Top 10 Turn Based Strategy Games

despite many franchises turning towards

despite many franchises turning towards action and excitement some will always

action and excitement some will always

action and excitement some will always longed for that slow and steady thinking

longed for that slow and steady thinking

longed for that slow and steady thinking pace welcome to watchmojo.com and today

pace welcome to watchmojo.com and today

pace welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the

we’ll be counting down our picks for the

we’ll be counting down our picks for the top ten turn-based strategy games

but this list we’ve selected the video

but this list we’ve selected the video games that best use the traditional

games that best use the traditional

games that best use the traditional turn-based strategy formula these are

turn-based strategy formula these are

turn-based strategy formula these are not to be confused with the term based

not to be confused with the term based

not to be confused with the term based combat of certain RPGs as those games

combat of certain RPGs as those games

combat of certain RPGs as those games have lists of their own and as always

have lists of their own and as always

have lists of their own and as always only one game per series or franchise

only one game per series or franchise

only one game per series or franchise and it’s too late to back out boss man

and it’s too late to back out boss man

and it’s too late to back out boss man you got that so let’s hear it number 10

you got that so let’s hear it number 10

you got that so let’s hear it number 10 the Banner Saga not many games that were

the Banner Saga not many games that were

the Banner Saga not many games that were kick-started see great success however

kick-started see great success however

kick-started see great success however the Banner Saga saw a fantastic support

the Banner Saga saw a fantastic support

the Banner Saga saw a fantastic support and proved that it could be done my

and proved that it could be done my

and proved that it could be done my grandfather built all this from a poor

grandfather built all this from a poor

grandfather built all this from a poor fishing village you know the game uses

fishing village you know the game uses

fishing village you know the game uses an isometric grid based system and

an isometric grid based system and

an isometric grid based system and turn-based battles plus it features a

turn-based battles plus it features a

turn-based battles plus it features a rather mature storyline several days ago

rather mature storyline several days ago

rather mature storyline several days ago the Sun simply came to a stop in the sky

the Sun simply came to a stop in the sky

the Sun simply came to a stop in the sky though during these long winter days

though during these long winter days

though during these long winter days none of us can be certain how long it

none of us can be certain how long it

none of us can be certain how long it has been this way as you follow the

has been this way as you follow the

has been this way as you follow the exploits of the caravan that takes

exploits of the caravan that takes

exploits of the caravan that takes center stage you’ll be thrust into tough

center stage you’ll be thrust into tough

center stage you’ll be thrust into tough battles that will require well thought

battles that will require well thought

battles that will require well thought out strategy to overcome

in addition to its sturdy gameplay style

in addition to its sturdy gameplay style the banner saga features an original and

the banner saga features an original and

the banner saga features an original and striking art style that helps it stand

striking art style that helps it stand

striking art style that helps it stand out from the crowd number 9 worms series

many games are remembered for their

many games are remembered for their ridiculous weapons worms falls into that

ridiculous weapons worms falls into that

ridiculous weapons worms falls into that list being memorable for its weaponized

list being memorable for its weaponized

list being memorable for its weaponized cheap and all-powerful Holy Hand Grenade

the classic 2d turn-based artillery game

the classic 2d turn-based artillery game popularized its sub-genre among kids and

