OFFICIAL THREAD: Turn-based tactical strategy games.

[Cyan]

Since I'm filling the Xcom 2 thread with content of this style, talking about turn-based strategy games, I decided to create this thread.

Over time I realize that it is becoming one of my favorite genres if not the favorite. And if you want more action when you feel exhausted from thinking so much, there are great games. I shall start with the tactical turn-based strategy games coming out this 2025.

00:00 Intro
00:21 Sid Meier’s Civilization VII
01:03 Heroes of Might & Magic: Olden Era
01:48 MENACE
02:55 Mars Tactics
03:42 Alliance of the Sacred Suns
04:28 Urban Strife
05:11 Heart of the Machine
05:48 Project Haven
06:31 Sultan’s Game
07:14 Mewgenics
07:57 Knights in Tight Spaces
08:37 Kriegsfront Tactics
09:18 Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II
10:06 As We Descend
10:52 Plague Lords

 

[Cyan]

this very recent video talks about a few other Xcom like games like Hard West 2:

 

[Cyan]

this other video adds a few games I had never heard about. Some of them look quite nice and unexpectedly interesting, especially some of those the author mentions first:

 

[Cyan]

I can attest to the superb fun and quality of Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, one of my favourite games:

00:00 Intro
00:32 Buy Games Cheaper
01:22 #20. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, DS, Switch, iOS, Android)
02:11 #19. ZHP: Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman (PC, PSP, Switch)
02:57 #18. Etherlords II (PC)
03:42 #17. Cross Edge (PS3)
04:26 #16. Eador: Masters of the Broken World (PC)
05:13 #15. Lost Dimension (PC, PS3, PSVita)
05:55 #14. Legends of Eisenwald (PC)
06:43 #13. Dual Orb II (SNES)
07:32 #12. Hero's Hour (PC, Switch)
08:19 #11. Koudelka (PS1)
09:06 #10. Energy Breaker (SNES)
09:51 #9. Emperor of the Fading Suns (PC)
10:37 #8. Suikoden IV (PS2)
11:22 #7. Gladius (PS2, Xbox, GameCube)
12:07 #6. Parasite Eve Series (PS1, PSP)
12:52 #5. Eternal Sonata (PS3, Xbox 360)1
3:37 #4. Endless Legend (PC)
14:18 #3. Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis (GBA)
14:59 #2. Jagged Alliance 2 (PC)
15:48 #1. King's Bounty Series (PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch)

 

[Cyan]

18 games like Xcom 2.

00:00 - Introduction
00:12 - 18. Phoenix Point
01:39 - 17. Into the Breach
02:54 - 16. Gears Tactics
04:09 - 15. Chaos Gate: Daemonhunters
05:16 - 14. Xenonauts 2
06:17 - 13. OpenXCOM
07:20 - 12. Battletech
08:25 - 11. Jagged Alliance 3
09:16 - 10. Wasteland 3
10:12 - 09. SteamWorld Heist II
11:04 - 08. Phantom Doctrine
11:59 - 07. Invisible Inc.
12:49 - 06. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
13:39 - 05. Shadowrun Returns
14:47 - 04. Battle Brothers
15:45 - 03. Othercide
16:36 - 02. Marvel’s Midnight Suns
17:28 - 01. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
18:37 - DMX Outro

 

[Cyan]

Because they praise some games that I already own but have barely played in the previous video, and games like Warhammer 40000: Chaos Gate Daemonhunters, which they describe as Xcom 2 in the Warhammer 40000 universe and better than Xcom 2. (we’ll see if I feel the same way, if I ever get it)

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters on Steam

Lead humanity’s greatest weapon, the Grey Knights, in this fast-paced turn-based tactical RPG. Root out and purge a galaxy-spanning plague in a cinematic, story-driven campaign, using the tactics and talents of your own personalised squad of Daemonhunters.

store.steampowered.com

Another one I saw mentioned in the comments on the video, which sounds good, is Classiffied: France '44.

