15 Best Turn-Based RPGs of All Time

The best turn-based RPGs ever made stretch back decades, so you should expect plenty of quality among these picks.

[anast]

I enjoy DVO:2 but battles take almost as long as playing D&D "3.5e" rules.

[Nerdmaster]

If you mean Divinity: Original Sin 2, I agree. The battles were so long and complex that for the short time I tried to like this game, I actively avoided battles.

[anast]

I am almost through it. It's one of the best CRPGs out there, but the classic mode takes forever and the adventure mode is way too easy and changing my armor every 10 seconds gets annoying, but all in I am having fun.

[slayernz]

i had D:OS1 for a couple of years before i really tried to get into it...finally took some time to sit down with it and wow, was blown away, platinumed it and then got stuck into D:OS2 straight after and platted that too.....would have to rate them both up there in my fav rpgs ever.....loved baldurs gate back in the day so i cannot wait to see what larian do with BG3,

[anast]

It's a solid game and "deserves" the credit it gets.

[Puty]

No love for Xcom for ps3/360? (i didnt like 2nd one)

[B68W]

Second one had some pros and cons, but I'll always love the first one(Almost as much as I love the original!).

[Abear21]

I agree, tried to play it multiple times but it’s frustrating to miss 97% chances like 50% of the time. Great premise and settings though

[Relientk77]

Kudos for putting Grandia 2 on the list, which I would have done. One of my favorite JRPGs of all time.

[Nerdmaster]

Since this was the only game I ever attempted to make a mod to, I agree with you.
It's sad that the sequels (Xtreme and 3) couldn't make me as interested as 2 did...

[_Decadent_Descent]

The first Grandia is the best, imo. Although it would be hard to go back to as the game looked dated even when it first released.

[BrainSyphoned]

Replace FF7 with Tactics Ogre. Hell, replace it with FF Mystic Quest or just about anything, even Madden. Like craving the best steak and going to Applebees.

[Rambokind]

"Best" and "turn-based" do not belong in the same sentence.

[shammgod]

Looks like you’re riding alone on this one lil dude

[notachance]

did it hurt your little heart?

[slayernz]

if you dont like these types of games why bother coming in here to comment? just making yourself look like a fool!

[The Wood]

Are you seeking something

[monkey602]

Any list with love for Divinity OS2, Valkyria Chronicles, Persona, Banner Saga, Darkest Dungeon and Stick of Thruth gets my approval ha

Although I only finished Undertale for the first time last week and wasn't all that impressed with it personally.

[darthv72]

I was always partial to the tactical RPG so for me I would add in Shining force (the series as a whole). And for traditional it would be Phantasy Star (series as a whole)

[B68W]

"Shining Force." Good man.

[Knightofelemia]

Missing Xenoegars

[meganick]

Chrono Trigger should always be number 1 on any list like this.

[B68W]

Pretty solid list, though I would have wedged in Shining Force, X-Com, and FF Tactics in there somewhere.

[Soy]

Needs Phantasy Star II or IV.

[TheColbertinator]

Persona 4 Golden was an excellent turn based RPG

[RazzerRedux]

Persona 5 > FF7

[NeoGamer232]

I agree completely. FF VII was a great game and is worthy of the list but Persona 5 runs circles around it.

[Wrex369]

Was waiting for Chrono trigger and was going to be frustrated if it wasn't top 10 honestly.

[Fraggle1987]

The original Grandia is better than the second. FF7 being number 1 is a no brainer but chrono trigger should be second. Xenogears and FF Tactics should be on the list.

[_Decadent_Descent]

I agree but I would have switched out FF7 for FF6 personally.

[PiNkFaIrYbOi]

"The best turn-based RPGs ever made stretch back decades, so you should expect plenty of quality among these picks. "

But 9 of the picks are within the last decade and most of those are within the last 7 years, and the final 6, 3 of them are from the early 200s and the final 3 are from the 90s.

I'm taking it that either the author is not really all that old or didn't play a lot of older turn based rpgs.

[Zeldafan64]

Arc Rise Fantasia should be on the list.

[lucian229]

DVO was so boring, i was shocked; my wife and i stopped playing within the first hour; it's the worst turn based game i've ever seen lol

[Abear21]

Best genre to play while, ahem, preoccupied. Darkest Dungeon is amazing but SO tough! Time to play FF7 I suppose, it’s been on my gaming bucket list since forever.

[enkiduxiv]

Very nice mix of jrpgs and crpgs both old and new. Only two I would add is Planescape and Disco Elysium.