Best Turn-Based RPGs EVER?! Gamers Are Going Wild!

The humble Turn-based RPG. Remember that? It felt like it was fading away a decade ago, lost in the shuffle of button-mashers and action games dominating the landscape, especially during the Xbox 360 era. But guess what? It's not only back, it's arguably better than ever. The resurgence is real, folks.

Best Turn-Based RPGs EVER?! Gamers Are Going Wild!

Consider Baldur's Gate 3. It’s not just a good game, it’s a *defining* game of the decade. Then you have titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which, if the rumors are true, absolutely cleaned up at The Game Awards this year, scoring a supposed 92 on Metacritic. That's seriously impressive.

So, with turn-based strategy firmly back in the spotlight, it's a perfect time to appreciate some of the best the genre has to offer. Some are shiny and new, others are cherished classics, but they all share that deeply satisfying strategic combat that makes turn-based games so compelling. Here’s a little sampler platter – in no particular order, mind you:

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive, this one's available on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X. The premise alone is intriguing: You're on the island of Lumiere, facing a goddess called the Paintress who's been painting a countdown for 67 years. Every year the number decreases, and everyone that age dies. That's pretty dark! Apparently, the rhythmic and deep battle system is where this game truly shines. Word on the street is you can snag it on Amazon. I'm definitely adding this to my wishlist.

Dragon Quest VII Reimagined

HexaDrive developed this, with Square Enix publishing. You can play it on PC, PS5, Xbox Series S|X, Switch, and supposedly Switch 2, too. Originally hitting the PlayStation way back in 2000, this JRPG follows a group of friends on a journey through time. Back then, it was a *long* game, upwards of 80 hours just for the main story. But the remake streamlines things, offering more content in less time, and with a gorgeous diorama-esque visual style. Sounds like a great way to revisit a classic without needing an entire summer vacation to finish it.

Disco Elysium

ZA/UM developed and published this unique title. It's available on PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and Switch. This is no ordinary game! You play a troubled detective investigating a murder while battling a major existential crisis. It’s less about traditional combat and more about conversations and skill checks – think hard-boiled detective story meets D&D. It’s difficult to categorize, but the agonizing choices and strategic thinking definitely scratch that turn-based itch.

Persona 3 Reload

Developed by P-Studio and published by Sega, this one's on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, and presumably Switch 2. The Persona series started as dungeon crawlers, which, while fun, are fairly simple.