Classified: France '44 on Steam

Command an elite team of allied special operators in Nazi-occupied France wreaking havoc in the run up to D-Day in this ambitious turn-based tactics game. Take on the might of Germany's war machine and launch daring raids in occupied territory. Can you do enough to ensure Allied victory?

store.steampowered.com

The comments on that video -and there are still a few left to read- have increased my wishlist of games quite a bit.

Also this one..., and there are many other games mentioned.

King Arthur: Knight's Tale on Steam

A unique hybrid between turn-based tactical games and traditional, character-centric RPGs. Knight's Tale is a modern retelling of a classic Arthurian mythology story filtered through the dark fantasy tropes, a twist on the traditional tales of chivalry.

store.steampowered.com

From the Warhammer 40K series, Warhammer Mechanicus and Warhammer Rogue Trader are also mentioned.

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus on Steam

MECHANICUS II ANNOUNCED! Take control of one of the most technologically advanced factions in the Imperium: the Adeptus Mechanicus. In this turn-based tactical game, your every decision will weigh heavily on the outcome of the conflict. Will you be blessed by the Omnissiah?

store.steampowered.com

Save 45% on Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader on Steam

Made in a close partnership with Games Workshop, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a story-rich classical RPG from Owlcat Games, developers of the critically acclaimed game, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Cyan]

aiso King's Arthur Legion IX looks really really good.

King Arthur: Legion IX on Steam

Dive into a unique blend of turn-based tactics and character-centric RPGs. Lead the skilled Roman tribune Gaius Julius Mento as he navigates through the dark fantasy realm of Avalon.

store.steampowered.com

Regarding new releases, the game I'm hyped the most this year is Menace, which looks like what Xcom 3 could be....

MENACE on Steam

Lead a strike force against an alien threat in this turn-based tactical RPG from the developers of Battle Brothers. Answer distress calls across different worlds, train and equip infantry, deploy tanks and mechs, and plan and execute missions in detailed turn-based battles.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Cyan]

some of the games recommended by people in the comments of the "18 games like Xcom 2" video are very similar to Xcom 2. Some of them look so very interesting.

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters on Steam

Lead humanity’s greatest weapon, the Grey Knights, in this fast-paced turn-based tactical RPG. Root out and purge a galaxy-spanning plague in a cinematic, story-driven campaign, using the tactics and talents of your own personalised squad of Daemonhunters.

store.steampowered.com

(some people define it as an even better game than Xcom 2)

King Arthur: Knight's Tale on Steam

A unique hybrid between turn-based tactical games and traditional, character-centric RPGs. Knight's Tale is a modern retelling of a classic Arthurian mythology story filtered through the dark fantasy tropes, a twist on the traditional tales of chivalry.

store.steampowered.com

King Arthur: Legion IX on Steam

Dive into a unique blend of turn-based tactics and character-centric RPGs. Lead the skilled Roman tribune Gaius Julius Mento as he navigates through the dark fantasy realm of Avalon.

store.steampowered.com

Classified: France '44 on Steam

Command an elite team of allied special operators in Nazi-occupied France wreaking havoc in the run up to D-Day in this ambitious turn-based tactics game. Take on the might of Germany's war machine and launch daring raids in occupied territory. Can you do enough to ensure Allied victory?

store.steampowered.com

BATTLETECH on Steam

Take command of your own mercenary outfit of 'Mechs and the MechWarriors that pilot them, struggling to stay afloat as you find yourself drawn into a brutal interstellar civil war.

store.steampowered.com

(they say the experience is even better with the Roguetech mod)

Battle Brothers on Steam

Battle Brothers is a turn based tactical RPG which has you leading a mercenary company in a gritty, low-power, medieval fantasy world. You decide where to go, whom to hire or to fight, what contracts to take and how to train and equip your men in a procedurally generated open world campaign.

