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Turn-Based Strategy hidden gems on Steam
Every game here is tagged Turn-Based Strategy on Steam, sits between 1,000 and 5,000 reviews, is rated at least 80% positive, and carries a catch drawn from its own negative reviews. Showing the 60 most reviewed of 64. How these pages are made.
Roguelike expedition simulation. Explore procedurally generated worlds, manage resources, and survive encounters for fame and treasure.
What players likedPlayers praise its engaging loop of exploration and discovery, reminiscent of a choose-your-own-adventure with strategic depth.
The catchRuns end to random events you could not have planned for or seen coming.
Games like Curious Expedition →
Turn-based survival roguelike with strategic action point management. Explore a procedurally generated city, scavenge, craft, and fight zombies to reach Terminus.
What players likedPlayers praise its refreshing turn-based zombie survival crafting, comparing it to X-COM, Darkest Dungeon, and FPS games.
The catchWeapons and gear wear out absurdly fast, breaking after only a few zombie hits.
Games like Terminus: Zombie Survivors →
Fantasy turn-based strategy RPG with tactical combat and hero progression. Explore, conquer, and battle demons in a 3D world.
What players likedPlayers praise its satisfying strategic gameplay and beautiful landscapes, similar to other long-term engaging titles.
The catchCampaign missions break, with objectives like the Tear of Asha failing to complete.
Games like Heroes of Might & Magic V →
This is a 3D tactical space combat game where players command Colonial fleets against Cylons. It features WEGO turn-based combat and fleet building with an original story.
What players likedPlayers praise its fantastic strategy and intense, detailed tactical battles, capturing the Battlestar Galactica universe perfectly.
The catchBattles play out slowly and repeat the same routine, with no way to speed turns up.
Games like Battlestar Galactica Deadlock →
Panzer Corps 285% positive from 4,136 reviews20201% finish itDeck Unsupported
Turn-based strategy game focused on tactical combat and strategic decision-making. Features deep simulation of WWII warfare with a massive amount of authentic units.
What players likedPlayers praise Panzer Corps 2 as the best turn-based WWII strategy game, surpassing even Panzer General and HQ: WWII.
The catchSeries veterans call it a step down from the first game, less fun despite better looks.
Games like Panzer Corps 2 →
60 Parsecs!89% positive from 4,066 reviews2018Deck Verified
This is a dark comedy sci-fi adventure game where players scavenge for supplies and crew in 60 seconds before evacuating a doomed space station. Survival involves making difficult choices and crafting items to endure the harshness of space.
What players likedPlayers find it a fun, fast-paced game with rewarding progression, better than 60 Seconds, and a standout among other purchases.
The catchRuns repeat the same events quickly, so replaying gets tedious well before the end.
Games like 60 Parsecs! →
Stolen Realm84% positive from 3,870 reviews20246% finish itDeck Playable
Tactical dungeon crawler with simultaneous turn-based combat and deep character customization. Loot transforms playstyle in fast-paced, co-op expeditions.
What players likedPlayers praise its deep character building and co-op, comparing it to FF Tactics with roguelike elements.
The catchBugs run deep, from glitchy co-op and UI to freezes and lost progress.
Games like Stolen Realm →
This is a turn-based tactical fantasy RPG with real-time exploration. Players command armies in strategic battles to find treasure and complete quests.
What players likedPlayers praise this fantasy strategy RPG as a mix of HOMM and classic RTS, with great tactical combat and visual style.
The catchThe publisher tried to bolt a third-party ad launcher onto this decades-old game.
Games like King's Bounty: The Legend →
This is a story-driven tactical RPG where players manage a caravan and make difficult choices. It features strategic combat with permanent character loss and a hand-drawn art style.
What players likedPlayers praise its fantastic story and visuals, which expand on the predecessor, making it a necessary continuation of the trilogy.
The catchBugs and crashes are frequent, and with no manual save they cost you real progress.
Games like The Banner Saga 2 →
This is a turn-based survival strategy game with hexagonal exploration. It features village management, crafting, and a card-based combat system in a dark fantasy setting.
The catchDense stat menus and a clunky interface make even simple turns slow and tedious.
Games like Thea: The Awakening →
NEOVERSE84% positive from 3,765 reviews20202% finish itDeck Unsupported
A roguelite deckbuilder with three heroines travelling between timelines, building each run from a pool of 300 cards while a talent tree and swappable gear shape their skills.
What players likedPlayers praise Neoverse as an excellent deck-building game that scratches the itch left by titles like Tainted Grail and Midnight Suns.
The catchRuns turn boring and repetitive quickly, with too little build variety to keep going.
