If we're talking about games that you can play at your own pace, without rushing or rapid clicking, but still maintain fun and challenge, then Turn-Based games are the perfect fit. This genre focuses on planning, taking turns one move at a time. You can play short sessions to kill time or enjoy a long playthrough with the story. Most importantly, you can play on your phone and pick it up anytime. In this article, we've compiled 20 Turn-Based mobile games across all genres, including RPG, Strategy, Card, and Indie. You can choose to play according to your preferred style.
Turn-based games are games where the player and opponent "take turns playing one move at a time," unlike other action games that require rapid button presses. This genre gives you time to think, plan, and choose whether to attack, defend, use skills, or move your character. Every decision affects the outcome of the game. The fun of turn-based games lies in the fact that it's not about who presses the fastest to win, but who can strategize and read the game better. Sometimes, just one wrong skill choice can change the outcome of a battle, making this genre popular with those who want both fun and a challenge.
Turn-based games are well-suited for mobile play because they don't require complex controls. You can play just by tapping the screen to select commands. Attacking, using skills, or moving your character is all easy, making it playable anytime, anywhere – on the train, during work breaks, or before bed. You don't have to spam skills until your hand gets tired, but you still get the fun of planning and making decisions. This makes it a popular choice for people who want a fun, enjoyable game on their mobile phones.
Here are 20 turn-based mobile games in various styles, from legendary titles to fun indie games. Choose and download them to play as you like.
Honkai: Star Rail is a turn-based RPG from HoYoverse that was the most popular game of 2023. Players will journey to various stars with a team of cool characters. The turn-based combat system involves taking turns to attack, making team composition and strategy crucial. The game's highlights include stunning anime graphics, a full soundtrack, and a captivating storyline that's hard to put down.
This is a prequel set in the world of Orsterra, featuring classic turn-based JRPG gameplay but upgraded with high-definition HD-2D graphics optimized for mobile devices. The graphics are stunning, the music is beautiful, and the battle system allows you to switch between all 8 characters. The intensity is increased with the "Break & Boost" system, which requires strategic planning for every turn. The story unfolds along three paths (Wealth, Power, Fame). This is a mobile game with the spirit of a JRPG.
Reverse: 1999 is a gacha-style turn-based RPG released in 2023 by Papergames. The game tells a story with the theme of "time travel" to the year 1999 and various eras with a mix of fantasy and a mysterious atmosphere. Players will assemble teams of characters in a unique watercolor-style environment and engage in turn-based combat that requires skill and card-based strategy every turn. The game's strengths lie in its rich story and distinctive music and artwork, making it appealing to JRPG fans and those who appreciate unique art styles.
Limbus Company is a turn-based RPG mixed with roguelike elements from the creators of Library of Ruina and Lobotomy Corporation, released in 2023. The game tells the story of a dark dystopian world where players take on the role of "Manager," leading a team of Sinners in turn-based combat using a Skill Chain system that requires continuous skill combos for maximum damage. The game's strengths lie in its dark art style, intense storyline, and incredibly exciting music, making it an indie game that has gained strong momentum since its launch.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Phantom Parade is a turn-based RPG mobile game based on the popular anime Jujutsu Kaisen. It was released in 2024, allowing players to assemble their favorite characters like Itadori, Gojo, Megumi, etc., to battle in a turn-based system where they take turns using skills and ultimate moves. The game features high-quality anime visuals, voice acting by the original voice actors, and a story that closely follows the anime, making it just as engaging for fans as the original manga.
Sword of Convallaria is a pixel art-style tactical turn-based RPG inspired by Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Ogre, released worldwide in 2024. Its highlights include beautiful 2D pixel art combined with 3D graphics, a soundtrack by Hitoshi Sakimoto (the same composer as Final Fantasy Tactics), and a turn-based combat system on a grid that utilizes the movement and skills of each unit. This classic strategy game has won over fans since day one.
God of High School: ORIGIN is a Turn-Based RPG mobile game adapted from the hit webtoon "The God of High School." The game is set to launch in 2024, retaining the series' signature intense battles but adapting them into a Turn-Based system where skills are used in alternating team attacks. Key features include spectacular combat animations, a complete roster of characters from the original story, and a story mode that webtoon fans will find as engaging as reading the comic again.
Grimguard Tactics is a turn-based RPG where players control a team of four heroes on a board-like battlefield against enemies. The game's highlight is choosing your heroes' positions and combining skills to suit the situation, making every turn full of analysis. Additionally, there's a system for unlocking new characters, upgrading equipment, and a rich fantasy storyline. Playing it gives you the feel of a classic tactical RPG, but perfectly adapted to the pace of mobile gaming.
Etheria: The cutting-edge mobile RPG is back, featuring cyberpunk-style visuals mixed with anime-inspired graphics. It's set to be released in 2025. The game's selling points are its turn-based combat system that emphasizes team building with super-cute girls, combined with spectacular light and color skills. The game offers both a mysterious and engaging story mode and a battle mode for those who want to seriously test their teams, making it highly anticipated by gacha and anime fans alike.