store.steampowered.com

Wartales on Steam

Wartales is an open world RPG in which you lead a group of mercenaries in their search for wealth across a massive medieval universe. Explore the world, recruit companions, collect bounties and unravel the secrets of the tombs of the ancients!

store.steampowered.com

MENACE on Steam

Lead a strike force against an alien threat in this turn-based tactical RPG from the developers of Battle Brothers. Answer distress calls across different worlds, train and equip infantry, deploy tanks and mechs, and plan and execute missions in detailed turn-based battles.

store.steampowered.com

(from the creators of Battle Brothers, perhaps what Xcom 3 might be some day?)

Save 35% on Xenonauts 2 on Steam

Wage a global war of resistance against an alien invasion. Command turn-based tactical battles, build a network of covert bases, directly control your fighter wings, and achieve strategic victory in a simulation of asymmetric warfare against a technologically superior foe.

store.steampowered.com

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store.steampowered.com

Wasteland 3 on Steam

Following the critically acclaimed 2014 Game of the Year winner Wasteland 2, the RPG series that pioneered the post-apocalyptic genre in video games returns with Wasteland 3.

store.steampowered.com

Save 65% on Phoenix Point on Steam

The acclaimed strategy game from the creator of X-COM. Fight tactical battles on procedural maps against a foe that adapts to your tactics. Manage diplomacy and economy on a global scale. Research, explore, overcome. Now includes Steam Workshop support for mods!

store.steampowered.com

Phantom Doctrine on Steam

The year is 1983. The world teeters on the verge of destruction as the Cold War tightens its icy grip. East or West: trust no one, question everything. The fate of humanity rests in your hands as you pit spy versus spy in tactical Phantom Doctrine.

store.steampowered.com

SteamWorld Heist on Steam

Command a steam-driven pirate crew in a series of epic tactical shootouts in SteamWorld Heist. This is turn-based strategy with a twist: You manually aim the guns of your robots, allowing for insane skill shots and bullet-bouncing action!

store.steampowered.com

Hard West 2 on Steam

Hard West 2 is a journey to the heart of darkness in the American West. Take control of a supernatural posse and catch the mysterious Ghost Train. Outsmart, outcheat and outgun your enemies in this turn-based tactics game set in a Wild West world where nothing is as it seems.

store.steampowered.com

Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus on Steam

MECHANICUS II ANNOUNCED! Take control of one of the most technologically advanced factions in the Imperium: the Adeptus Mechanicus. In this turn-based tactical game, your every decision will weigh heavily on the outcome of the conflict. Will you be blessed by the Omnissiah?

store.steampowered.com

The Dungeon Of Naheulbeuk: The Amulet Of Chaos on Steam

Step into the wacky heroic fantasy universe of the Dungeon of Naheulbeuk. Lead a team of unlikely and clumsy heroes in an epic and challenging tactical RPG. Live an adventure filled with humor, surprises and silly encounters.

store.steampowered.com

Save 70% on TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children on Steam

TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children is the first season of a turn-based strategy SRPG that takes place in the world of Troubleshooter.

store.steampowered.com

Aliens: Dark Descent on Steam

Drop into the gripping journey of Aliens: Dark Descent, a squad-based, single-player action game in the iconic Alien franchise. Lead your soldiers in real-time to stop a new and terrifying kind of Xenomorph outbreak on Planet Lethe.

store.steampowered.com

Miasma Chronicles on Steam

From the creators of Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden comes a beautifully crafted tactical adventure you won’t forget. Embark on a quest across a post-apocalyptic wasteland torn apart by a savage force known only as the ‘Miasma’.

store.steampowered.com

Jagged Alliance 3 on Steam

The country of Grand Chien is thrown into chaos when the elected president goes missing and the paramilitary force known as “the Legion” seizes control. Hire mercs, meet interesting characters, and fight in tactically deep turn-based combat in this true successor to a beloved franchise.

