Summary
Turn-based combat is a staple of many genres, including old-school RPGsand traditional roguelikes. The lack of time pressure and wealth of information provided in these titles often allows for gameplay that’s both accessible and engaging.
Science-fiction and turn-based strategy games are a popular combination. From the slick cyberpunk aesthetic ofInvisible Incto the strangescience-fantasy worldofCaves Of Qud, there’s something here for all kinds of player.
Developed by the prolific Klei Entertainment (Don’t Starve, Oxygen Not Included),Invisible Incis a stylish turn-based stealth game with slow and methodical gameplay. Despite its deliberate tone and steady pace,Invisible Incmanages to be a tense, high-stakes experience thanks to its lethal turn-based tactics and the constantly ticking timer of each mission’s security level.
The slick, corporate cyberpunk setting ofInvisible Incprovides astylish sci-fi worldfor players to sneak through. Klei’s penchant for elegant art direction is on full display here, presenting glossy, high-tech environments in an angular, isometric style.
SteamWorld Heistisa spacefaring adventurethat puts players in command of a robotic pirate crew of sorts, partaking in turn-based shootouts driven by a unique combat system; each gunfight inSteamWorld Heistis turn-based, with the added twist that players are able to manually aim their weapons. This allows for an expression of skill that other turn-based experiences often lack.
Therich and colorful worldofSteamWorldHeistis also a highlight, offering players a combination of a sci-fi western atmosphere and Steampunk visuals that’s sure to appeal to fans of science fiction shows such asFirefly. Furthermore, the ability to bounce bullets off walls allows players to execute trick-shots, making for a frequently satisfying combat system.
Fans of theGears Of Warfranchiseand the turn-based combat ofXCOMare more than likely to enjoyGears Tactics. This dark and brutal title plays very similarly to the aforementionedXCOMbut manages to work in a variety of additions that are thematically appropriate to the originalGears Of Wargames.
The buckets of gore and frequent dismemberment thatGears Of Waris known for are present here. However, these thematic touches extend beyond the surface level and into the mechanics of the game; chainsaw charges and brutal executions are aplenty, complete with patently bulky characters and a melodramatic plot.
Griftlandsis aroguelike deck-builderwith a unique dual combat system and RPG elements that allow it to stand out from the crowd. The game’s biggest strength, however, might be its exotic, alien world, which provides a well-crafted vehicle for the game’s unique deck-building and RPG mechanics, giving players lengthy runs peppered with striking world-building.
The evocative writing andunique art stylepaint a vivid picture of the vibrant sci-fi world, heavy with world-building. However, the game’s intuitive user-interface and the frequent brevity of its dialogue encounters keeps the game from getting bogged down in its own lore.
Taking place in a gritty, grimdark world,Quasimorphoffers a unique sci-fi setting with elements of body horror. This setting ties in directly with the game’s hardcore gameplay, which itself revolves around high-intensity turn-based combat and survival mechanics.
Starvation, injury, and even psychosis are constant threats inQuasimorph, testing the player’s knowledge, preparedness, and skill at every turn. Furthermore, despite the frequent violence and grim-dark imagery,Quasimorph’sgritty pixel-art aesthetic prevents the game from becoming truly disturbing.
As an open-world roguelike RPG, one ofCaves Of Qud’sgreatest qualities is itsimmersive science-fantasy setting. Combining elements of science-fiction and fantasy in near-equal measure,Caves Of Qudis able to offer players a truly unique and utterly alien post-apocalyptic world to explore.
Despite minimalist visuals, the evocative writing and atmospheric soundtrack help to paint a vivid picture ofCaves Of Qud’sworld. Exploration is also a relatively pain-free experience thanks to optional overworld travel, allowing players to cover great distances quickly, albeit with the added risk of getting lost.
XCOM 2is a deeply tactical turn-based strategy game complemented by light management mechanics. The squad-based encounters ofXCOM 2are most certainly its biggest draw, providing intense, grid-based gunfights in which each squad member is under near-constant threat.
The intuitive cover system and emphasis on flanking maneuvers givesXCOMa unique feel, and although its luck-based to-hit system may not be for everyone, it provides a palpable tension to each action. It’s an unforgiving experience, butXCOM 2is noteworthy for making the most of its science-fiction setting to elevate its rock-solid turn-based combat.
Into The Breachis a roguelike strategy game that combines turn-based tactics on a grid with elements of the puzzle genre. In the game, players control a squad of mechs, each with their own unique abilities, as they attempt to defend civilians from rampaging alien bugs.
The dynamic nature ofInto The Breach, with its environmental hazards and expressive abilities, puts an emphasis on careful planning and precision. This is facilitated by a truly generous telegraphing system, which gives players access to the intentions of their enemies and the order in which the next turn will play out. As a result,Into The Breachmanages to offer precise, tactical battles that rarely feel unfair.
