The Ultimate Guide to the 16 Best Turn-Based Strategy Games to Conquer in 2025

The landscape of strategic gaming has undergone a profound transformation. Gone are the days when turn-based strategy games were solely defined by their grid-based combat and pixelated armies. Today, the genre has evolved into a sophisticated tapestry of intricate systems, compelling narratives, and dynamic battlefields that demand foresight, adaptability, and a deep understanding of complex mechanics. At Gaming News, we pride ourselves on dissecting these evolving genres to bring you the absolute pinnacle of gaming experiences. We’ve delved deep into what makes a turn-based strategy game truly exceptional, moving beyond mere replication of classic mechanics to embrace titles that weave emotional storytelling into their tactical frameworks, present challenging environmental factors as core gameplay elements, and necessitate thinking multiple steps ahead. This comprehensive guide showcases the 16 best turn-based strategy games that will captivate your strategic mind throughout 2025.

Mastering the Art of Strategic Warfare: Essential Elements of Elite Turn-Based Games

The most compelling turn-based strategy games do more than just present a static battlefield. They create an immersive experience where every decision carries weight. We’ve observed that the most successful titles in this genre expertly integrate several key elements:

• Deep Tactical Layers: Beyond simple unit positioning, these games offer a wealth of mechanics. This includes intricate status effects that can cripple enemy formations, crucial buffs that amplify your own units’ capabilities, and a nuanced system of debuffs designed to exploit enemy weaknesses.
• Narrative Integration: The most memorable turn-based strategy experiences often intertwine their strategic gameplay with rich narratives. Player choices don’t just affect the outcome of a battle; they shape character arcs, influence faction relationships, and ultimately alter the course of the entire story.
• Environmental Complexity: The battlefield itself becomes a character. Dynamic terrain, weather effects, and interactive elements can drastically alter combat scenarios, forcing players to adapt their strategies on the fly and utilize the environment to their advantage.
• Resource Management and Logistics: Beyond unit deployment, effective strategy often hinges on meticulous resource management. This can involve balancing troop morale, managing supply lines, and investing in research and development to unlock new technologies and units.
• Unit Customization and Progression: The ability to tailor your units, whether through class specializations, skill trees, or equipment, adds a significant layer of depth. Watching your carefully cultivated army grow and adapt throughout a campaign is a core part of the genre’s appeal.

With these principles in mind, let us explore the standout titles that embody the zenith of turn-based strategy.

The Pantheon of Turn-Based Strategy: Our Top 16 Picks for 2025

1. Tactics Ogre: Reborn – A Masterclass in Narrative and Tactical Depth

Tactics Ogre: Reborn, developed by Square Enix, stands as a monumental achievement in the turn-based strategy genre. Released on November 11, 2022, for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC, this title is a brilliant hybrid of remaster and remake, building upon the lauded PlayStation Portable version of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together. The game demands a significant commitment from players, both in its intricate tactical battles and its branching narrative.

The narrative plunges players into a brutal civil war that engulfs the Valerian Isles, a region of immense economic and political importance. You are thrust into the heart of this conflict, where your choices at critical junctures will profoundly impact the unfolding missions, the destinies of individual characters, and the overarching saga. This sophisticated narrative structure, which was remarkably forward-thinking for its time, continues to set a high bar for story-driven strategy.

On the battlefield, Tactics Ogre: Reborn distinguishes itself with a demanding combat system that emphasizes the strategic application of status effects, powerful buffs, and debilitating debuffs. Failure to adapt to the ever-evolving enemy tactics can lead to swift and decisive defeats, even in the early stages of the game. A significant overhaul in the Reborn iteration is the adjustment to the character progression system. Instead of leveling up classes, Reborn allows individual characters to retain their levels even when switching classes. This fundamental change dramatically reduces the barrier to experimentation, making it feasible and highly rewarding to explore the game’s extensive roster of nearly two dozen distinct classes. This flexibility ensures that Tactics Ogre: Reborn remains a compelling and replayable experience, offering endless strategic permutations.