Cat Fantasy from Bonfire Studio is a new turn-based RPG released in 2025, featuring adorable fantasy cat characters. The game's highlight is its turn-based combat, where players must assemble a team of diverse cat heroes to go on adventures. The game includes a character collection system, exciting gacha mechanics, bright anime-style visuals, and a lighthearted, enjoyable storyline. For those who enjoy strategy games but don't want to get too stressed, this game is the perfect fit.
Lord of Nazarick, a mobile game based on the popular anime Overlord, is set to be released in 2025. The game is a Turn-Based RPG where players will take on the roles of the Ainz Ooal Gown guild and the guardians of the Nazarick tomb, strategically planning their teams for turn-based combat. The game's strengths lie in its attention to detail from the original story, complete character roster, and authentic artwork and voice acting from the anime, making fans feel like they've returned to the world of Overlord.
This turn-based mobile RPG features a vast array of heroes and villains from the DC universe, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Joker, and Harley Quinn. Players can assemble a team of 5 characters to battle enemies in alternating turns in PvE and PvP modes. The game boasts vibrant 3D graphics, spectacular skill effects, and over 70 characters to collect. This game is perfect for comic fans who want to see their favorite characters battle it out in a turn-based style on mobile.
Persona 5: The Phantom X, or P5X as fans call it, is a turn-based JRPG mobile game that continues the success of the Persona series. It is scheduled for global release in 2025. The game tells a new story within the Persona universe, where players will take on the role of a new generation of "Phantom Thieves" and embark on adventures in the Metaverse. The battle system retains the signature Persona style of turn-based combat, using enemy weaknesses to create "1 More" attacks and exciting team combos. Another highlight is the integration of student life with combat, making this game intense, fun, and a must-play for Persona fans.
This tactical turn-based strategy game is a sequel to the indie hit inspired by Advance Wars, and it will be available on mobile in 2025. It retains the turn-based combat system on a grid map, where players will choose a faction, control military units, plan base captures, and use each Commander's special skills. Key features include a new campaign mode with a more intense storyline, a new combo system that adds depth to gameplay, and online support for real-time battles with friends.
Songs of Conquest is a turn-based strategy RPG inspired by classic series like Heroes of Might and Magic, set to be released on mobile in 2025. Manage your kingdom while leading armies to battle on a turn-based map. Players will build cities, gather resources, train units, and use magic in combat. Every decision impacts victory, making this game suitable for both deep strategists and fantasy fans who enjoy a rich storyline.
Slay the Spire is a Roguelike Card + Turn Based game that is considered one of the best card games. Players must choose one of four character classes and then climb a tower filled with monsters and bosses. In each battle, players take turns using attack, defense, or special skill cards. The highlight is "deck building," which requires strategic thinking every time because a good deck will determine whether you survive to the top floor. The fun is that no round is the same.
Hearthstone from Blizzard is a long-standing turn-based card game in the e-sports industry. Players build decks from over 1000 different cards to battle opponents in alternating turns. The highlight is the constant release of new cards with every expansion, which keeps the game's meta constantly evolving. In addition to the classic 1v1 mode, there are also Battlegrounds and Adventure modes for players to enjoy in various styles. It's a game that both beginners and card game experts can find challenges in continuously.
Legends of Runeterra from Riot Games is a turn-based card game set in the League of Legends universe. Its standout feature is the alternating combat planning, where both sides have the opportunity to counter each round, making the game feel more dynamic than typical card games. Players can collect cards from famous champions like Jinx, Yasuo, Thresh, or Ahri to build decks in their own style. Another strength is that Riot doesn't overly emphasize "Pay to Win," so free-to-play players still have a chance to climb the ranks.
The Battle of Polytopia is an easy-to-play turn-based strategy game where players choose from various tribes with different abilities, gradually building cities, gathering resources, developing technology, and battling other tribes on a grid map. The game's standout feature is its low-poly graphic style, which is minimalist yet charming. It supports both single-player and online multiplayer modes, ensuring the game's enduring popularity since its release.
Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus, a turn-based strategy game adapted from the dark sci-fi universe of Warhammer 40K, was released in 2022 and continues to have a steady player base into 2025. Players will command armies of units from various factions such as Space Marines, Orks, and Necrons, taking turns in battles on the map. The game's strengths lie in its fast-paced, easy-to-understand yet deep gameplay, along with challenging PvP modes and regular update events that keep the game dynamic.
Turn-based mobile games are gaining popularity, whether it's Honkai: Star Rail, Persona 5: The Phantom X, or even DC Worlds Collide, because they offer both strategic fun and stunning visuals. However, some games are not yet available in all regions, or foreign servers may have content first. If you want to play without missing out, VPN4Games will help you connect to foreign servers easily. With over 100 servers available in 20 countries, it reduces lag and ping, allowing for smooth and uninterrupted gameplay. No matter the game, you can enjoy it to the fullest.