Open-World Games With The Best Turn-Based Combat, Ranked

Open-world games mainly thrive on their non-linear structure, which gives players more freedom and control over the story, while turn-based games usually operate in an opposite manner where they are more structured. Because of this contrast, it is rare to see a fusion between these two fantastic genres.

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These two genres rarely intersect, but when they do, they often produce exceptional games that fans cherish. Much like the rare reactions of noble gases, their fusion is an uncommon occurrence, yet when it happens, the result is spectacular—like neon signs illuminating the night. This ranking considers games that masterfully combine the best elements of both genres, ranked from good to the very best.

8

Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

An Industrial Revolution In The World Of Magick

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Arcanum: of Steamworks and Magick Obscura

Systems

Platform(s)

Microsoft Windows

Released

September 26, 2000

ESRB

t

One of the older games on this list is Arcanum. Created by the developers behind the first Fallout game, Arcanum solidifies the two core points of an RPG; the plot and the atmosphere. Set in a world where magic and technology coexist together, Arcanum combines the best of both worlds and presents a world where a flaming sword and a Victorian flintlock exist together simultaneously.

Arcanum is a vast game and it might feel a bit overwhelming in the beginning. With a variety of classes and a vast number of options between tech and magic, players have to decide their path in the game. The choices made by the player are significant as they decide how the world of Arcanum interacts with the player.

Arcanum’s gameplay has plenty to offer to the players. With over 50 spells and technological degrees, players can choose from a variety of styles to play the game. Players can indulge themselves in a myriad of quests apart from the main storyline, exploring the world of Arcanum for days.

The combat of this game operates differently, as players can switch between real-time combat and turn-based combat anytime they want, allowing more control over the game. The game does feel a bit janky and the graphics are definitely for modern standards, but the fun of Arcanum lies in how the story unfolds as players meet with the denizens of Arcanum.

7

Atelier Firis: The Alchemist And The Mysterious Journey

Embark On A Heart Warming Adventure

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Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey

Systems

Released

March 7, 2017

Developer(s)

Gust

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

The Atelier series is a long-running JRPG series featuring over 20 games in the main series and Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey is the 18th game in the main series and the second one in the Mysterious trilogy. Atelier Firis differs from the previous games in the series by adding a fresh perspective and gameplay to the series. Featuring an open world for the first time, instead of confining the entire game to a singular location, the game puts the player in the role of Firis Mistlud, a young girl from an underground town who yearns to explore the surface world.

The towns in Firis are huge when compared to its predecessors and, instead of a single city, the world of Firis has multiple towns and villages scattered around. Before reaching the settlements of the living, players have to traverse through large canyons, sprawling fields, and frozen lakes, exploring the unknown, fighting enemies, performing alchemy, and looting treasures.

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The combat in Atelier Firis remains largely unchanged from previous titles like Atelier Sophie. While the turn-based system can feel sluggish, it does eventually open up with the introduction of mechanics such as sub-weapon skills, common skills, chains, and combination arts—though this progression takes time. Although Firis offers a moderately deep combat experience, it isn’t the game’s strongest aspect and may feel less refined compared to other mainline Atelier entries.

However, that does not mean that Atelier Firis is a bad game. The open world is quite fun to explore and the time limit of one year given to Firis keeps the player in check to avoid dawdling in a single place for too long. The wonderful characters, fun story, and soothing soundtrack will captivate the eyes of any fan of this franchise, and newcomers can find something to admire to start their journey in this magical world.

6

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Experience Pokemon Like Never Before

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Released

November 18, 2022

OpenCritic Rating

Fair

Pokemon has always been a point of conversation when talking about turn-based games, but even after the surge of popularity in the open-world genre, Gamefreak, the developers of Pokemon never switched from their old straightforward formula. However, things change with Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, opening new horizons for this multiple decades-old franchise.

Gamefreak’s commitment to creating an open-world Pokemon game led to the creation of a wonderful open world. The game opens up omnidirectionally as players complete the tutorial, allowing players to access any part of the map without worrying about completing any prior quests. Exploring Paldea is unpredictable, as players might have encounters that are too difficult to survive in some regions, while in others one can just breeze through the content. Whether it is exploring the grassy plains or the rocky deserts of Paldea, navigation never feels like a chore in Scarlet and Violet, thanks to the legendary Pokemon mount that can be used by the players from the beginning, making exploration easy and fun.

Outside of traveling, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet feature the ninth generation of these pocket monsters. The game features the familiar Pokemon-style turn-based combat but adds some quality-of-life features like auto-healing or the Let’s Go mechanic that allows the player to send Pokemon to gather items and auto-level them. Combat-wise, Scarlet and Violet introduce an entirely new game mechanic called the terra type. This mechanic allows the player some fun experimentation that results in some unique and unusual combinations, adding a new strategic layer to the game. Pokemon Scarlet and Violet come with a set of problems that mainly reside on the technological side. With inconsistent performance and a barrage of issues, it drags down the playability of the game and, while some of the issues are fixed, the game has a long way to go for the players to enjoy freely with their favorite Pokemon.

5

Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch

A Magical Blend Of Heartful Storytelling And Ghibli’s Enchanting Artistry

Ni No Kuni is a long-standing franchise known for crafting exceptional JRPGs, and Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch stands out by blending a sprawling JRPG world, beautifully brought to life with Studio Ghibli’s signature art style, and a Pokémon-inspired turn-based combat system, delivering a heartwarming story that mends broken hearts.