popularized its sub-genre among kids and

popularized its sub-genre among kids and has remained one of the best in the

has remained one of the best in the

has remained one of the best in the genre the gameplay is solid insane

genre the gameplay is solid insane

genre the gameplay is solid insane amounts of fun and deeply strategic if

amounts of fun and deeply strategic if

amounts of fun and deeply strategic if you have a like-minded opponent the

you have a like-minded opponent the

you have a like-minded opponent the random map layouts and fully

random map layouts and fully

random map layouts and fully destructible environments lead to even

destructible environments lead to even

destructible environments lead to even more strategy and the weaponry will

more strategy and the weaponry will

more strategy and the weaponry will leave even the most serious players

leave even the most serious players

leave even the most serious players chuckling also there’s definitely

chuckling also there’s definitely

chuckling also there’s definitely something to be said for teams of worms

something to be said for teams of worms

something to be said for teams of worms blowing each other up with hallelujahs

the Game Boy Advance had many strong

the Game Boy Advance had many strong turn-based games but two in particular

turn-based games but two in particular

turn-based games but two in particular stood head and shoulders above the rest

stood head and shoulders above the rest

stood head and shoulders above the rest Advance Wars was one of those two

Advance Wars was one of those two

Advance Wars was one of those two attracting many players with his

attracting many players with his

attracting many players with his light-hearted cartoon style and the

light-hearted cartoon style and the

light-hearted cartoon style and the depth of the turn-based strategy combat

Advance Wars was likely many a gamers

Advance Wars was likely many a gamers first real strategy game in that era and

first real strategy game in that era and

first real strategy game in that era and it’s held up against the test of time

it’s held up against the test of time

it’s held up against the test of time remarkably well

the series is also notable for its use

the series is also notable for its use of multiplayer on the Gameboy without

of multiplayer on the Gameboy without

of multiplayer on the Gameboy without the need of multiple systems using a hot

the need of multiple systems using a hot

the need of multiple systems using a hot seat mechanic involving the players

seat mechanic involving the players

seat mechanic involving the players passing the system back and forth for

passing the system back and forth for

passing the system back and forth for separate turns number seven Valkyria

separate turns number seven Valkyria

separate turns number seven Valkyria chronicles freeze put your hands in the

chronicles freeze put your hands in the

chronicles freeze put your hands in the air

air

air slowly strategy games don’t always have

slowly strategy games don’t always have

slowly strategy games don’t always have to be top-down or isometric and Valkyria

to be top-down or isometric and Valkyria

to be top-down or isometric and Valkyria chronicles is one of the strongest

chronicles is one of the strongest

chronicles is one of the strongest examples to that point

putting aside the game’s amazing anime

putting aside the game’s amazing anime ask pencil sketch art style it’s the

ask pencil sketch art style it’s the

ask pencil sketch art style it’s the gameplay that makes this title worth

gameplay that makes this title worth

gameplay that makes this title worth plane switching between the map of the

plane switching between the map of the

plane switching between the map of the battle and a third-person perspective as

battle and a third-person perspective as

battle and a third-person perspective as you directly control your team the

you directly control your team the

you directly control your team the gameplay to be found here is both

gameplay to be found here is both

gameplay to be found here is both thoughtful and visceral

as you have to aim at and shoot

as you have to aim at and shoot everything yourself any failure is on

everything yourself any failure is on

everything yourself any failure is on you and your preparation and is not so

you and your preparation and is not so

you and your preparation and is not so much left to a random dice roll

much left to a random dice roll

much left to a random dice roll Jeremy few turn-based strategy games can

Jeremy few turn-based strategy games can

Jeremy few turn-based strategy games can capture the feel of battle like Valkyria

capture the feel of battle like Valkyria

capture the feel of battle like Valkyria chronicles the kids crazy drove a damn

chronicles the kids crazy drove a damn

chronicles the kids crazy drove a damn tank right into the stinking River yeah

tank right into the stinking River yeah

tank right into the stinking River yeah and I can’t believe it worked I’m still

and I can’t believe it worked I’m still

and I can’t believe it worked I’m still in shock number 6 Heroes of Might and

in shock number 6 Heroes of Might and

in shock number 6 Heroes of Might and Magic 3

might magic is a long-running RPG series

might magic is a long-running RPG series that borrows heavily from tabletop

that borrows heavily from tabletop

that borrows heavily from tabletop role-playing games and the spin-off

role-playing games and the spin-off

role-playing games and the spin-off series Heroes of Might and Magic moves

series Heroes of Might and Magic moves

series Heroes of Might and Magic moves the whole game into a strategy based

the whole game into a strategy based

the whole game into a strategy based formula in what is considered the

formula in what is considered the

formula in what is considered the pinnacle of the franchise Heroes of

pinnacle of the franchise Heroes of

pinnacle of the franchise Heroes of Might magic 3 comes with a diverse

Might magic 3 comes with a diverse

Might magic 3 comes with a diverse Kingdom to choose from more units bigger

Kingdom to choose from more units bigger

Kingdom to choose from more units bigger maps and the best scenario creation tool

