PPG Game Of The Year 2024 - 04 - The Best Grid-N-Turn Based Tactics Games
I think what I love about this category is that there is such a breadth of art styles, settings and twists on the main formula. From grimdark to whimsical, serious to hilarious, pixel to realistic, discrete levels to open world - whatever your exact fancy is, you're sure to find at least one strong game among this collection.
Kingsvein
ImSim-y Open World Tactics
Rad Codex does it again with a neat setting, an excellent job system and an ImSim level of world interactivity via abilities and tools. An excellent tactics RPG.
Super Algebrawl
Math Based Battles
A turn based tactics games that fronts the math in a fun way. I almost feel like this could be a good edutainment game for kids that love games but struggle with numbers.
Dice of God
Bite Sized Mechanically Focused
A cheap and fun to quickly play through RPG/tactical game that plays around with the possibilities present with dice based mechanics.
The Pair Annihilation
Space Ship Armada
Kind of Into The Breach in space, but with a few rough edges. Spacial abilities are key in grid set turn based battles.
Clash II
Medieval Fantasy Tactics
Epic clashes between ideological factions worshiping various deities aiming for supremacy and revenge. Feels very classic Age of Wonders or HoMM in a way. Many issues from the initial negative reviews have been addressed.
Classified: France '44
Crack Team Vs WW2 Nazis
Going for an XCOM vibe but WW2 occupied France. Instead of super soldiers, you have a ragtag collection of antifascists tearing into the Nazi war machine.
Dream Tactics
Pastel GBA Tactics
The pastel pixel art of this SRPG is on point. A cute setup of saving the dream world from the mighty pillow army, the card based grid tactics here are enough of a twist to make this cool and unique.
King Arthur: Legion IX
Roman Empire X Avalon
A grimdark turn based RPG played across 15 missions as an undead Roman baddie against the knights of the round table. A smaller, stand alone expansion to the original King Arthur: A Knights Tale.
Trash of the Titans (EA)
Trash Based Tactics
A lighthearted "defend the trash from the rats" premise makes way for some fun grid based tactics. Some nice pixel art that is very purple.
Capes
Superhero Comeback Story
A really fun turn based tactics game about superheroes trying to take back their city from the villains that have ruled it for 20 years. Ignore the "mixed" reception and negative reviews on this one - a quick scan through reveals it's mostly assholes that can't stand the idea of women and people of varying body sizes existing, trying to deliberately drag the game down.
GUNCHO
Tiny Hex Tactics
Procgen mini shootouts on a small hex map. Upgrade your bullets and deploy tactical skills at the right time. Nice bite sized quick session puzzle like tactics.
Arc Seed (EA)
Inner City Mech V Aliens
Very clear influences from Into The Breach and End of Evangelion in this grid based tactics game about fighting alien "angels" between skyscrapers along city blocks.
Steamworld Heist II
2D Side-on Robot Tactics
The Steamworld games continue to be exceptional quality experiences regardless of genre. Layers on top of the original with a new job system among a host of other improvements.
The Puzzle Maker: Cebba’s Odyssey
Grid Based Combat Puzzles
I hesitate to call this a tactics game, as the idea of each discrete battle is to solve the encounter using the tools available to you. But isn't that what all tactics games are, really? Still, this is a surprisingly top tier experience, with lovely pixel art and animation surrounding a wonderful puzzly tactical package.
Tarnished Blood - Tactic RPG (EA)
Grotesque Time Bending Tactics
A fascinating original combat concept in focusing on the timeline of events in each battle. The artwork is also very body horror, gross life forms for the creatures you are slaying.
Mycelium
Ancient Cave System Exploration
Grid based exploration game with a very human center. Excellent stylized look about the game, with fun interactive skills and systems.
Freenergy
Customizable Robot Of Destruction
Build up your robot and take part in gladiator style battles to keep your life under the iron grip of a corporation. Focus on planning attacks and mitigating as much damage as you can.
Skygard Arena (EA)
Open Ended Hero Tactics
A tactics game where you build up a team as you go on missions with grid based tactical battles. Campaign and skirmish modes keep you busy with varying play possibilities.
And The Best Grid / Turn Based Tactical Game Of 2024 Is…
Tactical Breach Wizards
Time Bending SWAT Wizards
Tom Francis and his team now has a 3 for 3 hit rate. Tactical puzzle boxes similar in some ways to Into The Breach, but wholly its own thing with plenty of door breaching and kicking baddies out of windows. A great collection of party members rounds out a great time of a story.