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Action RPGs tend to get more attention than their turn-based counterparts, but the turn-based RPG genre has seen a resurgence in recent years. Games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 show how dynamic and interesting turn-based combat can be, and older titles like Super Mario RPG have established themselves as classics.
The best turn-based RPGs are surprisingly diverse, telling fantasy stories, sci-fi epics, and even telling tales in the modern world. All of these titles have incredible stories, but the thing that really makes them shine in their combat. These titles are a shining example of how addictive turn-based combat can be.
Suikoden V's Battle System Is Absolutely Perfect
Suikoden V is one of the underrated classics of the PS2 era of gaming. Set in the Queendom of Falena, Suikoden V follows a prince trying to protect his family after his government is taken over in a coup. As ever with Suikoden games, the focus shifts away from the usual "save the world" plot and focuses on gathering a military capable of restoring peace to the land.
The Suikoden battle systems have always been fun thanks to the variety present. Suikoden V expands on the franchise's usual war battles, forcing players to learn how to wage war both on land and sea at the same time. Meanwhile, the duels remain just as intense as ever, while the six-on-six battles are unlike anything else on the market.
Super Mario RPG's Timing-Based Battle System Is Exciting
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars is still just as fun today as it was when it was released. Despite a massive upgrade in graphics, it still retains the charm of the original and its cutesy, diorama settings for each stage. While the story isn't much to think about, the world-building given to the Mushroom Kingdom is awesome.
Though some people describe Super Mario RPG as an ideal RPG for newcomers, Square still managed to innovate with its combat. The timing-based attack and defense forced players to do more than just sit back and select options from a menu.
Players who mastered blocking at the right time could often avoid damage altogether, so there was plenty of incentive to get it right. The remake retains all of this and even adds some fun team attacks to shake things up.
Octopath Traveler II Has a Deep Battle System Based On Weakness
Square-Enix tapped into the charm of the 16-bit era with their Octopath Traveler series. Yet there's more to the franchise than being a nostalgic throwback. Octopath Traveler II tells eight stories of eight travelers who just happen to find themselves working together as they overcome major obstacles in their lives.
While the first game is more of a testing ground, the second title improves on every aspect to create a generational classic. The game's combat is exceptional thanks to a mix of the franchise's Boost system and every enemy having specific weaknesses that players have to discover on their own. It naturally encourages players to build a balanced party and commit to big moves to finish enemies off.
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age Is Timeless
Dragon Quest XI is still the peak of traditional JRPG gaming, years later. It tells what feels like a traditional story early on, but adds enough twists and subversions for players to never really know where it's all going. Though it's one of the longer games out, it's also a delight to play, thanks to the variety in settings and the adorable Toriyama character designs.
The battle system keeps things mostly straightforward, but still builds on ideas from other games. Its "Pep" system allows players to shake things up by giving characters a sudden boost in power and allowing them to unleash their "Pep Powers" on random enemies. Meanwhile, players will find enjoyment in finding which characters support one another the best to be the most powerful in any battle encounter.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Offers Incredible Job-Based Combat
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth proved the Yakuza franchise is still capable of creating some true works of art. Infinite Wealth sees players take over both Ichiban and Kazuma Kiryu as they set out to accomplish different missions in both Ijincho and Hawaii. As ever, Infinite Wealth offers a thought-provoking main narrative, backed by some truly absurd yet unforgettable side quests.
For a franchise that only went turn-based across its last two installments, Infinite Wealth displays a mastery of what makes turn-based combat fun. RGG Studios has created a world where positioning and elemental effects matter just as much as being the right level for a battle. At the same time, its amusing class system makes players want to experiment, just to see what happens next.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Challenges Players to Master Parries and Dodges
Though it's far from the savior of turn-based RPGs, there's no doubt that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the best turn-based games ever made. Following a small group of Expeditioners on a quest to fight a cosmic being, Expedition 33 offers a beautiful, heartbreaking story that will stick with fans long after the credits roll.
That said, what really stands out about Expedition 33 is the game's incredible combat. It's a punishing game where every encounter could be the player's last if they're not capable of mastering the game's dodge or parry mechanics.
The game is still welcoming even to people who aren't addicted to Soulslike titles, thanks to the customization allowing builds for players who just can't get the timing down. It's that kind of thoughtfulness to the combat that makes it so much fun to keep coming back to.
Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Presents an Addicting Turn-Based Battle System
Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky was already an incredible game when it was released on PSP. Trails in the Sky First Chapter takes that same perfection and gives it a modern-day presentation, putting the game in stunning 3D. It's hard to improve upon perfection, so the remake doesn't change much, but that still leaves an incredible story, brilliant worldbuilding, and well-written characters.
However, the combat has been greatly improved, changing movement from being tile-based to something far more freeform. Like that, the game is able to better incorporate positioning for both the heroes and their enemies. Beyond that, Trails' Orbament system means characters can excel at whatever role the player thinks fits them best.
Final Fantasy Tactics Lets Players Design Their Party However They Want
Final Fantasy Tactics lays the blueprint for tactical RPGs going forward. A brilliantly written story, Tactics serves as a reminder that not all JRPGs have to be about saving the world. Instead, the story is a twisted tale of shifting political allegiances and tragic characters.
Whileit's not a straight-forward turn-based game, Final Fantasy Tactics offers one of the most satisfying battle systems in gaming. Thanks to the class system, players can lead an army that plays exactly like they want, whether it's a balance or a group of Dragoons. Meanwhile, elements like elevation and accuracy add to the complexity, forcing players to think about each turn.
Baldur's Gate 3 Brings Pen-and-Paper RPGs to Life
What initially began as another project from the respected yet underrated Larian Studio, Baldur's Gate 3, suddenly became one of the biggest games of all time. Fans quickly fell in love with the game's world, which provided a fun take on the classic Dungeons & Dragons environment, along with its quirky, well-written cast. Combine that with some of the best writing in RPG history, and it's no surprise it was a success.
Baldur's Gate 3brings classic cRPG combat to the mainstream. Players have access to D&D powers, but the real trick is that they have access to creating the same kind of chaos that can happen in a fight in the pen-and-paper version. It's possible to force enemies off cliffs or burn enemies covered in flammable items. All of it encourages player creativity, making Baldur's Gate 3 infinitely replayable.
Final Fantasy VII's Battle Systems Were Groundbreaking
It's hard to get around Final Fantasy VII when discussing the best JRPGs, especially when talking about turn-based combat. Square created a game that was so successful it expanded the fanbase not just of Final Fantasy, but JRPGs as a whole. Its iconic cast and slick, cyberpunk setting created an experience that was perfect for gamers in the late '90s, but was well-written enough to remain timeless.
Final Fantasy VII's battle system is foundational in the genre. The Active Time Battle system introduced in Final Fantasy IV feels more polished here, adding a sense of urgency desperately missing from most turn-based games. At the same time, the Materia system allowed for endless customization to manipulate any encounter.
