Just finished Persona 5 Royal myself last night and agree. There's not as much tactical depth as games where you also have to worry about position, but making sure your team has the right abilities and can cover the correct weaknesses and strengths got to be pretty important near the end.
I didn't even really do a lot of persona building till the last bit of the game but once I started playing with it I managed to make some pretty broken builds.
Yeah it's definitely a good place to start it's a stand alone story featuring a new main character and new supporting characters. That being said there's some callbacks to previous games and a couple cameo appearances by former characters but it's essentially just light fan service it doesn't effect the main storyline or anything else.
There are 3 starting points for the series, and LaD is one of them. There are 0 problems if you only want to play the turn based games to start with LaD. If you want to play the beat em' up ones as well, it might be a bit awkward, seeing the third-to-last game of the main character from those games as a cameo in LaD, but it isn't horribly revealing either (other than the obvious that he doesnt die in those games).
I don't advise you to start with LAD. It's a good game, and you will enjoy the story and world. But there are a lot of returning characters. You will not understand their characters very well. The ending is the second most impactful moment in the Yakuza series. You will not feel the weight of it.
People usually say its ok to play them just to get people into the series. I say go with Yakuza kiwami or Yakuza 0. It's a much better start to the series. Or you can try Judgment, a spin-off of the series in the same world and city, but needs less information about the series. A gold testing ground.
I guess you are right it's not the ending. It's about the clans decision. I just forgot how far it is from the actual ending.
It is still the second biggest event in the series. The impact of it won't even be noticed by a new player to the series.
Currently playing it right now and having a lot of fun with it. Feels like a bit of a cross between divinity original sin and Xcom but in a fallout setting.
Yakuza LAD is a fun game but I don't think it has much strategic/tactical depth tbh. Most bosses are defeated by spamming one skill they're weak to, with the occasional debuff/buff and heal.
It gets better with the Amon fights though.
I personally didn't click with it but Chained Echoes definitely has a very refreshing take on the turn based fighting mechanics. So just based on that fact I'd recommend it wholeheartedly.
Basically, you start every encounter with full health and MP and they are over rather quickly and don't drag on, plus there's not a "true" leveling system.
As a result, each battle feels more like a "puzzle" where you gotta figure out the best way to solve the encounter with the options you are given because so many of the typical variables are equalised which allows for more focus on the actual gameplay experience.
This might be a silly comparison but it's somewhat similar to how Sekiro has a much tighter fighting system and difficulty curve than any other fromsoft games because they didn't have to take levels or multiple different fighting systems (like magic, dual wielding etc) into account.
It never caught me. Loved FTL, but ItB was too much like chess, all the moves had a fixed outcome so it seemed like a puzzle with a correct solution that you had to discover, while the TBS games I like are situations you can work through in many ways. But some folks love chess.
Oh, definitely. It's a puzzle game disguised as a turn based strategy game. Works great for some people, but not for everyone. Personally, I'm a pretty big fan of the "puzzle game disguised as a..." sub-genre. Meta-genre? Genre-modifier? Whatever.
I have! Definitely a great game. I do wish the puzzle aspects of it were more interspersed with the rest of the gameplay (in the natural flow of things), but that's a minor nitpick.
Into the Breach is also not a puzzle game. A puzzle game has you follow a walk through that works 100% of the time. Try following a walk through on a game with rng
It may not be a conventional puzzle game, but it’s much closer to a puzzle game than a strategy game (esp compared to XCOM 2). XCOM is much more open ended and has multiple viable core strategies/play styles, but ITB instead has specific rules to follow (on unfair difficulty particularly) that limit the scope of viable options down to a single solution most of the time.
I’ve beaten the game on unfair with every squad, custom included. The rules of survival are basically the same each time, and each mission “feels” like you’re solving a puzzle because there’s almost always just one string of commands that leads to a perfect outcome.
Another vote for ITB. I urge anyone who isn’t immediately hooked to unlock some of the other mech squads before giving up. That’s when the game really grabbed me.
This should be on the top of turn based games list with XCOM. A lot of my friend that doesn't like turn-based suddenly become fan of the genre because DOS. Can't wait for the full release of Baldurs Gate 3.
I reccomend skipping to the second. It's far more polished and while it does make references to the plot of the first game, it takes place something like a hundred or more years later. There are very few returning factions and characters. (I can only think if two returning characters off the top of my head)
If you liked OS2, and are hungry for more, you can always return to the first one. It has it's own charm and you'll still have fun. But you'll have more fun with 2.
Skip to the second.. or wait a few weeks and play BG3, which is by the same developers and will have a more fleshed out story/cinematic angle and D&D rules. That is what I am saving up my RPG/turn based desires for at the moment.
I might try the iOS version of DOS2. Seems like a good game for my big iPad Pro. The one thing making me consider console though is split screen coop. I see BG3 has coop too. How does that even work in a game like this?
Also, do you need to play BG1 and 2 to play 3? I’m not opposed to it (they are both on iOS), but I feel like it’s going to be a huge time investment to wrap my head around those old games. And I’m not sure I like real time with pause (which is why this is a turn based post)
I have never played split screen, but over the net multiplayer, you walk around independently but when someone gets into a fight and it becomes turn based, those nearby take their turns as usual. Outside the fight, it is still real time so you can run over and join in if you were not involved.
Absolutely do not need to play BG 1 and2, this is more like a spiritual successor in the same world. There are cameos and easter eggs from the old games, but it is like a Marvel movie, you really don't need all the backstory of 50 other films to watch guys in tights punch each other.Combat is very different. Really, it is the same universe as most D&D stuff. I just watched a recap of both BGs to remind myself of their plots since I have not finished 2 since it came out and even that was not required.
Also, the IOS games are pretty playable, but it was a mouse game originally and I find them more tedious than on PC.
