Finding a truly engaging turn-based strategy game on PC can feel like searching for a hidden gem. You’re craving deep tactical gameplay, meaningful choices, and a campaign that can keep you hooked for hours. It’s not just about clicking buttons; it’s about orchestrating intricate strategies and outsmarting your opponents. Many players are tired of games that offer shallow experiences, where victory feels arbitrary, and choices lack impact. This guide will dive deep into the realm of good turn-based strategy games for PC, helping you discover titles that offer genuine depth and replayability.
What Makes a Good Turn-Based Strategy Game?
When you’re seeking a good turn-based strategy game, several elements come together to create a truly fulfilling experience. It’s not enough to simply move units around a map and watch numbers go up. Here’s a breakdown of what to look for:
- Deep Tactical Gameplay: The core of any good turn-based strategy game is its tactical depth. The combat should offer a variety of options, with units having unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Games that force you to carefully consider positioning, flanking, and using terrain to your advantage tend to be more engaging and rewarding.
- Meaningful Choices: Every decision you make should have a noticeable impact. Whether it’s choosing which units to recruit, which technologies to research, or which territories to conquer, your choices should carry weight and influence the course of the game. Games where decisions have lasting consequences are much more captivating.
- Engaging Campaign or Scenarios: A compelling campaign mode, with a well-crafted story and diverse objectives, can elevate a game to new heights. It’s not just about winning battles; it’s about experiencing a narrative and seeing how your strategic decisions play out in a broader context. Alternatively, if the game doesn’t focus on a story, diverse scenarios and victory conditions can keep things fresh.
- Replayability: Good turn-based strategy games often encourage multiple playthroughs. This can be achieved through randomized elements, different factions with unique playstyles, or challenging difficulty levels. Games that offer new experiences with each playthrough often have a long-lasting appeal.
- Balanced Factions and Units: If the game has different factions or unit types, balance is essential. No single unit or faction should be overwhelmingly powerful, making it crucial to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each. A balanced system makes the combat feel fairer and more strategic.
Why Are Turn-Based Strategy Games So Appealing?
Turn-based strategy games offer a unique blend of strategic depth and thoughtful pacing. Unlike real-time strategy (RTS) games, turn-based games give players ample time to carefully consider their options and plan their moves. This slower pace allows for more strategic decision-making and reduces the pressure of real-time chaos. If you appreciate planning out every aspect of your battle and prefer a more cerebral experience, then this genre is for you. Many find the sense of control and accomplishment that comes with a carefully executed strategy to be deeply satisfying, something that chaotic, action-packed games can often miss. For those who enjoy the strategic elements of strategy multiplayer games but prefer a slower pace, turn-based options are the perfect fit.
Top Turn-Based Strategy Games for PC You Should Play
Now that we know what makes a good turn-based strategy game, let’s look at some of the top titles you should try out on PC:
XCOM 2
XCOM 2 stands out as a benchmark for modern turn-based tactical combat. Players take control of a resistance force fighting against an alien occupation of Earth. What makes it special:
- Intense Squad-Based Combat: The heart of XCOM 2 is the tactical battles. You control a squad of soldiers with unique classes and abilities. Positioning, utilizing cover, and managing your resources are crucial to survival.
- Permadeath: The permanent death of soldiers adds a layer of tension and significance to every engagement. Losing a veteran unit can have a considerable emotional and strategic impact, forcing you to adapt and find new heroes.
- Deep Strategic Layer: Outside of battles, you manage your base, research new technologies, and expand your global resistance. The combination of tactical combat and strategic management provides a rich and challenging experience.
- Modding Community: A very active modding community means that the base game is expanded even more with new scenarios, units and overhauls.
“XCOM 2 isn’t just a game; it’s a masterclass in tactical turn-based strategy. The permadeath mechanic elevates the stakes and makes every victory feel hard-earned,” says Dr. Evelyn Reed, a game design professor at MIT.
