For years, turn-based tactics was dismissed as a relic of a bygone era too slow, too methodical, too "retro" for modern audiences. But in 2025 and 2026, the genre is thriving yet again, with massive RPG hits and indie darlings proving that tactical depth never goes out of style. From the creators of Battle Brothers delivering Menace to genre-defying experiments like Dungeon of Naheulbeuk, the turn-based tactics space is experiencing a genuine renaissance.
Yet amid all the buzz around Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and mainstream strategy franchises, dozens of incredible tactics games flew under the radar. The sheer volume of releases makes it impossible to play everything and that means genuinely great games get missed.
So I went digging. Here are 7 underrated turn-based tactics games that deserve a spot in your backlog from roguelike Fire Emblem-likes to superhero strategy hybrids, and everything in between.
1. 🧙 Marvel's Midnight Suns Persona Meets XCOM
Marvel's Midnight Suns
★★★★☆Yes, a Marvel superhero game belongs on this list and it's one of the most tragically overlooked tactics games of the decade. Marvel's Midnight Suns fuses the life sim component of Persona with the excellent turn-based tactical combat of XCOM, and it's a triumph in game design.
Between missions, you retreat to the Abbey a hub where you build friendships, host book clubs, and have intimate conversations with iconic Marvel heroes. It humanizes these characters in a way the MCU never could. On the battlefield, Firaxis applies its trademark XCOM tactics with a card-based twist, giving each hero a unique playstyle.
Why it's underrated: It launched with mixed marketing, and the card system turned off traditional XCOM fans. But those who stuck with it discovered one of the best Marvel games ever made.
2. 🚀 Menace Battle Brothers in Space
Menace
Early AccessFrom the brilliant minds behind the cult classic Battle Brothers comes Menace a grim sci-fi tactics game that retains the punishing, squad-based survival of its predecessor while launching it into the cold void of space. You command a mercenary company on the fringes of human civilization, taking contracts, managing ship resources, and engaging in brutal turn-based skirmishes.
Every decision matters: a wounded soldier might develop a phobia, a failed mission could spiral into famine, and each planet you visit presents narrative forks with meaningful consequences. The tactical combat is deliberately slow and methodical, emphasizing positioning, cover, and action economy over flashy abilities.
Why it's underrated: Still in Early Access, Menace hasn't received the mainstream spotlight it deserves. But even in its current state, it offers 30+ hours of gritty, unforgiving tactics that hardcore fans of the genre will absolutely adore.
3. ⚔️ Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga Fire Emblem, Evolved
Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga
★★★★☆If you've ever wished for Fire Emblem with larger armies and deeper squad customisation, Symphony of War is your answer. This indie masterpiece lets you build squads of up to nine units each, combining different classes (infantry, cavalry, archers, mages) to create synergistic formations that dominate the battlefield.
The story follows a classic fantasy war narrative with political intrigue, but the real star is the combat system. You deploy multiple squads across large battlefields, each squad acting as a single unit with shared HP and abilities. The rock-paper-scissors class system, combined with permanent unit deaths (if you enable ironman), creates nail-biting tension in every encounter.
Why it's underrated: It was overshadowed by bigger RPG releases in 2023, and its retro aesthetic turned off some players. But beneath that pixel-art exterior lies one of the most satisfying army-builder tactics games ever made.
4. 🧠 Telepath Tactics Liberated The Indie XCOM That Out-XCOMs XCOM
Telepath Tactics Liberated
★★★★☆Telepath Tactics has been the hidden gem of the turn-based community for years, and the Liberated remaster brings it to modern audiences with an overhauled UI, new campaigns, and mod support. What sets it apart is the fully destructible environment you can knock down trees, collapse bridges, and even push enemies off cliffs, all of which changes the battlefield dynamically.
The game features a deep elemental system: water conducts lightning, oil ignites into fire, and ice can be shattered to create obstacles. Each character has a unique skill tree, and the campaign offers branching dialogue that affects recruitment and endings. It's a love letter to classic tactical RPGs with modern polish.
Why it's underrated: The original release flew under the radar, and the remaster didn't get the marketing push it needed. For any tactics fan craving true emergent gameplay, this is an absolute must-play.
5. 🔥 The Iron Oath Dark Fantasy Mercenary Management
The Iron Oath
★★★★☆Imagine a darker, more punishing Battle Brothers set in a grim fantasy world where your mercenary company ages, retires, and dies of old age. The Iron Oath is exactly that a turn-based tactics game where time is your biggest enemy.