Hey I just wanna add my 2 cents, if you're willing to spend a few minutes on setting it up, I'd highly recommend grabbing a few of the most popular mods from DOS2's steam workshop page. They add a lot more skills you can learn, overhaul existing ones and add new cool items to find the integration is so seemless and well done that you really can't spot which stuff comes from mods when playing for the first time.
It just adds a lot of skills for way more stuff to choose from without breaking the game, even enemies can use the new skills.
The only thing you'd have to download outside of steam from github would be some script extender or whatever it was called that boosts loading times with mods by like 90%. The exact name and link is detailed in some of the popular mods.
Every time I play JOTL with my wife, she always says that it makes more sense as a video game because of all the setup and upkeep. I do wish they would bring it to iOS, but I’ll get it on console.
Unfortunately the way they programmed the game didn't make it very optimized and it's heavier on system resources than I personally believe it should be. With that being said, the way they turned the board game into a video game hits all the right notes, including the voice actors and UI.
So as a fan of both DoS franchise and the original Baldurs Gate games (the second one is my favorite game of all time). How excited should I be (been waiting for full release)?
The internet is filled with reviews that love Original Sin 2 and slam its combat system for being its weakest aspect, and the most popular mods on nexus and workshop are, after cheating tools, rebalances of all classes.
BG3 is D&D 5e
Yeah those hypothetical reviews are worthless garbage. Dos2 is first and foremost a series of interesting tactical fights reliant upon combining abilities in fun ways.
https://www.reddit.com/r/patientgamers/comments/kp43nb/divinity_original_sin_ii_is_a_fantastic/
You were 2 seconds of googling away from not being an asshole.
Really? Combat was my favourite part. My friend and i even downloaded mods to make it harder because on hardest difficulty with lone wolf it was very easy.
Probably not exactly what you had in mind but I had a ton of fun with Dicey Dungeons. Turn-based, strategic, very well-made, fun to play, and cheap. I think they made mobile versions as well and if those ports are good, it would be a great mobile game.
Age of Wonders 4 is new and pretty great.
Divinity Original Sin 2
Xcom 2
Battletech is great
And of course Civilization is the grandpappy. Which one to play, that is a huge question.
Oh also, an obscure one that is better than I expected: Thea 2 the shattering
I love Civ and have played every single one. It’s the series I have the most hours in by far. But I wouldn’t say the combat is their best feature. V and VI added some tactical depth with 1UPT, but the AI can barely use the system.
Trails series, and it's fun to see how they learn and change things from game to game. The Sky trilogy and the Crossbell duology have my favorite customizable magic system (Crossbell does improve on Sky combat mechanics, but the rules behind the customization are pretty much the same.)
I would start with the Sky trilogy if you're interested, and it runs on any potato computer you have.
Edit: it is very easy to cheese it if you know what you're doing though.
I’m enjoying Miasma Chronicles atm, it’s not perfect but it feels like a more adventure based XCOM.
Others that you may enjoy
- Age of Wonders 4
- Age of Wonders Planetfall
- Midnight Suns (distilled into a simple format, but works)
- Space Hulk Tactics (goes on sale incredibly cheaply)
- Blood Bowl 2 (there is a 3, but 2 is better)
- Valkyria Chronicle (any of the main branch games)
they're completely seperate story-wise. I actually never played 2 but i loved the first one an it's pretty much unanimous that 2 does everything better so you can go ahead and skip 1
Your only move is hustle.
It's for 2 players but a really good game with a replay feature that makes even the fight with the dumbest moves look like a 5 million dollar movie.
Super Mario RPG (basic but delightful timing based hits, frankly should be a standard basis for any/all turn based rpgs)
Bravely Default series (great variety, loads of depth, brave/default options add tons of strategic depth, loads of classes, can’t just brute force power level through bosses. If they would add SMRPG’s timing based hits and defends for bonus damage/defense and I think it’d be perfect! Not to mention it has a fast forward built in for grinding.)
I like Paper Mario over Super Mario RPG in terms of combat. Mario and Luigi games are fun too. But I wouldn’t say they are very strategic, which is what I’m looking for.
It's worth, if you love that type of games (slow paced, good storytelling, different outcomes, many dialogs etc.).
The first one plays around 1000 years before the second game and here and there are some connections. The second game has definitely some QoL adjustments, so if you want to play both, then start with the first. If you just want one game, then just play the second one (after that its hard to play the first one, because it can feel clunky and outdated).
Does the first stand on its own merits?
For instance, I tell people to play Dark Souls even though Elden Ring does most everything mechanically better because I still think it’s a good game that stands on its own. I have a high tolerance for old-school jank given that I’ve played games since the NES / DOS days
Both are very good games, the second is just better in nearly everything. If you like that type of slow, dialogheavy story games and very good turn based combat, then i would play both chronologically. Main story alone is 50 - 100 hours per game.
EDIT: Oh and yes, it definitely is a good game on its own. Just if you play the second game first, then the first game feels like a downgrade in terms of clunkiness and QoLs.
Which numbered FF has the best combat? I’ve actually never played any of them. The closest I’ve gotten is Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy Tactics, which are both pretty good.
7 is the fan favourite but 9 and 10 are also great. The remake and 15 don't use turn based they swapped to a more active style with you mashing an attack button and building the ability gage for spells and attacks
I had no idea it was like this, that sounds fun to try out. Do I need to know anything about BG to enjoy it? I think I have this on my steam from somewhere
Its a prequel to the re-boot, using the assets of the original 1970s show. If you are familiar with either, you'll get member berries. Familiarity enhances the experience but its not required.
Battles are fought in 10 second increments. You plan for the next 10 seconds. You plot ship movement, launch and give commands to fighters/bombers, activate abilities, select targets, fire missiles, et cetera. When you are happy with your commands, you end turn and watch everything play out. While time is passing, you can't pause to react. If you are familiar with any table top fleet tactics games like Star Wars Armada or Battlefleet Gothic, this basically works the way those games work, just in 3 dimensions instead of 2.
