Best Turn-Based Games On PS5 (2024)

Over the course of gaming history, Turn-Based Games have come in many shapes and forms. Strategy games and JRPGs dominated the market for a very lengthy time, but now there are a wide range of genres and sub-genres that make use of the playstyle.

While there are plenty of options on the PlayStation 5 for players seeking a lengthy story or numerous mechanics to juggle, some of the best turn-based games are easier to digest by using looping gameplay — like those in the roguelike genre — allowing for a sharper focus on the turn-based gameplay.

6 Roguebook

Metacritic Score: 83

Roguebook is a roguelike deck-builder that brings a lot of tried-and-true staples along with it. Players will navigate a concealed map, using ink to reveal more of it. As players explore, they will collect gold, which can be spent at the shop.

Players should use their first few runs to understand how characters play and which ones work well in the same party. They can then go on lengthier runs with some well-formed synergies in mind. This is a must-try for players who are long-time fans of Slay the Spire.

5 I Was A Teenage Exocolonist

Metacritic Score: 83

I was a Teenage Exocolonist might not be everyone’s cup of tea; even long-time fans of similar genres might find it a little overwhelming. However, it will deliver by giving players an extraordinary cast of characters to interact with, a visceral world setting that combines aliens and magic, and over 20 different endings.

Players will need to be wary of how much time they are spending on activities, as they have a limited amount of in-game time before they end. The choices players make can affect future runs in addition to the current one at hand. The game is a text-heavy experience, and players will need to collect memories in the form of cards for the deck-building portions.

4 Disgaea 7: Vows Of The Virtueless

Metacritic Score: 84

The Disgaea series of games started back on the PS2 and has had many different spin-offs alongside its main series. Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is a true treat for players who want a JRPG-style game with a heavy emphasis on using specific abilities, customizing gear, and sinking hours of time into becoming stronger.

Players will deploy units from a pool of characters, each providing close-range physical damage, long-range elemental damage, or something in between. Players wanting a wider range of options should check out the Dark Assembly. Fans of tactical games will find Disgaea 7 satisfying their cravings for a long time.

3 Tactics Ogre: Reborn

Metacritic Score: 86

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a remaster of the original PlayStation title, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together. This is one of the most iconic tactical RPGs of all time, serving as a strong source of inspiration for countless other games in the genre. Players will command a team of characters on various battle maps, each with their own hazards and differing terrain.

Unit positioning is vital, and collecting items on the map can significantly increase the odds of victory. Players will acquire new abilities, make use of better gear, and face more complex challenges over the course of the game. Many features of the original have been reworked and balanced for a much more enjoyable modern gaming experience.

2 Inscryption

Metacritic Score: 87

Inscryption will give players many familiar roguelike elements, but as they keep playing, they will become utterly enthralled in what could become one of their favorite deck-building games of all time. The eerie atmosphere and surreal nature are executed flawlessly.

Cards are in black and white, and there are numerous unanswered questions for players to worry about as they delve deeper into the unsettling story. Once players think they've mastered the game's bizarre systems, it will turn everything on its head and give players what feels like an entirely different game — filled with new rules, new cards, and new visuals.

1 Balatro

Metacritic Score: 90

A lot of people might have scoffed at the idea of a poker-themed roguelike game, but Balatro is truly something to take notice of. It is something special for all deck-building enthusiasts to give a go, even those who have little interest in poker normally. Players will need to make the best hand they possibly can through discarding and drawing.

As players progress, they will find that the game offers a far greater degree of strategy than it appears at first glance — especially once players discover how Balatro handles Joker cards. With multiple styles of bonuses that can drastically change the kinds of hands you're aiming for each 'run,' Balatro can keep you entertained well past the point of winning. It's a game you can enjoy simply because of the clever gameplay it provides.