Games like NEOVERSE →
Turn-based strategy game where players build and manage a civilization through history. Core loop involves exploration, expansion, exploitation, and extermination.
What players likedPlayers praise Civ IV as a better version of Civ III, with great gameplay, an iconic soundtrack, and addicting fun.
The catchIt crashes constantly on modern Windows and can corrupt saves so they will not load.
Games like Sid Meier's Civilization® IV →
Shogun Showdown97% positive from 3,487 reviews202457% finish itDeck Verified
Turn-based roguelike deckbuilder with tactical combat. Upgrade attacks and combo them to defeat the Shogun.
What players likedPlayers praise this strategic roguelike for its satisfying combat, depth, and replayability, often comparing it to Slay the Spire and Hades.
The catchRuns feel identical with almost no build variety, so it gets repetitive fast.
Games like Shogun Showdown →
A turn-based RPG with deep character building and strategic combat. Explore a medieval fantasy sandbox, undertaking quests and trading.
What players likedPlayers praise Low Magic Age as a deep RPG sandbox and D&D simulator with great build-crafting, combat, and economy.
The catchYears into early access it still has no story and the combat loop turns repetitive fast.
Games like Low Magic Age →
Cobalt Core96% positive from 3,398 reviews202316% finish itDeck Verified
Sci-fi roguelike deckbuilder with single-axis combat. Outmaneuver enemies and build powerful card combos for replayable runs.
What players likedPlayers praise Cobalt Core as a charming, tactical roguelike deckbuilder with unique combat, often compared to FTL and Slay the Spire.
The catchRuns repeat the same bosses and events with no meta progression, so it gets stale fast.
Games like Cobalt Core →
Turn-based dice-building roguelite with strategic dice placement. Build custom dice and use relics to battle through a dungeon.
What players likedPlayers describe "Die in the Dungeon" as "Slay the Spire with dice," praising its fun, unique mechanics, and satisfying puzzle-like combat.
The catchlate-game effects hard to read and track
Games like Die in the Dungeon →
Turn-based civilization-building strategy game. Explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate to conquer a procedurally generated world.
What players likedPlayers praise "The Battle of Polytopia" as a simplified, fast, and accessible "Civilization"-like 4X strategy game with surprising depth.
The catchA few tribes are badly overpowered, and matches against them feel decided in advance.
Games like The Battle of Polytopia →
Just Go93% positive from 3,262 reviews2022Deck Playable
A realistic 4K Go simulation with over 30 AI levels and local/online multiplayer. It offers a full tutorial and historical game replays.
What players likedPlayers praise "Just Go" for its beautiful, tactile graphics and feel, making it closer to playing Go in real life than other online platforms.
The catchDevelopment stopped long ago, leaving the weak AI and known bugs permanently unfixed.
Games like Just Go →
Turn-based fantasy strategy game. Build armies, conquer lands, and use magic and tactics.
What players likedPlayers praise it as the finest version of Heroes of Might and Magic, with first-class graphics, sound, and animation.
The catchCrashes often on modern Windows, and saved games frequently fail to load.
Games like Heroes of Might & Magic V: Tribes of the East →
A story-driven RPG with card battles and anime girl collection. Link girls to awaken powers and fight oppression with tactical deck building.
What players likedPlayers praise its great combat and story, noting its inspiration and references to other games and anime.
The catchLarge chunks of text stay untranslated in Chinese, and updates keep reverting English.
Games like Rebellion GODSOUL: Awakening →
Tactical RPG with real-time exploration and turn-based combat. Explore a post-apocalyptic world, upgrade abilities, and uncover the Miasma's secrets.
What players likedPlayers praise this XCOM-like tactical RPG for its fun combat, engaging story, and balance of stealth and turn-based battles.
The catchCliched, cringeworthy writing and an insufferable main character sink the story.
Games like Miasma Chronicles →
This is a single-player comedy adventure RPG with turn-based combat and exploration. It features a prohibition-era setting with stick-figure characters and eldritch horrors.
What players likedPlayers praise its humorous writing, charming art, and challenging puzzles, comparing it favorably to West of Loathing and Kingdom of Loathing.
The catchA bloated step down from West of Loathing, with padded combat and obtuse puzzles.
Games like Shadows Over Loathing →
Strategy adventure game with attitude-based tactical combat and narrative choices. Explore procedurally generated expeditions, manage crew personalities, and build reputation.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique strategic conflict resolution and replayability, reminiscent of a charming turn-based strategy with RPG elements.
The catchnovel mood-based combat grows tedious and restrictive
Games like Renowned Explorers: International Society →
This is a turn-based strategy game focused on empire building. Players manage civilizations through history, expanding territory and developing technology.