maps and the best scenario creation tool

maps and the best scenario creation tool the franchises ever see with no

the franchises ever see with no

the franchises ever see with no survivors only the battlefield could

survivors only the battlefield could

survivors only the battlefield could tell me what happened here

perfecting both the grid-based tactical

perfecting both the grid-based tactical battles and the turn-based overworld

battles and the turn-based overworld

battles and the turn-based overworld heroes 3 has all the diversity and

heroes 3 has all the diversity and

heroes 3 has all the diversity and excitement of the previous games when

excitement of the previous games when

excitement of the previous games when you talk about exploring building up

you talk about exploring building up

you talk about exploring building up your kingdom and epic turn-based

your kingdom and epic turn-based

your kingdom and epic turn-based strategy heroes 3 takes home a lot of

strategy heroes 3 takes home a lot of

strategy heroes 3 takes home a lot of trophies and left every future

trophies and left every future

trophies and left every future installment with really big shoes to

installment with really big shoes to

installment with really big shoes to fill

number 5 rome total war Latium is firmly

number 5 rome total war Latium is firmly under the rule of the Senate and people

under the rule of the Senate and people

under the rule of the Senate and people of Rome the Latin people are now one

of Rome the Latin people are now one

of Rome the Latin people are now one many strategy games focus on your

many strategy games focus on your

many strategy games focus on your ability to lead an army and let you

ability to lead an army and let you

ability to lead an army and let you micromanage rome total war two’s slow

micromanage rome total war two’s slow

micromanage rome total war two’s slow turn-based strategy lets you build an

turn-based strategy lets you build an

turn-based strategy lets you build an army to your liking with tons of types

army to your liking with tons of types

army to your liking with tons of types of units and strategies to formulate

of units and strategies to formulate

of units and strategies to formulate around each and every move is important

around each and every move is important

around each and every move is important and will have a lasting effect on the

and will have a lasting effect on the

and will have a lasting effect on the overall game however when it comes to

overall game however when it comes to

overall game however when it comes to combat total war puts you in a more

combat total war puts you in a more

combat total war puts you in a more realistic commander’s seat as the

realistic commander’s seat as the

realistic commander’s seat as the battles unfold in real time on the field

battles unfold in real time on the field

battles unfold in real time on the field as you give directions to your troops

though it does stray into realtime

though it does stray into realtime strategy formula it’s incredible to see

strategy formula it’s incredible to see

strategy formula it’s incredible to see all those well-planned steps you took

all those well-planned steps you took

all those well-planned steps you took before come together in an intense and

before come together in an intense and

before come together in an intense and sprawling battle

sprawling battle

sprawling battle daddy’s down out battering-ram has done

daddy’s down out battering-ram has done

daddy’s down out battering-ram has done its work Number Four Final Fantasy

its work Number Four Final Fantasy

its work Number Four Final Fantasy Tactics

what do you get when you take the most

what do you get when you take the most widely-known JRPG series and put it into

widely-known JRPG series and put it into

widely-known JRPG series and put it into the strategy genre success that’s what

Final Fantasy Tactics takes everything

Final Fantasy Tactics takes everything that players loved about Final Fantasy

that players loved about Final Fantasy

that players loved about Final Fantasy and puts it into a game run on an

and puts it into a game run on an

and puts it into a game run on an isometric grid based battle system

tactics was so popular as a spin-off

tactics was so popular as a spin-off that it has spawned two sequels and a

that it has spawned two sequels and a

that it has spawned two sequels and a remaster and it’s kept a cult following

remaster and it’s kept a cult following

remaster and it’s kept a cult following all the while the original was even

all the while the original was even

all the while the original was even ported to the iOS the art direction for

ported to the iOS the art direction for

ported to the iOS the art direction for the series is phenomenal and the

the series is phenomenal and the

the series is phenomenal and the strategy elements are all well designed

strategy elements are all well designed

strategy elements are all well designed leaving players feeling great after a

leaving players feeling great after a

leaving players feeling great after a heart battle especially against a boss

number three XCOM enemy unknown with

number three XCOM enemy unknown with aliens attacking earth from all sides

aliens attacking earth from all sides

aliens attacking earth from all sides the entire world needs someone to step

the entire world needs someone to step

the entire world needs someone to step up and defend it that’s where you come

up and defend it that’s where you come

up and defend it that’s where you come in at the beginning of XCOM as your

in at the beginning of XCOM as your

in at the beginning of XCOM as your ability to command earth’s forces is

ability to command earth’s forces is

ability to command earth’s forces is really put to the test here between

