Summary
- Turn-based RPGs can be fun and engaging, offering inventive mechanics and immersive experiences.
- Games like Lost Odyssey and Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door showcase the genre's versatility and entertainment value.
- Titles like South Park: The Fractured But Whole and Persona 5 offer unique combat systems, rich narratives, and engaging gameplay.
A lot of gamers don’t seem to enjoy turn-based RPGs, since they often find them to be slow, hard, dull, and/or boring. But this is a common misconception, because this iconic and revolutionary genre has spawned some of the most fun video games ever made. It’s just a matter of looking for ones that align with each person’s individual preferences.
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In reality, the simplicity of the turn-based format has allowed many talented developers (whether they are from a AAA company or an independent studio) to experiment in order to create some of the most inventive, entertaining, exciting, and addictive titles in this expansive genre. While there are obviously a good number of very fun turn-based RPGs to choose from, the following eight are the absolute most fun examples in the gaming industry.
8 Lost Odyssey
An Underrated JRPG That Stood Out Due To Its Combat System
Lost Odyssey
- Released
- February 12, 2008
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Mistwalker, Feelplus
- Publisher(s)
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Xbox 360
The turn-based RPG genre was in a rough spot back in the late 2010s, with iconic franchises like Final Fantasy abandoning this format in favor of a real-time combat system. However, this didn’t stop Hironobu Sakaguchi’s studio, Mistwalker, from making and releasing an Xbox 360 exclusive called Lost Odyssey, which quickly became one of the most celebrated turn-based RPGs of its generation.
The main selling point of this game is its Aim Ring System mechanic, which makes the combat more involved by adding targeting rings that will result in more powerful attacks if the player presses the button at a precise moment. This was a true breath of fresh air for the genre that made the gameplay more engaging and interesting, not to mention that Lost Odyssey also featured beautiful graphics, an excellent soundtrack composed by Nobuo Uematsu, and a gripping storyline written by Sakaguchi himself. It's a real shame that such an exciting JRPG is stuck on the Xbox 360; Microsoft should definitely remaster it and port it over to modern home consoles and PC in the near future.
7 South Park: The Fractured But Whole
One Of The Most Hilarious Parody Games Ever Made
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
- Released
- October 17, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft San Francisco
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
South Park is already one of the most well-known satirical animated shows ever made, so it should be no surprise that its creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, teamed up with several developers to make South Park games that not only serve as clever comedic parodies, but that are actually really solid gaming experiences. Their first venture, The Stick of Truth, was a really fun turn-based RPG, but its sequel, The Fractured But Whole, is even better.
Inspired by classic RPGs like Paper Mario and Fire Emblem, this game features a surprisingly complex grid-based combat system that’s really accessible and dynamic, not to mention that, just like its predecessors, the character’s attacks can get stronger if the player times their button presses. On top of that, South Park: The Fractured But Whole serves as a brilliant parody of the superhero genre, and as a result, players can choose their own heroic identity and particular set of abilities in battle, which adds even more variety and freedom of choice to the overall gameplay experience. Needless to say, the comedic writing of this game is crass, raunchy, and hilarious — just as one would expect from a South Park product.
6 Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
The Best Mario RPG Is Also The Most Fun One Yet
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
- Released
- May 23, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Nintendo
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Mario has been the star of some of the most entertaining and accessible turn-based RPGs in the industry, to the point that he even has three different subseries within the genre: the Super Mario RPG games, the Paper Mario games, and the Mario & Luigi games. While these are all excellent products, there’s a good reason the GameCube title Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is often considered the best role-playing game in the entire Mario franchise. Fortunately, its recent Nintendo Switch remaster made it more accessible for an even broader audience, while also allowing old fans to re-experience this beloved classic.
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This sequel takes everything that made the original Paper Mario so good (which, in turn, took a lot from Super Mario RPG) and improved on it by turning it into an even more dynamic and fun experience. The combat system is really energetic, and like its predecessor, it relies mainly on timed button presses in the form of mini-games that make the experience even more engaging and entertaining. On top of all that, the world of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is colorful and vibrant, the comedic writing is very funny, the story is very interesting, the boss fights are great, and Mario is even accompanied by a bunch of lovable companions with unique abilities that enhance the combat even further, like Goombella, Vivian, or Admiral Bobbery.
5 Pokemon Black 2 And White 2
The Most Complete Pokemon Experience
Pokémon Black 2
- Released
- October 7, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Game Freak
- Publisher(s)
- Nintendo, The Pokemon Company
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo DS
When it comes to accessible turn-based RPGs that everyone can enjoy, Pokemon is the undisputed king. However, some mainline entries are obviously more enjoyable than others, and while there are a lot to choose from, Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 are the most entertaining ones so far, mainly due to their fast-paced combat and vast collection of optional activities. Of course, the original Pokemon Black and White versions are also very fun turn-based RPGs, but their sequels cut a lot of the fat out in order to make for a more entertaining experience.