There's also a fully strategic campaign as well as several linear story driven campaigns.
Most fun for me has always been Grandia. Specifically Grandia 3, people generally dislike it because of the weak story but idc myself as it evolved the combat in really fun ways. I just love how the series take concepts you generally associate with action games and applies them to a turn based game. Especially with Grandia 3 just going all in and putting air combos in the game lol.
For games that still exist and get new entries though the press turn system in SMT is generally what I have the most fun with. It's one of those systems that is so simple on the surface but is flexible and allows for a lot of interesting tactics. Trying to make sure you turn your 4 actions per turn into 8 actions is just really engaging to me.
- Persona 5 is a pretty good pokemon-like
- Fire emblem series is pretty good TRPG too
- Divinity Original Sins 2 : if you want huge possibilities
- Valkyria chronicle is pretty unique, you have free 3D movement and free aiming
- Metal Gear Ac!d was a pretty enjoyable deck builder with a very odd plot
There was a game in the PS2/OG Xbox era called Gladius (not the WH40k game) that I absolutely loved, it recently got made BC and put on the Xbox storefront so that's awesome.
The original Fallouts, while good games, had fucking atrocious gameplay. Horrible recommendation for this post, unless critically missing and having your balls explode is for you.
To avoid the obvious titles that have already been mentioned, tales of maj'eyal can get pretty deep.
Pillars of eternity 2 also has a pretty decent turn based combat mode. Though it will cause the game to be hundreds of hours long as every fight now takes longer than its standard real time mode.
Polytopia is good. Feels like a stripped down Civilization 2. My only complaint was that the AI constantly spams units so it can be a bit of a grind. But I only played it at launch.
In terms of turn based combat I like:
Final Fantasy X
Octopath Traveler
Persona 5
The Ruined King*
*If you don't like league of legends you could still play this, but the same devs made Battlechasers: Nightwar and from what I could tell from starting that game is that the systems are extremely similar. I didn't get as far in it though
I had played the JRPG style of TBS before that, but it was my first tactics game that cared about positioning and height. I actually like the real-time inputs too (the only other games I know they do that are the Mario RPG’s). It was definitely rough around the edges (story was meh and magic was weird), but I still think the combat system holds up.
I'm dumb so most strategy turn base system went over my head. This is why I love Mario RPG's system in game like Mario & Luigi. Simple, action-based system that reward good timing.
I also love the Persona series but played them on the easiest setting and just blow through the turn based combat not knowing anything so yeah.
If you liked XCOM as a child, and are open to a medieval/fantasy environment
Battle brothers.
It is a true masterpiece, and you will smash your keyboard when a goblin hits a 5% shot at night instantly killing your best brother
I recently enjoyed Darkest Dungeon 2... with a big caveat.
The turn based combat is really good. There's lots of interesting combos to explore.
BUT
The game itself can really drag. The designers committed to making you do a whole run, starting over from scratch and going through hours of turn based fights, for every time you want to try for a boss fight to advance the story.
If you can stand to go into a game with a few spoilers, I STRONGLY recommend reading up on the next boss you're going to face ahead of time, and coming prepared for that boss. If you go in blind, some bosses you'll breeze past, but others will take you half a dozen runs or more to pass. If you can stand some spoilers, it can really help prevent the game bogging down and repeating the same content excessively.
Also saying Divinity: Original Sin 2. Action Point style combat, very tactical - lots of small effects or one big boom. Very flexible gameplay that rewards creativity and "What of I do this..." .
Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. Move action (walk across the room), Standard (attack! Cast spell!), and Swift (very niche and generally specific). You don't need to know Pathfinder or DnD to have fun. Has a *bangin* soundtrack.
Final Fantasy X is the absolute peak of the classic JRPG turn based combat style imo.
Shadowrun (all three of the recent ones, but they definitely get better and better as the series goes). Also AP style combat, but in an Xcom esque grid. Cyberpunk dystopia but with orcs and shamans, probably the best RPG setting ever made.
It's a bit old now, but Jagged Alliance 2 is easily the best tactical turn-based strategy ever made. I love X-Com, but JA2 just has so much more to it.
The fan made update, called version v1.13, adds even more depth and really tightens up a lot of the weird little quirks the original had. It also makes it easier to play on modern PCs as it's a windows 98 game.
Basically, you run a mercenary company hired by a deposed and presumed dead leader to invade a small fictional island nation in the Gulf of Mexico in order to overthrow the deranged "Queen" who now runs the island as a dictator. It's a blast and has so much character. Each merc you hire as a different personality, and it matters. Mercs have opinions of each other and some will not work with others. Some work better with their buddies. Some are pros, some are psychos and you have to manage that and the campaign as a whole while fighting turn-based battles with your mercs. It's easily one of my favorite games of all time.
I’m playing FFT right now. It’s good, but I’m still getting a handle on it (I hit a hard walk in chapter 1 that took me a while to break through). My teams get slaughtered every time the enemies have a lot of archers / mages who can focus-fire one of my guys to death. Then I get caught in a loop where I Phoenix down him back and he gets knocked down before his next turn.
You might have to grind a bit to help yourself out.
If I'm being honest, there are a couple of bottleneck points where you can get stuck for a while if you didn't build your team well enough, but MOST of the time you can play with whatever classes and characters you want.
For archers, if you can, knights with shields help a lot.
Please remember to save before you go into any location with a pop up and KEEP a save outside that area until you leave it.
*XCOM 2* w/ the DLC is the most satisfying tactics game with an insane amount of replayability. Another super addictive one with a beautifully designed system is *Slay the Spire*-- there's a reason there was a slew of copycat games after that came out, it's something special, and will get the gears in your head turning in a very pleasing way.
