As gaming has progressed over the years, more and more titles have adopted real-time combat to great effect. Most of the biggest names in the gaming industry use real-time action to deliver a memorable experience. While this form of action is generally the norm in most modern games, that doesn't mean that there's no space for other styles of gameplay to pervade the mainstream.
If anything, there are several memorable games that have adopted turn-based combat to great effect. The Yakuza series is a great example of a franchise that stepped away from its real-time action roots to try out turn-based combat, and they managed to accomplish the same in brilliant fashion. Here are other such action titles that could benefit from a switch to a turn-based system too!
10 Devil May Cry
The Devil May Cry series came back with a bang recently in the form of the critically-acclaimed Devil May Cry 5. Dante's return to form was widely celebrated by the fans, who absolutely adored the real-time combat of the series.
At a glance, Devil May Cry might not seem like a series that requires turn-based combat. However, this change — if executed properly — can be an extremely different and engaging experience in its own right.
9 God Of War
God of War is the last franchise that you would think of when talking about action games that could adopt a turn-based format instead. After all, the allure of God of War stems from its action-packed combat system that allows players to wail on enemies with carefully constructed combos and the like.
However, this idea isn't completely out of left field. With clever integration of Kratos' moveset and abilities, God of War can definitely have the potential to turn into a tough yet rewarding turn-based tactical game.
8 Bayonetta
Bayonetta is easily one of the quirkiest games on this list. Platinum Games has been at the helm of developing some truly zany titles, and Bayonetta definitely fits the bill in that regard.
The systems required to make Bayonetta's combat feel satisfying in a turn-based setting can be a bit challenging. However, that's not to say that this idea is completely impossible, and Bayonetta can definitely provide the backbone for a turn-based title that can challenge you while also being extremely stylish to boot!
7 Batman Arkham
Arkham Knight spells the end of the Batman Arkham series. With Rocksteady going for a bold new approach in The Suicide Squad, it's not a far-fetched idea to try and revamp the Arkham games with a turn-based system governing the game instead.
Both stealth and combat sections can be made pretty tactical with turn-based mechanics. It certainly sounds interesting, although it would be very unlikely for Rocksteady to go forward with this course of action.
6 Assassin's Creed
If there's any franchise in need of an overhaul, it's Assassin's Creed. While the franchise did that some time to revamp its identity with the release of Assassin's Creed Origins, it didn't take long for the same formulaic approach to pervade each and every aspect of Assassin's Creed once again.
Ubisoft is the last company anyone would associate with taking risks. However, if the company does decide to turn Assassin's Creed into a franchise with turn-based gameplay, then it would definitely attract some attention in the gaming community once again.
5 Dark Souls
Dark Souls is the quintessential hard action-adventure game that propelled FromSoftware and Hidetaka Miyazaki's name to great heights. The third game in the series was meant to serve as a finale to this trilogy, and it wrapped up all the threads in admirable fashion.
With the core series being done and dusted, there's no reason why FromSoftware can't experiment with the Dark Souls IP. After all, a hardcore turn-based Dark Souls game doesn't sound all that bad!
4 Hades
Supergiant Games is one of the greatest indie developers around. The perfect manner in which these developers manage to merge story with gameplay is absolutely spectacular.
Hades is just one of the many projects they've made that deliver excellence across the board. Given the experience Supergiant already has with crafting turn-based titles like Transistor, it's not hard to imagine a title with Hades' art style and story, coupled with some engaging turn-based mechanics to boot.
3 Metal Gear Solid
After Kojima's departure from Konami, the Metal Gear Solid has been stuck in limbo for quite some time. The company seemingly can't find a way to get people interested in these games anymore.
A great way to garner some attention would be to introduce a turn-based Metal Gear Solid game. It might be a hard sell, but the game can definitely intrigue gamers if the mechanics implemented are solid enough to justify this genre shift.
2 Darksiders
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Darksiders is another action-adventure series that has fallen upon hard times recently. After the release of Darksiders 3, the general buzz around this series has pretty much died down.
A great way to freshen up the game's combat and generate some hype would be to integrate some excellent turn-based combat instead of the lackadaisical gameplay present in the third game. It's a tall order, but the great execution of these mechanics will do wonders.
1 Kingdom Hearts
Kingdom Hearts is one of the biggest franchises of all time... and also the most convoluted. For the most part, the gameplay of these titles has been pretty great, although some people have their problems with Kingdom Hearts III.
A new game in the series can take quite some time, especially with the fiasco surrounding the last game in the series. However, given the ties of this franchise with Final Fantasy, it's easy to see why Kingdom Hearts is the perfect candidate for an action game series that can easily turn into a turn-based title instead.