Civilization VI
Civilization VI is the go-to choice for those who love grand strategy on a massive scale. You guide your civilization from its humble beginnings to world domination. Here’s what makes it great:
- Massive Scope: Civilization VI spans millennia, allowing you to develop your civilization, manage resources, and engage in diplomacy with other factions.
- Multiple Paths to Victory: Victory can be achieved through military conquest, cultural dominance, scientific breakthroughs, religious conversion, or diplomatic influence. The wide range of victory conditions encourages experimentation and replayability.
- Unique Civilizations: Each civilization has its own unique units, abilities, and strengths, offering diverse gameplay options and forcing you to adapt your strategies to take advantage of your civ’s abilities.
- Ever-Evolving Game: A large library of expansions ensures there’s always more to discover and change the way you play the game.
- Similar to strategy games for xbox but with far more detail, Civilization VI provides a satisfying experience for players who love to think long-term and see their plans come to fruition.
Divinity: Original Sin 2
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a turn-based role-playing game (RPG) that combines tactical combat with a deep narrative. You explore a richly detailed world with deep lore and encounter many dynamic systems. Here’s why you might want to play it:
- Highly Interactive World: The world of Divinity: Original Sin 2 is filled with elements that can be used to your advantage in combat. You can set the ground on fire, electrify puddles of water, and create many other environmental effects.
- Deep Character Development: The game provides a robust character development system that allows for unique character builds and approaches to combat.
- Engaging Story: The narrative is intricate and well-written, filled with memorable characters and tough choices that have a lasting impact.
- Co-operative Play: You can play through the entire game in co-op mode, letting you share the joy and pain of exploring and battling through the game’s harsh world with your friends.
“Divinity: Original Sin 2 is more than a tactical RPG; it’s a role-playing sandbox where every decision matters and combat is always a spectacle,” comments Marcus Thorne, a narrative designer at Bethesda Studios.
Total War: Warhammer III
Total War: Warhammer III combines large-scale turn-based strategy with real-time tactical battles. You control fantasy factions in epic conflicts. Here’s the breakdown:
- Epic Scale: The battles in Total War: Warhammer III are immense, featuring thousands of units clashing on large battlefields.
- Unique Fantasy Factions: Each of the game’s factions has its own unique units, abilities, and playstyles, providing a great variety of gameplay experiences.
- Real-Time Tactical Battles: While the strategic map is turn-based, the battles are conducted in real-time, adding another layer of strategic complexity.
- Deep Faction Management: Beyond the battlefields, you manage your empire, develop your cities, and engage in diplomacy with rival factions.
- Players who like grand strategy but also enjoy getting down to the tactical details will appreciate how rts space strategy games share similar features in empire management but in a very different, galactic setting.
Into the Breach
Into the Breach is a compact, challenging turn-based strategy game where you pilot mechs to defend humanity against an alien threat. What makes it stand out:
- Puzzle-Like Battles: The battles in Into the Breach are often viewed like complex puzzles that you need to figure out. Each move you make needs careful consideration since most of the time the enemies telegraph their attacks in advance and can be exploited.
- Roguelike Elements: Each run through the game is different, with new challenges and enemy layouts for you to explore.
- Focus on Precision: The game emphasizes precise moves and strategic planning, as even the smallest mistake can have disastrous consequences.
- Fast Paced Gameplay: While it is turn-based, the game moves at a snappy pace, letting you make and execute your plans quickly.
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden combines turn-based tactical combat with stealth gameplay in a post-apocalyptic world. You guide a squad of mutated characters through a ruined Earth. Here’s why it’s worth a look:
- Stealth and Ambush: Unlike other tactical games, Mutant Year Zero puts a focus on stealth, allowing you to scout and ambush enemies.
- Unique Mutated Characters: The game has a cast of unique characters, each with different abilities, mutations, and equipment.
- Post-Apocalyptic Setting: Exploring a desolate, destroyed Earth is atmospheric and interesting, adding another layer of immersion.
