Turn based games have been getting quite a bit of attention these days. Since the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 a light has been shined on turn based games. The discourse is seemingly on two sides of the spectrum. There is side A who share the opinion that turn based games are dead and are now coming back to life. Then there are those on side B, where this article will land, reminding others that turn based games have never gone away. Turn based games may have been harder to spot, but they've always been there. This isn't just about the anime-fied turn based games either like the Persona mainline series or even Pokemon. So if you're suddenly finding yourself open to turn based games, here's a few options to get you started. 

Baldur’s Gate 3

Let's start with the big one. Baldur's Gate 3 took home many awards since its official release in 2023. It's possible that for many, this may have been the first turn based game they've played without even realizing what lies at its core. It makes sense Baldur's Gate 3 is turn based as it derives from Dungeons and Dragons. The customization options in Baldur's Gate 3 allow for players to choose their desired play style. Are you an upfront fighter? A warlock shooting off spells at range? 

Baldur's Gate also allows you to experience turn based in terms of conversation choices. Not all turn based is combat focused. Talk your way out of a fight or talk your way into the House of Hope. So much is possible in Baldur's Gate 3 and at its heart, it has story, character development, and yes, it's turn based. 

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

The Fire Emblem series has been going since 1990 although it took quite some time for them to be released world wide. Audiences for Fire Emblem continue to grow with Nintendo even adding Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones to their online collection. While there is a more recent entry in the Fire Emblem series, Three Houses may be the best entry point into the series. Fire Emblem Engage brings in a bit too many characters and is very self-referential with heroes from the previous games. Instead, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is also a bit like three games in one. Each house is it’s own path so you get quite a bit of replayability. As the new incoming teacher, you’ll choose a house to teach and form bonds with students. Your house will determine the story you follow.

The turn based combat in Fire Emblem is a top down grid where you have to strategically decide where to place your allies and how to move about. Fire Emblem has something that our previous entry doesn’t, the possibility of permanent death. While you don’t have to play with this feature, you could choose the additional challenge.

Sid Meier’s Civilization

The Civ game series has been long standing with it’s most recent entry released earlier this year. While all players take their turn at the same time, at the heart of Civilization is turn based game play. Move into the future years and ages once all players complete their own turns and decisions. Are they building new structures? Deciding to invade your lands? In Civilization VII, diplomacy is introduced as well so you’ll have these moments as part of your turns as well. While many may not welcome the majority of changes in Civilization VII from its previous entry, the series is still worth a look for those who are interested in long term strategy and replayability to try the different methods of winning.

Yakuza: Like a Dragon

For many years, the Yakuza series was real time beat "˜em up style game play but in 2020, things changed. With Like a Dragon, the series introduced turn-based combat with their own flair. Use nearby items or pass nearby items to the rest of the party for their future attacks. It had to remain true to the Yakuza series didn't it? Like a Dragon also brought in a feature that has been found in many turn based games, the job/class system. Just like in our previous mention of Baldur’s Gate 3, characters could be assigned jobs and swap them around to fit the playstyle of the given party. Even with the change in combat, Like a Dragon stayed true to its story roots and provided players with a fun experience that received positive reviews. 

Darkest Dungeon I & II

For roguelike fans, Darkest Dungeon and it’s sequel could be exactly what you’re looking for once you’re open to exploring turn based. In the first game inherit an estate only to discover all the monstrosities that have been unearthed. Recruit a band of adventurers to help clear out the manor and the land beneath. Of course, just remember as a roguelike, the ending is never really the ending, whether that’s a win or a loss. The sequel picks up where the first one leaves off, except its more than just the manor now. Once again you’ll gather a crew of adventurers to trek to the mountain and save the day, again, most likely temporarily. Humanity can always temporarily prevail, but eldritch horrors are waiting just around the corner.

Shin Megami Tensei V (and by proxy Atlus games)

We won't go too far down the rabbit hole with anime games but would be remiss to not include them as they have become synonymous with what many people assume turn based is. It would have been easy to include the Persona main line series, or even 2024’s Game of the Year contender Metaphor: ReFantazio. For those who want to focus on interpersonal relationships, the Persona series and Metaphor will do the trick.

However, the precursor to many of these are Shin Megami Tensei with it’s latest release Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance in 2024. Play as the human demon fused Nohobino while exploring the open world of Da’at. Align yourself with demons and swap out demons to find the best combination during fights allowing for follow up attacks. There is quite a bit of strategy and very little of the need to be overly social and friendly with your human counterparts that the Persona series instilled in its game play. For those who want turn based combat, demons, but not to be bothered with high school romance and relationships, this is a great option.

Wasteland 3

Travel to post-apocalyptic Colorado in this turn based combat game where choices matter. Play as two members of the Arizona Ranger Team November who lost the rest of their crew. Or if you prefer, play with someone as even the mainline story of this game can be played co-operatively. The game is also an isometric perspective. This means you can see what you would normally miss if it were just top down or a side view.

You’ll meet the Patriarch and you can decide to side with them or against them. There are nods to the previous Wasteland games including the recurring character of Angela. You’ll have to decide if freeing Colorado is worth potentially putting Arizona in danger or what matters most. The best part about games like this is once again the replayability. When your choices matter, you can’t go back as much as you’d like to. While yes, you could potentially save scum just to see the different options, it might be best to just start fresh later on.

Honkai Star Rail

While this is another anime style game, this is also a free to play game. Honkai Star Rail is also probably the most accessible game on this list not only in terms of cost, but that even a smart phone can play this game. HSR includes quite a bit of modern humor and cultural references for a bit of a laugh at times. Expect to be rick rolled quite a few times in game. The downside of a free to play game is the power creep that comes with newer characters. There is also the gambling element to roll for the newer characters. At times, the story can be a bit long winded but the combat, when you can get through the cut scenes, is a great balance of strategy for a free to play turn based game.

Upcoming Turn Based Games

Perhaps you are not looking to move forward with other games from the past. Once you’re done with Expedition 33, there are plenty of upcoming turn based games for you to hop into.

• Monster Train 2 – Deck building roguelike with an upcoming collaboration with Cult of the Lamb.
  
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tactical Takedown – If you need a bit of nostalgia with your turn based strategy, this is shaping up to the be the entry for you.
  
• Bonaparte – For those who want a bit of historical fiction, Bonaparte could be your next turn based game.

No matter whether you never pick up another turn based game again or you decide to pick a few up from this list, it’s rather to clear to see, turn based games aren’t dead. Turn based games don’t live within one genre, one country, or even one time period. Of course there will always be niche games that fall within this. My honorable mention that is more niche being the newly released The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy. Until I can shrug off recency bias though, it’ll just be an honorable mention.

As a reminder, this was in no way meant to be exhaustive or even an expert list. However it is a reminder, that turn based is here to stay, you’ll just need to be open to finding it.

For those who do love turn based, what games do you recommend to those who want to branch out and try more turn based game play? Sound off below and let me know what was missed!