We’ve gathered the top tactical RPGs for those who fell in love with the latest Persona installment.
Persona 3 Reload is a fantastic remake that not only delivers much-needed visual polish but also introduces several gameplay improvements while staying true to the original’s essence. The story remains as compelling as ever, the Social Links may tempt you to consult online guides, and Persona fusions will keep you locked in the Velvet Room for hours. As for Tartarus… well, it’s still a bit of a chore. But overall? You probably won’t find too many modern turn-based RPGs as good as this one.
Nonetheless, we’ve managed to compile a dozen or so titles. Narrowing down our choices was no easy feat, given the plethora of exceptional titles out there. Nevertheless, we’ve come up with a selection that we think will appeal to fans of Japanese RPG and Western role-playing titles alike.
But if you’ve been out of the loop and haven’t had a chance to experience Atlus’ hit, check out the widget below for the top deals.
This article was updated on October 9, 2024. We refreshed the list to include Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance, and more great titles.
What is a turn-based RPG?
Before we dive into the topic, let’s look at the definition. The essence of turn-based RPG games lies in compelling stories and lovable characters. Undoubtedly, the development of the protagonists is crucial, including not only their abilities but also their personalities and ambitions.
While there is some influence from strategy games, the battles are usually on a more modest scale, with simple units rather than vast armies. Such titles typically offer a solid combat system that focuses on optimizing your team’s efforts toward achieving a common goal.
What are the best turn-based RPG games as of 2024?
Our list includes some of the most noteworthy representatives of the genre. As we emphasized in the introduction, there are many more fantastic turn-based games on PC. Therefore, please let us know in the comments if we omitted your favorite. The more suggestions, the merrier!
Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger, a PC port of the beloved jRPG, was released in 2018. Interestingly, it offers two battle modes, accommodating both veterans and newcomers. If you’re fond of more dynamic combat, you can choose the “Active” option, which combines turn-based and real-time systems. Here, the action continues even when you’re unprepared, allowing enemies to strike. Conversely, the “Wait” mode operates on traditional turns, granting ample time for strategic planning.
Fun fact: The famous mangaka Akira Toriyama, the author of Dragon Ball, contributed artwork to Chrono Trigger, as evident from the trailer above.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 has quickly taken place at the top of the rankings of the best turn-based RPGs in 2024, which is no surprise given Larian Studios’ mastery of the genre. The title has it all: a visually stunning world teeming with secrets, well-rounded characters, and a sophisticated combat system.
It’s also worth noting that curiosity and experimentation are well rewarded. Often, a stealthy approach to encounters will yield better results than a heroic charge and head-on assault. What can we say? All strategies are fair game in Faerûn.
Disgaea 5 Complete
The Disgaea series stands out with its hefty dose of absurd humor and countless references to pop culture. It combines an anime-inspired experience with engaging gameplay. Undoubtedly, the world of turn-based games was greatly enriched with the release of this title. The best part is that you don’t need to be familiar with the previous entries to fully enjoy Disgaea 5‘s offerings, as its storyline is independent of its predecessors.
However, there’s one downside to the Disgaea ports: no online mode. That said, the Complete Edition includes the base game and all the downloadable content published after its premiere on PS3, so there’s still plenty to explore.
King Arthur: Knight’s Tale
In 2022, the full version of King Arthur: Knight’s Tale was released with relatively little attention. That’s a shame, as it easily ranks as one of the best tactical RPGs around. Inspired by the tales of King Arthur, the game puts you in the role of Sir Mordred, who must face King Arthur once again, though both have technically fallen in battle.
It also places a strong emphasis on character interactions. The members of your party watch your decisions closely and aren’t shy about judging them. There are even instances where a companion may betray their own team.
Persona 5 Royal
Since you’re looking for games like Persona 3 Reload, you might want to check out the other insanely popular installment in the series—if you haven’t played it already, that is. Persona 5 Royal is an enhanced edition of the original P5 that introduces new plot points and characters along with several gameplay additions, such as the bombastic Showtime Attacks.
This means you’re in for an even better JRPG experience than the vanilla version, which was already fantastic. If you’ve played Persona 3 Reload, the combat system will feel quite familiar—get ready for another ~100 hours of fusing Personas and spamming Zio punctuated by school activities and strengthening your bonds with your confidants.
Wasteland 3 (Included with PC Game Pass)
Wasteland 3 has an entirely different vibe than Persona, but we couldn’t leave out this turn-based RPG gem from inXile Entertainment. It’s the third installment in the post-apocalyptic series, taking you to the icy grounds of Colorado.
