5 – Xenonauts 1 and Xenonauts 2
The adage “better be safe than sorry” persists for good reason, and Xenonauts 2 embodies this sentiment, enhancing upon its predecessor in every conceivable aspect. While still in development, Xenonauts 2 already showcases remarkable improvement over the original Xenonauts. With its current state, I confidently endorse it. Xenonauts 2 renders the first installment nearly obsolete, save for nostalgia or a preference for its Cold War setting. Offering an irresistible opportunity for both seasoned series veterans and newcomers alike, Xenonauts 2 propels players into leading humanity’s resistance against extraterrestrial threats. Even in its Early Access phase, Xenonauts 2 emerges as a promising evolution of a classic, positioning itself as one of the best turn-based strategy games ever.
4 – Jagged Alliance 3
Sometimes, you just have to admit you were wrong. And how wrong I was. When Jagged Alliance 3 was first unveiled at the tail end of 2021, Strategy and Wargaming reacted more with “ugh!” than “yay!” – “Again, similarly to what was said about Men of War II, I don’t think Jagged Alliance 3 will ever be able to capture the magic that made the previous games so great when they first came out. The landscape of gaming just isn’t the same anymore, especially when it comes to the turn-based-tactical sub-genre, where there are so many great games out there that JA3 won’t get away without being compared to XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Gears Tactics, Phoenix Point, Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate- Daemon Hunters, Marvel: Midnight Suns and so many other. Can the team behind JA3 differentiate their game enough to make it stand out? By the looks of their 2022 showcase trailer, the answer is firmly negative“- However, after spending more than two weeks with the game, it’s fair to say those first impressions were totally wrong, and Jagged Alliance 3 is fantastic. A serviceable meta-layer that’s more tycoon-management/RPG, interwoven with complex turn-based tactical skirmishes creates the basis for one of 2023 best turn-based tactical games, and one of the best turn-based strategy games that ever saw the light of day.
Jagged Alliance 3 is a fantastic return to form, and proof that in competent hands, the turn-based tactical genre can always get better. Finally, after all these years, we can get together to say that Jagged Alliance is no longer a strategy series that had its high point in the mid-90s, and everything that came after is just the result of untalented studios riding the IP to snatch an easy paycheck. I wholeheartedly recommend it.
3 – Marvel: Midnight Suns
It’s hard to put into words just how amazing Marvel: Midnight Suns really is. The best way to describe it is XCOM meets Marvel, meets Persona 4, in a genre-blend that works surprisingly well. There’s an overarching story with surprising plot twists and heroic moments. The battles are done using a well-designed and complex turn-based card system that creates ample opportunity for customizability and player expression.
After every mission, you’ll spend some time on the Abbey (the party’s base), where some side-quests take place, you unlock new costumes, explore its grounds, uncover every character’s motivations and personal dreams and demons (some literally), upgrade cards, customize your Hunter’s room and looks. It’s a lot. It reminds me fondly of games from yesteryear, with just so much content I can see myself playing it for another hundred and fifty hours (yes, that’s how long it took me).
It’s a shame that the departure of Jake Solomon and the poor commercial performance of the title placed a burial stone on further content, but what’s already there is more than enough, and its going to be a cult classic in a few years.
2 – Into The Breach
From the creators of FTL (Faster Than Light), Into The Breach stands as one of the most innovative turn-based strategy games ever made. Commanding a squad of mechs, players are tasked with defending humanity’s future against alien monsters reminiscent of off-brand Kaijus. Each enemy move is anticipated in advance, and every mech squad possesses distinct tools to counter them, often involving unit and terrain manipulation.
The game redefines the significance of positioning, with gameplay revolving predominantly around it. Players can strategically hurl enemies into traps, arrange them for devastating laser strikes, or provoke them into attacking each other. In Into The Breach, enemies’ attacks are as potent a weapon as your own.
Words scarcely capture my admiration for Into The Breach. The game received a substantial update in 2022, introducing five new mech squads and forty new weapons, which is simply chef’s kiss.
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