Steam Deck, a handheld gaming powerhouse, has revolutionized how we play games on the go. Its versatility and impressive performance make it an ideal platform for various genres, including turn-based games.
These titles offer engaging gameplay, rich narratives, and challenging tactical combat, perfectly suited for portable gaming. Let's explore some of the best turn-based games on Steam Deck.
Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3, set in the rich, dangerous world of Dungeons and Dragons, combines intense role-playing with the strategic depth of turn-based combat. In the game, players explore the forgotten realms, and a land of power struggles with dark magic, where a parasite within each adventure awakens mysterious abilities.
With 12 classes, 11 races, and 31 subraces, single-player and online co-op options support the creation of diverse paths and multiple play styles. The game world is filled with lush, interactive environments, from the depth of the Underdark to the city of Baldur's Gate.
XCOM 2
The 2012 strategy GOTY runs like a dream on Valve's little handheld that could. Set in a scenario where Earth is under alien rule, XCOM 2 tasks you with rebuilding XCOM and saving Earth for all humankind.
XCOM 2 is one of the deepest turn-based strategy titles, and it is not for the faint of heart. The tough battles your squad will be thrown into will test all your skills and strategies to the very end. With an abundance of DLC to add to the already meaty main game, XCOM 2 is a must-play for fans of the genre.
Marvel's Midnight Suns
In Marvel's Midnight Suns, players step into the dark world of the Marvel universe to take on supernatural threats alongside iconic heroes. Playing as "the Hunter," a fully customizable original hero, players team up with Marvel Legends like Avengers and X-Men to battle Lilith and the ancient god Chthon.
Apart from intense tactical combat, players build bonds with their allies, explore a mystical base, and make choices that shape the experience. The game combines RPG story elements with a unique, card-based practical combat system, letting players strategize and unleash powerful superhero abilities in turn-based battles.
Warhammer 40K: Mechanicus
In Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus players step into the role of Magnus Dominus Faustinius, a leader of the Adeptus Mechanicus. Tasked with exploring the dark planet Silva Tenebris, Faustinius manages a squad of elite Tech-Priests, customizing them with mechanical upgrades, weapons, and skills. Players uncover ancient technology with each mission and face the growing threat of Necrons.
The strategic depth unfolds via intense, turn-based battles. Players use cognition points to deploy powerful abilities and make tactical choices, balancing risk and reward. The Ark Mechanicus's choices led to multiple possible endings, each shaping a unique journey.
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire
Pillars of Eternity ll: Deadfire takes players on an epic journey across the Deadfire Archipelago, a diverse and expansive collection of islands. Players are tasked with chasing down a rogue god and taking command of their spacecraft, embarking on a perilous journey of discovery.
With improved graphics and mechanics, this game has the deepest classic RPG foundation. Players can recruit and build relationships with seven unique companions with intricate backgrounds and multiclass abilities. As players navigate the Deadfire's seas, their ship becomes a dynamic stronghold, customizable and crucial for survival against the many perils they'll encounter.
Diablo IV
While not turn-based, we sneakily added it to the list as a bonus pick. Diablo IV immerses players in a dark, open world where the forces of hell plague sanctuary. Lilith's return brings a new wave of darkness in the ongoing conflict between the High Heavens and Burning Hells. As a player, you'll be brave adventurers, navigating the sprawling, corrupted lands, taking on nightmares dungeons, dangerous bosses, and sinister cultists.
Players must customize their characters through intricate Skill Tree and Paragon Boards as the game progresses and choose one of five distinct classes to shape a unique hero. Diablo IV features an extensive range of powerful weapons, armor, and upgrade options, allowing players to craft the ultimate loadout. Also, players can join friends in cross-platform play for epic adventures.
The Steam Deck has proven to be a fantastic platform for turn-based games, offering a captivating gaming experience on the go. With titles like these, players can enjoy deep, strategic gameplay, rich storytelling, and immersive worlds, all from the comfort of their handheld device.