What players likedPlayers say it's the peak of accessible strategy games, superior to later Civ titles and Paradox games, praised for its deep strategy and balanced gameplay.
The catchFights are lost even when the displayed combat odds are overwhelmingly in your favour.
Games like Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword →
The Last Flame85% positive from 2,859 reviews202527% finish itDeck Playable
Roguelike auto-battler with deep build creation and strategic decision-making. Players recruit heroes, craft gear, and manage resources for challenging runs.
What players likedPlayers praise this deep PVE auto-battler for its satisfying buildcrafting and strategic depth, akin to deck-builders and stat-heavy RPGs.
The catchSheer volume of items, heroes and text overwhelms far more than it adds depth.
Games like The Last Flame →
Turn-based grand strategy wargame with cross-platform multiplayer. Command ancient/medieval nations in large-scale wars, focusing on diplomacy and economy.
The catchAlmost every map sits behind one paid DLC, leaving the free version tiny.
Games like Age of Conquest IV →
This is a sci-fi visual novel and tactical RPG where you manage a mech squadron and build relationships with allies to save the galaxy. You command mechs in turn-based battles, balancing resources for upgrades and research.
The catchThe turn-based battles are unfairly hard and drag on far longer than they should.
Games like Sunrider: Mask of Arcadius →
Turn-based strategy game where you command WWII armies through hundreds of scenarios, carrying core forces across diverse fronts. It offers deep tactical combat and extensive replayability with community content.
What players likedPlayers praise it as a soothing, long-standing strategy game, reminiscent of the original Panzer General series.
The catchCombat odds swing wildly against you, pushing players to save and reload every attack.
Games like Panzer Corps Gold →
dotAGE95% positive from 2,653 reviews202323% finish itDeck Verified
A turn-based town builder with deep worker placement. Manage villagers and resources to survive apocalyptic events.
What players likedPlayers praise this turn-based resource management game with Catan-like elements for its replayability, impactful decisions, and long-term progression.
The catchOne bad random event can doom a run that already took many hours.
Games like dotAGE →
This is a turn-based fantasy strategy game where players build empires, research spells, and conquer enemies. It features deep city management and diverse victory conditions.
What players likedThere is no substantive information in the provided text to form a review.
The catchDecade old bugs still lock up the UI, crash the game and block completion.
Games like Warlock - Master of the Arcane →
Turn-based strategy game. Explore, conquer, and battle using spells and summoned creatures to control magical resources.
What players likedPlayers praise its beautiful art and unique crafting system, calling it one of the best asymmetric 4X games with strong CRPG elements.
The catchThe core loop is slow and heavy, turning long campaigns into a repetitive slog.
Games like SpellForce: Conquest of Eo →
Slice & Dice97% positive from 2,523 reviews202450% finish itDeck Playable
Slice & Dice is a tactical roguelike with dice-based combat. Players manage a party of heroes, rerolling dice to create powerful combos through randomly generated encounters.
What players likedPlayers praise this roguelike dice-builder for its deep strategy, high replayability, and satisfying progression.
The catchThe game crashes constantly, sometimes every few clicks, and can softlock a run.
Games like Slice & Dice →
Turn-based tactical combat and global strategy game. Research alien tech, manage resources, and fight invaders to save Earth.
What players likedPlayers praise its engaging tactical combat and strategic depth, finding it a classic that still holds up well.
The catchThere is no tutorial and the interface explains nothing, so expect to read a manual.
Games like X-COM: UFO Defense →
Breach & Clear83% positive from 2,430 reviews20142% finish itDeck Playable
Tactical turn-based squad combat simulation. Plan and execute detailed missions with real-world special forces.
The catchPlays like a shallow mobile port with a clunky interface and repetitive missions.
Games like Breach & Clear →
This is a turn-based tactical strategy game with ricochet shooting. Players manage a crew of steambots on naval adventures, customizing their gear and abilities.
What players likedPlayers praise SteamWorld Heist II as a polished 2D XCOM-like with unique ricochet gunplay, improving on the original.
The catchCrossing the map in the slow submarine turns into a chore between missions.
Games like SteamWorld Heist II →
LONESTAR91% positive from 2,401 reviews202511% finish itDeck Verified
A spaceship combat strategy game where players build unit decks and engage in fair, turn-based battles. It features a bounty hunting theme with resource management and event-driven vacations.
What players likedPlayers praise this roguelike builder for its addictive strategic depth, synergy-finding, and replayability, often comparing it to FTL or deckbuilders.
The catchRuns blur into the same thing after the first few, killing the urge to replay.
