The Best Strategy turn-based Games for PC Windows

Update, : Darkest Dungeon II added at rank #35.
1

Worms W.M.D (2016)

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95
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox One Playstation 4 Linux Mac OS PC Windows

'Worms W.M.D' is a classic physics-based game featuring teams of pink invertebrates battling it out with an arsenal of ridiculous and comical weapons. This game brings back the original 2D engine and gameplay of the franchise, and introduces new elements such as random vehicle placements, turrets, buildings, and a crafting system.


Pros:
  • Fun gameplay with new features like mechs, tanks, mortars, and stationary machine guns
  • Entertaining and addictive
  • Lots of replay value
Cons:
  • Some in-game text and menus are hard to read on larger screens
  • Crafting tutorial is "hidden" in one stage of the campaign mode

  • turn-based
  • strategy
  • team
  • artillery
  • mech
  • crafting
  • online
  • tanks
  • local
  • multiplayer
  • classic
  • battle
  • ninja
  • tactical
  • physics

2

The Battle of Polytopia (2016)

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94
Review score
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IOS iPhone PC Windows Linux Mac OS Android Nintendo Switch

The Battle of Polytopia is a simplified 4X game that allows players to experience the Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate aspects of the genre in under an hour. Available for mobile devices, it's the pocket-sized 4X that anyone can play anywhere.

Buy

Pros:
  • Distillation of the 4X genre in a great turn-based action game
  • Mechanism for competitive play
  • Addresses limitations of chess
Cons:
  • Limited multiplayer and co-op options
  • Not ideal for players who want a longer game

  • turn-based
  • 4x
  • strategy
  • civilization
  • diplomacy
  • empire
  • multiplayer
  • building
  • economy
  • tactical
  • real-time

3

SteamWorld Heist (2015)

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96
Review score
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Nintendo 3DS PC Windows Mac OS Linux Playstation 4 vita Xbox One wii u IOS iPhone stadia Nintendo Switch

Experience the adventure of a lifetime as a steam-driven pirate crew in SteamWorld Heist. With its insane skill shots and turn-based strategy gameplay, this game lets you manually aim the guns of your robots and upgrade your recruits' unique abilities, weapons, and stylish hats. With a well-written story, engaging characters, and a challenging battle system, it combines the best of XCOM and Worms gameplay in a beautifully designed world of robot pirates. And with a soundtrack by Steam Powered Giraffe, this is a game you won't want to miss!


Pros:
  • Fun and challenging battle system
  • Numerous items, weapons, and equipment to collect
  • Engaging characters and well-written story
  • Mixes XCOM and Worms gameplay perfectly
  • Packed with content and replayability
Cons:
  • Lack of ability trees for customization
  • Inability to customize preferred characters
  • Linear progression with no choice in bonuses

  • turn-based
  • robots
  • strategy
  • steampunk
  • tactical
  • cover
  • pirates

4

The Banner Saga 2 (2016)

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95
Review score
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PC Windows Mac OS Xbox One Playstation 4 IOS iPhone Android Nintendo Switch

The Banner Saga 2 is a gripping Norse-inspired fantasy adventure that engages you with its exceptional narrative and captivating art direction. The game features a turn-based combat system that challenges your strategic thinking, new creatures and obstacles, and battles resolved through primary objectives rather than max-murdering the other side. Make difficult decisions that can lead to starvation, mutiny or death, while defying traditional conventions and rejecting typical rules of morality. The sequel is a must-play, with vastly improved combat, deep and rewarding narrative, and an immersive visual and sound design.


Pros:
  • Engaging narrative
  • Captivating art direction
  • Improved combat system
  • New creatures and obstacles
  • Battles resolved through primary objectives
Cons:
  • Difficult for new players who did not play the first game
  • Console controls are awkward and obtuse
  • Environmental art can make combat harder to navigate
  • Not very action-packed
  • Characters can die without notice

  • turn-based
  • tactical
  • battle
  • strategy
  • rpg
  • combat
  • narrative
  • story
  • grid
  • fantasy
  • hand-drawn

5

Total War: WARHAMMER II (2017)

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88
Review score
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PC Windows Linux Mac OS

Total War: WARHAMMER II is an epic strategy game where you choose from 4 unique factions to save or destroy a fantasy world. With turn-based open-world campaign and tactical real-time battles, you can immerse yourself in a deep campaign or challenge players worldwide in multiplayer. With hundreds of hours of gameplay and each playthrough being different, you can level up Legendary Lords and Heroes, build alliances or declare total war, and control thousands-strong legions of soldiers with great military strategies, magic, and ferocious creatures.