2. The Banner Saga – Epic Storytelling Meets Tactical Grit

The Banner Saga, a creation of Stoic Studio, offers an unparalleled narrative experience for those who prioritize story depth without sacrificing tactical engagement. Launched on January 14, 2014, and available across Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Android, and iOS, this game masterfully balances its narrative weight with a compelling strategic core. While its battlefield complexity might not reach the sheer density of some other titles, it compensates with a profound and impactful web of player choices.

You lead a caravan of Vikings on a desperate journey through a harsh, frostbitten landscape. The decisions you make, from whether to trust a desperate plea for aid to which characters you choose to save from certain death, ripple through the narrative, shaping alliances, influencing morale, and determining who will stand with you until the bitter end. This emphasis on consequential decision-making imbues the gameplay with a palpable sense of weight and emotional investment.

The Banner Saga’s combat system, though seemingly straightforward, possesses significant tactical depth. Units feature both health pools and armor levels, requiring players to strategically target vulnerabilities. The “Willpower” resource acts as a crucial element, governing movement and allowing for powerful offensive bursts. This system encourages careful planning and resource allocation, making each tactical encounter a tense and rewarding challenge. The inclusion of two sequels further extends this rich universe, allowing players to continue their epic journey.

3. Into the Breach – Precision Puzzling in a Mech Commander’s Boots

Into the Breach, developed by Subset Games and released on February 27, 2018, for PC, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS, may present a deceptively minimalist aesthetic, but it hides a core of immense strategic depth and genre-defining innovation. Its compact maps and limited unit deployment belie a challenging and highly rewarding tactical experience.

You command a squad of powerful mechs, humanity’s last defense against an alien insectoid race known as the Vek. The objective transcends mere elimination of enemies; it’s about preserving civilian infrastructure. Each Vek attack targets specific buildings, and their destruction depletes humanity’s power grid. If this power source is depleted, your campaign is lost. This unique objective forces players to think critically about defensive positioning and collateral damage.

A stroke of genius in Into the Breach is the predictable nature of enemy actions. Before any turn begins, you can clearly see the intended moves of the Vek. This foresight transforms the game into a brilliant tactical puzzle, where anticipating enemy actions and neutralizing threats with minimal damage to the city is paramount. Even in defeat, your mechs return to the next battle, though their pilots and associated bonuses are lost. This blend of high stakes and persistent progression makes Into the Breach incredibly addictive and offers a fresh perspective on turn-based combat.

4. Fire Emblem: Three Houses – Scholastic Bonds and Strategic Warfare

Fire Emblem: Three Houses, a signature title from Intelligent Systems, arrived on Nintendo Switch on July 26, 2019, and redefined the series’ approach to narrative with its ambitious split-narrative structure. Offering four distinct storylines within a single package and featuring over three dozen unique characters, the game ensures a deeply personal and consequence-driven experience. You are tasked with guiding a class of students at the Garreg Mach Monastery, forging bonds that will be tested when war inevitably breaks out.

The decision to align with one of the three major houses after the game’s initial act is a pivotal moment, leading to campaigns that often pit you against former allies. What truly sets Three Houses apart is the emotional weight of these conflicts. The characters you’ve spent hours training, socializing with, and developing relationships with are now your adversaries. This narrative depth amplifies the strategic stakes considerably.

The combat in Fire Emblem: Three Houses adheres to the series’ established tactical grid-based system, but with a crucial innovation: an open class system. This allows virtually any character to learn any of the game’s more than two dozen classes, with only minor gender-locking exceptions. This unparalleled flexibility empowers you to meticulously fine-tune your army, customizing units to your specific playstyle and ensuring that your favorite characters can always find a potent role on the battlefield, regardless of initial class limitations.

5. Marvel’s Midnight Suns – A Superheroic Blend of Tactics and Relationships

Marvel’s Midnight Suns, developed by Firaxis Games and released on December 2, 2022, for PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, masterfully combines superhero action with deep turn-based strategy. Often described as “Fire Emblem with superheroes,” the game excels in its portrayal of character relationships, delving into complex moral and ethical dilemmas that resonate deeply.

