After beating the aliens in XCOM: Enemy Unknown, fans needed to figure out where the developers would take the story. Surprise: humans lost, and now the Commander and crew operate as splinter cells to fight the alien scourge. This unexpected retcon worked and made taking down Advent in XCOM 2 feel incredible.
Fans looking for gaming experiences like the ones from the XCOM series have many options regarding turn-based strategy. They can opt for more alien-smashing 4X action, explore nostalgic options like Final Fantasy Tactics, or pick up hybrid games that pair turn-based strategy with isometric RPG elements like Wasteland 3.
Updated on April 10, 2023 by Christopher Argentino: Once you finish one of the best turn-based strategy games ever to be released to the world, you need some new titles to try out for yourself. You know that you can count on us to find all the best turn-based strategy games that are going to feed your XCOM 2 thirst. Some entries are exactly Sci-fi related but are undoubtedly titles you should try because of their amazing turn-based mechanics.
20 Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle
Are you looking for a more lighthearted take on the strategy genre? If so, you must check out Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle. This game is essentially XCOM meets Nintendo and Rabbids. While the game may look straightforward and cartoony on the surface, rest assured, it's tough.
In Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, you play as a host of Nintendo characters, such as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and a bunch of wacky Rabbids. Each character has unique weapons, skills, and abilities, and it's your goal to explore the colorful lands while progressing through deeply strategic battles.
19 Fae Tactics
Fae Tactics is another colorful and vibrant strategy game that appeals to both genre newcomers and veterans. Taking place from a classic isometric perspective, Fae Tactics takes cues from genre classics such as Final Fantasy Tactics and Ogre Battle 64. Fae Tactics tasks you to play as Peony, a young magician who adventures across a fantasy kingdom using her spells and magical abilities.
One of the unique features in Fae Tactics is something that has been removed, namely, cumbersome menus. Strategy games typically shower you with menus to choose your moves. However, Fae Tactics eschews this in favor of a more hands-on approach to moving and battling.
18 XCOM: Chimera Squad
XCOM: Chimera Squad might seem a bit on the nose for a list like this, but fans unfamiliar with this game will find it surprising. First off, the turn system is altered from other XCOM franchise games. In addition, there's a new "breach" mechanic that's fun and unique.
Each character also has unique abilities and buildout opportunities. Fans cannot recruit all playable characters in one playthrough. So, it ups the replayable factor to experience all the game has to offer.
17 Wasteland 3
Hot off the success of its predecessor Wasteland 2, Wasteland 3 stretches the turn-based strategy game genre into a hybrid of isometric RPG gameplay and turn-based strategy combat.
The game occurs in a radiation-poisoned, cult-controlled, frozen-over Colorado in the 22nd century. The player characters hail from Arizona and are part of their Desert Rangers, adding an element of the Wild West/gunslingers to the game. The best part of the game is the tough trade-off decisions the player must make and then dealing with the subsequent consequences of each decision. This is the perfect blend for fans of hardcore turn-based strategy and isometric RPGs.
16 The Banner Saga Series
Are you looking for an epic, story-driven adventure that combines turn-based combat with tough choices that affect your fate and that of a caravan of refugees composed of Norse mythological creatures and humans too weak to fight? Then look no further than The Banner Saga.
With its gorgeous hand-drawn graphics, haunting soundtrack, and deep, branching narrative, this game is a must-play for strategy fans who want to immerse themselves in a richly detailed world full of memorable characters and unique storylines. Whether leading a caravan of refugees across a war-torn landscape or engaging in tactical combat against fearsome foes, The Banner Saga offers an unforgettable experience that will keep you coming back for more.
15 Into The Breach
If you're a fan of turn-based strategy games, you owe it to yourself to check out Into the Breach. This challenging, compelling title puts you in command of a team of mechs fighting to save humanity from an invasion of giant bugs. Right down the sci-fi alley that you're craving.
With its clever, puzzle-like gameplay, randomized levels, and a deep upgrade system that lets you customize your mechs and pilots, Into the Breach offers hours of strategic fun to keep you on the edge of your seat. In addition, its retro-inspired graphics and catchy soundtrack make it an absolute joy to play over and over again.
14 Unity Of Command 2
Do you ever wonder about how well you would do on the Eastern Front of World War II? Then, unity of Command 2 is the game for you—a game for you strategy fans that want to test your skills against some intense opponents.
Whatever faction you choose in the game, you'll need to use all your wits to outmaneuver your enemies and claim victory on the battlefield. Unity of Command 2 offers an immersive and rewarding gaming experience that will keep you returning for more.
13 Valkyria Chronicles
Twas his game was released in 2014, while the most recent entry in the series, Valkyria Chronicles 4, was released in 2018. However, for gamers new to the franchise, starting with the original is the best way to experience the series with its beautiful art style, engaging story, and sometimes unforgiving combat.
In Valkyria Chronicles, players can take control of individual units to move them across the map in the third person. One must line up headshots, take on tanks with rifles, every and every decision against all the possible outcomes.
12 Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Fire Emblem remains a classic and iconic franchise, with Fire Emblem: Three Houses being the series' latest release. The semi-academy aesthetic lends the game a lighter tone, and the player character can ally with one of the three characters and the houses they come from. Pro-tip: the player is also a teacher in the game.