The story follows a group of soldiers who have landed on a special mission. Things go horribly wrong when they run into an ambush, leaving the surviving crew to face the challenge of staying alive in a harsh environment. While exploration and combat are at the heart of the game, not every problem requires a fight. Sometimes, a good old-fashioned chat can get you out of a tight spot without a scratch.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
The latest installment in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise (Persona’s “parent” series) was originally released exclusively on the Nintendo Switch. It was an intriguing title for hardcore JRPG fans, but the performance could be better—and now it is.
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance has launched on all current platforms, and the developers have introduced a wealth of previously unseen features. Players are likely to appreciate the new storyline (the game is divided into Canon of Creation and Canon of Vengeance) and characters. However, the game’s core is still its exceptional turn-based combat. The world of Da’at has a strange, unsettling atmosphere (elevated by the soundtrack—just listen to the battle theme!) and is populated by countless demons that we battle and recruit to our party.
If you’re looking for games like Persona 3 Reload, you’ll find a similar (though a bit more challenging) combat system here, but don’t expect the story to be as good.
Chained Echoes
Next on our list of great turn-based role playing games is Chained Echoes, a sweeping adventure set in a pixelated world. Players with a soft spot for 16-bit classics will find plenty of nostalgic charm here—minus the random encounters.
This game is essentially a love letter to the JRPG genre. It boasts a brilliantly crafted narrative with well-developed characters, a combat system that keeps the challenges coming, and a stellar soundtrack that perfectly complements the retro visuals. Long story short, it’s a must-play for fans of classic fantasy tales.
The Banner Saga
The Vikings are eternal. The Banner Saga takes you on an epic journey full of choices, tactical battles, and nods to Norse mythology. The game features over 25 playable characters, with several different classes to pick from (and, of course, each has its own unique skills).
While this article focuses primarily on tactical battles (of which there are plenty), The Banner Saga stands out for its presentation. The music and artwork blend seamlessly, creating an immersive and visually stunning experience. As for the combat, it’s turn-based, played on boards where you’ll need to outmaneuver enemy defenses through smart unit placement or raw power. It’s not the most complex system in the history of mankind, but it works well in execution.
Like a Dragon Infinite Wealth
The latest chapter in this long-running gangster saga takes players on vacation, allowing them to explore the sun-soaked streets of Honolulu, Hawaii. Ichiban heads there in search of his mother but quickly finds himself caught up in another conspiracy. Of course, Kiryu is there, too, dealing with both thugs and personal struggles.
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is, first and foremost, a treasure trove of fun, packed with enough content to split it into several smaller games. The turn-based combat known from Yakuza 7 returns, allowing players to take control of Ichiban and his heroic party, unleash a range of (often quite wild) skills, summon Poundmates, and juggle between different jobs.
Live a Live
Continuing our compilation of the best turn-based RPG games, we present Live a Live, initially released for the Super Famicom in 1994. After years of exclusivity in Japan, it finally made its way to Western screens in 2022. What sets it apart is its episodic narrative structure, which invites you to traverse scenarios that span different eras and genres.
Within its universe, you can engage in everything from samurai clashes to futuristic skirmishes and beyond. Each story has its own unique characters, mechanics, and gameplay elements, making for a truly varied and immersive gaming experience.
Octopath Traveler 2 (Included with PC Game Pass)
Octopath Traveler 2 keeps the spirit of the original alive by blending a retro look with modern gameplay. It brings you on an adventure through the steampunk realms of Solistia and introduces you to eight all-new characters, each with their own unique abilities and motivations.
As you travel, you’ll engage in combat and complete quests. While the game stays true to what made the first so fantastic, there are a few tweaks, like the Latent Power, which allows you to occasionally use a special, powerful move. Trust us, it’s one of the best turn based RPGs out there, even outshining its predecessor.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
These past few months, Atlus has been on a roll. After striking gold twice with the remake of Persona 3 and a “bigger, better” version of SMTV, the time has come for something fresh. But is it really? After all, Metaphor: ReFantazio, their latest game, is built on the same foundations as both of those franchises.
Yet, the game seems poised to offer just the right mix of Persona’s “DNA” to please fans while introducing enough new elements to attract an even broader audience. It’s still a (very) long turn-based RPG with deep dungeons and a cast of likable party members, now set in a fantasy world, offering a story that is supposedly more mature than ever before. Reviewers are singing its praises, hailing Metaphor as a potential game-changer for tactical JRPG fans. For anyone still on the fence: try the prologue demo. If I wasn’t sold on the game before, it would have sealed the deal—it’s that good.
Sadly, this marks the end of our ranking of the best turn-based RPGs in 2024. Do you like this style of gameplay? Are you a fan of Persona 3 Reload? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
And if you can’t get enough of putting your tactical skills to the test, our other article about the top turn-based games might pique your interest.