You recruit adventurers from various classes (warrior, rogue, pyromancer, etc.), each with unique skill trees and personality traits. As you complete contracts, years pass, and your veterans grow weaker while new recruits join the ranks. The tactical combat is grid-based with positional bonuses, cover mechanics, and deadly critical hits that can end a veteran's career in one blow.
Why it's underrated: It released quietly in 2024 without major press coverage. Its difficulty curve and permadeath mechanics scare off casual players, but for those who stick with it, it offers one of the most emotionally resonant strategy experiences on the market.
6. 🐉 Dungeon of Naheulbeuk: Amulet of Chaos Tactical Comedy Gold
Dungeon of Naheulbeuk
★★★★☆Based on a popular French audio comedy series, Dungeon of Naheulbeuk is a turn-based tactics game that doesn't take itself seriously but its combat system is surprisingly deep. You control a band of misfits (a dwarf, a mage, a ranger, an elf, etc.) who bicker constantly, break the fourth wall, and stumble through a ridiculously over-the-top dungeon crawl.
Underneath the humor lies a robust tactical engine with environmental hazards, ability synergies, and a stamina system that forces you to balance offense with resource management. The DLC adds even more classes and a roguelike mode that extends replayability.
Why it's underrated: Many dismissed it as a shallow parody. But it's actually one of the most accessible and entertaining entry points into the genre, perfect for newcomers who want tactical depth without the grimdark tone.
7. 🩸 Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters The True Grey Knight Fantasy
Warhammer 40k: Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters
★★★★☆While Warhammer 40k: Mechanicus got well-deserved praise, Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters often gets lost in the shuffle which is a crime, because it's the best Warhammer tactics game since the original Dawn of War. You command a squad of Grey Knights, elite psykers clad in terminator armour, purging chaos demons across a plague-ridden galaxy.
The combat is fast, brutal, and deeply satisfying. Each Grey Knight is a walking tank with powerful psychic abilities that can turn the tide of battle. The game introduces a real-time strategic layer where you manage your starship, research new technologies, and choose which planetary invasions to respond to creating a compelling loop between battles.
Why it's underrated: It launched with some technical hiccups and was overshadowed by other 2022 heavyweights. But with patches and the excellent Duty Eternal DLC, it's now a polished, action-packed tactics gem that any 40k fan absolutely must play.
How They Compare A Quick Reference Table
| Game | Setting | Complexity | Story Focus | Replayability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel's Midnight Suns | Superhero | Medium | High (Persona-style) | High |
| Menace | Sci-Fi | Very High | Medium | Extreme |
| Symphony of War | Fantasy | Medium | High | High |
| Telepath Tactics Liberated | Fantasy/Steampunk | Very High | Medium | Very High |
| The Iron Oath | Grimdark Fantasy | Very High | Medium | Extreme |
| Dungeon of Naheulbeuk | Comedy Fantasy | Low-Medium | High (humor) | Medium |
| Chaos Gate - Daemonhunters | Warhammer 40k | High | High | High |
Which One Should You Play First?
The beauty of this list is that each game serves a different tactical appetite. Here is a simple decision guide:
- If you want a blockbuster production with deep characters: Start with Marvel's Midnight Suns.
- If you crave brutal, unforgiving survival: Dive into Menace or The Iron Oath.
- If you love army-building and epic-scale battles: Symphony of War is your jam.
- If you want pure, emergent tactical sandbox with endless possibilities: Telepath Tactics Liberated has no equal.
- If you just want to laugh while playing smart: Dungeon of Naheulbeuk is a delight.
- If you are a Warhammer fan (or love visceral, crunchy combat): Chaos Gate is a must-own.
💡 Pro tip: Most of these games are frequently discounted during Steam sales. Wishlist them now and pounce when they hit 40–60% off you'll get dozens of hours of premium tactical gameplay for the price of a takeout meal.
🏆 Final Verdict The Turn-Based Tactics Renaissance Is Real
The tactics genre is often dismissed as "niche" or "too slow," but the seven games on this list prove otherwise. They offer depth, emotional engagement, and sheer variety that few other genres can match. Whether you're a hardened veteran of XCOM or a newcomer looking for a strategic challenge, there is something here for everyone.
My personal crown goes to Symphony of War it's the most surprisingly addictive game I've played in years, and it deserves a place alongside the greats.
But honestly? You can't go wrong with any title on this list. Pick the one that speaks to your mood, and prepare to lose many, many hours to glorious, thoughtful warfare.
🎮 Stay strategic: All prices and platform availability are current as of June 2026.
Always check for regional pricing and demo availability before purchase.
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