What makes a turn-based RPG truly shine? These games are all about profound character evolution; the path of progression and the choices you make mean your abilities and journey will rarely be identical across different playthroughs. They excel at delivering robust combat mechanics, challenging you to master your squad’s unique strengths and work together towards a common goal.
While this collection shares similarities with many fantastic RPGs, turn-based RPGs distinguish themselves with a stronger focus on squad-based combat, drawing heavily from the traditions of classic tabletop role-playing games. These titles often echo turn-based strategy games, but here, we emphasize those with rich, pronounced RPG elements. Let’s explore some of the finest turn-based RPGs available for PC.
Honkai Star Rail
The latest anime-inspired adventure from the creators of Genshin Impact, Honkai Star Rail returns to a captivating sci-fi setting, introducing compelling turn-based combat. As the chosen Trailblazer, you embark on an interstellar journey aboard the Astral Express, stopping at various planets to confront and resolve crises caused by mysterious Stellarons.
This game offers lightweight and remarkably fast-paced combat, perfect for those with limited time. You’ll find extensive customization options, from crafting ideal team compositions to equipping powerful light cones, relics, planar ornaments, and eidolons. For newcomers, understanding the best characters and utilizing in-game resources will enhance your galactic expedition.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
This remarkable debut from Sandfall Interactive has swiftly emerged as a strong contender for Game of the Year. It redefines the traditional turn-based RPG by incorporating dynamic dodge and parrying mechanics, making it challenging to master yet immensely satisfying to execute. Character builds are deep and diverse, allowing you to assign weapons, pictos, and skills to forge a formidable team of warriors.
The game also boasts an incredibly rich world and well-developed characters, with every battle adding weight to your expedition. A poignant and mysterious narrative unfolds, beautifully portraying themes of desperation and grief while still interjecting moments of humor. It’s a truly unmissable turn-based RPG experience.
Metaphor ReFantazio
From the creative minds behind Persona 5, Studio Zero at Atlus delivers a fantasy turn-based RPG that captures everything beloved about the Persona series, but with a significantly darker narrative. Set in the United Kingdom of Euchronia, a nation on the brink of conflict, your quest is to restore peace by lifting a curse from the kingdom’s lost prince.
Much like Persona, anticipate over 100 hours of gameplay and a memorable cast of characters who can join your party, interact with, and grow alongside you. The turn-based combat diverges slightly from Persona games, introducing Archetypes and a system where each party member has a turn icon. You can strategically sacrifice turns for devastating combo attacks.
Shin Megami Tensei 5 Vengeance
Before Persona achieved widespread fame, there was SMT. Shin Megami Tensei gained cult status in the early 2000s and has since seen a surge in mainstream popularity due to its successful sister series. Loosely inspired by Aya Nishitani’s Digital Devil Story, SMT plunges players into a dark, occult world where demigods clash with infernal forces amidst the ruins of a post-apocalyptic Tokyo. Its roster of recruitable demons rivals creature-collection games, though its strategic depth and mature themes appeal to a distinct audience.
Vengeance, the fifth installment, is surprisingly one of the most accessible entry points. It offers an extended campaign that provides a fresh experience for returning players and significant improvements to the original version’s performance, visuals, and overall quality of life, making it the definitive edition.
Persona 3 Reload
Persona 3 Reload follows the journey of a high school transfer student who uncovers the Dark Hour, a hidden temporal anomaly between one day and the next. Your days are filled with school attendance, socializing with peers, and various activities on Port Island. However, the core turn-based RPG action ignites during the Dark Hour, as you and your party ascend Tartarus—a sprawling tower of semi-randomized dungeons—to defeat hostile Shadow creatures using your unique Personas.
Persona 3 Reload is a complete reimagining of the original Persona 3, boasting a visual overhaul, numerous quality-of-life improvements, and refined combat and exploration mechanics. It is celebrated as the most feature-rich version of one of the finest JRPGs ever created, though some long-term fans note the absence of certain alternative scenarios and epilogues from previous iterations.
Sea of Stars
Drawing inspiration from the legendary Chrono Trigger, this turn-based fantasy RPG offers a classic approach to the genre without being merely derivative. Sea of Stars chronicles the adventures of Valere, Zale, and Garl, a trio determined to stop the Fleshmancer and his destructive creations. Along their journey, they encounter ghost ships, dragons, and a vibrant cast of allies who join them on their epic quest. Their travels span diverse landscapes, from windswept caverns to the enigmatic Golden Pelican, but not every face they meet is friendly.