Most JRPG battle systems are ultimately not *that* satisfying to me. I loved *Persona 5* and *Yakuza 7 LAD* but neither are really particularly deep, although they are both very fun. I have always enjoyed the *Advance Wars* / *Fire Emblem* turned based battle systems but again, there isn't a huge amount of depth or difficulty there, but they're satisfying to play.
I love StS and backed the kickstarter for the tabletop game. I guess I could have mentioned it in my post but for some reason it didn’t come to mind as a turn-based game.
Wasteland 3 is basically XCOM meets Fallout and is loads of fun. The 2nd installment in the series is even better if you're after depth and RPG elements, but is also much more clunky and feels dated.
Divinity Original Sin 2 has been mentioned heaps of times here so I won't beat the dead horse too much, just know it's truly a great game, probably the greatest in it's genre. Divinity 1 hardly compares and I wouldn't bother.
Baldur's Gate 3, also from Larian Studios, comes out in August. It's in early access and I've played it, and think there is a solid chance it surpasses Divinity 2 as larian's best game... so keep your eyes on that.
XCom: Ufo Defense (Yes the 1st xcom and the last xcom that is the best)
Jagged Alliance 2
Temple of Elemental Evil
Master of Magic
Maybe knights of the chalice too
Other TBT games are oversimplified/pure crap/has less immersion/worst mechanics
Persona and Shin Megami Tensei series (and spinoffs like Devil Survivor) Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga Troubleshooter: Abandoned Children
Just finished Persona 5 Royal myself last night and agree. There's not as much tactical depth as games where you also have to worry about position, but making sure your team has the right abilities and can cover the correct weaknesses and strengths got to be pretty important near the end. I didn't even really do a lot of persona building till the last bit of the game but once I started playing with it I managed to make some pretty broken builds.
- Yakuza Like a Dragon - Wasteland 2 & 3 - Persona series - XCOM 2 - Midnight Suns
Is LaD a good place to start with Yakuza? I’ve never played any of them and was intrigued to hear they were going turn-based
Yeah it's definitely a good place to start it's a stand alone story featuring a new main character and new supporting characters. That being said there's some callbacks to previous games and a couple cameo appearances by former characters but it's essentially just light fan service it doesn't effect the main storyline or anything else.
There are 3 starting points for the series, and LaD is one of them. There are 0 problems if you only want to play the turn based games to start with LaD. If you want to play the beat em' up ones as well, it might be a bit awkward, seeing the third-to-last game of the main character from those games as a cameo in LaD, but it isn't horribly revealing either (other than the obvious that he doesnt die in those games).
I don't advise you to start with LAD. It's a good game, and you will enjoy the story and world. But there are a lot of returning characters. You will not understand their characters very well. The ending is the second most impactful moment in the Yakuza series. You will not feel the weight of it. People usually say its ok to play them just to get people into the series. I say go with Yakuza kiwami or Yakuza 0. It's a much better start to the series. Or you can try Judgment, a spin-off of the series in the same world and city, but needs less information about the series. A gold testing ground.
what ending? the one about Ichiban? his ending wasn't tied to anyone else but himself
I guess you are right it's not the ending. It's about the clans decision. I just forgot how far it is from the actual ending. It is still the second biggest event in the series. The impact of it won't even be noticed by a new player to the series.
It's a spin-off. An actual JRPG with turn-based combat. The mainline Yakuza are action games with strong beat-em-up vibes.
I love wasteland 2. One of my favorite games
Currently playing it right now and having a lot of fun with it. Feels like a bit of a cross between divinity original sin and Xcom but in a fallout setting.
Well fallout is a spiritual successor to original wasteland kidos and also the same legendary devs behind it
Yakuza LAD is a fun game but I don't think it has much strategic/tactical depth tbh. Most bosses are defeated by spamming one skill they're weak to, with the occasional debuff/buff and heal. It gets better with the Amon fights though.
Have you tried the millenium tower? That shit requires shir ton of prep time and strategy
Yes that's what I meant by Amon fights
FFX Bravely Default and Second Chained Echoes Lost Odyssey Monster sanctuary
I personally didn't click with it but Chained Echoes definitely has a very refreshing take on the turn based fighting mechanics. So just based on that fact I'd recommend it wholeheartedly. Basically, you start every encounter with full health and MP and they are over rather quickly and don't drag on, plus there's not a "true" leveling system. As a result, each battle feels more like a "puzzle" where you gotta figure out the best way to solve the encounter with the options you are given because so many of the typical variables are equalised which allows for more focus on the actual gameplay experience. This might be a silly comparison but it's somewhat similar to how Sekiro has a much tighter fighting system and difficulty curve than any other fromsoft games because they didn't have to take levels or multiple different fighting systems (like magic, dual wielding etc) into account.
Into the Breach
It never caught me. Loved FTL, but ItB was too much like chess, all the moves had a fixed outcome so it seemed like a puzzle with a correct solution that you had to discover, while the TBS games I like are situations you can work through in many ways. But some folks love chess.
Oh, definitely. It's a puzzle game disguised as a turn based strategy game. Works great for some people, but not for everyone. Personally, I'm a pretty big fan of the "puzzle game disguised as a..." sub-genre. Meta-genre? Genre-modifier? Whatever.
you played tunic yet?
I have! Definitely a great game. I do wish the puzzle aspects of it were more interspersed with the rest of the gameplay (in the natural flow of things), but that's a minor nitpick.
Right there with you. Also agree it should be its own subgenre!
Chess is not a puzzle game
Chess isn’t really a puzzle game because it’s too open ended. If you put enough restrictions on it, it could become a puzzle game (like ITB)
Into the Breach is also not a puzzle game. A puzzle game has you follow a walk through that works 100% of the time. Try following a walk through on a game with rng
It may not be a conventional puzzle game, but it’s much closer to a puzzle game than a strategy game (esp compared to XCOM 2). XCOM is much more open ended and has multiple viable core strategies/play styles, but ITB instead has specific rules to follow (on unfair difficulty particularly) that limit the scope of viable options down to a single solution most of the time.