These were the last 2D games in the mainline series (so far), so the pacing of their signature combat is surprisingly snappy, since they don’t need to waste any time on drawn-out and complex 3D animations. On top of that, Pokemon Black 2 and White 2 are filled to the brim with enjoyable content that constantly keeps the player entertained. There are multiple legendary Pokemon to catch, optional bosses scattered throughout the map, an endearing movie-making mini-game called Pokestar Studios, and even the Pokemon World Tournament — an addictive battle facility that allows seasoned trainers to face Gym Leaders and Champions from previous generations.
4 Baldur's Gate 3
A Phenomenal Digital Dungeons & Dragons Campaign
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Nowadays, turn-based RPGs very rarely get nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards, let alone win this prestigious award. But, much to the surprise of many gamers, Baldur's Gate 3 is a notorious exception, seeing as it won Game of the Year in 2023. This accomplishment is enough to cement it as one of the best and most important turn-based RPGs ever made.
The main selling point of Baldur's Gate 3 is its absurd levels of customization and freedom of choice. Like the previous games in this series, it’s based off of Dungeons & Dragons, meaning that it works like a digital version of the classic tabletop RPG. Players can create their own playable character, choose their own race and class, and explore the vast world however they want. And, in Baldur's Gate 3, the world is brimming with things to do, like side quests, dungeons, and even partners to meet and romance. The turn-based combat system of Baldur's Gate 3 is relatively conventional, but it still stands out due to its multiclassing mechanic, which gives players even more customization and variety.
3 Persona 5
Stylish JRPG With Lovable Characters And Dynamic Gameplay
Persona 5
- Released
- September 15, 2016
- ESRB
- m
It’s odd to think the Persona series is technically a spin-off of the Shin Megami Tensei franchise, because nowadays, these games are celebrated worldwide as some of the best turn-based JRPGs on the market. While Persona 3 and Persona 4 obviously have a lot of fans and were received extremely well, it can’t be denied that Persona 5 is the title that put the series on the map and turned it into the cultural titan that it is today.
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It’s very common to hear people who claimed to hate turn-based RPGs saying that they decided to give Persona 5 a try, and it completely changed their mind on the genre. This is no small achievement, and it can be easily chalked up to the fact that this game features a stylish and dynamic combat system that never feels boring or slow — not to mention that the addition of the titular Personas adds a lot of variety and customization to the action. But, what also made Persona 5 stand out is all the gameplay elements that players can experience outside the combat, like its fascinating narrative, its lovable cast of characters, its catchy soundtrack, and most important of all, the huge number of side activities that turn this turn-based RPG into an addictive life simulator.
2 Undertale
A Revolutionary Indie RPG With A Brilliant Combat System
Undertale
- Released
- September 15, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
When Toby Fox suddenly released Undertale back in 2015, he changed gaming forever, because this unique indie game serves as both a love letter and a satire of the role-playing genre that made a huge impact on the industry. And, he achieved all of that with a simple but effective premise: what if killing NPCs in cool blood actually had consequences on the player?
Undertale’s morality system turned the RPG genre on its head, and it quickly became one of its most innovative and celebrated titles. Fortunately, it also managed to achieve this because its core gameplay is extremely entertaining, even if saying this is a turn-based RPG can feel weird (although it’s technically not incorrect).
At first, the combat system seems very conventional, until the player is tasked to avoid an enemy’s attack and minimize damage by engaging in a bullet-hell mini-game in which they will have to quickly avoid all sorts of unique and extravagant attacks. This brilliant mechanic is enough to make Undertale an extremely fun and refreshing experience, which is elevated even further by its cast of colorful characters with quirky comedic writing and its complex world-building.
1 Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Combined Turn-Based And Real-Time Gameplay Into One Incredible Package
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Released
- April 24, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Sandfall Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Kepler Interactive
- Genre(s)
- Turn-Based RPG, JRPG, Fantasy
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
French developer Sandfall Interactive’s debut game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, came out in late April 2025, and it quickly became the biggest contender for this year’s Game of the Year award. Similarly to Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2023 and Metaphor: ReFantazio in 2024, seeing a turn-based RPG gaining so much prestige and so many accolades (especially among people who aren’t fans of the genre) is both exciting and refreshing, and it’s enough proof of how entertaining and accessible this title truly is.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 features a fascinating world, memorable characters, and beautiful graphics — elements that obviously resonated with gamers around the world. But, this game’s biggest selling point is its distinctive combat system, which combines the turn-based format with real-time quick-time events that make the action even more appealing, enjoyable, and fast-paced. It’s like a more sophisticated and evolved version of Lost Odyssey’s combat, and it always results in some of the most thrilling battles a player can experience, especially during boss fights. At the end of the day, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of those special games that turned turn-based RPG haters into passionate fans of the genre.
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