Best Turn-Based RPGs Set In Space With A Great Story

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Summary

  • Sci-fi games with turn-based combat offer deep narratives and strategic choices in the vastness of space.
  • Games like Star Traders: Frontiers blend tactical RPG combat with intricate storylines and political intrigue.
  • Titles such as Xenogears and Phantasy Star 4 combine cosmic elements with deep narratives for memorable space-faring RPG experiences.

Combining science fiction with turn-based combat might sound unusual, but when executed well, it creates a fantastic blend of thoughtful strategy and epic storytelling. These games aren’t just about shooting aliens; they’re about carefully planning your moves, developing clever tactics, and enjoying a rich, immersive story set in space.

Whether it’s a massive sci-fi adventure with a rich history or a small, heartfelt tribute to classic role-playing games, these games all use turn-based combat to make your choices feel important and impactful. Here are some role-playing games where every turn matters, especially when entire planets are at stake.

Star Traders: Frontiers

The Stars Are Your Chessboard

In Star Traders: Frontiers, you’re dropped into a vast, open galaxy where alliances can change in an instant. You’ll build up your crew, improve your spaceship, and get caught up in the complex politics of different factions. Combat happens in two ways: strategic ship battles and close-quarters fights with your crew, so you might find yourself either outsmarting an enemy warship or facing off against its captain in a duel.

What really makes this game special is how your choices have far-reaching consequences throughout the galaxy. Something as small as a failed delivery could ignite a war, or a simple bribe could change who’s in charge. It’s a mix of strategic RPG gameplay and a life simulation where you play as a criminal, mercenary, or trader, all within a galaxy that feels dynamic and realistic.

Xenogears

Faith, Fate, And A Mecha-God

The story begins with a man living in exile in a peaceful village, but soon expands into an epic tale of lost civilizations, clashing countries, and a powerful, hidden force controlling everything. Battles are turn-based, combining classic RPG attacks with a special system where you can link martial arts and powerful mech attacks together.

Few RPGs match the grand scale of *Xenogears*. It blends big ideas – like religion, psychology, and free will – with relatable characters, even as it’s set against a vast, cosmic setting. Even now, it’s a prime example of how bold and unusual a sci-fi RPG can be while still delivering a powerful emotional experience.

Phantasy Star 4: The End Of The Millennium

The Last Stand Of Algo

Originally launched for the Sega Genesis, *Phantasy Star 4* beautifully concluded one of the first major science fiction stories in video games. Its combat system, which used turn-based battles, was innovative for its time. Players could program a series of actions to be performed automatically, and combine different abilities – like magic and technology – to create powerful attack combinations.

Okay, so this game is seriously cool. It’s got this awesome mix of fantasy and sci-fi, where you’re traveling between planets trying to stop an ancient evil. They use these amazing manga-style cutscenes that really make the story feel epic, but it still keeps things personal and relatable. Honestly, a lot of people consider it *the* defining classic sci-fi RPG on consoles, and I can totally see why!

Cosmic Star Heroine

Stylish Trouble In The Cosmos

Inspired by classic games like *Chrono Trigger*, *Cosmic Star Heroine* blends a cyberpunk setting with a space opera story. Its turn-based combat is fast-paced and strategic – you won’t find random battles, and you’ll need to carefully plan your moves instead of just using your most powerful attack.

This game puts you in the shoes of secret agent Alyssa L’Salle, who’s uncovering secrets and conspiracies throughout different worlds. You’ll meet memorable characters, enjoy clever dialogue, and explore strikingly unique alien environments. The fast-paced action and constant stream of surprises and challenges will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

Battletech (2018)

War Is Big Business

In Battletech, you don’t just control powerful mechs-you manage an entire mercenary company fighting in a galaxy-wide civil war. Each turn-based battle challenges you to think about where you position your units, how much heat they generate, and how to protect their armor. A single mistake can lead to damaged mechs and lost income.

When you’re not on missions, the game reveals its story through difficult choices about money, forming political connections, and building relationships with your crew. Players are always weighing ethical decisions against the need to simply survive. It’s a deliberately paced war story where winning feels truly rewarding, and setbacks stay with you.

Element: Space

Politics At Lightspeed

In Element: Space, you play as Captain Christopher Pietham, working to prove his innocence amidst a galaxy-wide political struggle. This tactical RPG focuses on a compelling story and challenging, grid-based combat where smart positioning, using cover, and managing your resources are key to victory.

What makes this game special is how your conversations build relationships with different groups and characters, and those relationships actually change the story’s ending. The world itself is a striking contrast – beautiful on the surface, but filled with hidden corruption. This makes even simple choices feel weighty and complex, like something out of a political thriller, but with a futuristic, sci-fi twist.

Super Robot Wars 30

The Mecha Multiverse Meets Space Opera

Super Robot Wars 30 is a special crossover game that’s clearly made with a lot of love for giant robot anime and engaging stories. The turn-based battles are strategic and feel like a game of chess, but with massive robots unleashing incredible attacks taken directly from their original anime series. The animations are fantastic and full of references that fans of decades of anime will appreciate.

Even though the story brings together dozens of different robot series, it flows together surprisingly well. Characters from shows like *Gundam*, *Mazinger*, and *Code Geass* interact naturally, and the conflict quickly grows from simple disagreements to a massive, universe-spanning war. It’s a fantastic, over-the-top experience for anyone who loves giant robot stories.

Star Renegades

Fighting A War That Never Ends

Star Renegades offers a unique take on turn-based battles with its procedurally generated campaigns. Each playthrough tells a different, emotionally resonant story as you fight against a vast empire across multiple dimensions. The game’s innovative battle system focuses on manipulating the turn order, allowing you to disrupt enemies and create powerful attack sequences.

The game has a vibrant, neon-soaked art style, but its story is surprisingly dark. Characters can die for good, successes don’t last, and the opposing empire constantly evolves. It’s not about achieving a definitive victory; instead, you’re focused on delaying the inevitable, and every fight feels like a small piece of a larger, heartbreaking conflict.

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2025-09-18 10:35