Turn Based Tactics

My love of the Tactics genre goes back to Fire Emblem on GBA and Final Fantasy Tactics, so here are the BEST modern indie tactics games you should try out.

Updated August 17, 2020

#20 Banner of the Maid

Anime French Revolution isn’t something that you see everyday, so together with the gorgeous pixel art, Banner of the Maid really caught my eye.

#19 Pathway

While I do love the pixel art of this tactical rogue-lite which captures the spirit of Indiana Jones, there were some core design issues at launch that people did not enjoy. But this was patched up nicely in the months following so it’s worth a go.

#18 Xenonauts

If you are a fan of old school XCOM (not the modern 2K Enemy Unknown series), Xenonauts will certainly be of interest as it’s one of the most faithful tributes to the classic series.

#17 Phoenix Point

While we’re still on the topic of classic XCOM, Phoenix Point is headed up by Julian Gollop, who’s often credited as the "man who gave birth to the XCOM franchise". Factors like ballistic modelling definitely makes this title one of interest.

#16 Ash of Gods: Redemption

Ash of Gods shares an art style very similar to another title down the list, but also has one of the most interesting adaptive storytelling engines where the game and story progresses even if one of the main characters dies.

#15 Mortal Glory

I’m very impressed with the gladiatorial combat title Mortal Glory because there’s a nice amount of variety and strategizing in this one even with the simple visuals.

#14 Fort Triumph

I would describe Fort Triumph as ‘Fantasy XCOM meets Heroes of Might and Magic’, and that is in no way reductive since the elements are similar but environmental objects also play a huge role in the strategy.

#13 Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus

While the flood of Warhammer games never stops, Mechanicus has you playing as the most technologically advanced army of the Imperium in the The Adeptus Mechanicus, choosing to replace weak organic flesh with steel and tech, all in the service of the Omnissiah!

#12 Hard West

A tactics title set in the Weird West featuring the likes of the Devil, ghosts and demons, you play as a man imbued with supernatural powers who hunts down those who have wronged him.

#11 Tiny Metal: Full Metal Rumble

Advanced Wars is one the all time best tactics titles, and the Tiny Metal series from a Japanese team is one that brings the anime military tactics title into a new age.

#10 Steamworld Heist

The SteamWorld franchise is a homerun of an idea. While the Dig and Quest games are probably better known to fans, Heist is an underrated gem that is a unique side scrolling tactics title with manual aiming.

#9 Fae Tactics

Fae Tactics is one of the gems of 2020, and I love the pixel art of this game together with the Pokemon-like element of being able to summon enemy units as your own. Plenty of tactical depth as well with positioning, elemental effect and elevation factoring in.

#8 Battle Brothers

Battle Brothers is one of those games that will absolutely suck up HOURS of your life if it jives with you, being a mercenary company simulator set in an open world.

#7 The Banner Saga Trilogy

One of the modern breakout hits in the tactics space is the Banner Saga Trilogy, which paints an epic story spanning across three games that are totally worth playing through!

#6 Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden

This title caught my attention since it is as much of a stealth game as it is a tactics title. You move around the environment in real time until you meet an enemy, which triggers a camera shift and then the tactics combat begins! There’s a very interesting mutation upgrade system as well.

#5 Wargroove

I love the look of Wargroove, especially the character sprites on the overworld map. There’s just so much content in this game too, from an epic story campaign, online multiplayer, custom map creator and even a puzzle mode!

#4 Horizon’s Gate

Developer Rad Codex is stealthily one of the best in the business of tactics games, with titles like Voidspire Tactics under their belt, so Horizon’s Gate is definitely one to check out.

#3 Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark

A title very much like Final Fantasy Tactics, Fell Seal: Arbiter’s Mark is one of the best indie tactics games right now and with a huge variety of options for character classes.

#2 Skulls of the Shogun

An older title that still holds up, Skulls of the Shogun is a tactics game that does not utilize a grid, and the upgrade system of eating the skulls of your enemies adds a lot of interesting possibilities.

#1 Into the Breach

Into the Breach is one of my all-time favourite indie games because it’s so tightly crafted and is essentially Pacific Rim as a tactics game which I absolutely adore!

Upcoming Tactics Indie Games

Take a look at what’s coming out in the tactics space!