Best Turn-Based Tactics Games For Beginners

Highlights

• Turn-based tactics games have become more widely available and accessible, with entries now available on consoles.
• Some turn-based tactics games, like South Park: The Fractured But Whole, combine gameplay with immersive storytelling and writing.
• There are a variety of turn-based tactics games to choose from, with different gameplay mechanics, settings, and themes to suit different player preferences.

Turn-based tactics games used to be some of the most popular games on PCs back in the day. The complex menuing and inputs ensure that they weren’t very popular on consoles. However, they have been making a comeback in recent years. These games include a simulation of believable military tactics and warfare.

The genre nowadays is not as restrictive as it used to be. It has gone through a multitude of changes, and there have been inspiring variations. All of this ensures that there are a lot of fun options for newcomers to dive into and explore. The following are some of the most popular franchises in this genre that new players will have no problem getting used to.

Updated on January 21, 2024, by Jason Wojnar: Turn-based tactics used to be unforgiving and complex, but now plenty of titles have come out that are great for beginners. Not only that, but they’ve become more widely available and series that started on PC now have entries on consoles. To help find some gems to start with in the genre, the updated version of this list offers a few more entries worth considering.

20 South Park: The Fractured But Whole

It’s Also Hilarious

The first South Park RPG, The Stick of Truth, is like a best-of compilation of the series’ best jokes. It goes through all of the classics the show became famous for, leaving almost no nostalgic stone untouched, and used traditional turn-based gameplay to help deliver those jokes. The sequel, The Fractured But Whole, features more original humor and switches the fantasy aesthetic for a superhero sheen.

The gameplay also evolves to become more of a turn-based strategy game than a turn-based RPG. Movements and the characters’ locations on the battlefield play a vital role in combat. This game works so well because it puts just as much attention into the gameplay as it does into the writing and world. It feels like playing an episode of the show.

19 Jeanne d’Arc

Historical Fiction Turn-Based Tactics RPG

The PSP is full of turn-based tactics games, combining remasters of classics from the genre with new properties. Jeanne D’Arc is a one-off that keeps the combat and systems clear enough for newcomers to understand and enjoy.

The story is a fictionalized adaptation of Joan of Arc’s story. It is not just a matter of changing some history, either. Players fight demons and use magic during the game, two things that did not exist during the historical figure’s time. Jeanne d’Arc has still not been re-released, but it is worth seeking out a PSP just to play this game.

For more RPGs that explore historical figures or alternate histories, try out Eternal Sonata for the former and Valkyria Chronicles for the latter.

18 Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope

A Sequel That Switches It Up

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle had a lot to prove with its novel crossover and it accomplished the job with flying colors. A sequel could not simply rehash the same formula and rest on its laurels, and Sparks of Hope does a lot to differentiate itself from the first title.

It retains enough of the original’s DNA to be recognizable as a sequel, but it takes away the grid-based movement and adds some more real-time elements into the equation. For fans of Rayman, one of this game’s DLC expansions marks a glorious return of the character and a long-awaited reunion with the Rabbids.

17 Wildermyth

Combat With Engaging Storytelling

Wildermyth

Released

June 15, 2021

Developer(s)

Worldwalker Games

Wildermyth is one of the most underrated indie titles that more people need to check out. This game combines the best of both tactical combat and procedural storytelling to make for a role-playing experience that’s unlike anything that fans have ever experienced.

The fact that every campaign is filled to the brim with unique storylines makes Wildermyth a tale for the ages every single time. Players can sink tons of hours into the journey of their heroes, watching old ones either fall or pass the torch over to a new generation.

A Remake Of A Classic Turn-Based Tactics Game

XCOM is considered by many to be a pretty hard and challenging series. The threat of permadeath looms over every encounter, making each battle all the more tense and engaging if people have become attached to the characters they’ve controlled throughout the series.

Of course, newcomers can always play at a lower difficulty to reduce the chances of losing out on their beloved squad members. This helps them enjoy the combat without feeling too overwhelmed, with the story also being entertaining in its own right. The combat system is not particularly inaccessible, it is just that the game punishes mistakes severely on anything above “Easy.”

The Sequel, XCOM 2, improves over its predecessor with more gameplay options and greater map variety, but it is significantly harder so it is not the best for newcomers.