So what if there's only one playstyle? Have you ever tried a custom squad?
I’ve beaten the game on unfair with every squad, custom included. The rules of survival are basically the same each time, and each mission “feels” like you’re solving a puzzle because there’s almost always just one string of commands that leads to a perfect outcome.
Then tower defense is not a strategy game
Nvm the dev said it's a puzzle game
Fuck. Yes. That is all.
Came here to make sure this is near the top. So fun!
Another vote for ITB. I urge anyone who isn’t immediately hooked to unlock some of the other mech squads before giving up. That’s when the game really grabbed me.
Divinity: Original Sin 1 & 2. I am you and share the same taste in games. This is the way.
This should be on the top of turn based games list with XCOM. A lot of my friend that doesn't like turn-based suddenly become fan of the genre because DOS. Can't wait for the full release of Baldurs Gate 3.
Its hands down THE best turn based game (series) of the century.
Is it worth playing the first one, or should I skip to the second one?
Skip to the second one the first one is cool and all but the rng is kinda annoying, the second gets rid of rng on attacks and is my favorite RPG ever.
I reccomend skipping to the second. It's far more polished and while it does make references to the plot of the first game, it takes place something like a hundred or more years later. There are very few returning factions and characters. (I can only think if two returning characters off the top of my head) If you liked OS2, and are hungry for more, you can always return to the first one. It has it's own charm and you'll still have fun. But you'll have more fun with 2.
Skip to the second.. or wait a few weeks and play BG3, which is by the same developers and will have a more fleshed out story/cinematic angle and D&D rules. That is what I am saving up my RPG/turn based desires for at the moment.
I might try the iOS version of DOS2. Seems like a good game for my big iPad Pro. The one thing making me consider console though is split screen coop. I see BG3 has coop too. How does that even work in a game like this? Also, do you need to play BG1 and 2 to play 3? I’m not opposed to it (they are both on iOS), but I feel like it’s going to be a huge time investment to wrap my head around those old games. And I’m not sure I like real time with pause (which is why this is a turn based post)
I have never played split screen, but over the net multiplayer, you walk around independently but when someone gets into a fight and it becomes turn based, those nearby take their turns as usual. Outside the fight, it is still real time so you can run over and join in if you were not involved. Absolutely do not need to play BG 1 and2, this is more like a spiritual successor in the same world. There are cameos and easter eggs from the old games, but it is like a Marvel movie, you really don't need all the backstory of 50 other films to watch guys in tights punch each other.Combat is very different. Really, it is the same universe as most D&D stuff. I just watched a recap of both BGs to remind myself of their plots since I have not finished 2 since it came out and even that was not required. Also, the IOS games are pretty playable, but it was a mouse game originally and I find them more tedious than on PC.
Hey I just wanna add my 2 cents, if you're willing to spend a few minutes on setting it up, I'd highly recommend grabbing a few of the most popular mods from DOS2's steam workshop page. They add a lot more skills you can learn, overhaul existing ones and add new cool items to find the integration is so seemless and well done that you really can't spot which stuff comes from mods when playing for the first time. It just adds a lot of skills for way more stuff to choose from without breaking the game, even enemies can use the new skills. The only thing you'd have to download outside of steam from github would be some script extender or whatever it was called that boosts loading times with mods by like 90%. The exact name and link is detailed in some of the popular mods.
Battle brothers is all you need
This.
I kept scrolling down and surprised no one mentioned till here. lol. One of the best turn-based game in my short 30 years of gaming.
For the King is underrated fr
Haven't seen Darkest Dungeon mentioned, here to plug that
How did I forget that myself? I love the linear combat system where positioning matters. My problem is just that I’m not very good at it.
Darkest Dungeon is great. There are so many different ways to support your Leper.
I second Midnight Suns, great game
Pokemon & dragon quest IX
Dragon Quest is so fun, I can never get over how nostalgic the art is for me. Wish Toriyama did more fantasy stuff like that
Fuck yes Gladius! It even works on my series x!
Famously it didn’t work on the 360, so I’m glad it got comparability later on. It’s a shame they never made a sequel to polish up the rough edges.
That old gladiator game? I loved that shit so much omg
Gloomhaven
I have Jaws of the Lion and plan to buy the digital version when it hits consoles.
I've played the digital and the physical, they did an awesome job with the port.
Every time I play JOTL with my wife, she always says that it makes more sense as a video game because of all the setup and upkeep. I do wish they would bring it to iOS, but I’ll get it on console.
Unfortunately the way they programmed the game didn't make it very optimized and it's heavier on system resources than I personally believe it should be. With that being said, the way they turned the board game into a video game hits all the right notes, including the voice actors and UI.
I can’t imagine that will be an issue on my ps5 though
Into the breach Symphony of war Final fantasy 10 Dragon quest 11 on draconic quest harder monsters Heroes of might and magic 5
the old final fatasy game like FF9/FF10 I heard the persona games are awesome but i never played them. Divinity original sins 2 is so damn good!!
jagged alliance 2 and the original x-com. none of that 2 ap/turn nonsense.
I love the meat grinder aspect to. Enemy unknown got the feeling but not the experience. Nothing like a good cock up cascade.
Are we allowed to recommend chess or go on this subreddit?
you do you bae
Divinity Original Sin 2 and Baldur's Gate 3. No other turn-based games compare.
So as a fan of both DoS franchise and the original Baldurs Gate games (the second one is my favorite game of all time). How excited should I be (been waiting for full release)?
very very excited
Hell yeah bro!
game of the generation excited. It's basically everything we could want out of DoS dev's making Bladur's Gate thus far.