- Exploration: The level design of each mission rewards exploration, often putting in hidden treasures and useful items for players to uncover.
- If you like games with a focus on character progression, similar to turn based strategy games switch but with a heavier emphasis on stealth and squad building, this is for you.
How to Choose the Right Turn-Based Strategy Game
With so many excellent options available, how do you choose the right turn-based strategy game for you? Consider these points:
- Your Preferred Setting: Do you prefer sci-fi, historical, or fantasy settings?
- Level of Complexity: Do you want a deep, complex experience or a more casual and approachable one?
- Tactical vs. Grand Strategy: Do you prefer games focused on tactical battles or ones that let you manage empires and conduct diplomacy?
- Single-Player vs. Multiplayer: Are you looking for a challenging single-player experience or want to play with and against friends in multiplayer?
- Time Commitment: How much time are you looking to invest in a game? Some games offer short sessions, while others demand a considerable time commitment.
Turn-Based Strategy Game: A Comparison Table
To help further differentiate these titles, here is a comparison table:
| Game | Combat Focus | Strategic Depth | Replayability | Setting | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XCOM 2 | Squad-Based Tactical | High | High | Sci-Fi | Permadeath, Base Management, Customization |
| Civilization VI | Grand Strategy | Very High | Very High | Historical | Multiple Paths to Victory, Unique Civilizations, City Building |
| Divinity: Original Sin 2 | Tactical RPG | High | High | Fantasy | Highly Interactive Environment, Deep Character Development, Co-op Play |
| Total War: Warhammer III | Real-Time Battles | High | High | Fantasy | Epic Scale Battles, Unique Factions, Empire Management |
| Into the Breach | Puzzle Tactical | Medium | High | Sci-Fi | Roguelike Elements, Precise Moves, Fast-Paced |
| Mutant Year Zero | Stealth Tactical | Medium | Medium | Post-Apocalyptic | Stealth, Unique Mutated Characters, Exploration |
Conclusion
The world of turn-based strategy games on PC is incredibly rich and varied, offering something for every type of player. Whether you’re seeking the tactical challenge of XCOM 2, the grand strategy of Civilization VI, or the immersive world of Divinity: Original Sin 2, there’s a turn-based strategy game out there that’s sure to keep you captivated. Take the time to explore the games mentioned and consider your preferences when making your choice. Good turn-based strategy games offer more than just entertainment; they offer intellectual challenge, meaningful choices, and a sense of accomplishment that few other genres can match. Don’t be afraid to explore and discover your new favorite strategy game. Remember to experiment and find a playstyle that’s right for you, whether you are inspired by game of thrones board game 2nd edition strategy or something completely new.
FAQ
What is the difference between turn-based strategy and real-time strategy?
In turn-based strategy, players take turns making moves, allowing for more planning and consideration. Real-time strategy involves simultaneous actions, creating a more chaotic and fast-paced experience.
Are turn-based strategy games difficult?
Difficulty varies from game to game, but many are designed to be challenging and rewarding. The genre typically emphasizes strategic thinking and decision-making over reaction time.
Do turn-based strategy games have a story?
Yes, many turn-based strategy games, like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and XCOM 2, feature deep, engaging narratives, but there are also games, like Into the Breach that don’t focus on narrative at all.
Can turn-based strategy games be played online?
Yes, many games offer online multiplayer modes, allowing you to challenge other players or cooperate in campaigns.
How do I get started with turn-based strategy games?
Start with a game that aligns with your preferred setting and level of complexity. Don’t hesitate to explore different titles and discover what you enjoy most.
What are some good turn-based strategy games for beginners?
Civilization VI and Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden can be quite accessible entry points into the genre, with enough complexity to keep you engaged and a good tutorial system to teach you the core gameplay loops.
Do turn-based strategy games have a learning curve?
Yes, most turn-based strategy games will require you to spend some time learning the basic mechanics, however the rewards are worth the time spent.
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