10 Best Turn-Based RPG Masterpieces of the Last 20 Years

Action games are usually what people picture when they think of video games. Turn-based RPGs are often seen as old-fashioned, something from a simpler era before action games became popular. But that view isn’t accurate at all.

The last two decades have seen a wealth of fantastic turn-based RPGs, many considered true classics. These games demonstrate that strategic, turn-based battles can be as engaging and difficult as fast-paced action combat, and the ability to carefully consider your options is key to success. Plus, they often feature compelling stories and characters that have become memorable parts of the RPG landscape.

XCOM 2 Forces Players To Deal With The Randomness Of Combat

Firaxis Games faced a big challenge when they first tried to bring back the XCOM series. After successfully reviving it, they then aimed to make something even better. Most fans agree that XCOM 2 isn’t just a great game, but one of the best turn-based strategy games of the 2010s. The game takes place decades after the original, and shows a world where humans are desperately trying to survive after losing a war against aliens, making the situation even more intense.

In XCOM 2, every playthrough feels different thanks to randomly generated maps and a flexible upgrade system. Unlike some turn-based games that can be a bit forgiving, XCOM 2 demands careful planning – a few mistakes can quickly lead to mission failure. This creates a truly challenging and rewarding experience, making it one of the best tactical RPGs around.

Octopath Traveler II Improves On Every Level From The Original

Square Enix has released many games that received varied reactions. However, Octopath Traveler II has been a clear success. Similar to the first game, Octopath Traveler II lets players control eight different characters, each with their own unique story. But this time, the writing and overall presentation are significantly improved, elevating the game from simply good to truly exceptional.

Octopath Traveler II features eight main characters, each with their own distinct story – like Hikari trying to win back his kingdom, or Agnea striving to become a famous dancer. The game seamlessly weaves these individual narratives into a cohesive world, keeping players engaged no matter whose journey they’re following. Combining a deep job system with fresh, turn-based battles, Octopath Traveler II will appeal to fans of creative combat and the classic style of 16-bit games.

Wasteland 3 Continues A Legendary Franchise

Man, the original Wasteland was a huge influence on Fallout, but after that, it kind of disappeared for a long time. Then InXile Entertainment came along and brought the series back to life with some really great games. Honestly, even if you think you know what to expect from a post-apocalyptic RPG, Wasteland 3 will surprise you. It’s a totally different experience once you actually start playing.

While Wasteland 3 uses some common themes, it delivers them with excellent gameplay, making the experience feel new. Your decisions in both the main story and side quests really matter, with consequences appearing later on, which creates a unique and personal narrative. The combat is fast-paced and difficult, demanding quick thinking and adaptation. It’s an ideal turn-based game for players who want a genuinely tough challenge.

Dragon Quest 11: Echoes Of An Elusive Age Proves There’s Nothing Wrong With A Classic

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age proves why the Dragon Quest series remains so popular. It doesn’t try to be groundbreaking, but it excels as a well-written, traditional JRPG. Players take on the role of a silent protagonist who discovers his destiny as the Luminary, a hero tasked with saving the world – despite facing overwhelming odds.

One of the best things about Dragon Quest XI is its charming art style, created by the famous Akira Toriyama. The characters and monsters are all designed with a cute, cartoonish look that makes the game welcoming to players of all ages, even as the story tackles surprisingly mature and complex themes. Over the course of its nearly 100-hour adventure, you can expect plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

Divinity: Original Sin II Lets Players Embrace The Powers Of Deities

Larian Studios has a history of creating fantastic games, and Baldur’s Gate 3 is just the latest example. Before that, they developed Original Sin II, a game set hundreds of years before the events of Baldur’s Gate 3. In Original Sin II, you play as a Godwoken, a character with immense power who can potentially become the most powerful being in the world. Like Baldur’s Gate 3, it emphasizes player freedom, letting you tackle challenges in whatever way you choose.

Whether you prefer playing alone or with friends, Original Sin II offers a rich, story-driven experience. Its turn-based battles are incredibly fun, letting you unleash powerful abilities and create exciting chaos. And, like other games from Larian Studios, it’s packed with content, so you’ll have plenty to play without needing to buy new games frequently.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Is The Best Way To Start A 20-Year Franchise

A common issue with the Trails series is figuring out where to begin, given it’s been running for two decades. To solve this, Falcom has remade the very first game as Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter. And thankfully, a fantastic game from 2005 still holds up beautifully in 2025.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter welcomes players to a richly detailed and captivating world, and stands out as one of the series’ strongest entries. It stays true to the original game’s spirit, with the major improvement being a completely revamped combat system. This new system is a modern take on turn-based battles and is incredibly fun to play. Plus, the game offers around fifty hours of content, even for those who aim to complete everything, and its excellent pacing makes it potentially the best Trails game in recent years.

Persona 5 Royal Is One Of The Most Stylish Games Ever

For a while, Persona 5 Royal was everywhere you looked if you were a fan of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs). Atlus had successfully built excitement for the Persona series, and this game delivered, surpassing even the popular Persona 4 Golden. It was even recognized as the best role-playing game at The Game Awards in 2016.

True to Atlus’s signature style, Persona 5 Royal is visually stunning, boasting a fantastic jazz soundtrack and incredibly unique menus. The story is just as distinctive. Unlike many Japanese role-playing games focused on saving kingdoms, Persona 5 Royal uses its modern setting and group of rebellious heroes to explore important social issues. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for a JRPG that feels fresh and different.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Proves Newcomers Can Stand Alongside The Greats

While the initial announcement of Expedition 33 was promising, its ultimate success surprised everyone. Drawing inspiration from classic Japanese role-playing games, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 delivered a unique turn-based RPG experience. Despite being made by a new development team, the game boasted beautiful graphics and a fantastic voice acting cast, creating a cinematic feel comparable to that of major studio productions.

The combat in Expedition 33 is really challenging. Even on the normal difficulty, you’ll need to learn enemy attack patterns and master parrying or dodging to survive. Luckily, the game offers plenty of customization options with Pictos and Lumina, which can help players of any skill level feel confident in battles.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon Is The Ultimate RPG For Adults

It’s amazing that SEGA turned an April Fool’s joke into one of their biggest game series. With Yakuza: Like A Dragon, they completely changed the gameplay from action-packed fighting to turn-based battles, but the biggest surprise was swapping the main character from Kiryu to a new hero, Ichiban Kasuga. Both of these bold moves paid off, making the game a huge critical and commercial success.

One of the things that makes Like A Dragon so good is how different it is from other Japanese role-playing games. It features a cast of adults, letting it tackle themes that will resonate with older players—themes they can relate to now, without needing to think back to their teenage years. Plus, the combat system is fun and flexible, with a wide variety of classes to choose from, ranging from pop stars to breakdancers and even dominatrixes, offering both strategic options and plenty of humor.

Baldur’s Gate 3 Brought D&D Back To Video Games

With the original Baldur’s Gate games being so popular, Larian Studios faced high expectations with Baldur’s Gate 3. They didn’t just meet those expectations—they exceeded them, creating a new benchmark for cRPGs and RPGs in general. It’s a truly exceptional high fantasy RPG, offering both a massive world and unparalleled player choice.

It’s true this game has become a popular meme, but it’s unique in what it offers players. Where else can you turn into animals to attack enemies, or launch a surprise attack with fireballs before a battle even begins? With memorable characters, a huge world to explore, and a combat system that’s incredibly flexible, it’s easy to see why this game has remained so popular for so long.

2026-04-19 06:56