3 – Showgunners
If you ever wondered what would happen if you mixed XCOM with The Running Man, Showgunners is your answer. You control Scarlett Martillo, a contestant out for revenge in a dystopian, high-lethal reality TV game show where mercenaries navigate deadly, trap-filled arenas while battling waves of psycho-enthusiasts for the entertainment of a bloodthirsty audience. The game shines by turning turn-based tactical combat into a theatrical spectacle. Battles take place in dynamic environments featuring interactive hazards, moving obstacles, and studio-controlled traps. Success isn’t just about surviving; it’s about pleasing the crowd, earning fame points, and winning sponsorships to unlock better gear and abilities. Fast-paced, visually punchy, and mechanics-tight, Showgunners is a thrilling tactical ride that deserves a second life. If you’re unsure whether you should try it, the game has a demo you can give a whirl before pressing the purchase button, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll love it.
2 – Cyber Knights: Flashpoint
I have recently featured this title from Trese Brothers for the first time ever, so in case you missed it, let me fill you in! Cyber Knights: Flashpoint is a gritty cyberpunk heist RPG that takes tactical planning to an incredible level of depth. Set in a dystopian, neon-soaked future, you manage a squad of specialized mercs, from hackers and cyber-engineers to covert snipers, taking on high-stakes corporate jobs in the shadows of a police state.
The turn-based combat emphasizes stealth, gridless spatial positioning, dynamic security networks, and having to deal with a lot of enemies! Crucially, the game features a complex “matrix” of choices, pre-mission planning, and persistent base management where every contact, favor, and failed hack ripples through your squad’s story because of its “Director” system, which was specifically designed to account for every single action and choice a character has taken, and to create narratives around it. This game is a recommendation for players who want emergent narratives and deeply mechanical gameplay, with abilities and weapons that are so distinct from one another that you’ll probably spend weeks just learning how to make the most out of each. It’s complex, yes. It’s brutal, yes. But hell, if it isn’t rewarding.
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