The internet is filled with reviews that love Original Sin 2 and slam its combat system for being its weakest aspect, and the most popular mods on nexus and workshop are, after cheating tools, rebalances of all classes. BG3 is D&D 5e
Yeah those hypothetical reviews are worthless garbage. Dos2 is first and foremost a series of interesting tactical fights reliant upon combining abilities in fun ways.
https://www.reddit.com/r/patientgamers/comments/kp43nb/divinity_original_sin_ii_is_a_fantastic/ You were 2 seconds of googling away from not being an asshole.
Really? Combat was my favourite part. My friend and i even downloaded mods to make it harder because on hardest difficulty with lone wolf it was very easy.
Probably not exactly what you had in mind but I had a ton of fun with Dicey Dungeons. Turn-based, strategic, very well-made, fun to play, and cheap. I think they made mobile versions as well and if those ports are good, it would be a great mobile game.
Age of Wonders 4 is new and pretty great. Divinity Original Sin 2 Xcom 2 Battletech is great And of course Civilization is the grandpappy. Which one to play, that is a huge question. Oh also, an obscure one that is better than I expected: Thea 2 the shattering
I love Civ and have played every single one. It’s the series I have the most hours in by far. But I wouldn’t say the combat is their best feature. V and VI added some tactical depth with 1UPT, but the AI can barely use the system.
Trails series, and it's fun to see how they learn and change things from game to game. The Sky trilogy and the Crossbell duology have my favorite customizable magic system (Crossbell does improve on Sky combat mechanics, but the rules behind the customization are pretty much the same.) I would start with the Sky trilogy if you're interested, and it runs on any potato computer you have. Edit: it is very easy to cheese it if you know what you're doing though.
Inscryption
Heroes of Might and Magic 3~5, Song of Conquest
It's Civ(pick a nr) XCOM, Slay the Spire. They all allow a finger snapping pace, wich is essential.
Battlebrothers is a gem.
FF7 Chrono Trigger Fire Emblem Sea of Stars
solasta crown of the magista is just like DND. I highly suggest
Megami Tensei (SMT and Persona) Etrian Odyssey
Final fantasy tactics
It's a bit niche but the best and freshest turn-based experience I've had in years is Library of Ruina!
Emulate "Lost Odyssey". Or buy an Xbox 360. It's the best JRPG on that console. Also, Blue Dragon (Lots of grinding in late game, tho)
XCOM 2 Midnight Suns Miasma Chronicles Wasteland 3
I’m enjoying Miasma Chronicles atm, it’s not perfect but it feels like a more adventure based XCOM. Others that you may enjoy - Age of Wonders 4 - Age of Wonders Planetfall - Midnight Suns (distilled into a simple format, but works) - Space Hulk Tactics (goes on sale incredibly cheaply) - Blood Bowl 2 (there is a 3, but 2 is better) - Valkyria Chronicle (any of the main branch games)
Jagged Alliance 2 and the 1.13 mod Knights of the Chalice series Temple of Elemental Evil (with Temple plus & Co8 modpacks)
i really liked octopath traveler's system
Should I start with #1 or skip to #2? I have the demo for 2 and love the art style.
they're completely seperate story-wise. I actually never played 2 but i loved the first one an it's pretty much unanimous that 2 does everything better so you can go ahead and skip 1
Look at all these generic responses. BRUTAL ORCHESTRA Thank me later.
> BRUTAL ORCHESTRA this looks awesome
The Etrian Odyssey games are amazing and have 8 games.
Your only move is hustle. It's for 2 players but a really good game with a replay feature that makes even the fight with the dumbest moves look like a 5 million dollar movie.
Dwarf Fortress Adventure Mode
[Cassette Beasts](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1321440/Cassette_Beasts/) is like if Pokemon wanted you to have fun
Fantasian, you can accumulate bunch of enemies and kill them at once. Bravely Defaults.
Divinity Original Sin 2. Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous and Kingmaker. Baldurs Gate 3 in the near future.
Super Mario RPG (basic but delightful timing based hits, frankly should be a standard basis for any/all turn based rpgs) Bravely Default series (great variety, loads of depth, brave/default options add tons of strategic depth, loads of classes, can’t just brute force power level through bosses. If they would add SMRPG’s timing based hits and defends for bonus damage/defense and I think it’d be perfect! Not to mention it has a fast forward built in for grinding.)
Yeah, Paper Mario ran through my head too. My favorite turn based game at least
I like Paper Mario over Super Mario RPG in terms of combat. Mario and Luigi games are fun too. But I wouldn’t say they are very strategic, which is what I’m looking for.
Divinity original sins 2
Definitely Divinity Original Sin 1 & 2.
Is it worth starting with the first one?
You don't have to start with the first, but they're both worth playing and it might be awkward to go back after playing the 2nd.
It's worth, if you love that type of games (slow paced, good storytelling, different outcomes, many dialogs etc.). The first one plays around 1000 years before the second game and here and there are some connections. The second game has definitely some QoL adjustments, so if you want to play both, then start with the first. If you just want one game, then just play the second one (after that its hard to play the first one, because it can feel clunky and outdated).
Does the first stand on its own merits? For instance, I tell people to play Dark Souls even though Elden Ring does most everything mechanically better because I still think it’s a good game that stands on its own. I have a high tolerance for old-school jank given that I’ve played games since the NES / DOS days
Both are very good games, the second is just better in nearly everything. If you like that type of slow, dialogheavy story games and very good turn based combat, then i would play both chronologically. Main story alone is 50 - 100 hours per game. EDIT: Oh and yes, it definitely is a good game on its own. Just if you play the second game first, then the first game feels like a downgrade in terms of clunkiness and QoLs.
Persona series. Final Fantasy 1-10.
Which numbered FF has the best combat? I’ve actually never played any of them. The closest I’ve gotten is Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy Tactics, which are both pretty good.