Pros:
  • Expansive map and factions
  • Addition of new heroes and abilities
  • Introduces magic and abilities to the battles
  • Exciting to play and win
Cons:
  • No economy, diplomacy, religion, spies, trading or dynastic marriages
  • Battles are simpler than in Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms

  • strategy
  • battle
  • real-time
  • tactical
  • fantasy
  • turn-based
  • war
  • resource
  • naval
  • empire
  • dinosaurs
  • economy
  • tabletop
  • historical
  • grand

6

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters (2022)

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80
Review score
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PC Windows

Lead the Grey Knights in a turn-based RPG against chaos in Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters. With precision targeting, customised warriors, and evolving environments, engage in cinematic slaughter against mutated monstrosities and their minions. Follow the journey of elite warriors in a narrative penned by acclaimed author, Aaron Dembski-Bowden.

Buy

Pros:
  • Cover system is well-designed
  • Environmental damage adds more fun
  • Warhammer 40K fans will enjoy storyline, callbacks and lore
  • Mechanics are fine-tuned and better than other turn-based games.
Cons:
  • Randomized events generation can ruin a game
  • Difficulty slopes with the early game being hardest
  • Repetitive gameplay
  • Lack of basic info regarding enemies.

  • turn-based
  • tactical
  • strategy
  • squad
  • battle
  • xcom
  • warhammer-40k
  • combat
  • cover

7

Panzer Corps 2 (2020)

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84
Review score
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PC Windows IOS iPhone

Experience World War II from the Axis perspective in Panzer Corps 2's massive branching campaign with over a thousand unique units, challenging you to use strategy and tactics to outsmart your enemies, not just outclick them. With a comprehensive modding system, the game will offer endless replayability. Whether you want to challenge your friends online, or enjoy user-created content, Panzer Corps 2 is the ultimate wargame experience.


Pros:
  • Fun turn-based wargame with great attention to detail and awesome visuals
  • Random Scenario generator adds tons of replayability and variety
  • Combination of all the good parts of previous Panzer General/Corps games combined into one
  • Lovely visuals and solid engine
  • Some interesting (albeit somewhat half-baked) mechanisms, such as splitting your unit to facilitate encirclements.
Cons:
  • No grand map
  • Mission tree cut down to total victory or game over, no interesting mission paths
  • Little infantry variation
  • Potential for more alt history campaigns and areas to explore

  • strategy
  • turn-based
  • world-war-2
  • tactical
  • historical
  • artillery
  • tanks
  • wargame
  • war
  • hex
  • battle
  • card

8

Terraformers (2022)

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93
Review score
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Mac OS PC Windows Linux

Transform Mars into a habitable planet in Terraformers. With challenging strategizing and resource management, explore the planet and expand population, all while watching the stunning new natural wonders build up before your eyes. Take on different scenarios and bonuses and create a thriving utopia. Get lost in the addictive puzzle-like game with unique replayability and rewarding graphics and UI.


Pros:
  • Focus on strategy
  • Various difficulty levels
  • Unique victory conditions
  • Nice graphics and UI
  • Rich soundtrack
Cons:
  • Only one way to lose the game
  • Some bugs present
  • Game can become repetitive

  • turn-based
  • strategy
  • city-building
  • 4x
  • board-game
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • pve
  • space
  • sci-fi
  • building
  • futuristic
  • card
  • simulation
  • economy

9

XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012)

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93
Review score
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PC Windows vita Xbox One Android Linux Mac OS Xbox 360 Playstation 3

The XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Slingshot Pack is Now Available!


  • turn-based
  • tactical
  • aliens
  • strategy
  • squad
  • cover
  • combat
  • battle
  • war

10

Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach (2017)

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86
Review score
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PC Windows

Warhammer 40,000: Sanctus Reach is a fun and cool turn-based 3D wargame that allows you to engage in Space Marine-on-ork violence on an intimate scale. You get to lead your units through two campaigns, leveling them and choosing your tactics wisely to outmaneuver your enemies. Despite its roughness, Sanctus Reach is a great addition to the Warhammer 40K line-up that fans will enjoy.


Pros:
  • Fun and tactical turn-based combat
  • Wide variety of units with customizable armies
  • Levelling system for units
  • Easily accessible for tabletop fans on a budget
  • Good value for money with lengthy campaigns and DLC options.
Cons:
  • Poor storytelling and lack of character development
  • Limited factions and missing units from the codex
  • No sync kill and lack of eye and ear candy.

  • strategy
  • warhammer-40k
  • turn-based
  • tactical
  • tabletop
  • cooperative
  • workshop
  • fantasy
  • battle
  • rpg
  • shooter
  • combat
  • war
  • dice
  • real-time

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