of the best ones are turn-based - see our Anime Games list. For something short and replayable, Darkest Dungeon and Loop Hero mix turn-based battles with roguelike runs - more in our Roguelike Games list.

Strategy games and RPGs often get big expansions over the years, and complete or definitive editions bundle them together - on sale they often cost only a little more than the base game. Not sure the game is for you? Start with the base game, since expansions can always be added later. Every game page shows all editions with their current prices side by side.