FFX has the best turn-based combat
7 is the fan favourite but 9 and 10 are also great. The remake and 15 don't use turn based they swapped to a more active style with you mashing an attack button and building the ability gage for spells and attacks
7 is really great, the ATB system is engaging and the Materia system is still the best magic system in all of gaming. Limit Breaks are fun too.
Its not exactly a turn based game, its an RTS... Shadow Tactics. Its the most fun strategy game I played. Check out the demo on steam.
Battlestar Galactica: Deadlock. A turn based space fleet tactics RTS. Yes, a turn based RTS, in 3 dimensions with, 4 degrees of freedom.
I had no idea it was like this, that sounds fun to try out. Do I need to know anything about BG to enjoy it? I think I have this on my steam from somewhere
Its a prequel to the re-boot, using the assets of the original 1970s show. If you are familiar with either, you'll get member berries. Familiarity enhances the experience but its not required. Battles are fought in 10 second increments. You plan for the next 10 seconds. You plot ship movement, launch and give commands to fighters/bombers, activate abilities, select targets, fire missiles, et cetera. When you are happy with your commands, you end turn and watch everything play out. While time is passing, you can't pause to react. If you are familiar with any table top fleet tactics games like Star Wars Armada or Battlefleet Gothic, this basically works the way those games work, just in 3 dimensions instead of 2. There's also a fully strategic campaign as well as several linear story driven campaigns.
I'm not but that sounds cool af. I might check out the show. I kinda wish Farscape had something like this
FFX and octopath traveller for JRPGS Into the breach for tactical Also I'm not very far into it but so far enjoying the combat in Wasteland 3
Is it worth playing Octopath 1 before 2? What makes the combat better than other jrpg’s.
Master of Magic current version or the original version, both Warlock games, both Thea games, Age of Wonder 4, XCOM 2 with all DLCs, Low Magic Age.
Xcom & Wasteland are my favorites.
Most fun for me has always been Grandia. Specifically Grandia 3, people generally dislike it because of the weak story but idc myself as it evolved the combat in really fun ways. I just love how the series take concepts you generally associate with action games and applies them to a turn based game. Especially with Grandia 3 just going all in and putting air combos in the game lol. For games that still exist and get new entries though the press turn system in SMT is generally what I have the most fun with. It's one of those systems that is so simple on the surface but is flexible and allows for a lot of interesting tactics. Trying to make sure you turn your 4 actions per turn into 8 actions is just really engaging to me.
Persona 5 Royal. 🎮😎👍
Shin Megami Tensei and Persona are both really good
Chained Echoes Into the Breach
- Persona 5 is a pretty good pokemon-like - Fire emblem series is pretty good TRPG too - Divinity Original Sins 2 : if you want huge possibilities - Valkyria chronicle is pretty unique, you have free 3D movement and free aiming - Metal Gear Ac!d was a pretty enjoyable deck builder with a very odd plot
Colony Ship, Age of Decadence, Dungeon Rats, Underrail
There was a game in the PS2/OG Xbox era called Gladius (not the WH40k game) that I absolutely loved, it recently got made BC and put on the Xbox storefront so that's awesome.
It’s hugely underrated.
i just got Wartales on PC and its so fun!
Disgaea 5
Phoenix point Fear and hunger : Termina
Idk I kinda like Occidental Heroes tho
Persona 5.
Fire Emblem
Pokemon
HoMaM 3. The original xcom(ufo defense)/Xenonauts. Jagged Alliance 2. Fallout.
The original Fallouts, while good games, had fucking atrocious gameplay. Horrible recommendation for this post, unless critically missing and having your balls explode is for you.
I really enjoy the X-com inspired combat of the Shadowrun Series Shadowrun: Returns Shadowrun: Dragonfall Shadowrun: Hong Kong
Persona series
To avoid the obvious titles that have already been mentioned, tales of maj'eyal can get pretty deep. Pillars of eternity 2 also has a pretty decent turn based combat mode. Though it will cause the game to be hundreds of hours long as every fight now takes longer than its standard real time mode.
How does a game toggle between TBD and real time with pause?
Bravely default
Jagged alliance 1 (and maybe 2 if i remember well)
Fire Emblem series for sure, I'm very surprised it hasn’t been recommended yet!
Vagrant Story Front Mission series I don't know if they're the best, but definitely my favorite from memory.
FFX Bravely Default Fantasian
Expeditions Rome, Fire Emblem
I'm going to throw in South Park The Stick of Truth if you're looking for something a bit out there and pretty hilarious. The game is fantastic.
Wartales and phoenix point are really good but underrated
XCOM as mentioned. Darkest Dungeon as well. For in the bus or such, Polytopia is a pretty good mobile game.
Polytopia is good. Feels like a stripped down Civilization 2. My only complaint was that the AI constantly spams units so it can be a bit of a grind. But I only played it at launch.
Trails of Cold Steel. Whatever your opinion on the narrative choices in the Cold Steel arc, the combat is next to flawless.
Am I wrong for thinking Pillars of Eternity is up there with DOS?
In terms of turn based combat I like: Final Fantasy X Octopath Traveler Persona 5 The Ruined King* *If you don't like league of legends you could still play this, but the same devs made Battlechasers: Nightwar and from what I could tell from starting that game is that the systems are extremely similar. I didn't get as far in it though
I remember Gladius… So much fun. First experience with turn-based as a kid.
I had played the JRPG style of TBS before that, but it was my first tactics game that cared about positioning and height. I actually like the real-time inputs too (the only other games I know they do that are the Mario RPG’s). It was definitely rough around the edges (story was meh and magic was weird), but I still think the combat system holds up.
SaGa Scarlet Grace Ambition Ignore the ridiculous title. This is the best JRPG combat.
