Turn-Based RPGs You’ll Love If You’re Into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

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The triumphant victory of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sparked a whirlwind of excitement throughout the gaming community. This game seems poised to vie for the title of Game of the Year, joining the esteemed company of heavyweights such as Blue Prince, Monster Hunter Wilds, Split Fiction, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

The conversation about the ‘turn-based genre’ has ignited a variety of views on social networks as well. However, it’s important to remember that ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ isn’t the first contemporary game to attract fans of turn-based RPGs. In fact, many games before it have done the same. And there’s always more to discover in this genre.

Here are the five best games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33:

Metaphor: ReFantazio

From the rich knowledge garnered through their work on the Persona series, Atlus seems to have skillfully applied those lessons in the development of Metaphor: ReFantazio, resulting in what appears to be some of their finest crafted turn-based battles.

Much like Clair Obscur, Metaphor’s gameplay combines real-time and turn-based mechanics, yet a large portion of your encounters with enemies will be in the traditional style: by taking turns.

One aspect that enhances Metaphor’s turn-based gameplay is the incorporation of mechanics similar to Shin Megami Tensei’s “Press Turn” battle system. This system encourages thoughtful decision-making, as each action you take consumes a crystal. Unlike some games where you can simply focus on exploiting enemy weaknesses for additional turns, like in Persona, Metaphor offers a more strategic and rewarding experience due to this resource management aspect.

Sea Of Stars

If the 3D experience of “Clair Obscur” doesn’t resonate with you, perhaps the captivating 2D sprites of Sea of Stars will appeal instead. Both games share a common style when it comes to their turn-based gameplay, where player interaction is vital due to Quick Time Event (QTE) commands.

Just as Clair Obscur requires both parry and evade maneuvers to fully immerse oneself in the gameplay, Sea of Stars demands active participation rather than passive waiting. To get the most out of offense and defense, it’s crucial to stay alert and involved throughout your journey.

Yakuza: Like A Dragon

In contrast to other Yakuza games, Like a Dragon was innovatively introduced with a turn-based combat mechanism, which could have initially been met with skepticism by loyal fans accustomed to the series’ traditional beat ’em up gameplay. However, this change turned out to be quite successful and well-received by many.

As a gamer, I love how Yakuza-like games inject fun into environmental interactivity. Battles can quickly turn into wild chaos, as what you find nearby becomes part of the fray. One instant, I’m wielding a street sign against an adversary; the next, my enemy snatches something equally absurd to clobber me back!

Baldur’s Gate 3

Baldur’s Gate 3 now serves as an exemplary model for how a fantastic modern role-playing game should be crafted, and Larian Studios justifiably takes pride in their work following almost a decade of dedication.

Initially, the combat style in Baldur’s Gate 3 may not seem familiar to fans of Final Fantasy or Persona. Instead, it caters to those who cherished tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), particularly those who found thrill in Dungeons & Dragons gaming sessions during their youth.

In this game, dice rolls play a significant role. At times, you find yourself hoping for luck from the random number generator (RNG) during crucial situations, which adds to the game’s enchantment. Unlike other games in the list, there are numerous strategies to handle encounters – you can either opt for creative experimentation or stick to the traditional approach of reducing enemies’ health to zero. The allure of Baldur’s Gate 3 (BG3) comes from its freedom, yet you’re still taking turns and hoping for a favorable roll.

South Park: The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Whole

In tough situations, South Park isn’t a wrong choice to lean on. Although Cartman, Stan, Kyle, and Kenny aren’t your typical allies in conflicts, they make an ideal team in this scenario.

These games, The Stick of Truth and The Fractured But Whole, are notable not only for their wit and adult themes, but also for their robust and engaging turn-based battle systems.

The grid-based style they’ve adopted has a novel feel, similar to XCOM or Final Fantasy Tactics, yet infused with the unique quirks of Cartman. It’s an unusual blend that manages to captivate in a charmingly absurd manner. However, beware of playing this game on your living room TV; it might lead others to scrutinize your decisions.

Despite the numerous other excellent modern turn-based RPGs out there, here are my top 5 favorites.

Or, if you prefer a more conversational tone:

I’ve been playing quite a few modern turn-based RPGs lately, and these five stand out as my absolute favorites. Of course, there are many other great ones, but these are the ones that really caught my attention!

What’s your favorite modern turn-based RPG?

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2025-04-28 15:14