Turn-based games are in a niche ofthe role-playing genrethat is still home to some of the most popular franchises out there. And, while it’s a realm in gaming that is, frankly, dominated by the Japanese market, the West should not be underestimated, having put out a number of fantastic turn-based RPGs.
Of course, no game’s mechanics are without their influences, but some transform them into something fresh, whether that’s by way of presentation, tightening gameplay, or something else entirely. Here are some of the most unique turn-based battle systems found in Western games.
Aside from its hilarious, well done stick-figure art style,West of Loathingincludes plenty of interesting aspects in its combat to keep player’s interest. While the game’s grid-based combat isnothing new to RPGs, there are a few other bits that are.
For instance, an anger meter grows each time the player gets knocked out, forcing them to go home when it gets filled up. To avoid the fate of some lost progress, the player utilizes some ridiculous classes like the Beanslinger, who summons beans (yes, the food) to do their bidding, making it easilyone of the weirdest RPGs out there.
Wall Bangs Are Core To Combat
SteamWorld Heist
In SteamWorld Heist, you command a steam-driven pirate crew in a series of epic tactical shootouts. It’s turn-based strategy with a twist: You manually aim the guns of your robots, allowing for insane skill shots and bullet-bouncing action!As the captain you will board, loot and shoot your way through enemy spaceships. Overcome the challenges of the vast frontier by upgrading your recruits with unique abilities, weapons - and even stylish hats!Strategy focused on skill rather than chanceProcedurally generated levels15-20 hours of playtime, followed by New Game+Kind to newcomers, deep and challenging for veteransExpand the game with DLCSoundtrack by Steam Powered Giraffe
TheSteamWorldgames have bounced around genres over the years, but are all held together by nuts and bolts made of pure fun.SteamWorld Heistis no different, taking the fun of strategy games and enclosing it within the hulls of the various Scrapper ships that the player mustboard and rummage through.
Those small spaces make for the perfect environment to have a little fun withHeist’s interesting ricocheting mechanic. Wall bangs are the name of the game here, as players bounce bullets off steel to hit an enemy hiding behind cover. With a little time and practice, players will be skillfully blasting holes inenemy botsin no time.
The moment-to-moment stresses of delving deep into a cavern to face the unknown are heartily highlighted inDarkest Dungeon. Yet, the game seems to take pleasure leaning into those horrors, essentially torturing the player’s party in this punishing roguelike.
As a given run goes on, characters are adversely affected by the dark and terrible locations they visit and enemies they encounter. Whether someone is killed in front of them, or everyone is met with some sort ofhorrifying eldritch beast, players have to keep track of their party member’s stress levels. Let them get too high, and it could lead to a slew of debilitating vices — or even a heart attack induced insta-kill.
Wasteland 3’s dire world, brought on by nuclear fallout, is a brutal one to be sure, and one that requires a fair bit of strategy to survive. Luckily, players and their squad don’t have to go it alone. Along with the traditional guns and melee weapons, wild animals can be enlisted to give the player an edge in battle.
Once they’re let loose on the battlefield, these feral friends will wreak havoc for as long as they live. As such, they add a hefty bit of unpredictability to a skirmish. Though, in the post-apocalypse,is anything for certain?
The Fractured But Wholeis another excellent entry in the series of modernSouth ParkRPGs that take tried and true role-playing game mechanics and place them in thewild world of the show. This time around, the game is one long play on today’s superhero craze.
The same gut-busting social commentary of the show, as well as the last game, is present here. To see it, players need to look no further than the game’s “Microaggressions.” Here, enemies will make offensive remarks, giving the player a chance to rebut with a quick and powerful hit to their health bar. It’s a simple mechanic, but one that can make a huge difference in battle.
