Introduction
The 2012 remake of the titular XCOM: Enemy Unknown is now seen by the games industry as the moment turn-based strategy was not only revived, but got up, started running, and has never stopped since. In fact, looking at the up-and-coming strategy games releasing in 2026, it doesn’t seem like it’s going to be slowing down any time soon, with Star Wars: Zero Company shaping up nicely to become the big-hitter in the genre. So, to quench our thirst while we wait for its release, I have compiled the best turn-based strategy games to play if you love XCOM!
15 – The Banner Saga
The Banner Saga trilogy of games was quite the rage in 2014, but it seems like it faded into obscurity since, mainly due to a less-than-stellar reception given by players to its third and last entry. Despite that, Banner Saga and Banner Saga 2 are highly regarded as storytelling and turn-based strategy masterpieces. Players have to lead their caravan across a world that’s breaking. Progress is permanent across all games, and decisions and characters carry over from one game to another. The beautiful 2D artwork also offers a haunting contrast with the bleak story the game is telling.
14 – Hard West 2
Plenty of games in this article will vary somewhat from the XCOM formula, as is to be expected, since most game developers try to improve and innovate it, or at least add some quirks here and there. And that’s a good thing, for the most part. Hard West 2 keeps things very close to the original, but stands out by having the wildest setting, by a country mile! Set in a diabolical version of the Wild West, you take control of a posse of supernatural-powered-infused cowboys looking to catch the Ghost Train. The game is hard, brutal, bloody, and has a ricochet mechanic (because of course it does), which allows for some crazy set-ups and totally not insane kills.
13 – Expeditions: Rome
The Expeditions series has a track record for constantly putting out cult classics that go unnoticed for years until they receive their due, such as Conquistador, Vikings, and, most recently, Expeditions: Rome. In this game, players take on the role of a young Legatus whose father was murdered by an unknown political opponent, forcing them to flee Rome and join a military campaign in Greece. This tactical alt-historical RPG blends deep narrative choices with intricate turn-based tactical combat as you command a party of elite Praetorians. Your adventures will have you fighting all over the Ancient World, from Greece to North Africa and Gaul. The usual gameplay loop applies: Fight in turn-based mode, then move on to customize your units and equip your party to face the next challenge. The graphics are pretty fantastic as well, and the team has recently received the green light to start working on a new title.
12 – Phantom Brigade
Developed by Brace Yourself Games, Phantom Brigade had a rough start, not helped by the fact that it was an Epic Store exclusive for a while, and we all know how people reacted to that. I myself included, since I do personally believe store exclusivity is a really stupid thing. Set in the war-torn homeland of Fyrland, players lead a small resistance force of mech pilots against an overwhelming occupying power. The game’s standout feature is its predictive combat: thanks to an experimental future-seeing prototype, you can see exactly how enemies will move and fire over the next five seconds. This allows you to scrub through a timeline, much like a video editing suite, to precisely choreograph dodges, shield deployments, and counter-attacks before hitting “execute” to watch the physics-based carnage unfold in real time. A recent and substantial 2.0 update added a lot more missions, thickened the amount of strategic options available for the campaign, and added a new pilot management system, coming full circle to become something akin to the full XCOM formula.
I have played the 2.0 update quite a bit and was so surprised to see how things like each individual project is simulated, terrain is highly destructible, and the mech-management is so much better now. If you were unaware of its existence, have a go at its Steam page and see for yourself how people are now raving about its qualities. High recommendation on my end as well. It’s even part of a bundle with Invisible Inc., a title that makes a show later in the article.
11 – Kriegsfront Tactics Prologue
“Are you mad, Nuno? Isn’t Kriegsfront in development?” Well, you know what? My handsome and astute viewer? You’re absolutely right, Kriegsfront isn’t out yet, but its generous prologue is one of the best demos I have ever seen in terms of quality and quantity. You take command of a team of mechs during a conflict in the southeast jungles in the 1970s. In my preview of the game, I was surprised at how closely it mimics the XCOM formula, while giving players a ton of freedom while putting their mechs together, as well as the existence of a very detailed limb-damage system that allows for the targeting of specific mech systems. If you don’t know what to play this weekend, this one is free and will keep you occupied for the whole Sunday afternoon.
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