15 Final Fantasy Tactics

One Of The Most Celebrated Final Fantasy Spin-Offs

It would be impossible to talk about accessible turn-based strategy games without mentioning the brilliance of Final Fantasy Tactics. There’s a reason why so many people consider it to be one of the greatest Final Fantasy spinoffs ever made.

The story and gameplay are in a class of their own, making for an addictive experience that is hard to put down. The job system and combat mechanics might take a while to wrap one’s head around, but mastering these mechanics will make for an infinitely satisfying experience.

14 The Battle For Wesnoth

Open-Source And Still Going Strong

• Released In 2005
• Developed by David White
• Available on PC and Mobile

The Battle for Wesnoth is a testament to the sheer love that gamers have for the turn-based strategy genre. This free open-source title features an excellent battling system coupled with a wealth of content that will keep players occupied for hours on end.

Featuring a wealth of factions to choose from coupled with a fairly serviceable story, The Battle for Wesnoth is a great game for players aspiring to get into turn-based strategy. The fact that it costs a grand total of zero dollars makes it an even greater entry point to the genre!

13 Gears Tactics

A Different Take On The Series

Similar to Halo Wars, Gears Tactics adapts one of Microsoft’s flagship licenses to the strategy genre, with this entry focusing on turn-based combat. The game takes inspiration from X-COM, but it implements enough fresh ideas to stand out from the crowd. Although by no means a cakewalk, Gears Tactics is not particularly difficult by the genre’s standards and its challenge level ramps up at a consistent rate.

Like any first effort, Gears Tactics has its share of growing pains. The missions do get repetitive rather quickly since the lengthy campaign does not shake things up frequently enough to keep things fresh, which can lead to exhaustion. Familiarity with the Gears of War universe is also recommended as, otherwise, the story is likely to fall flat.

12 Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Three Ways To Play Through The Campaign

The Fire Emblem series is easily one of the most notable strategy franchises of all time. The games are full to the brim with political intrigue, memorable characters, and excellent stories that have been a constant of the series since the first entry.

The latest game in the series, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, is considered by many to be the best entry yet, and also the most approachable of the lot. Players who want to enjoy a narratively rich tactical adventure should look no further than this title.

11 Into The Breach

A Roguelike With Mechs And Bugs

Strategy games can be full to the brim with busy work that can turn some people off from enjoying the full experience. However, Into the Breach manages to escape these tropes and deliver a groundbreaking experience.

This game was made by the same devs who made FTL: Faster Than Light, so it was only a given that their next title would blow everyone out of the water too. Players who want to enjoy an amazing turn-based tactical experience will have an excellent time with Into the Breach.

10 Civilization 6

A Long-Running Strategy Series

The Civilization series is one of the most beloved turn-based strategy games out there, and for good reason. The first game was released as early as 1991 for the MS-DOS, and the latest entry in the franchise is Civilization 6 in 2016. In the course of 25 years, the franchise has achieved tremendous success and has established itself as THE turn-based strategy game to play.

Players looking to get into this genre can pick up any of the available parts of the franchise. Or, they can directly pick the latest entry, which is Civilization 6. Whichever game they pick, players will have a conquest to remember.

9 Age Of Wonders: Planetfall

A Post-Apocalyptic Sci-Fi Genre Twist

Age of Wonders: Planetfall is the fifth installment in the Age of Wonders franchise. The game features a Sci-Fi setting, which should interest players who are looking for a change of pace. It has a beautiful user interface that is very approachable. The player can choose from six available factions. Each of these factions has a distinct playstyle and strategy.

The player’s role as the commander of their faction is to lead their faction to victory in the ensuing conflicts. The game offers an interesting mix of complex variety and approachability, and it is a good entry point into the genre.

8 Total War: Warhammer 3

Turn-Based With Some Real-Time Elements

Total War: Warhammer 3

Released

February 17, 2022

Genre(s)

Strategy , Tactical

Total War is one of the most famous strategy franchises of all time, and there are a lot of games out there. Since they largely cover time periods, a newcomer might just be tempted to go with the era that sounds most appealing to them; however, some entries are more accessible than others. While Shogun 2 is generally a good entry-level option, the Warhammer spin-off series is probably the most accessible overall.

