Top 10 Sci-Fi Games with Turn-Based Combat You Need to Play Now!

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Summary

  • Turn-based strategy games are accessible and engaging for new players.
  • Invisible Inc offers a stylish cyberpunk world with tense turn-based tactics.
  • Gears Tactics provides a dark, brutal, and thematically rich turn-based experience.

In my gaming experience, I’ve come to appreciate the charm of turn-based combat, especially within classic role-playing games (RPGs) and traditional roguelikes. The leisurely pace and wealth of details in these games make them not only approachable but also captivating for players like me.

Science fiction and turn-based strategy games often make a compelling blend, catering to various gaming preferences. Ranging from the futuristic, high-tech vibe of “Invisible Inc” to the bizarre, science-fantasy setting of “Caves Of Qud”, there’s a game for every type of player.

8. Invisible Inc

Unique & Stealthy Tactics

Created by the creative minds at Klei Entertainment (known for games like Don’t Starve and Oxygen Not Included), Invisible Inc stands out as a sleek, strategic turn-based stealth game characterized by its measured gameplay. While it maintains a deliberate pace and calm demeanor, Invisible Inc effectively delivers a nerve-wracking, high-risk adventure due to its deadly tactical turns and the escalating security level timer that counts down in each mission.

As a fan, I can’t help but be drawn into the sleek, corporate cyberpunk atmosphere of Invisible Inc. The game masterfully showcases Klei’s knack for art direction, offering players a sci-fi world that gleams with high-tech elegance and is presented in an angular, isometric style. It’s a visual treat!

7. SteamWorld Heist

Distinctive Turn-Based Gunfights

In “SteamWorld Heist,” you embark on a space voyage as the captain of a band of robotic pirates. You’ll engage in strategic, turn-based battles using a distinct combat system. What sets these battles apart is that you can manually adjust your weapons’ aim during each encounter, offering a level of skill expression that many other turn-based games don’t provide.

The vibrant and intricate universe of SteamWorld Heist stands out, providing players with an exciting blend of sci-fi western ambiance and Steampunk aesthetics that’s bound to captivate fans reminiscent of shows like Firefly. Notably, the bullet-bouncing mechanic enables players to perform impressive trick-shots, resulting in a combat system that often feels rewarding.

6. Gears Tactics

A Thematic Take On Grid-Based Tactics

If you’re a fan of both the “Gears Of War” series and the tactical, turn-based gameplay from “XCOM”, then you’ll probably find “Gears Tactics” quite appealing. This game shares many similarities with “XCOM” but also incorporates several unique elements that fit well within the dark and intense atmosphere of the original “Gears Of War” games.

In this game, similar to the Gears Of War series, you’ll encounter intense scenes of violence such as dismemberment and gory images. However, these violent elements aren’t just superficial; they’re deeply ingrained in the gameplay mechanics too. Expect frequent chainsaw attacks and brutal executions, all while controlling characters that appear quite large and bulky. The storyline is also filled with dramatic twists and turns.

5. Griftlands

Unique Deck-Building In An Evocative World

Griftlands is a distinctive game that combines roguelike deck-building and role-playing elements with a dual combat system. It’s the rich, alien environment it presents that truly sets it apart, offering an immersive backdrop for its innovative deck-construction and RPG features. This world-building enhances the gaming experience by providing players with extended runs filled with captivating world details.

In this reimagined expression: The captivating narrative and distinct visual aesthetic create a richly detailed sci-fi universe that leaps off the screen, yet the user-friendly interface and concise dialogue exchanges prevent the game from becoming overly complicated by its extensive background details.

4. Quasimorph

A Gritty Turn-Based Extraction Shooter

In the heart of a bleak, dystopian universe, I find myself immersed in the gripping world of Quasimorph. This game delivers an original blend of science fiction and body horror elements that leave me on the edge of my seat. The atmosphere perfectly complements its challenging gameplay, which is all about intense turn-based battles and survival strategies.

In the world of Quasimorph, players are consistently challenged by starvation, injury, and mental breakdown, requiring them to be knowledgeable, prepared, and skilled at every twist. Yet, despite its frequent violent scenes and dark imagery, the game’s rugged pixel-art design stops it from becoming excessively disturbing.

3. Caves Of Qud

Turn-Based Combat In A Unique Science-Fantasy World

One striking feature of the game “Caves of Qud” lies in its captivating science-fantasy environment. By artfully blending elements of science-fiction and fantasy, this game presents an exceptionally original and strikingly alien post-apocalyptic landscape for players to discover.

Even with simple graphics, the expressive writing and immersive soundtrack effectively create a vibrant image of the realm in Caves of Qud. Navigating the world is generally hassle-free as players can choose optional overworld travel, enabling them to traverse large expanses swiftly; however, this comes with the potential drawback of getting disoriented.

2. XCOM 2

Unforgiving But Deeply Tactical Squad-Based Combat

In simpler terms, “XCOM 2” is an engaging turn-based strategy game that combines tactical depth with minimal resource management. The team battles in “XCOM 2” are undoubtedly its main attraction, offering intense, grid-based firefights where every squad member often finds themselves in perilous situations.

The intuitive concealment system and focus on strategic positioning set the game XCOM apart, and while its chance-dependent attack system might not suit all players, it creates a tangible thrill with every move. It’s a challenging experience, but what makes XCOM 2 stand out is its skillful exploitation of the science-fiction backdrop to bolster its exceptional turn-based combat.

1. Into The Breach

Deeply Tactical & Well-Telegraphed Grid-Based Tactics

Into The Breach is a strategic game where you engage in turn-based battles on a grid, intertwined with aspects of the puzzle genre. In this game, you command a team of mechanized units, each possessing distinct skills, to protect humans from an onslaught of invasive alien insects.

In the ever-changing game of “Into The Breach“, players must strategize thoughtfully and accurately due to its challenging environmental dangers and expressive features. This strategic approach is made possible by a transparent communication system, which allows players insight into their adversaries’ strategies and the sequence in which the following rounds will unfold. Consequently, “Into The Breach” consistently delivers tactical battles that are precise and seldom seem unjust.

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2025-01-25 13:24