Summary
The year 2023 was an incredible year in gaming. Believe it or not, the humble turn-based RPG had one of its best years ever as a genre. With RPG games launching more frequently and at a higher quality than ever before, it could be hard to keep up with every good turn-based title out there.
If you’re worried you missed one of the best turn-based RPGs of the year, or you’re looking for your next RPG you’re able to relax. Read below to find some of the best turn-based games to launch in 2023, some of which you may have never even heard of.
9Fuga: Melodies Of Steel 2
A Strong Sequel
The first Fuga: Melodies Of Steel was an unexpected treat when it launched in 2021, bringing a charming art style to an emotional war story. The sequel, Fuga: Melodies Of Steel 2, builds on everything from the first game.
Combat is tighter, thankfully dropping the option to permanently lose a crew member in exchange for a powerful cannon shot. Thecharacters remain engagingand the story compelling, with a new system tracking your leadership style akin to the Paragon and Renegade system ofMass Effect.
8One Piece Odyssey
Set Sail For Adventure
One Piecehas experimented with games in a variety of genres, with the best typically being thePirate Warriorsseries. That was untilOne Piece Odysseylaunched, a classic turn-based RPG that serves as a greatest hits of the One Piece story.
It’s a fun jaunt down memory lane for fans of the series, witha combat system containing more depththan you might have expected. It also launched a surprisingly challenging DLC campaign, but fans of One Piece are already excited for more turn-based pirate action.
7World Of Horror
Inspired By The Best
Heavily inspired by Japanese horror legend Junji Ito,World Of Horroris a terrifying concoction. Part visual novel, part turn-based RPG, part story-focused roguelike. It presents a series of supernatural investigations to the player, but which ones you get changes with each playthrough.
It’s a game not enough people are talking about, probably because it spent quite a long time in early access before finally seeing a full release. If you need more horror in your turn-based action, then World Of Horror is the frightful time you’re looking for.
6Honkai: Star Rail
Trailblazingly Good
Whether you’re a fan or not, you will have at least heard ofGenshin Impactand the influence it’s had on the industry. The next game from developer Hoyoverse is Honkai: Star Rail. A sci-fi planet-hopping adventure with tight turn-based combat.
It does have gacha mechanics, but if that isn’t your favourite thing, don’t be put off. In-game purchases are completely optional, and the story is worth being at least emotionally invested in. It features some of the deepest lore and world-building of any game released in 2023.
5Darkest Dungeon 2
Success, So Long Pursued
The originalDarkest Dungeonis already something of a legend. A perfect example of early access done right; it brought so much to the table. A unique art style, deep combat, and more atmosphere than you could shake a stressed-out plague doctor at.
The sequel,Darkest Dungeon 2, initially upset some fans by making big changes to the formula from the first game. Now that the dust has settled, people are happy with the result, a game that is a sequel but stands apart as its own experience.
4Sea Of Stars
A Modern Retro Classic
Even with a game launched in 2023, you can still recapture the feeling of nostalgia from gaming years gone by.Sea Of Starsdoes exactly that, putting a modern coat of paint on a style of game that has never truly gone out of style.
Launchingto outstanding reviews, there’s no question that Sea Of Stars is something special. Featuring lush colours layered over superb combat, it’s a trip down memory lane to the best of the SNES era.
3Octopath Traveler 2
Square Enix Still Has It
Square Enixis the titan of the turn-based RPG genre. While their biggest franchise has continued to move away from its turn-based roots withFinal Fantasy 16, they’ve more than proven they still know how to make a turn-based RPG like nobody else.
Octopath Traveler 2builds on the success of the first game and doubles down on everything that made it great. Stunning retro graphics and one of the best combat systems ever developed make this a must-play game if you love all things turn-based.
2Cassette Beasts
Monster Catching Charm
The monster-catching genre and turn-based RPGs are almost impossible to separate. Pokemon continues to be one of the best-selling games of the year each time a new entry is launched.Cassette Beastsis another example of the marriage of monster-catching and turn-based combat, one that has flown under the radar.
It’s a monster catcher with a twist; you’re not technically catching the monsters. You record their information onto a cassette tape and then use that to transform into them. It’s a fun take and adds fan-favourite mechanics to the mix, like fusion. Coupled with bright graphics and excellent monster designs, Cassette Beasts is worth your time if you haven’t caught onto it already.
1Baldur’s Gate 3
It Changed Everything
Whether you’ve playedBaldur’s Gate 3or not, you still probably know that it’s already considered one of the greatest games ever made, bar none. There’s almost no area to fault Baldur’s Gate 3 in.The characters are wonderfully written with engaging backstories, theDungeons & Dragonsinspiredgameplay has hidden depths, and the main story is one of the best ever crafted. It strikes a perfect balance of paying homage to the original two games while telling its own story, making it perfect as an entry point to the series without alienating long-time fans.
The praise for Baldur’s Gate 3 is both endless and justified, setting a new standard not just for turn-based RPGs but all games going forward. In the same way that games likeThe Witcher 3orGrand Theft Auto 3marked a shift in the industry, Baldur’s Gate 3 will be a benchmark in gaming for years to come.Larian Studioshas a lot to live up to with whatever their next project will be. After all, it’s hard to follow up on a masterpiece.