Combat in Sea of Stars is dynamic, incorporating timed button presses for blocking or boosting damage. Powerful enemy attacks can often be interrupted by striking with the correct damage type. This system encourages forward-thinking strategy, providing surprising depth despite its approachable nature, even before considering various relics. It stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of turn-based battles.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Decades may have passed since the last new Baldur’s Gate installment, but years in early access proved invaluable for Baldur’s Gate 3. This DnD-inspired game has garnered near-universal acclaim from fans and critics alike. Your adventure begins with choosing a class and race, then quickly introduces a loyal band of companions with whom you bond on a fateful quest to remove Mind Flayer parasites from your brains. You’ll journey through desolate villages, descend into the mysterious Underdark, and eventually reach the iconic titular city.
While not strictly adhering to DnD 5th Edition rules, the similarities are abundant for those familiar with the tabletop RPG system. Where Larian truly excels is in making every character and encounter genuinely compelling. Whether you favor a sarcastic rogue or a sweet-natured warrior, your adventure will be an unforgettable saga.
Octopath Traveler 2
The acclaimed follow-up to Square Enix’s beloved turn-based RPG leaves its predecessor’s characters and setting behind. Instead, Octopath Traveler 2 invites players to a new adventure in Solistia, an industrial fantasy world split into two continents by the sea. You choose one of eight playable protagonists, each with a unique background, special abilities, and compelling storylines.
Octopath Traveler 2 delivers the familiar classic high-fantasy turn-based RPG experience, enhanced with several modern updates. A dynamic day-night cycle adds a welcome layer of strategy, as you confront more powerful enemies under the cloak of darkness. Your journeys between bustling towns and across vast oceans will involve various maritime vessels. Despite these ambitious gameplay additions, the sequel retains its core Octopath Traveler identity, complete with that signature HD-2D visual style that pays tribute to 16-bit JRPGs of old.
Expeditions: Rome
Logic Artists has dedicated the last decade to perfecting its distinctive blend of turn-based strategy RPGs, heavily featuring exploration and mechanics intertwined with each game’s central theme. From Expeditions: Conquistadors to the Viking power fantasy of Expeditions: Vikings, the studio now transports us to ancient antiquity and the zenith of the Roman Republic.
Easily the strongest entry in the series to date, Expeditions: Rome sees your character escaping the capital and the machinations of the Senate to forge a reputation in one of Rome’s numerous theaters of war. You’ll lead a small band of companions, the Speculatores, but also command an entire army that feels almost like its own character.
The series’ tradition of robust exploration remains strong as you guide your special unit across the map on various quests, all framed within the less high-profile activities of a military campaign. Establishing alliances, scouting, removing critical obstacles—you’ll spearhead it all. In the background, you can direct your legion around the campaign space to establish bases and secure resources. Occasional pitched battles require a separate mini-game, which functions surprisingly well.
Star Renegades
Battling an evil, all-powerful, dimension-hopping empire might seem like a perpetually losing cause, but it’s a defeat you’ll relish over and over again in this roguelike and tactical RPG hybrid. As one reality falls, you jump to the next to continue the fight, retaining the experience and gear you’ve acquired so far.
Star Renegades is a comprehensive package: incredibly deep combat mechanics, a stunning pixel-art world, and RPG elements that, while occasionally clunky, significantly enrich the overarching narrative. The game’s only minor drawback is that it can lose momentum too quickly, with replays starting to feel similar after a few runs—a common challenge in this genre. Nevertheless, this title is well worth your attention.
Wasteland 3
The sequel to 2014’s Wasteland 2, this series has been a quiet contender against titles like Fallout in delivering a post-apocalyptic RPG experience. While Bethesda’s series adopted a first-person perspective, Wasteland remains true to the original Fallout’s premise, featuring tactical battles reminiscent of XCOM. Wasteland 3 surpasses its predecessor in scale and quality, though it launched with some technical issues that have since been addressed.
With its intelligent writing, engaging setting, and unwavering commitment to making you feel the weight of every choice, finding a more satisfying role-playing experience would be difficult. It’s an ideal choice for those craving an XCOM or Fallout fix, offering the best of both worlds in an apocalypse game.
Persona 5 Royal
Persona 5 Royal is an outstanding choice for those who prefer a turn-based RPG that promises over 80 hours of gameplay, complemented by some of the most polished writing and thematic depth in recent memory. As the leader of the Phantom Thieves, you and your companions journey through the corrupted psyches of individuals, which manifest as intricate dungeons teeming with monsters. Your team employs Personas in battle, strategically exploiting enemy weaknesses to unleash devastating all-out attacks.
Royal is the enhanced version of this renowned JRPG, introducing a brand-new member to the Phantom Thieves, a new minigame-filled region in Tokyo, an additional dungeon, two new endings, and more. In combat, the new ‘Showtime’ attack allows party members to team up for massive damage. With countless differences to discover, Persona 5 Royal offers the definitive experience of this captivating title.
