Turn-based strategy games with the best stories, ranked

Key takeaways

• Turn-based strategy games offer more than just gameplay; The narratives of games like Banner Saga 3 and Fire Emblem shine.

• Banner Saga 3 delivers a satisfying conclusion with player-driven decisions that shape the story into a beautiful, melancholy winter’s tale.

• From Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance to Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis, these games perfectly balance complex narratives and gameplay.

While turn-based strategy games are a genre focused heavily on gameplay, whether it be the battles themselves or the micromanagement of players’ armies and teams. The best part about this genre is that it features some incredible, and often underrated, stories that drive the game. With the recent revival of the genre through Unicorn Overlord, Project Triangle Strategy, and the recent fire emblem games, this is the ideal time to delve into the best narratives the genre has to offer.

While many games in the genre have very similar themes that underline their stories, it’s been fascinating to see how different developers and different franchises have taken on these themes and made them their own. Many turn-based strategy games have decent and useful stories, but the following games surely stand out, not only in the genre but also in strategy games in general.

6

Saga 3 Flag

Satisfying conclusion to a wonderful trilogy

He banner saga Trilogy is one of the best independently developed strategy series out there. Stoic Games has created an amazing trilogy, solid gameplay, incredible visuals and art, and an excellent story. Saga 3 Flag picks up where the previous two titles left off. A small Viking convoy trying to survive the apocalypse. the story in Wise Banner 3 is directly determined by the players’ choices in the previous two games, this not only makes every difficult decision extremely important, but also ensures that players live with the consequences of their actions for hours on end.

Although it is a bit short, Saga 3 Flag is the culmination of a beautiful and melancholic story, aptly backed by incredible visuals and a great soundtrack. A cold and brutal winter story. It’s a shame the game ends so quickly because it has one of the best stories any strategy game has produced in years.

5

Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance

Ike’s coming-of-age story hits all the right notes

fire emblem As a franchise, it has solid stories, if a bit formulaic and often basic. Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance It’s very different. The story follows Ike and his inherited band of mercenaries as they navigate a complex political world on the brink of disaster. The game features tons of lovable characters, like Mordecai, Mist, Oscar, and Boyd, to name a few. The supporting conversations of most of the main cast do a great job of fleshing out their personalities and filling in gaps in the main narrative.

path of radiance It’s a story with tons of themes; slavery, racism, class division, and of course a fantastic narrative full of political intrigue, tragedy, and tons of action. The game does well to balance all of this and features a solid and entertaining story, which is partly why it is one of the fan-favorite games in the franchise.

4

Ogre Tactics: The Knight of Lodis

An excellent foray into the art of good prequels

Ogre Tactics: The Knight of Lodis is an old school JPRG game with a very rustic and colorful atmosphere. It stands out as one of the most underrated turn-based strategy games in the genre. Set as a prequel to the other. Ogre Tactics Games, follows the story of Alphonse, a knight of Lodis sent to the land of Ovis, where he learns about the brutality of those he serves. The game follows Alphonse as he slowly unravels the conspiracies set up by the powers that be, regarding island oppression, continental takeover, and some mystical weapons.

However, as with all Ogre Tactics In games, choices are vital. The direction Alphonse’s campaign takes can vary greatly depending on the player’s choices. The story also depends on the gameplay, as the death of certain important characters has a direct impact on the narrative. What are you doing? Knight of Lodis, then What’s great is how it’s able to balance this complex and tragic narrative in a way where players can sympathize with Alphonse’s actions while also acknowledging his flaws. The fact that each selectable branch of the story is consistent in quality is also an incredible feat in the GBA era.

3

Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions

The quintessential turn-based story

A common theme in most turn-based strategy games are narratives that focus on large-scale wars between kingdoms, conflicting ideologies, and political manipulation. While some may feel that these tropes are overused, the fact is that games like Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions I’ve covered these issues so well that it doesn’t matter.

lion war is an incredible story centered on a young mercenary named Ramza as he comes to terms with the torrid state of his world. The land of Ivalice is marked by class elitism, manipulative nobles and religious exploitation. Players watch the complex and exciting story unfold through the eyes of Ramza. Despite being a strategy game, the game is well-paced and never drags on. The scenes are a delight and every interaction between Ramza and his childhood friend Delita is a clear highlight.

2

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

A divided route without losers

three houses It is one of the most successful games of the genre, and with good reason. The game’s overall story focuses on three characters, Dimitri, Edelgard, and Claude, the aspiring rulers of three kingdoms, who attend a monastery to train for their respective roles. The three lords and their fellow students each form a respective “house” of the monastery and players can choose who to join.

The story quickly transitions from a story of ambitious students on everyday missions to a disturbing, mature narrative centered on political conflict; the ends one reaches to feed his ambition and the disconnection between companionship and duty. Players enjoy three different stories, centered around each of the three lords. Dimitri’s is a story of sadness, trauma and vengeful resentment. Players follow him, accepting their own flaws and using them to be a better ruler. It is a more mature story, it is well executed and represents the epitome of what a fire emblem story may be. Edelgard and Claude also have fantastic campaigns, based on their own ambitions, personal grievances, and the needs of their lands and people. Overall, this is a fantastic turn-based strategy game that every newcomer to the genre should try.

1

Ogre Tactics: Reborn

A passionate and emotional story

This game features one of the best stories that players can find in any strategy game. The game is filled with heartbreaking decisions and features a dark story that doesn’t shy away from pushing players to make difficult decisions and getting blood on the hands of the protagonist, Denam. He can go from an idealistic rebel to a ruthless knight orchestrating a rebellion or something in between. Either way, Denam has to suffer betrayal and tragedy as he navigates this beautiful but tragic world.

Ogre Tactics: Reborn’s The voice acting only enriches the story, adding visceral reactions to some of the more difficult parts of the story, whether it be the decision at Balamusa or the encounters with Knight Lanselot. The game also features a rich world, filled with entertaining and complex characters, tons of story, and hundreds of hours of story to wade through. Not only is this one of the best turn-based tactics games out there as a package, but its story is among the best of the best.