Best Turn-Based Tactical Games Like XCOM

A highly refined tactical game from the creators of FTL, set in a sci-fi world where players control mechs against giant bugs. It offers deterministic gameplay where you can see enemy moves, encouraging precise puzzle-solving rather than reliance on luck or hit percentages.

The latest entry in the classic mercenary management series, featuring deep character customization and tactical combat. Players hire and manage a squad of mercenaries across a large, persistent world, making critical decisions that impact the story and the geopolitical landscape.

The sequel to the genre-defining original, expanding on the base-building and strategic layer while refining combat mechanics. With enhanced stealth features, resistance network management, and deeper customization, it remains the gold standard for sci-fi tactical warfare.

A brilliant adaptation of the Gears of War franchise into a pure turn-based tactical experience. It features fast-paced, cooperative gameplay with heavy emphasis on cover mechanics, skill chains, and brutal melee executions, offering a satisfying combat loop.

A grimdark tactical RPG where players command Adeptus Mechanicus Sisters of Mars. The game emphasizes faith, prayer, and precise gunplay against a backdrop of ancient tech and heretical threats, offering a unique twist on hit probabilities and resource management.

A real-time tactics game set in feudal Japan, requiring players to command a team of five unique specialists. While not strictly turn-based, its reliance on planning, patience, and exploiting enemy sightlines makes it an excellent choice for XCOM fans seeking high-stakes stealth.

Set in the Wild West, this game combines stealth and tactical coordination among a diverse group of desperados. Each character has distinct abilities, requiring careful timing and resource allocation to overcome heavily armed guards and environmental hazards.

A humorous yet deep roguelite that combines tactical RPG elements with spellcasting and breach tactics. Players manage mana, spell cooldowns, and room clearing, offering a fresh take on the genre with chaotic, unpredictable, and highly replayable encounters.

An isometric RPG with incredibly deep tactical combat that rivals dedicated tactics games in terms of environmental interaction. Elements play a huge role, allowing players to create complex combos with water, lightning, and fire, rewarding creative and synergistic team compositions.

An open-world squad-based tactical RPG where players lead a company of mercenaries. It blends exploration, camp management, and turn-based combat, offering a gritty, grounded feel with permadeath and meaningful choices affecting the survival of your group.

A classic real-time tactics game remastered with modern graphics, featuring a team of Allied soldiers behind enemy lines. It requires meticulous planning and precise execution of each soldier's limited abilities to bypass or eliminate Nazi forces.

A Norse mythology-inspired tactical RPG with hand-drawn art and a branching narrative driven by player choices. Combat emphasizes positioning and stamina management, while the story consequences impact the fate of your caravan and its inhabitants.

A Western-themed tactical game that introduces persistent injuries and a chaotic combat system. Unlike static XCOM battles, actions have lingering consequences, and the narrative is procedurally generated, offering a unique blend of historical fiction and tactical depth.

A free, open-source roguelike with turn-based tactical combat and deep character customization. It features a rich, dark fantasy setting with complex mechanics for building powerful heroes, appealing to fans of deep, systemic gameplay over cinematic presentation.

While primarily an RTS, its tactical combat units and strategic layer offer XCOM-like elements in a massive war setting. Players manage logistics, technology trees, and unit upgrades, providing a grander scale than traditional squad-based tactics.

A charming tactical strategy game reminiscent of Fire Emblem, featuring grid-based combat and character-driven stories. It emphasizes unit roles, terrain advantage, and special abilities, offering a more accessible and narrative-focused experience for casual tactics fans.

Although primarily an action RPG, its tactical pause-and-play mode and party management offer a lighter take on squad tactics. Players can manage skills and positioning in a fantasy setting, suitable for those wanting less complexity than full XCOM games.

A gritty, mercenary company simulator with highly realistic turn-based combat. The learning curve is steep, but the satisfaction comes from managing veteran soldiers, their injuries, and tactical positioning against increasingly dangerous foes in a dark fantasy world.

A reverse RTS where players act as a king building a kingdom and luring adventurers into dungeons. It requires strategic placement of attractors and buildings, offering a unique perspective on tactical resource management and indirect control over combat outcomes.

A deck-building roguelike that applies tactical decision-making to card battles. While not a traditional squad game, its emphasis on resource management, synergies, and strategic planning appeals to fans of deep, thoughtful tactical encounters.

A post-apocalyptic CRPG with turn-based tactical combat and deep narrative choices. Players control a squad of Instructors, managing morale, supplies, and faction relationships, offering a mature and complex tactical experience set in a fractured Colorado.