Xbox owners are spoiled for choice when it comes to picking their next game to play. Between the console’s backward compatibility and the existence of Game Pass, it can be pretty hard to decide what game to pick up.Game Pass has a lot of great shooters,but gamers who like a slower pace might want to consider one of the many excellent turn-based games on the various Xbox consoles.
Whether it be a JRPG, CRPG, strategy game, or indie title, Xbox has a turn-based game for just about everyone. Of course, picking the “best” game is a matter of taste, so these games were chosen by considering Metacritic scores, audience reception, and generally how popular the games are.
Released in 2022,Midnight Sunsis an awesome choice for Xbox owners who are also superhero fans. Easily one ofthe best superhero RPGsin recent years,Midnight Sunsputs players in the shoes of The Hunter, an ancient hero tasked with saving the world from an ancient evil.
To defeat said evil, The Hunter must team up with some of Marvel’s most iconic heroes. In teams of three, heroes fight against grunts and famous villains (and heroes) in tense and strategic turn-based battles. Throw in some in-depth RPG mechanics and a fun-to-explore hub world, andMidnight Sunsbecomes a very tempting proposition for fans of turn-based battles.
Wasteland 3is a turn-based RPG strategy game that gives off heavyFallout 1 and 2vibes. The reason for that is that it’s made by some of the original developers of theFalloutseries. During combat, players control their squad on a grid-based map and must take things like range, enemy armor, damage type, placement, and elevation into account.
Wasteland 3’s combat feels fairly old school and can be quite unforgiving — especially to newcomers. Each battle is hard-won, makingWasteland 3’sturn-based combat immensely rewarding. It’s one ofthe best open-world apocalyptic gamesever made, and its world-building and dark humor will appeal toFalloutfans.
Darkest Dungeonis not for the faint of heart. One ofthe best dark fantasy gamesaround,Darkest Dungeonis a gruelingly difficult and unforgiving turn-based RPG that loves to punish every little mistake. Its combat has a steep learning curve, and players have to learn to get used to dying fast.
However,Darkest Dungeonis rarely unfair. Each dead hero and each failed expedition into the dungeon teaches the player a lesson and prepares them for their next jaunt. As players learn the ins and outs of each location, playable classes, and enemy types, they become better prepared. The turn-based combat might look simple at first, but it has a lot of depth, especially once player progression through the town building kicks in.Darkest Dungeonis a great option for any Xbox owners looking to test themselves.
It’s often debated which game is better —South Park: The Stick of TruthorThe Fractured But Whole— but both are great turn-based RPGs.The Fractured But Wholejust edges outthe Stick of Truthon this list due to it being slightly more recent, meaning it’s more likely some of the game’s topical jokes will land. It also has one of the best videogame names ever.
TheFractured But Wholeis a pretty simple RPG. Its turn-based combat is far from difficult, and its artifact-based progression system can feel slightly bare bones. This isn’t the kind of game where fans spend hours deliberating about builds and party loadouts. Instead, most of the fun comes from spotting Easter eggs and the game’s many hilarious gigs. This might turn off some “hardcore” RPG fans, butThe Fractured But Wholeis a refreshing, more casual take on traditional turn-based RPG systems.
6XCOM 2
Metacritic Score: 87
Ever since theXCOMseries first appeared in 1994, its name has been synonymous withexcellent turn-based tactics gameplay. 2013’sXCOM: Enemy Unknowndid a lot to refresh the series for modern audiences, andXCOM 2built on those excellent foundations.
Arguably one of the best strategy games with permadeath,XCOM 2has players lead a squad of fighters in a rebellion against Earth’s alien invaders. The tactics element is twofold, as the player leads their squad of up to 6 soldiers in turn-based battles against alien forces — as well as managing the global-wide rebellion. Injured squad mates can be lost forever, and making the wrong decisions can lead to no-win situations. As a downside,XCOM 2’schance-to-hit accuracy system can feel pretty unfair, meaning this is a turn-based game that can take a lot of patience to get through.
The originalFuga: Melodies of Steelwas anawesome indie RPGthat flew under a lot of gamers' radars. Thankfully, that didn’t stop the developers from releasing a sequel that improved upon the original in every way. InFuga: Melodies of Steel 2,the player controls a tank crew made up of anthropomorphic anime-style animals in turn-based tank battles.
Despite its cutesy graphics, the game has a compelling story, and the combat is deeply strategic. The sequel’s turn-based battle system feels similar to the original but has new additions like a reworked Soul Cannon, more flexibility, and a new airship support system. Its pacing can feel a little slow at times, and progression takes a while to get going, but Xbox owners shouldn’t overlook this indie gem.
Made by the same geniuses behind the legendaryBaldur’s Gate 3,Divinity: Original Sin 2is one of thebest isometric RPGsever made. Featuring an epic story, a cast of compelling characters, and genre-defining turn-based combat, many fans consider it a masterpiece.
It’s difficult to briefly sum up just how goodOriginal Sin 2’sbattles really are. The game uses a dynamic system that allows players to combine certain elements on the battlefield to outthink their enemies. Often, working out how these elements will interact is half the struggle, and the simplest actions can have unforeseen consequences. While there is quite a steep learning curve, combat mostly feels fair. By the time the final chapter rolls around and the party is leveled up, the turn-based battles feel like a symphony of carnage, with the player taking on the role of conductor.
When Sega announced in 2017 that they were making a turn-basedYakuzagame, no one knew what to expect. Many fans were rightly skeptical: how would one of the most famous brawlers ever translate to strategic turn-based RPG battles? As it turned out, Sega knew what it was doing.
Like a Dragonwas a smash hit, and its sequel,Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth,improved upon its combat in myriad ways. The combat system feels a lot like the old turn-basedFinal Fantasygames in the best possible way. Despite the series' zany humor and aesthetics, the battle mechanics are fairly in depth. Late-game content can take an excessive amount of grinding, but that’s expected for both aYakuzagame and a game inspired by old-school turn-based JRPGs. With lots of jobs and gear to unlock, Infinite Wealth offers around 60 hours of fun.
ThePersonaseries, a spin-off of the legendaryShin Megami Tensei,has been around since 1996. Over the years, the franchise’s excellent Persona-catching turn-based battles have evolved quite a bit, culminating in the masterpiece that isPersona 5 Royal. In a nutshell,Persona 5 Royal’scombat resembles what would happen if someone tookPokemonand added a ton of depth.
Players control a party of students and their various personas as they explore the game’s dungeons and battle monsters. The turn-based combat relies heavily on strategy and using an enemy’s weakness against them, as doing so can earn the player free turns. Players can level up and even merge their personas into new, more powerful versions. Add the fact thatPersona 5 Royalhas one ofthe best stories of any turn-based JRPG, and there’s really no reason not to give the game a try.
Since it was released in 2023,Baldur’s Gate 3has become the new gold standard for turn-based CRPGs. It’s world-building, characters, story, and turn-based combat are all top tier. Few games manage to get so much right and garner so much community goodwill.
Baldur’s Gate 3has become famous for the depth of choice it offers players, something that extends to its characters, builds, and combat choices. InBaldur’s Gate 3,small decisions often have big consequences. Much like Larian’s other release,Divinity: Original Sin 2,Baldur’s Gate 3offers a depth of strategy rarely seen in other games. Its rule set, an adapted version ofDungeons and Dragons,is welcoming to beginners while complex enough for veterans. The only slight blemish is that combat heavily relies on dice roles and, therefore, chance — something that can feel unfair and takes a while to get used to.
