Turn-based strategy is entering a new golden age as GCML highlights the genre's top ten icons sourced from across the internet and gaming communities.

From the tactical grit of XCOM to the historical sweep of Civilization VI, these titles prove that every move counts.

King Arthur: Knight's Tale

This dark reconstruction of King Arthur's story comes with great graphics. In the game, you play as Sir Mordred, who must stop a corrupted King Arthur, who passed away and came back as something malevolent.

Now, you must gather your army of knights, manage the kingdom, and put an end to your new nightmare. Every choice matters and moves the story forward.

King Arthur: Knight's Tale is a turn-based strategy game that also blends thoughtful RPG elements.

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Fight off an alien invasion as fierce members of XCOM, a secret paramilitary group. The game features intense combat sequences and intense action.

Moreover, XCOM also pushes you to evolve by contributing to research, building your base, and more.

Fighting aliens is not easy, and you may lose some friends. This turn-based strategy game makes sure that some decisions leave a lasting impression.

Age of Wonders 4

Age of Wonders 4 is an epic fantasy adventure that blends turn-based combat, world-building, and decision-making to create an immersive experience.

You begin the game by carving out your own magical empire. The customization options in Age of Wonders 4 are nearly endless and allow you to create a unique magical realm unlike anyone else's.

You also get to create your own faction with unique magical races. You can then take this army into battle, use spells, and activate weapons to win, all while the empire expands.

SteamWorld Heist 2

SteamWorld Heist 2 delivers a 30+ hour narrative. You must use your wits and skills to execute trick shots and pull off heists.

That is not all. The game also features real-time naval combat. You control 2D bots equipped with ricocheting bullets. Aim and take your shot while trying to make the right decisions.

SteamWorld Heist 2 stands out because of its combat mechanics and the new jobs system that keeps players engaged.

Civilization VI

Create your own empire and advance it endlessly. Civilization VI is a perfect 4X strategy game for those who enjoy endless expansion and building.

You get to fight historical figures, build an empire from the Stone Age to the Space Age, and manage people like a true leader. Players must make decisions based on religion, economics, government policies, and more.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

With four narratives, several dozen characters, and turn-based combat, Fire Emblem: Three Houses does it all. The game has an impressive split-narrative approach that you will seldom see in other games.

The game's systems are incredibly flexible since different classes are not limited to specific traits. As your soldiers fight together, they develop deep bonds, but you may eventually be forced to betray them.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses throws moral choices at you and then leaves you to deal with the consequences. It is one of the most interesting turn-based strategy games of all time.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

The revised version of the 1997 classic, combined with the acclaimed War of the Lions translation, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles promises a great plot. Apart from that, you can grow your party of characters and assign them different jobs.

Each job provides your characters with new abilities. You can then use them to fight enemies on a 3D battlefield. The new version features fully voiced dialogue and vastly improved graphics for a better experience.

The Lamplighters League

The Lamplighters League is a stylish adventure. You must recruit a band of misfits to fight the Banished Court, a tyrannical organization.

The game has a rich storyline, and its visual style is unlike anything else on this list. It brings players a noir adventure set in an alternate 1930s.

This character-driven turn-based strategy game is among the very best.

Fuga: Melodies of Steel

In Fuga: Melodies of Steel, anthropomorphic wolf children command mystical tanks to fight off an invasion. Players must battle the invading army to save the village while maintaining friendships along the way.

The game throws moral choices at you, and how well you manage relationships affects the war at large. Also, if you want to use the tank's ultimate attack, you must sacrifice a friend.

These gut-wrenching decisions are plentiful in Fuga: Melodies of Steel and help keep players immersed and invested.

XCOM 2

XCOM 2 raises the stakes after the events of the first game. Players must rebuild the XCOM faction after an alien race takes over a vulnerable Earth.

Guide your stolen alien aircraft wherever you want to decide your next move. Players can recruit heroes from five different classes and fight enemies strategically to avoid blowing cover.

XCOM 2 is more intense, features new enemies, and makes combat even more engaging.

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Written by

Prit Chauhan

Edited by

Pulkit Prabhav