While you won’t be engaging in marriage or genetic engineering like in Fire Emblem, Midnight Suns captures the essence of bonding and camaraderie. The game explores surprisingly mature themes, making the interactions between characters as engaging as the strategic combat.

The combat system introduces a unique card-based mechanic, demanding that players adapt to the cards they draw each turn and maximize their effectiveness. Controlling a roster of iconic Marvel heroes, you’ll unleash powerful abilities, but the card system adds an extra layer of strategic planning, making every successful maneuver feel like a brilliant feat of tactical execution. This innovative approach ensures that Marvel’s Midnight Suns offers a distinct and highly rewarding turn-based strategy experience.

6. Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp – Classic Strategy, Modern Polish

WayForward’s Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, released on April 21, 2023, for the Nintendo Switch, is a faithful and beautifully crafted remake of the Game Boy Advance classics. While it introduces no drastic gameplay changes, it doesn’t need to; the original games remain exceptionally strong. The remake subtly enhances enemy AI, making opponents more reactive and determined to defend their objectives.

The Advance Wars formula splits its campaigns into two distinct modes. One mode presents players with a fixed roster of units, turning each mission into a complex puzzle where maximizing limited resources is key. The other mode offers a more open-ended approach, allowing for the generation of new units from factories. Success in these scenarios hinges on capturing vital properties to generate income, strategically blocking enemy expansion, and producing the right units at the opportune moments. The result is an intensely strategic and incredibly satisfying experience when a well-executed plan comes to fruition.

7. Wargroove – Fantasy Flair Meets Advance Wars DNA

Wargroove, developed by Chucklefish and available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC, serves as a spiritual successor to the beloved Advance Wars series, infused with a rich fantasy setting. The campaign casts you as a young ruler embarking on a quest to protect her kingdom, supported by a diverse cast of allied commanders, each commanding unique units like the fearsome Dog Legionnaire.

The game features a familiar mix of artillery, infantry, and heavy armor, complemented by kingdom-specific units that offer unique tactical advantages. Commanders are central to each battle, not only for their enhanced combat prowess but also for their potent “Commander Powers,” abilities akin to those in Advance Wars that can dramatically shift the tide of battle if used strategically. Furthermore, Wargroove includes an extensive map editor and robust multiplayer options, allowing players to design and challenge others on custom-made battlefields.

8. XCOM 2 – Guerilla Warfare Against Alien Invaders

XCOM 2, a masterpiece from Firaxis Games and Feral Interactive, launched on February 5, 2016, for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is the quintessential squad-based strategy game, a deep and unforgiving sci-fi saga that brilliantly subverts genre conventions. In this installment, humanity has lost the war against alien invaders, and you lead a ragtag resistance fighting a guerrilla war.

The core gameplay loop revolves around asymmetrical warfare. You are perpetually outnumbered, forcing a focus on stealth, ambushes, and hit-and-run tactics. Survival depends on meticulous planning, selecting the optimal skills and upgrades for your soldiers, and assembling the right squad composition for each perilous mission. The mission variety is exceptional, often extending beyond simple enemy elimination to include objectives like data retrieval and exfiltration, ensuring that no two encounters feel the same. The high difficulty and the pervasive threat of permadeath make every decision critically important.

9. Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga – Squad-Based Depth and Morale Mechanics

Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga, released by Dancing Dragon Games on June 10, 2022, for PC, initially appears as a familiar retro-style strategy game with its 2D presentation, medieval setting, and classic unit archetypes. However, beneath this familiar facade lies a remarkably deep and innovative experience.