Disgaea 5 Complete
Imagine an RPG where the entire plot serves as merely the prelude to an even grander post-game, where individual items contain entire randomly generated universes, and defying game mechanics is actively encouraged! Disgaea 5 masterfully blends over-the-top, ridiculous anime aesthetics with genuinely clever and engaging gameplay.
Missions begin on a battle map composed of a tile grid featuring various enemies. During your turn, you decide which units to deploy from your “base” panel, where to position them, and what abilities to utilize. The sheer breadth of unit and skill options available to players fosters unique strategies for tackling scenarios and sparks continuous online debate about optimal setups.
The story is self-contained, so prior experience with the series isn’t necessary to fully enjoy Disgaea 5. The Complete edition also includes an extensive list of DLC characters from previous Nippon Ichi Software games, additional class options, and more. While the PC version currently lacks online network play features, this lost functionality is a minor concession for an otherwise incredible title.
Valkyria Chronicles 4
This entry marks a strong return to form for a series that has been eagerly anticipated in the West. Seamlessly blending turn-based tactical gameplay with real-time unit control, this unique mechanical integration creates a game enjoyable for both strategy enthusiasts and RPG fans. RPG players will appreciate the character growth and narrative, leveling up their favorite classes and equipping soldiers with specialized gear.
Charming side novellas detail units getting to know each other, often leading directly into battle scenarios with an unexpected twist. The introduction of the Grenadier class makes terrain elevation and positioning crucial, while classic classes like the Sniper and Shocktrooper provide a simple yet versatile roster. Add an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and your reliable tank, and you’re set for an engaging experience in mastering command.
For those familiar with the series, Valkyria Chronicles 4 refines existing elements rather than overhauling them. The standalone nature of each story means newcomers can jump right into an excellent game that understands and leverages its strategic strengths.
Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark
There’s a strong possibility that your appreciation for tactical RPGs stems from playing Final Fantasy Tactics at some point. It’s a classic, and you’ve likely been chasing that proverbial dragon ever since. Well, Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is here to fill that void in your strategy-loving heart. Don’t let its relatively straightforward story or modern flourishes mislead you – this is the FFT experience you’ve longed for. It’s beautifully crafted, nuanced, and features secret classes to unlock; Arbiter’s Mark is the authentic deal.
The classic battle system, characters capable of adopting various jobs, and even the strategic importance of terrain height are all faithfully present in this contemporary homage to the PlayStation classic. Arbiter’s Mark hits all the right notes and makes virtually no missteps – a rare feat for gaming homages.
Banner Saga 3
Banner Saga 3 triumphantly concludes Stoic’s turn-based strategy series with a powerful, Ragnarök-infused finale. Beyond unfolding unique story beats and introducing both new and familiar characters, it excels as an RPG through its clever combat design, risk-versus-reward mechanics, and the ability to equip and promote heroes. Players manage a small caravan that includes the renowned Varl hero Ivar, the mage duo Juno and Eyvind, and the Raven mercenaries. Simultaneously, they must protect Aberrang, the last human city, with the primary character Rook (or Alette) from an impending siege.
While resource management within the convoy takes a slightly reduced role in Banner Saga 3 compared to its predecessors, it remains an integral part of the game. Equippable relics offer unique bonuses or abilities to characters, and promotions encourage careful consideration of how best to reinforce your units to withstand the apocalypse – especially since many will perish. The continuous decision between attacking opponents’ armor or strength will keep your tactical mind engaged without ever feeling overwhelming. Banner Saga 3 masterfully maintains tension without pushing players past the point of exhaustion.
Gears of War Tactics
The Gears of War series is renowned for its visceral, violent, and intensely close-quarters combat, a formula that excels in a third-person shooter. Remarkably, it translates equally well when transformed into a strategy game. Equipped with the series’ signature Lancer assault rifle featuring its iconic chainsaw attachment, bulky armor, and a variety of grenades, you’ll need precise strategy to dismantle the Locust Horde.
Splash Damage and The Coalition have done an impressive job of making the turn-based combat feel both impactful and highly calculated. As enemies pop out from cover, the raw power of each weapon is palpable as soldiers are ripped apart in battle. You’ll contend not only with relentless waves of Locusts emerging from the ground but also iconic bosses like the Brumak lurking at the culmination of missions. The developers have truly delivered a compelling tactical experience.
We hope you enjoyed this list of the best tactical RPGs! If you’re looking for more, consider exploring excellent strategy games if you want to temporarily set aside the role-playing aspect.
Additional insights by Joe Robinson