Indie turn-based tactics games are having a serious moment on Steam in 2024, with a fresh wave of inventive strategy titles capturing the hearts (and brain cells) of tactical gamers everywhere. Whether you’re a longtime fan of grid-based combat or just looking to spice up your Steam library with something new, there’s never been a better time to dive into this genre. Let’s break down the top indie tactics releases and early access standouts that are trending right now, each one bringing its own flavor of strategic depth, narrative intrigue, and replayability.
Why Indie Turn-Based Tactics Are Dominating 2024
The indie tactics scene is exploding thanks to a mix of nostalgia for classics like XCOM and a hunger for new mechanics that push the genre forward. This year’s crop delivers everything from superhero drama to post-apocalyptic journeys and cyberpunk heists. The best part? These games aren’t just clones, they each offer unique systems, memorable characters, and deep customization that keep you coming back for “just one more turn. ” Here are the seven must-play indie turn-based tactics games currently trending on Steam:
Top 7 Trending Indie Turn-Based Tactics Games on Steam
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Capes – Step into a superhero-filled city where you command a team of heroes fighting to reclaim King City from villainous control. With comic-inspired visuals and deep tactical gameplay, Capes puts a fresh spin on the genre.
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The Thaumaturge – Set in an alternate-history 1905 Warsaw, this narrative-driven tactics RPG lets you wield supernatural powers and make impactful choices. Its unique setting and blend of investigation and combat make it a standout.
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Songs of Conquest – Inspired by classic strategy games, Songs of Conquest blends kingdom management, tactical battles, and exploration in a vibrant, pixel-art fantasy world. Build your empire and lead powerful wielders to victory.
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Tactical Breach Wizards – Combine modern tactical combat with wizardry in this witty, turn-based strategy game. Control a squad of spell-slinging operatives as you unravel conspiracies and breach your way through challenging missions.
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Wartales – Lead a band of mercenaries through a gritty medieval open world, managing resources, recruiting allies, and surviving turn-based battles. Wartales is praised for its deep systems and emergent storytelling.
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Broken Roads – Set in a post-apocalyptic Australia, this narrative-rich tactics RPG blends philosophical choices with grid-based combat. Your decisions shape both the story and your party’s moral compass.
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Showgunners – Enter a dystopian reality TV show where turn-based tactics meet explosive action. Outsmart rivals, survive deadly arenas, and win over fans in this fast-paced, stylish strategy game.
Capes: Superhero Strategy With Heart
Capes leads our list with its innovative blend of comic book storytelling and tactical gameplay. Set in King City, a metropolis under villainous control, you’ll assemble a squad of superpowered heroes each with distinct abilities and upgrade paths. Missions are tightly designed for replayability and challenge you to think creatively about every move. With strong narrative hooks and stylized visuals reminiscent of classic comics, Capes is perfect for fans craving both strategy and story-driven action. If you love XCOM but wish it had more capes (pun intended), this is your next obsession.
The Thaumaturge: Mysticism Meets Morality
The Thaumaturge is one of 2024’s most original entries in the genre, a darkly atmospheric tactical RPG set in an alternate-history Warsaw teeming with supernatural intrigue. You play as a thaumaturge (a kind of mystical detective) who can summon otherworldly beings called Salutors to manipulate both combat and social encounters. Every decision shapes your morality and the fate of those around you. The game’s grid-based battles are layered with status effects and environmental hazards that reward careful planning over brute force.
Songs of Conquest: Pixel Art Nostalgia With Modern Depth
If you grew up playing Heroes of Might and Magic or crave epic fantasy warfare with modern design sensibilities, Songs of Conquest should be high on your wishlist. This gem blends lush pixel art visuals with deep kingdom management, recruiting armies, building towns, exploring magical lands, and engaging in satisfying turn-based battles on beautiful hand-crafted maps. Its campaign mode is packed with lore while multiplayer lets you clash wits against friends or rivals online.