The core of the gameplay involves leaders commanding squads of multiple fighters on the battlefield. This squad-based system requires careful pre-battle planning, focusing on creating synergistic unit combinations that cover each other’s weaknesses or are powerful enough to overcome any obstacle. With over 50 distinct unit types available, Symphony of War offers immense room for experimentation, appealing to players who dislike strategy games with only one or two viable solutions. Crucially, managing army morale and disrupting enemy cohesion are paramount to success. Furthermore, the game incorporates environmental factors, such as weather, that can directly impact unit accuracy and combat effectiveness.

10. Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle & Sparks of Hope – Whimsical Tactics Unleashed

Ubisoft Paris has delivered two exceptional turn-based strategy titles with Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (August 29, 2017) and Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope (October 10, 2022), both available on the Nintendo Switch. These games brilliantly fuse the iconic charm of the Mario universe with the tactical rigor of games like XCOM, albeit with a whimsical twist.

Players command squads composed of familiar Mushroom Kingdom characters and their irreverent Rabbid counterparts. The core gameplay loop mirrors XCOM’s: characters move on a grid, utilize cover, execute overwatch attacks, and deploy a vast array of unique abilities to overcome their foes. However, the Mushroom Kingdom’s inherent charm and the Rabbids’ chaotic energy inject a distinct personality into the formula. Rabbid Peach’s explosive RC cars and Yoshi’s gatling gun abilities showcase the inventive and often hilarious character-specific mechanics. Mario can specialize in devastating close-range hammer attacks or utilize fire-infused weaponry to incapacitate enemies. The pacing is excellent, with ample exploration and light puzzle-solving interspersed between intense tactical battles, preventing any sense of tedium.

11. The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy – A Genre-Bending Tactical Puzzle

The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy, developed by Too Kyoo Games and slated for release on April 24, 2025, for PC and Nintendo Switch, masterfully blends visual novel storytelling with challenging turn-based tactics. Players follow the often perilous journey of students tasked with defending the world from an impending invasion.

The gameplay centers around fending off waves of invaders while protecting a critical defensive barrier. Battles are dramatic, multi-wave events that force players to consider risk and sacrifice in unique ways. Each turn, you have a limited number of action points to allocate to movement and attacks. As you gain more characters, managing these action points becomes crucial, especially when the number of available actions doesn’t match the number of combatants. Defeating elite enemies can grant bonus action points, but the decision of which character to prioritize, on which front, and against which enemy often transforms Last Defense Academy into a complex tactical puzzle.

A unique “Voltage” mechanic allows players to spend accumulated voltage to power up individual characters for the remainder of a fight or unleash powerful special attacks that leave the character temporarily vulnerable. Characters can also utilize their special attacks when critically low on health. With fallen characters respawning in subsequent waves, death itself becomes a strategic tool. The narrative, best experienced without spoilers, draws comparisons to the mind-bending complexities of games like Danganronpa and the Zero Escape series, promising a story that is both unpredictable and deeply engaging.

12. Civilization VI – The Pinnacle of Empire Building

Civilization VI, developed by Firaxis Games and released on October 21, 2016, for a vast array of platforms including PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Android, iOS, and Nintendo Switch, remains the undisputed king of grand strategy. With the recent release of Civilization VII, the timing is perfect to revisit Civ VI, as Firaxis has consolidated years of updates, leader packs, and new features into an incredibly polished and feature-rich experience, especially when considering its extensive downloadable content.

Civilization VI introduces significant advancements in several key areas. Religion plays a far more active and impactful role in a civilization’s development. City customization and sustainability are paramount, forcing players to consider long-term growth strategies. Diplomacy evolves dynamically throughout the ages, encouraging players to adapt their approach based on the current era and their relationships with other civilizations. The game’s inherent density and rewarding gameplay loop are further enhanced by expansions like Rise and Fall, which introduces a complex loyalty system, and Gathering Storm, which integrates environmental factors and climate change as significant strategic considerations.

13. Tactical Breach Wizards – Charming Combat with Surprising Depth

Tactical Breach Wizards, from Suspicious Developments, offers a delightful fusion of the accessible tactical design of Into the Breach with the whimsical charm reminiscent of Mario + Rabbids. Available on PC, this game pairs an ex-marine, a witchy private investigator, and a few other eccentric characters in their quest to topple a nefarious city official.