store.steampowered.com

King Arthur: Knight's Tale on Steam

A unique hybrid between turn-based tactical games and traditional, character-centric RPGs. Knight's Tale is a modern retelling of a classic Arthurian mythology story filtered through the dark fantasy tropes, a twist on the traditional tales of chivalry.

store.steampowered.com

Expeditions: Rome on Steam

Determine the destiny of Rome as you conquer foreign lands and navigate political intrigue in this turn-based RPG. Directly fight with your party of Praetorians, guide your legion to victory, and choose your own path in a story where every decision matters. How will you shape the future of Rome?

store.steampowered.com

(I have it, most similar to Divinity Original Sin games)

Save 45% on Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader on Steam

Made in a close partnership with Games Workshop, Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader is a story-rich classical RPG from Owlcat Games, developers of the critically acclaimed game, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous.

store.steampowered.com

(nominated as the best game of the year for the Steam Deck in 2024)

Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden on Steam

A tactical game combining the turn-based combat of XCOM with story, exploration, stealth, and strategy. Take control of a team of Mutants navigating a post-human Earth. Created by a team including former HITMAN leads and the designer of PAYDAY.

store.steampowered.com

Capes on Steam

Superheroes clash in this turn based strategy game. Recruit, train, and deploy your team in order to take back the city from the villains that hold it hostage.

store.steampowered.com

Showgunners on Steam

As a contestant on a high stakes reality game show of the future, you must survive a dangerous urban environment packed with traps, confounding puzzles, and heavily armed psychopaths. Turn-based combat in hand crafted levels, built for entertainment.

store.steampowered.com

Redemption Reapers on Steam

Descending suddenly on the world, the macabre Mort armies destroy nation after nation, leaving humanity decimated in their wake. Among the forces resisting the Mort is a small band of mercenaries known as the Ashen Hawk Brigade.

store.steampowered.com

Darkest Dungeon® on Steam

Darkest Dungeon is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG about the psychological stresses of adventuring. Recruit, train, and lead a team of flawed heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark. Can you keep your heroes together when all hope is lost?

store.steampowered.com

Silent Storm Gold Edition on Steam

Silent Storm from leading Russian developer Nival is a true 3D tactical turn-based Role-Playing-Game set against the backdrop of WWII. As the conflict rages on the frontlines, you’ll be leading a small multinational squad behind enemy lines to gather information and wreak havoc on your enemies...

store.steampowered.com

Marvel's Midnight Suns on Steam

FIGHT AND STRATEGIZE LIKE A SUPER HERO IN THE DARKER CORNERS OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE. Play as The Hunter, a legendary demon slayer who must lead a team of Super Heroes and supernatural warriors facing apocalyptic threats.

store.steampowered.com

The Lamplighters League on Steam

Recruit a team of misfits with unique abilities and unforgettable personalities, and chase the Banished Court to the ends of the earth in a mix of real-time infiltration, turn-based tactical combat, and a character-driven story of adventure and intrigue.

store.steampowered.com

Gears Tactics on Steam

Gears Tactics is the fast-paced, turn-based strategy game from one of the most-acclaimed video game franchises – Gears of War. Outnumbered and fighting for survival, recruit and command your squad to hunt down an evil mastermind who makes monsters.

store.steampowered.com

Metal Slug Tactics on Steam

METAL SLUG makes an explosive return! Dive into this dynamic tactical RPG with a roguelite thrill and experience the iconic run'n'gun action of the original series, redefined. Grab your weapons, assemble your squad and conquer the battlefield to defeat the infamous Rebel Army.

store.steampowered.com

Expeditions: Viking on Steam

Circa 790 AD. A small band of Norse warriors lands on the shores of England. History may have forgotten their names, but their actions live on. As the chieftain of your clan, let ambition guide your choices in the party-based RPG Expeditions: Viking. How will history remember you?

