Best Turn-Based Tactics Games For Beginners

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.

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By  Joe Grantham

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.

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 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.

16 XCOM: Enemy Unknown

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."

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.

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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.