Ready for even more tactical goodness? Keep reading as we dive into four more must-play titles, each offering their own twist on what makes indie turn-based tactics so addictive…
Tactical Breach Wizards: Wizards, Wit, and Wall-Breaching Mayhem
Tactical Breach Wizards is a delightfully offbeat tactics game where you command a squad of modern-day wizards on a globe-trotting mission to unravel conspiracies. What sets it apart? A mix of sharp humor, inventive spell-based mechanics (think breaching rooms with magical force), and clever level design that rewards experimentation. Each wizard brings their own flair, whether it’s pushing enemies through windows or hacking security systems with arcane energy. The bite-sized missions are perfect for quick sessions, but the layered strategies will have you replaying each scenario to optimize your approach. With 98% positive reviews on Steam, this is a true standout for anyone craving tactics with personality.
Wartales: Open-World Survival Meets Tactical Combat
If you want your turn-based battles wrapped in a gritty survival sandbox, Wartales delivers in spades. Set in a sprawling medieval world recovering from plague and war, you lead a band of mercenaries seeking fortune and freedom. The game shines with its open-ended approach: recruit companions, manage resources, explore dangerous lands, and engage in demanding tactical skirmishes that punish poor planning. Every encounter feels meaningful, permadeath is real and injuries linger unless treated. Wartales’ emergent storytelling makes each campaign unique; no two journeys are alike thanks to its dynamic world and deep customization options.
Broken Roads: Philosophy-Fueled Post-Apocalyptic Tactics
For those who crave thoughtful roleplaying alongside their strategy fix, Broken Roads offers a fresh take on the genre. Set in an alternate-future Australia ravaged by societal collapse, the game combines classic grid-based tactics with an innovative moral compass system that influences every conversation and combat decision. Your choices shape not just your party’s fate but also the world around you, will you be pragmatic or idealistic as you scavenge for survival? With hand-painted visuals and branching storylines, Broken Roads is ideal for players who value both tactical depth and narrative consequence.
Showgunners: Turn-Based Mayhem With Reality TV Flair
If you’re after pure adrenaline-fueled tactics with a side of satirical spectacle, Showgunners is your ticket to the arena. This flashy turn-based shooter drops players into deadly televised games where every move is broadcast for maximum entertainment value. You’ll draft quirky contestants with unique abilities and gear up for explosive battles packed with environmental hazards and audience-triggered surprises. The fast-paced action keeps things tense while strategic planning remains essential if you want to survive, and thrive, in front of the cameras.
7 Must-Play Indie Turn-Based Tactics Games on Steam
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Capes: Step into a superhero-filled tactical RPG where you assemble a team of powered heroes to reclaim King City from villainous control. Key features: squad-based combat, unique hero abilities, and a comic book-inspired narrative.
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The Thaumaturge: Dive into early 20th-century Warsaw in this story-rich tactical RPG that blends supernatural abilities with deep turn-based combat. Key features: historical setting, summoning mystical beings, and impactful choices.
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Songs of Conquest: A love letter to classic strategy, this game combines kingdom management, exploration, and tactical battles in a vibrant pixel-art world. Key features: build your domain, recruit armies, and wage epic turn-based warfare.
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Tactical Breach Wizards: Lead a squad of modern-day wizards through stylish, small-scale tactical missions packed with humor and creative spellcasting. Key features: destructible environments, clever puzzles, and a witty espionage story.
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Wartales: Guide a band of mercenaries through a gritty, open-world medieval landscape where survival and strategy are key. Key features: squad management, tactical combat, and immersive sandbox exploration.
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Broken Roads: Journey across a post-apocalyptic Australian outback, making tough moral choices that shape your party and the world. Key features: branching narrative, unique moral compass system, and turn-based tactical battles.
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Showgunners: Compete in a deadly reality TV show set in a neon-drenched future, where every move counts in fast-paced, tactical showdowns. Key features: customizable characters, interactive arenas, and explosive turn-based action.
The surge in indie turn-based tactics games trending on Steam proves there’s never been more variety or creativity in this beloved genre. Whether your passion lies in superhero sagas (Capes), supernatural mysteries (The Thaumaturge), nostalgic fantasy (Songs of Conquest), or something totally unexpected like Tactical Breach Wizards, there’s something here for every strategist. Want to see how your favorites stack up? Vote below or join the discussion!
Which new indie turn-based tactics game are you most excited about in 2024?
With so many innovative indie turn-based tactics games trending on Steam this year, we want to know which title has you the most hyped! Cast your vote and see what other strategy fans are looking forward to.
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