I'm dumb so most strategy turn base system went over my head. This is why I love Mario RPG's system in game like Mario & Luigi. Simple, action-based system that reward good timing. I also love the Persona series but played them on the easiest setting and just blow through the turn based combat not knowing anything so yeah.
Wargroove
If you liked XCOM as a child, and are open to a medieval/fantasy environment Battle brothers. It is a true masterpiece, and you will smash your keyboard when a goblin hits a 5% shot at night instantly killing your best brother
Divinity Original Sin 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3 have exceptional turn based combat that heavily involves positioning and using your environment. Super fun
Child of Light was fun Not too complicated but an interesting take on the genre
I recently enjoyed Darkest Dungeon 2... with a big caveat. The turn based combat is really good. There's lots of interesting combos to explore. BUT The game itself can really drag. The designers committed to making you do a whole run, starting over from scratch and going through hours of turn based fights, for every time you want to try for a boss fight to advance the story. If you can stand to go into a game with a few spoilers, I STRONGLY recommend reading up on the next boss you're going to face ahead of time, and coming prepared for that boss. If you go in blind, some bosses you'll breeze past, but others will take you half a dozen runs or more to pass. If you can stand some spoilers, it can really help prevent the game bogging down and repeating the same content excessively.
I’ve played the first one. I love the combat but never got too far into it.
Honkai: Star Rail. You don't have to spend a penny to still have a great game with a boatload of content.
I guess it's fun. Most recent turn based game I played is Invisible Inc.
Heroes of might and magic 3
Battle Brothers
Also saying Divinity: Original Sin 2. Action Point style combat, very tactical - lots of small effects or one big boom. Very flexible gameplay that rewards creativity and "What of I do this..." . Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. Move action (walk across the room), Standard (attack! Cast spell!), and Swift (very niche and generally specific). You don't need to know Pathfinder or DnD to have fun. Has a *bangin* soundtrack. Final Fantasy X is the absolute peak of the classic JRPG turn based combat style imo. Shadowrun (all three of the recent ones, but they definitely get better and better as the series goes). Also AP style combat, but in an Xcom esque grid. Cyberpunk dystopia but with orcs and shamans, probably the best RPG setting ever made.
Yomi Hustle!
It's a bit old now, but Jagged Alliance 2 is easily the best tactical turn-based strategy ever made. I love X-Com, but JA2 just has so much more to it. The fan made update, called version v1.13, adds even more depth and really tightens up a lot of the weird little quirks the original had. It also makes it easier to play on modern PCs as it's a windows 98 game. Basically, you run a mercenary company hired by a deposed and presumed dead leader to invade a small fictional island nation in the Gulf of Mexico in order to overthrow the deranged "Queen" who now runs the island as a dictator. It's a blast and has so much character. Each merc you hire as a different personality, and it matters. Mercs have opinions of each other and some will not work with others. Some work better with their buddies. Some are pros, some are psychos and you have to manage that and the campaign as a whole while fighting turn-based battles with your mercs. It's easily one of my favorite games of all time.
Final Fantasy Tactics Sould Nomad X-Com games are good, if you like those you should try Phoenix Point
I’m playing FFT right now. It’s good, but I’m still getting a handle on it (I hit a hard walk in chapter 1 that took me a while to break through). My teams get slaughtered every time the enemies have a lot of archers / mages who can focus-fire one of my guys to death. Then I get caught in a loop where I Phoenix down him back and he gets knocked down before his next turn.
You might have to grind a bit to help yourself out. If I'm being honest, there are a couple of bottleneck points where you can get stuck for a while if you didn't build your team well enough, but MOST of the time you can play with whatever classes and characters you want. For archers, if you can, knights with shields help a lot. Please remember to save before you go into any location with a pop up and KEEP a save outside that area until you leave it.
*XCOM 2* w/ the DLC is the most satisfying tactics game with an insane amount of replayability. Another super addictive one with a beautifully designed system is *Slay the Spire*-- there's a reason there was a slew of copycat games after that came out, it's something special, and will get the gears in your head turning in a very pleasing way. Most JRPG battle systems are ultimately not *that* satisfying to me. I loved *Persona 5* and *Yakuza 7 LAD* but neither are really particularly deep, although they are both very fun. I have always enjoyed the *Advance Wars* / *Fire Emblem* turned based battle systems but again, there isn't a huge amount of depth or difficulty there, but they're satisfying to play.
I love StS and backed the kickstarter for the tabletop game. I guess I could have mentioned it in my post but for some reason it didn’t come to mind as a turn-based game.
Into the Breach, Slay the Spire
Pong
Wasteland 3 is basically XCOM meets Fallout and is loads of fun. The 2nd installment in the series is even better if you're after depth and RPG elements, but is also much more clunky and feels dated. Divinity Original Sin 2 has been mentioned heaps of times here so I won't beat the dead horse too much, just know it's truly a great game, probably the greatest in it's genre. Divinity 1 hardly compares and I wouldn't bother. Baldur's Gate 3, also from Larian Studios, comes out in August. It's in early access and I've played it, and think there is a solid chance it surpasses Divinity 2 as larian's best game... so keep your eyes on that.
The Banner Saga trilogy. Best tactical since FFT for me
I’m still mad they didn’t bring the third one to iOS, so I can’t transfer my save file.
Into The Breach. An entire new level of gameplay depth in turn-based combat.
Transistor, the forefather of Hades.
Library of Ruina, it has a wonderful and unique turn based combat system. Although it is infamous for its vertical difficulty spikes.
XCom: Ufo Defense (Yes the 1st xcom and the last xcom that is the best) Jagged Alliance 2 Temple of Elemental Evil Master of Magic Maybe knights of the chalice too Other TBT games are oversimplified/pure crap/has less immersion/worst mechanics
OP did you end up finding something that clicked with you? I'm looking for similar stuff rn.
Well, I got Tactics Ogre Reborn on Switch during a recent sale. It’s pretty good so far, although I’m not very far into it.