Warhammer 3, the most recent Total War project, has arguably the best tutorial in the franchise so far, making it the perfect pick for beginners new to turn-based strategy. The game stands on its own too, so there is no need to play the previous entries.

7 Freeciv

Open-Source “Civ-like”

• First version released in 1996
• Developed by the Freeciv Project
• Available on PC

Freeciv is an open-source free-to-play strategy game inspired by the Civilization series. Much of its UI is still based on Civilization 2. The game is based on the tribal groups which existed in 4000 BC. The players are tasked with leading these tribal groups through the centuries; in the meantime, they must also gather new technologies and expand the tribe’s units.

The concept of the game is pretty similar to Civilization games. The world goes through changes across centuries, and the tribe has to evolve with it. The end goal is to either rule the world or colonize space.

6 Europa Universalis 4

Grand Strategy With More Nuance

Players who enjoy medieval European political gameplay will fall in love with Europa Universalis 4. Most strategy games have two aspects to their strategy; resource management and battle strategy. However, Europa Universalis aims to simulate a kingdom in medieval Europe, and with that are a lot of concepts.

EU4 involves complex politics, inheritance, economic relations, alliances, and blocs. Players are in control of a nation, and they can take whichever approach they would like to rule over all that surrounds them. Whether that is through economic warfare, political underhandedness, or good old-fashioned battling, is the player’s choice.

5 Stellaris

Take Over Space

Stellaris is set in a distant space-faring future. Players are given control over a species and a government, in an interstellar setting. The game is set in a time after the discovery of faster-than-light travel, which allows for a giant playground. “Winning” isn’t as clear-cut as other titles and many things can determine how well a player does in the universe of Stellaris.

In Stellaris, players can become king of the universe or even a crisis, collect as many resources as possible, or simply exist as a beacon of peace. Players also have the option of creating a backstory for their empire, which allows for a lot of depth in the story of the game.

4 Endless Legend

Rule Through War Or Through Diplomacy

Endless Legend is a fantasy tactical game, created by the studio behind Endless Space. The goal of the player is to dominate the world of Auriga with one of the available 14 races. The player can use either diplomacy or war while simultaneously developing new technologies, and exploring new lands and cities.

A big part of the strategy in the game is controlling territory. Setting up cities in the optimum areas is a very important part of the strategy of the game. The variety of methods through which the game can be approached makes it a very immersive experience.

3 Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri

Like Civilization But In Space

Alpha Centauri’s story picks up after the events of Civilization 1 and 2. The game borrows from Civilization 2 in the gameplay aspect but is ever so slightly tweaked. The gameplay is based around squares, which are occupied by players or machinery. Terraforming is another mechanic, which lets players modify each map square for movement, combat, and resources.

The player has a variety of useful resources to either feed the population, construct units, or control the energy supply. The game offers both single-player and multiplayer game modes and offers a lot of versatility to the player.

2 Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics Of War

Turn-Based Strategy In The Warhammer Universe

• Released in 2018
• Developed by Proxy Studios
• Available On PC

Gladius – Relics of War is one of the first strategy games set in the Warhammer 40k universe. The game has four iconic factions, each of which offers a unique playstyle. This game’s setting is highly aggressive mostly because it is a Warhammer game. There are also no diplomatic options in this game, unlike quite a few other turn-based strategy titles. War is the only answer.

There are a variety of gameplay mechanisms through which the game can proceed. The player can construct cities, buildings, and fortifications to expand their empires. They can recruit hero units that possess distinct special abilities. These heroes can also be equipped with powerful relics. Each faction has a different storyline on the gladius prime and only one faction can emerge as dominant.

1 Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

The Crossover Nobody Knew We Needed

Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle is such a strange crossover. These properties had nothing to do with one another before their marriage, and they decided to merge for a genre that does not represent either franchise. Yet, the first Mario + Rabbids game was a pleasant surprise. Designed to be entry-level turn-based strategy games, it uses detailed tutorials and a smooth difficulty curve to ease players into the adventure.

Kingdom Battle is ideal for children who are just tipping their toes into the genre. They also have enough depth and charm to engage experienced players. Coming out early in the Nintendo Switch’s life, Kingdom Battle was a great release players could sink their teeth into before more titles hit the platform.