Turn Based Strategy Games

From seminal franchises such as Fire Emblem and Final Fantasy Tactics, to modern classics such as The Banner Saga and the Valkyria Chronicles series, turn based strategy games are known for a more slow and methodical pace compared to their real time counterparts such as Warcraft and Starcraft. These games ask players to think through complex arrangements and consider the ramifications of every move. Alongside the grand strategy genre, these are some of the most “brainy” games you can find.

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  1. Civilization icon
     134 likes

    Turn-based 4X (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate) strategy game series where players build a thriving civilization through ages of advancements.

    • Historical Game
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Steam
    • Playstation
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Xbox
    Civilization VI
    Best alternatives are FreeCiv iconFreeCivandUnciv iconUnciv36 alternatives
  2. The Battle for Wesnoth is a turn-based tactical strategy game with a high fantasy theme.

    • Turn Based Game
    • FreeOpen Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • PortableApps.com
    • Steam
    • Flathub
    • Flatpak
    The Battle for Wesnoth screenshot 1
  3. FreeCiv icon
     69 likes

    Freeciv is an open-source, turn-based strategy game based on Civilization II. Inspired by the history of human civilization, the game commences in prehistory and your mission is to lead your tribe from the stone age to the space age...

    • Turn Based Game
    • FreeOpen Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • PortableApps.com
    • Flathub
    FreeCiv screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are Civilization iconCivilizationandUnciv iconUnciv36 alternatives
  4. Hedgewars icon
     48 likes

    Hedgewars is a turn based strategy, artillery, action and comedy game, featuring the antics of pink hedgehogs with attitude as they battle from the depths of hell to the depths of space. As commander, it's your job to assemble your crack team of hedgehog soldiers and bring...

    • Turn Based Game
    • FreeOpen Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • iPhone
    • BSD
    • iPad
    • PortableApps.com
    Hedgewars screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are Worms iconWormsandScorched3D iconScorched3D17 alternatives
  5. X-COM icon
     20 likes

    XCOM is a series of sci-fi video games surrounding an Extraterrestrial Combat Unit setup by the nations of Earth to combat an alien invasion.

    • Turn Based Game
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    • GOG.com
    X-COM screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are Othercide iconOthercide21 alternatives
  6. Othercide icon
     1 like

    Descend into Humanity’s last hope. The Daughters, echoes of the greatest warrior to ever live, are all who stand before Suffering and death.

    • Role-playing Game
    • Windows
    • Steam
    • GOG.com
    • GOG Galaxy
    • Playstation
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Xbox
    Othercide screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are X-COM iconX-COMandDarkest Dungeon iconDarkest Dungeon9 alternatives
  7. Europa Universalis IV gives you control of a nation to guide through the years in order to create a dominant global empire.

    Europa Universalis screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are Civilization iconCivilizationandFreeCiv iconFreeCiv11 alternatives
  8. Worms icon
     28 likes

    Worms is a series of artillery strategy computer games developed by British company Team17. Players control a small platoon of worms across a deformable landscape, battling other computer- or player-controlled teams.

    • Turn Based Game
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Steam
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
    Worms screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are Hedgewars iconHedgewarsandOpenLieroX iconOpenLieroX17 alternatives
  9. Relive the Final Fantasy universe through this tactical RPG with deep historical roots as the first of a kind for the Final Fantasy series. The game debuted for Sony's PSP in 2007 and has finally made it to modern mobile devices with a mobile-focused interface.

    • Turn Based Game
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    • Playstation
    Final Fantasy Tactics screenshot 1
  10. HUMANKIND icon
     7 likes

    HOW FAR WILL YOU PUSH HUMANKIND?.

    HUMANKIND screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are Civilization iconCivilizationandFreeCiv iconFreeCiv8 alternatives
  11. Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy game inspired by 90s classics. Lead powerful magicians called Wielders and venture to lands unknown. Wage battle against armies that dare oppose you and hunt for powerful artifacts. The world is ripe for the taking – seize it!

    Songs of Conquest screenshot 1
  12. FreeCol icon
     13 likes

    FreeCol is a 4X video game, a clone of Sid Meier's Colonization. While remaining faithful to the original in terms of mechanics and gameplay, FreeCol sports a new set of redesigned graphics. Moreover, in addition to the classical Colonization rules, it features an additional...

    FreeCol screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are Civilization iconCivilization21 alternatives
  13. Imperial Domination II is a turn-based strategy game, set after the conquests of Alexander the Great and before the rise of the Romans. Expand your empire by trade, diplomacy, knowledge or just brute force. It's up to your to decide the fate of Europe.

    Imperial Domination screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are 0 A.D. icon0 A.D.andCivilization iconCivilization34 alternatives
  14. Etherlords icon
     1 like

    Etherlords is a series of turn-based strategy games set in a fantasy universe, combining elements of RPG, collectible card games, and tactical battles.

    Etherlords screenshot 1
  15. FreeOrion icon
     13 likes

    FreeOrion is a turn-based space empire and galactic conquest (4X) computer game being designed and built by the FreeOrion project. FreeOrion is inspired by the tradition of the Master of Orion games, but is not a clone or remake of that series or any other game.

    • FreeOpen Source
    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    FreeOrion screenshot 1
    Best alternatives are Endless Space iconEndless SpaceandStellaris iconStellaris17 alternatives