Players can adjust classes on the fly. Once players can take their team to battle, they'll pair traditional attacks with Combat Arts, flanking opportunities, and other strategic moves to boost lethality and efficacy.
There are also unique features for players who opt to play online. For example, certain combat tiles will have glowing lights that mark where other players got downed, and if the player goes to those, they can get weapons for specific characters.
11 Gears Tactics
Fans of the Gears of War series might be used to combat with third-person shooting, but Gears Tactics still has chainsaw guns and plenty of alien mobs to mow down, all with a turn-based style like that of XCOM.
Despite a slow start, the game pairs classic Gears chaos with beautiful visuals and epic executions. This is where fans should start for an experience very similar to XCOM.
10 Wargroove
Wargroove is an Advance Wars tribute that carries a ton of nostalgia, content, and adorable little doggos to boot. Developer Chucklefish, behind Starbound and Eastward, opted for a pixel-art style with many colors for a vibrant, lively experience.
Players can move across the map and engage enemies using their unique Commander. Mid-battle, the player can summon other units, as well. It's a fantastic game for the Nintendo Switch, and the Arcade mode offers another way to enjoy the game in a less time-intensive way.
9 Final Fantasy: Tactics
This might have been many people's first foray into a tactics-style game with turn-based combat. Final Fantasy Tactics was initially released in June of 1997 with a 3D isometric field, sprites for characters, and plenty of difficult strategic choices.
Bonus: it takes place in Ivalice, which fans of Final Fantasy 14 will recognize. With the recent remake of Final Fantasy 7, fans of this game desperately hope that Square Enix will remaster it, too, as it represents one of the best games in the franchise. It also uses the job system in ways no other game across the franchise does—a must-play for anyone who wants to learn more about turn-based strategy games.
8 Battletech
Much like Valkyria Chronicles, Battletech can be unforgiving at times, as mech pilots can suffer PTSD on top of mortal wounds, and the player won't always have the parts they need to fix their mechs—but that makes each victory means so much more.
A product long-awaited by fans of the tabletop version, the environment, ents, and mechs is gorgeous. Gameplay features resource management, mech battles, and staff oversight. In addition, the developers just released the first expansion for the game, so there's never been a better time to get into it.
7 Sid Meier's Civilization 5
Despite Civilization 6 being newer, many flocks back to Civilization 5 instead. This may be due to Civ 6's updated district system vs. Civ 5's more streamlined approach to city building. This game also marks a more accessible entry to itself for newer players.
The hex-based system sees players build cities, using workers to collect resources, traders to gain gold, and eventually meeting other civilizations to work or war with. Be warned; players can lose tons of time to this game. It is very much a "just one more turn" kind of experience.
6 Phoenix Point
Phoenix Point may be the most similar game to XCOM on this list—apart from Chimera Squad. It's a hardcore tactics game set in space with a 4X-style overworld. The creator of the original XCOM, Julian Gollop, helped make this game.
TheGamer's reviewer called it "XCOM all grown up," and it is. The player operates as part of a global resistance force working against the Pandorians, aliens targeting Earth with a red mist to destroy ecosystems. Even the environments have a similar look and feel to those in XCOM, so it is a must-get for fans of that series.
5 Divinity: Original Sin 2
This is not a science fiction universe setting. But the turn-based combat is S-tier for fans of the gameplay in XCOM 2. There are also unique allowing for different playstyles and plenty of opportunities to make impactful choices.
Much of the management that players in XCOM 2 find themselves doing also appears in the Divinity: Original Sin series. With the amount of polish on this game and its undeniable panache, it doesn't make sense not to pick it up. Meaning: pick it up.
4 Crusader Kings 3
This game instantly grabbed attention after its release due, in part, to the excellent graphical update from its predecessors. Unfortunately, for some XCOM fans, a barrier to entry for Crusader Kings II was its non-intuitive interface and controls. This, however, improved on problem areas and further developed the series' strengths.
Though it is not in a sci-fi setting, the player still controls the success or destruction of the world. This game employs more spying, horses, assassinations, and politically motivated marriages.
3 Invisible Inc.
This game received a surprise Nintendo Switch release during the summer of 2020. The game features turn-based gameplay, roguelike elements, and hacking. The cyberpunk feel pairs well with one of the main mechanics: creating infiltration squads.
Invisible Inc., from the developers behind, Don't Starve, stands out as an emergent gameplay giant on this list. Much like XCOM 2, there are seemingly infinite directions for people to take the combat scenarios.
2 Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden
This game got off to a rocky start when it first launched. Many players initially called it too challenging to find it enjoyable. But about two years after its launch, many more people have come to relish the stressful and rewarding combat of Mutant Year Zero: Road To Eden.
In contrast to XCOM games, this game endears the players to its characters much more. Sure, people get attached to their squads sometimes. But the mutants from this game become like family to the player. As it is available on Xbox Game Pass, this title is worth checking out.
1 Warhammer 40K Space Wolf
This one is a fantastic option for lovers of 4X games and the iconic Warhammer 40,000 series. It plays in a similar turn-based, square movement, and action style. Except now, instead of fighting the Advent, the game pits people against 'xenos' from its world. However, the game does feature its unique tactical twist with its card-driven combat.
Unfortunately, Steam reviews do mention that the game can be pretty buggy. XCOM fans are known to put up with their fair share of bugs. That could either innoculate them to bugs in other games or make any bug aggravating.