Games like LONESTAR →
Slipways93% positive from 2,290 reviews20212% finish itDeck Playable
A space grand strategy puzzle game focused on building efficient trade networks. It offers quick, deep runs with immediate consequences and a relaxed, economic focus.
What players likedPlayers praise Slipways as an approachable yet deep strategy-puzzle-economic game, like a challenging Solitaire Euro, with perfect-length runs.
The catchRuns die to random map generation when no nearby planets supply what yours need.
Games like Slipways →
英雄群侠传II89% positive from 2,202 reviews2019
This is a free, single-player, turn-based martial arts RPG with a focus on player choice, exploration, and a slow-paced, thoughtful experience. It features a unique ink-wash art style and a deep martial arts system.
The catchExtra in-game rewards are locked behind leaving a review or proving your purchase.
Games like 英雄群侠传II →
Grand strategy game where you play a god, expanding your dominion and fighting pretenders to ascend. Features customizable god blessings and simultaneous unit movement in large-scale battles.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique depth and freedom to pursue diverse, often dark, world-altering strategies unlike other games.
The catchA poor interface, no tutorial and heavy micromanagement make it a guide-reading slog.
Games like Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith →
This is a 4X strategy RPG with survival and card game elements. Players manage a flock of believers in a procedurally generated Slavic-inspired world, focusing on survival and expansion.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique blend of strategy and RPG elements, often comparing it favorably to its predecessor, Thea: The Awakening.
The catchProgress crawls, with hundreds of turns spent grinding resources before anything happens.
Games like Thea 2: The Shattering →
This is a cyberpunk RPG/strategy game where you play a sentient AI. You build, hack, and explore a decaying city, making choices that shape its future.
What players likedPlayers praise its unique blend of narrative RPG, city-builder, and strategy elements with meaningful decisions and an incredibly crafted story.
The catchA cluttered interface and unexplained systems leave you unsure what anything does.
Games like Heart of the Machine →
This is a turn-based tactical RPG with real-time exploration. It features Rune Magic for combat bonuses and a Viking warrior defending against an undead army.
What players likedPlayers praise it as the best King's Bounty, with perfect difficulty and an engaging early game that concludes the series.
The catchIt crashes constantly, often every few minutes, and can wipe out unsaved progress.
Games like King's Bounty: Warriors of the North →
Turn-based fantasy strategy game. Command armies in tactical battles, managing units and resources to conquer Keldonia.
What players likedPlayers compare it to "Civilisation combat without the cities" and praise its fun, large-scale battles with diverse units.
The catchUnits die permanently and there is no undo, so one bad move can sink a mission.
Games like Fantasy General II →
This is a turn-based tactical RPG where you recruit mercenaries, manage their skills, and lead them in strategic combat to liberate a nation from a drug cartel. It features deep squad management and a gritty, realistic feel.
The catchEnemies outnumber and outshoot the player from the very first map, even on novice.
Games like Jagged Alliance 2 - Wildfire →
Turn-based 4X wargame with procedural generation and RPG elements. Conquer a ruined planet through military, economic, and political management.
What players likedPlayers praise Shadow Empire as a uniquely complex 4X, blending Dwarf Fortress's depth with wargame logistics and Civ's strategic management.
The catchAI generated art was patched in later, and it looks worse than the old style.
Games like Shadow Empire →
Showgunners93% positive from 1,905 reviews20237% finish itDeck Verified
Turn-based tactical shooter with a dynamic show director mechanic. Recruit allies, upgrade skills, and survive brutal arenas for revenge.
What players likedPlayers praise this fast-paced XCOM-like tactics game for its engaging dystopian game show setting and great characters.
The catchThe real time exploration between fights is slow, puzzle filled padding that drags.
Games like Showgunners →
Conquest of Elysium 5 is a turn-based fantasy strategy game with deep faction variety and rogue-like elements. Players manage unique races with distinct mechanics to conquer a dynamic world.
What players likedPlayers praise its deep, replayable strategy and unique factions, comparing it to roguelikes, Civ 2, and auto battlers.
The catchThere is no tutorial and the clunky, unintuitive controls make learning it painful.
Games like Conquest of Elysium 5 →
This is a turn-based strategy sports game where players manage and develop a team for brutal fantasy football matches. It features tactical combat, player progression, and online multiplayer.
What players likedPlayers praise its tactical depth and unpredictable brutality, comparing it to a Warhammer-themed chess match with a dark comedic twist.
The catchThe dice rolls feel rigged against the player while the AI rolls suspiciously well.
Games like Blood Bowl: Chaos Edition (Classic) →
Turn-based 4X strategy where you play a god, expanding your dominion and fighting rivals to ascend. Features deep customization of divine powers and nation-specific units and magic.