store.steampowered.com

Valkyria Chronicles™ on Steam

The critically acclaimed Valkyria Chronicles is now available on PC in 1080p True HD, including all previously released DLC!

store.steampowered.com

Shadowrun Returns on Steam

The unique cyberpunk-meets-fantasy world of Shadowrun has gained a huge cult following since its creation nearly 25 years ago. Now, creator Jordan Weisman returns to the world of Shadowrun, modernizing this classic game setting as a single player, turn-based tactical RPG.

store.steampowered.com

Into the Breach on Steam

Control powerful mechs from the future to defeat an alien threat. Each attempt to save the world presents a new randomly generated challenge in this turn-based strategy game.

store.steampowered.com

MASSIVE CHALICE on Steam

MASSIVE CHALICE is a tactical strategy game set on an epic timeline from Double Fine Productions. As the Immortal Ruler of the nation, you'll take command of its heroes, forge heroic marriages to strengthen your Bloodlines, and battle a mysterious enemy known as the Cadence in a 300 year war.

store.steampowered.com

Legends of Eisenwald on Steam

Legends of Eisenwald is an adventure game with tactical battles, RPG and strategy elements. Take the lead of a small feudal army and try to defend your right to survive in this ruthless medieval world.

store.steampowered.com

Banner of the Maid on Steam

Banner of the Maid is a mix of turn-based strategy and JRPG. Set in an alternate French Revolution with fantasy elements. As the young officer Pauline Bonaparte you will have to lead your troops to battle and play a role in the political vortex of Paris.

store.steampowered.com

Showgunners on Steam

As a contestant on a high stakes reality game show of the future, you must survive a dangerous urban environment packed with traps, confounding puzzles, and heavily armed psychopaths. Turn-based combat in hand crafted levels, built for entertainment.

store.steampowered.com

Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut on Steam

Harebrained Schemes' biggest Shadowrun game to date, and the definitive Shadowrun RPG experience available on PC. Now a standalone title with tons of new content & improvements!

store.steampowered.com

Empire of Sin on Steam

Empire of Sin is a new strategy game brought to you by Romero Games and Paradox Interactive that puts you at the heart of the ruthless criminal underworld of 1920s Prohibition-era Chicago.

store.steampowered.com

Quasimorph on Steam

Take on a role of a hardened PMC fighter in a dark turn-based extraction RPG. Engage in unforgiving combat, manage your ship and pile up the bodies of your clones to unravel the dark mystery behind threat to all life.

store.steampowered.com

Colony Ship: A Post-Earth Role Playing Game on Steam

Colony Ship is a turn-based, party-based role-playing game set aboard a generation ship launched to Proxima Centauri. The game features a detailed skill-based character system, multiple ways to handle quests, choices & consequences, and branching dialogue trees.

store.steampowered.com

Save 80% on Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition on Steam

Embark on a journey to a realm overrun by demons in a new epic RPG from the creators of the critically acclaimed Pathfinder: Kingmaker. Explore the nature of good and evil, learn the true cost of power, and rise as a Mythic Hero capable of deeds beyond mortal expectations.

store.steampowered.com

 

[Cyan]

It has a demo on STeam, to be released in march 2025.

Dark Deity 2 on Steam

Verroa is a peaceful continent on the brink of war as the Asverellian Empire seeks to expand - at your homeland’s expense. Command unlikely heroes, fight challenging turn-based battles, and watch hardship forge iron into steel. Dark Deity is back, bigger and better than before!

store.steampowered.com

 

[Cyan]

Heroes of Might and Magic II 1.1.6: Map, UI, Gameplay Improvements, and More.

Change Log

fheroes2 is a recreation of Heroes of Might and Magic II game engine. - ihhub/fheroes2

github.com

 

[Johnny Awesome]

I thought Wasteland 3 was excellent as well, but I didn't get back to it after finishing about 30% of the way through. I still plan to get back to it.

What about Iron Storm on Sega Saturn? I loved that game at the time.

What did you think of Ara?