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Following the tale of Oliver, a kind-hearted boy, the game takes the players on a heartwarming journey full of mysteries and surprises. One of the greatest draws of this game is its expansive world, which encourages players to explore every corner and uncover its many secrets. With rewarding quests and stunning visuals, Ni No Kuni becomes increasingly captivating the more time players invest in its enchanting world. The combat of the game is nothing to scoff at either. While the majority of the gameplay will remind players of a crossover between the Tales game and Pokémon, the game carefully extracts the best of the two series to create something consistently fun and rewarding.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch, with its beautiful world, gorgeous music, and stellar combat, beautifully blends the core aspects of a good video game to make something that players will enjoy from the beginning to the end of the game.

4

Chained Echoes

A Nostalgic Homage To The Classic RPGs

JRPGs have evolved greatly over the years, but Chained Echoes pays tribute to the classic SNES era. Embracing the spirit of the 90s, it revives traditional mechanics to deliver an immersive experience that satisfies long-standing nostalgia, all while adding its own unique twist. Set on the continent of Valandis, Chained Echoes starts off linearly but as time passes by, the scope of the world grows larger in scope. The care and dedication poured into the game are evident in its richly detailed environments and stunning pixel art aesthetic. The lush landscapes and meticulous attention to detail are truly praiseworthy. The game doesn’t hold back with the side content and rewards players generously for exploration. Using Mechs to traverse the world makes things easier and more intriguing as they inject a cool factor into exploration.

Chained Echoes follows old-school turn-based combat inspired by the likes of games like Final Fantasy. However, the addition of things like the Overdrive system adds something new and interesting to the game. The new mechanic forces the gamer to think before going on a full-frontal assault as there can be consequences for the party, which lead to more tactical decisions.

The game’s combat is highly player-friendly, offering a great deal of freedom. Whether it’s fleeing unnecessary battles, fast-forwarding repetitive encounters, or easing the burden of resource management before the battles. Chained Echoes excels at keeping players engaged without overwhelming them. Developed by a single creator, this exceptional game brims with admiration and reverence for the golden age of 16-bit gaming. It’s a must-try for anyone seeking a turn-based experience in an expansive open-world setting.

3

Octopath Traveler

Experience Distinct Narratives In A Beautiful World

First impressions have a lasting impact, shaping how something is perceived, and this holds especially true for video games. Octopath Traveler captivates players with its charming retro art style. Just when players might expect another classic 90s-style JRPG, the game surprises them with a stunning 3D world adorned with 16-bit-inspired textures. The world of Octopath Traveler feels vibrant and full of life. From the gentle breeze rustling the leaves to the warm sunlight streaming through the trees, every detail adds to its charm. The land of Orsterra boasts breathtaking landscapes, from scorching deserts and serene beaches to snow-capped mountains. Paired with the game’s stunning lighting effects, these elements create an extraordinary visual experience.

Octopath Traveler tells the story of eight travelers and each of the adventures, while not being exactly original, is still well written with plenty of surprises awaiting the players. Octopath Traveler is a thoroughly simple game, and it utilizes its simplicity gracefully to present a game that has a relaxing effect on the player. The battle system of the game follows the traditional turn-based approach, focusing on exploiting the weakness of enemies, but it also adds its own unique touch which adds another layer to its combat. The vast array and variety of abilities with different class-specific skills and plenty of items creates a big room to tinker and find a way to win a battle. The aesthetics of Octopath Traveler is its strongest suit and it works wonders with the melodious soundtrack of the game and the stunningly beautiful world of Orsterra, making it worth spending the money and time on this game.

2

Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire

Pursue A Rogue God Over Land And Sea

The sequel to Obsidian’s award-winning CRPG Pillars of Eternity, Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire pays homage to classic isometric RPGs like Baldur’s Gate. Offering an immersive single-player RPG experience, Deadfire builds upon the foundations of classic D&D-inspired gameplay with enhanced graphics, refined mechanics, and a challenging adventure where every decision carries weight.

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Deadfire provides an extraordinarily open and vast RPG, which consists of a vast set of islands to explore. Set in the Deadfire archipelago, a far-flung region in the world of Eora, Pillars of Eternity also allows players to explore the sea and partake in naval battles, adding another layer of immersion.

Patch 5.0 introduces a turn-based combat mode, shifting the game’s pace and adding a tactical layer to the experience. This mode helps manage the chaos typically seen in real-time battles by offering a more controlled and strategic approach. The gameplay has been reworked to suit the turn-based format, providing a distinct experience. However, players must choose their preferred combat mode at the beginning of their journey, as switching between real-time and turn-based modes is not allowed.

1

Yakuza – Like a Dragon

Ushering In A New Era

Over the years, the Yakuza series followed a typical formula when it came to its gameplay. Following the journey of Dragon of Dojima, Kazuma Kiryu, Yakuza was always about this over-the-top, beat-em-up style combat, but RGG decided to try out a new formula with Yakuza – Like a Dragon. Like a Dragon rebrands the franchise as it takes over with a new protagonist, Ichiban Kasuga. Changing the formula of the game, Like a Dragon takes steps out of Kamurocho and presents players with fantastic turn-based combat with plenty of absurd skills that will keep the players amused for hours.

The Yakuza games are not exactly what one would consider open-world games, but within a small district, this franchise has ensured to grant players a great degree of freedom. The city itself feels alive and players can spend hours doing a wide variety of activities on the streets of Yokohama.

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