The primary method of achieving this goal typically involves a liberal application of explosives, magic, and other supernatural tools to blast targets out of windows. While other strategies are viable, the sheer satisfaction of a well-aimed magical barrage is undeniable. Despite its lighthearted premise, Tactical Breach Wizards boasts surprising depth, allowing players to uncover optimal strategies at their own pace without undue pressure. The objective is to complete each compact stage in the fewest turns possible, though there are no penalties for extended play, and stages can be replayed at any time to refine your approach.

14. Gears Tactics – A Gritty Take on Turn-Based Combat

Who would have predicted that the famously visceral, action-packed Gears of War series could translate so successfully into a turn-based strategy game? Gears Tactics, developed by The Coalition and Splash Damage, released on April 28, 2020, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, proves that it can, and does so with remarkable aplomb. Splash Damage has adeptly adapted the series’ gritty sci-fi universe, characterized by its industrial factories, war-torn battlefields, and desolate wastelands, into a movement-and-cover-based tactical system that is both evocative and highly engaging.

Gears Tactics also stands out for its exceptional character progression. The game features a robust system of unlocking new tools and abilities, allowing for deep customization and strategic specialization of your units. This is far from a mere spin-off; it’s a fully realized and deeply satisfying turn-based strategy experience that captures the essence of the Gears universe while offering compelling tactical gameplay.

15. Fuga: Melodies of Steel – Heartfelt Storytelling in a Giant Tank

Fuga: Melodies of Steel, a unique offering from CyberConnect2, released on July 28, 2021, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, defies easy categorization. This game centers on a group of anthropomorphic children piloting a colossal tank, embarking on a desperate mission to repel an invading army and protect their families.

The immense power of their tank, an ancient artifact from a mysterious civilization, provides a significant advantage, but this power comes at a cost. The children must meticulously plan and work together to maintain their weapon. Fuga’s strategic depth extends beyond the battlefield, encompassing crucial elements of supply management and interpersonal relationships, both of which directly impact wartime preparedness. When situations become dire, the tank’s ultimate weapon, the devastating soul cannon, becomes available. However, its use necessitates the ultimate sacrifice: the life of one of the children. While it might seem avoidable, the game’s challenging nature often makes this choice a grim necessity, adding a profound emotional weight to the strategic decisions.

16. Battletech – Mech Combat on a Galactic Scale

Battletech, developed by Harebrained Schemes and released on April 24, 2018, for PC, takes turn-based strategy to the vast expanse of space. You are placed in command of a mercenary company, embroiled in a centuries-long conflict between noble houses across the galaxy. The game puts you in control of a fleet of over 30 distinct types of mech fighters.

Your responsibilities extend from managing the intricate details of mech repairs and customization, including decals and specialized equipment, to selecting the optimal loadouts for various combat scenarios. Winning a battle is only part of the equation; Battletech also demands careful management of your company’s reputation with different factions, resolving internal conflicts within your base, and investing in research and development to unlock new mech technologies. For those seeking a break from the single-player campaign, Battletech offers robust PvP battles against friends and challenging skirmish modes against AI opponents, providing endless replayability.

Conclusion: Your Strategic Journey Awaits in 2025

The turn-based strategy genre continues to evolve, offering increasingly complex, narrative-rich, and engaging experiences. From the deeply personal stories of Tactics Ogre: Reborn and Fire Emblem: Three Houses to the inventive puzzle-like challenges of Into the Breach and Tactical Breach Wizards, there is a strategic masterpiece for every discerning gamer. Whether you crave the grand scale of empire building in Civilization VI, the desperate survival narratives of The Banner Saga and Fuga: Melodies of Steel, or the tactical precision of mech combat in Battletech and Gears Tactics, these 16 best turn-based strategy games to play in 2025 promise countless hours of strategic immersion and intellectual challenge. Prepare to plan, adapt, and conquer.