Best turn-based games for the Nintendo Switch

Turn-based games have been a popular part of Nintendo's history. The publisher has delivered many classics on their previous consoles, like the Pokemon and the Final Fantasy franchises. Many games today are action and adventure-oriented, but the turn-based genre is doing more than well on the Nintendo Switch consoles. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best turn-based games you can play on the Nintendo Switch.

Note: This article is subjective, reflects the writer's opinions, and is not ranked in any particular order.

---

These are some of the best turn-based games on the Nintendo Switch console

1) Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a tactical RPG (Image via Intelligent Systems)

Fire Emblem: Three Houses has you step into the fictional world of Fódlan, where you take on the role of Byleth, a former mercenary at the Officers Academy. This entry introduces a branching storyline where you can have multiple endings depending on the house you choose at the beginning of your playthrough. You can mold your students into various classes and teach them different skills for battles.

The game uses a grid-based movement that lets you move your units a certain number of squares per turn on the map. We also see Three Houses ditch the weapon triangle system from earlier games for an individual weapon system. The game also introduced a new feature called the Divine Pulse which lets you rewind and correct your mistakes in real-time.

---

2) Octopath Traveler

Octopath Traveler is a JRPG (Image via Square Enix)

Octopath Traveler is another tactical RPG which released in 2018 and was praised for its pixel artwork in a 2.5D world. This JRPG features a detailed turn-based combat system, where your characters will gain access to different abilities such as Dancer possessing the ability to summon allies during battles. Each character starts with a job that decides what abilities and skills they will possess.

Octopath Traveler requires planning and strategy as you will need to effectively use the break and boost system and remember the weaknesses of enemies to proceed further in the game. The introduction of the Boost system is the game's biggest draw, allowing your characters to gain attack buffs for certain turns. You can collect 1BP every turn but can store only 5BP in total so plan its use carefully.

---

3) Into the Breach

Into the Breach is an indie turn-based game (Image via Subset Games)

Into the Breach is an indie title that was released in 2018 as a sci-fi puzzle game with rogue-lite mechanics. In this game, you take on the responsibility of defeating aliens by controlling powerful machinery in a turn-based combat system. Every attempt presents the player with a new challenge that they have to complete to proceed further in the game.

Being a rogue-lite game, Into the Breach offers plenty of replay value where you learn how everything works after a trial-and-error process. This title is purely a single-player adventure with an isometric view where you will be forced to brainstorm every mode and come up with strategies to finish levels and defend yourself from the alien invasion.

---

4) Darkest Dungeon

Darkest Dungeon plays with the themes of gothic horror (Image via Red Hook Studios)

Darkest Dungeon is a 2D dungeon crawler released in 2018. Set in a fantasy world full of gothic and horror elements, this game well embodies the Lovecraftian theme it is presumably going for. This rogue lite features an Afflictions and Virtues mechanic, where negative afflictions can affect the character's performance and positive virtues which can provide benefits and morale to the team's characters.

The game allows you to have four members in your team, each belonging to a different class. The turns in Darkest Dungeon are determined by checking the speed stats of the individuals from the teams. Every character comes equipped with a different skill such as buffs, debuffs, stress management, and healing abilities.

---

5) Wargroove

Wargroove features local multiplayer too (Image via Chucklefish)

Wargroove is an indie title released in 2019 that features a single-player as well as a multiplayer mode, with the latter offering both local and online gameplay. This tactical turn-based game has a grid-based movement system where you can move units a certain number of squares per turn.

In this game, every faction has a commander who possesses a special ability called Groove which can heavily influence the progression of the battles. Your units are also powerful and can land critical hits when specific conditions are met. Moreover, you can conquer villages and use them to generate revenue in order to hire more units for wars.