Summary
A lot of gamers don’t seem to enjoyturn-based RPGs, since they often find them to be slow, hard, dull, and/or boring. But this is a common misconception, because this iconic and revolutionary genre has spawned some of the most fun video games ever made. It’s just a matter of looking for ones that align with each person’s individual preferences.
In reality, the simplicity of the turn-based format has allowed many talented developers (whether they are from a AAA company or an independent studio) to experiment to create some of the most inventive, entertaining, exciting, and addictive titles in this expansive genre. While there are obviously a good number of very fun turn-based RPGs to choose from, the following eight are the absolute most fun examples in the gaming industry.
The turn-based RPG genre was in a rough spot back in the late 2010s, with iconic franchises likeFinal Fantasyabandoning this format in favor of a real-time combat system. However, this didn’t stop Hironobu Sakaguchi’s studio, Mistwalker,from making and releasing an Xbox 360 exclusive calledLost Odyssey, which quickly became one of the most celebrated turn-based RPGs of its generation.
The main selling point of this game is its Aim Ring System mechanic, which makes the combat more involved by adding targeting rings that will result in more powerful attacks if the player presses the button at a precise moment. This was a true breath of fresh air for the genre that made the gameplay more engaging and interesting, not to mention thatLost Odysseyalso featured beautiful graphics, an excellent soundtrack composed by Nobuo Uematsu, and a gripping storyline written by Sakaguchi himself. It’s a real shame that such an exciting JRPG is stuck on the Xbox 360; Microsoft should definitely remaster it and port it over to modern home consoles and PC in the near future.
South Parkis already one of the most well-known satirical animated shows ever made, so it should be no surprise that its creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, teamed up with several developers to makeSouth Parkgames that not only serve as clever comedic parodies, but that are actually really solid gaming experiences. Their first venture,The Stick of Truth, was a really fun turn-based RPG, but its sequel,The Fractured But Whole, is even better.
Inspired by classic RPGs likePaper MarioandFire Emblem, this game features a surprisingly complex grid-based combat system that’s really accessible and dynamic, not to mention that, just like its predecessors, the character’s attacks can get stronger if the player times their button presses. On top of that,South Park: The Fractured But Wholeserves as a brilliant parody of the superhero genre, and as a result, players can choose their own heroic identity and particular set of abilities in battle, which adds even more variety and freedom of choice to the overall gameplay experience. Needless to say, the comedic writing of this game is crass, raunchy, and hilarious — just as one would expect from aSouth Parkproduct.
Mario has been the star of some of the most entertaining and accessible turn-based RPGs in the industry, to the point that he even has three different subseries within the genre: theSuper Mario RPGgames, thePaper Mariogames, and theMario & Luigigames. While these are all excellent products, there’s a good reason the GameCube titlePaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Dooris often considered the best role-playing game in the entireMariofranchise. Fortunately, its recent Nintendo Switch remaster made it more accessible for an even broader audience, while also allowing old fans to re-experience this beloved classic.
This sequel takes everything that made the originalPaper Marioso good (which, in turn, took a lot fromSuper Mario RPG) and improved on it by turning it into an even more dynamic and fun experience. The combat system is really energetic, and like its predecessor, it relies mainly on timed button presses in the form of mini-games that make the experience even more engaging and entertaining. On top of all that, the world ofPaper Mario: The Thousand-Year Dooris colorful and vibrant, the comedic writing is very funny, the story is very interesting, the boss fights are great, and Mario is even accompanied by a bunch of lovable companions with unique abilities that enhance the combat even further, like Goombella, Vivian, or Admiral Bobbery.
When it comes to accessible turn-based RPGs that everyone can enjoy,Pokemonis the undisputed king. However, some mainline entries are obviously more enjoyable than others, and while there are a lot to choose from,Pokemon Black 2 and White 2are the most entertaining ones so far, mainly due to their fast-paced combat and vast collection of optional activities. Of course, the originalPokemon Black and Whiteversions are also very fun turn-based RPGs, but their sequels cut a lot of the fat out in order to make for a more entertaining experience.