really put to the test here between

really put to the test here between managing time and resources outside of

managing time and resources outside of

managing time and resources outside of battle which is by the way really really

battle which is by the way really really

battle which is by the way really really hard and managing your troops in battle

hard and managing your troops in battle

hard and managing your troops in battle you’ll be needing every trick in the

you’ll be needing every trick in the

you’ll be needing every trick in the book

book

book as well as a little creativity with a

as well as a little creativity with a

as well as a little creativity with a permadeath feature and tons of ways for

permadeath feature and tons of ways for

permadeath feature and tons of ways for your team to meet its end XCOM really

your team to meet its end XCOM really

your team to meet its end XCOM really puts the pressure on you in all the

puts the pressure on you in all the

puts the pressure on you in all the right ways

number two Fire Emblem awakening what an

number two Fire Emblem awakening what an entrance

entrance

entrance Nintendo has a ton of series under their

Nintendo has a ton of series under their

Nintendo has a ton of series under their name but only one appeals to the

name but only one appeals to the

name but only one appeals to the strategy crowd and it’s one of the best

strategy crowd and it’s one of the best

strategy crowd and it’s one of the best out there

out there

out there my strange is news despite fire emblems

my strange is news despite fire emblems

my strange is news despite fire emblems late journey to the west with the first

late journey to the west with the first

late journey to the west with the first released here being this seventh

released here being this seventh

released here being this seventh installment the series found its place

installment the series found its place

installment the series found its place immediately honestly I’m surprised you

immediately honestly I’m surprised you

immediately honestly I’m surprised you didn’t figure it out until just now

didn’t figure it out until just now

didn’t figure it out until just now having been followed fanatically since

having been followed fanatically since

having been followed fanatically since the game’s signature weapon triangle and

the game’s signature weapon triangle and

the game’s signature weapon triangle and anime style has evolved from 2d sprites

anime style has evolved from 2d sprites

anime style has evolved from 2d sprites to 3d models and the gameplay is as

to 3d models and the gameplay is as

to 3d models and the gameplay is as tight as ever

with time-travel shenanigans allowing

with time-travel shenanigans allowing for characters to form relationships and

for characters to form relationships and

for characters to form relationships and have kids that you can use in battle

have kids that you can use in battle

have kids that you can use in battle plus the ever looming threat of perma

plus the ever looming threat of perma

plus the ever looming threat of perma death awakening is a staggeringly huge

death awakening is a staggeringly huge

death awakening is a staggeringly huge game in a very small package

before we unveil our top pick here are a

before we unveil our top pick here are a few honorable mentions

number one civilization 5 choose their

number one civilization 5 choose their path and guide your people through these

path and guide your people through these

path and guide your people through these ever-changing times pcs are the home to

ever-changing times pcs are the home to

ever-changing times pcs are the home to games that take hours to complete and

games that take hours to complete and

games that take hours to complete and it’s no surprise that the top turn-based

it’s no surprise that the top turn-based

it’s no surprise that the top turn-based strategy game is a long one it was

strategy game is a long one it was

strategy game is a long one it was glorious Sid Meier is the master of this

glorious Sid Meier is the master of this

glorious Sid Meier is the master of this genre having created games like Alpha

genre having created games like Alpha

genre having created games like Alpha Centauri and colonization

Centauri and colonization

Centauri and colonization however civilization remains at the top

however civilization remains at the top

however civilization remains at the top of the pack

matches play out like a game of Risk

matches play out like a game of Risk with a single match lasting sometimes

with a single match lasting sometimes

with a single match lasting sometimes hundreds if not thousands of turns

hundreds if not thousands of turns

hundreds if not thousands of turns regardless Civ features some of the most

regardless Civ features some of the most

regardless Civ features some of the most in-depth and strategic gameplay around

in-depth and strategic gameplay around

in-depth and strategic gameplay around as well as tons of options on how to

as well as tons of options on how to

as well as tons of options on how to proceed in a given scenario leaving

proceed in a given scenario leaving

proceed in a given scenario leaving players more options to play the way

players more options to play the way

players more options to play the way they want do you agree with our list no

they want do you agree with our list no

they want do you agree with our list no reaction

reaction

reaction was I wrong limit what are your

was I wrong limit what are your

was I wrong limit what are your favourite turn-based strategy games for

favourite turn-based strategy games for

favourite turn-based strategy games for more thought-provoking top 10s published

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