What players likedLike Dwarf Fortress or Total War, players praise its unparalleled depth, strategic complexity, and vast replayability.
The catchNothing is explained in game, so learning it means digging through a 440 page manual.
Games like Dominions 6 - Rise of the Pantokrator →
Solium Infernum88% positive from 1,677 reviews202428% finish itDeck Playable
Solium Infernum is a grand strategy game focused on political machinations and betrayal. Players command legions and engage in diplomacy and combat to become Hell's ruler.
What players likedPlayers praise this 4D Chess-like 5x strategy game for its asynchronous multiplayer, art, music, and thoughtful backstabbery.
The catchEvery action spends one of your two turn orders, so progress is painfully slow.
Games like Solium Infernum →
A streamlined Bronze Age 4X empire sim with a single-choice objective system and abstracted combat. Players strategically expand, build, and defend across historical maps.
What players likedPlayers praise it as a quicker, smoother 4X strategy game, often compared to a streamlined Civilization or "Beer and Pretzel" wargame.
The catchIt is a shallow board game rather than a 4X, with no exploration or diplomacy.
Games like Ozymandias: Bronze Age Empire Sim →
Dark Deity 290% positive from 1,644 reviews20251% finish itDeck Verified
This is a turn-based tactical RPG with deep character customization and branching classes. Players manage heroes and forge alliances to defend against an invading empire.
What players likedPlayers praise Dark Deity 2 as a good Fire Emblem-style tactics game with improved gameplay, voice acting, and character customization.
The catchThe story and dialogue are weak and generic, even when the tactical combat works.
Games like Dark Deity 2 →
Fantasy turn-based strategy game compilation. Explore a dark fantasy world, manage armies, and engage in tactical combat.
What players likedPlayers praise its deep replayability due to unique faction mechanics and persistent leader progression across campaigns.
The catchThe Steam release often refuses to run on modern Windows, freezing or crawling.
Games like Disciples II: Gallean's Return →
This is a single-player grand strategy game with Japanese-style character art and pixel battles. Players manage land, train soldiers, and conquer territories through strategic decisions and hero recruitment.
The catchCheating AI and every faction gangs up on you
Games like The Heroic Legend of Eagarlnia →
This is a turn-based tactical RPG with real-time exploration. Players lead heroes, build armies, and engage in strategic battles with deep progression.
What players likedPlayers praise this relaxing strategy game, like a turn-based RPG, for its engaging gameplay and abundant content.
The catchMost fights are flagged lethal or invincible, so you bleed your army every battle.
Games like King's Bounty: Crossworlds →
Arco96% positive from 1,607 reviews2024Deck Verified
This is a Mesoamerican fantasy RPG with a simultaneous turn-based combat system. Players explore a world, make narrative choices, and engage in bullet-hell combat.
What players likedPlayers praise Arco's unique tactical combat and engaging story, often comparing it to a "retro-Red Dead" or "Fantasy Wild West Mesoamerica."
The catchThe real-time guilt ghosts break the turn-based combat and force rushed decisions.
Games like Arco →
This is a 4X strategy game where players colonize the New World, manage resources, and fight for independence. It features historical figures and diplomacy with natives and other nations.
What players likedPlayers praise it as a deep experience, akin to a "Colonization II" with the We The People mod, offering a unique take on the Civ IV engine.
The catchPlayers who know the 1994 original find this remake clunkier and less fun.
Games like Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization →
This is a tactical RPG where players customize hero abilities for strategic combat. Players manage resources to upgrade skills and unlock new heroes for a unique experience.
What players likedPlayers praise its deep achievement system and endless mode, reminiscent of other grind-heavy, ability-combining games.
The catchThe English translation is broken, with typos and descriptions that make no sense.
Games like Time Walker: Dark World →
This is a 3D turn-based strategy game where players command Space Wolves against Orks. Its core loop involves tactical combat with unit progression and environmental advantages.
What players likedPlayers describe it as an early, smaller Battlesector, praised for its tactical turn-based gameplay and authentic Warhammer 40k atmosphere.
The catchThe campaign is just a string of skirmish battles with no story to tie them together.
Games like Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach (Classic) →
Moonbreaker84% positive from 1,455 reviews2024Deck Playable
Moonbreaker is a turn-based digital miniatures strategy game. Players build rosters of unique units and digitally paint them for tactical skirmishes.
What players likedPlayers praise Moonbreaker as a digital miniature painting simulator with engaging lore podcasts.
The catchThe multiplayer is empty and the developers abandoned it, leaving thin solo content.
Games like Moonbreaker →