These were the last 2D games in the mainline series (so far), so the pacing of their signature combat is surprisingly snappy, since they don’t need to waste any time on drawn-out and complex 3D animations. On top of that,PokemonBlack 2 and White 2are filled to the brim with enjoyable content that constantly keeps the player entertained. There are multiple legendary Pokemon to catch, optional bosses scattered throughout the map, an endearing movie-making mini-game called Pokestar Studios, and even the Pokemon World Tournament — an addictive battle facility that allows seasoned trainers to face Gym Leaders and Champions from previous generations.
Nowadays, turn-based RPGs very rarely get nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards, let alone win this prestigious award. But, much to the surprise of many gamers,Baldur’s Gate 3is a notorious exception, seeing as it won Game of the Year in 2023. This accomplishment is enough to cement it as one of the best and most important turn-based RPGs ever made.
The main selling point ofBaldur’s Gate 3is its absurd levels of customization and freedom of choice. Like the previous games in this series, it’s based off ofDungeons & Dragons, meaning that it works like a digital version of the classic tabletop RPG. Players can create their own playable character, choose their own race andclass, and explore the vast world however they want. And, inBaldur’s Gate 3, the world is brimming with things to do, like side quests, dungeons, and even partners to meet and romance. The turn-based combat system ofBaldur’s Gate 3is relatively conventional, but it still stands out due to its multiclassing mechanic, which gives players even more customization and variety.
It’s odd to think thePersonaseries is technically a spin-off of theShin Megami Tenseifranchise, because nowadays, these games are celebrated worldwide as some of the best turn-based JRPGs on the market. WhilePersona 3andPersona 4obviously have a lot of fans and were received extremely well,it can’t be denied thatPersona 5is the title that put the series on the map and turned it into the cultural titan that it is today.
It’s very common to hear people who claimed to hate turn-based RPGs saying that they decided to givePersona 5a try, and it completely changed their mind on the genre. This is no small achievement, and it can be easily chalked up to the fact that this game features a stylish and dynamic combat system that never feels boring or slow — not to mention that the addition of the titular Personas adds a lot of variety and customization to the action. But, what also madePersona 5stand out is all the gameplay elements that players can experience outside the combat, like its fascinating narrative, its lovable cast of characters, its catchy soundtrack, and most important of all, the huge number of side activities that turn this turn-based RPG into an addictive life simulator.
When Toby Fox suddenly releasedUndertaleback in 2015, he changed gaming forever, because this unique indie game serves as both a love letter and a satire of the role-playing genre that made a huge impact on the industry. And, he achieved all of that with a simple but effective premise: what if killing NPCs in cool blood actually had consequences on the player?
Undertale’s morality system turned the RPG genre on its head, and it quickly became one of its most innovative and celebrated titles. Fortunately, it also managed to achieve this because its core gameplay is extremely entertaining, even if saying this is a turn-based RPG can feel weird (although it’s technically not incorrect).
At first, the combat system seems very conventional, until the player is tasked to avoid an enemy’s attack and minimize damage by engaging in a bullet-hell mini-game in which they will have to quickly avoid all sorts of unique and extravagant attacks. This brilliant mechanic is enough to makeUndertalean extremely fun and refreshing experience, which is elevated even further by its cast of colorful characters with quirky comedic writing and its complex world-building.
French developer Sandfall Interactive’s debut game,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, came out in late April 2025, and it quickly became the biggest contender for this year’s Game of the Year award. Similarly toBaldur’s Gate 3in 2023 andMetaphor: ReFantazioin 2024, seeing a turn-based RPG gaining so much prestige andso many accolades(especially among people who aren’t fans of the genre) is both exciting and refreshing, and it’s enough proof of how entertaining and accessible this title truly is.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33features a fascinating world, memorable characters, and beautiful graphics — elements that obviously resonated with gamers around the world. But, this game’s biggest selling point is its distinctive combat system, which combines the turn-based format with real-time quick-time events that make the action even more appealing, enjoyable, and fast-paced. It’s like a more sophisticated and evolved version ofLost Odyssey’s combat, and it always results in some of the most thrilling battles a player can experience, especially during boss fights. At the end of the day,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is one of those special games that turned turn-based RPG haters into passionate fans of the genre.
