Since early games consoles, turn based RPGs have been common place. The genre has long captivated players with their strategic depth and extensive storytelling—building on traditions from tabletop RPGs and more. Mobile devices are the perfect place for turn-based RPGs, given their slow pace and minimal inputs. Developers know this well, and so have brought countless turn-based RPGs to mobile over the years; both as original games and ones ported across from PC or consoles. So let’s take a look at some of the best turn based RPGs that you can play on mobile today.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
Final Fantasy is one of those game series which needs no introduction. Even if you’ve never played a game in the series, you have almost definitely heard the name and know that it’s synonymous with the turn-based RPG or JRPG genres. The War of the Lions brings one of the most beloved instalments in the franchise to mobile. Bringing its intricate plot with it; brimming with iconic characters, political intrigue and more.
In the game, players navigate grid-based battlefields using classic turn-based mechanics to defeat enemies and progress the story.
Even if you’ve played The War of the Lions before, this new version offers up improved graphics and portability, making it a must play for fans of both the genre and the series.
Fire Emblem Heroes
Perhaps not quite as well known as Final Fantasy, Fire Emblem has also been a staple of the turn-based RPG genre for decades since the first game released way back in 1990. With Heroes, Nintendo brought the acclaimed series to mobile.
It’s worth noting that Heroes is a spin off from the series instead of a sequel—so you’ll find yourself collecting and engaging with a wide array of heroes from all across the series’ many instalments. As a spin-off, Heroes also downsizes combat, making it much more suitable for mobile while still offering some impressive depth thanks to its many unique classes and abilities. Since release in 2017, the game still receives regular updates and new content which have kept its community strong over the years.
Black Clover M
Adapted from the anime and manga of the same name, Black Clover M is perhaps the best looking game on this list, featuring stunning 3D graphics which wonderfully emulate the style of the series fans know and love.
In Black Clover M, you’ll form your team from an array of iconic characters, each endowed with special skills, as you take on enemies in a strategic grid-based combat system. It’s combat is easy to grasp but has the genre’s iconic depth, thanks to additional synergies and positioning mechanics.
If you’re a fan of the Black Clover series, this may just be the one for you. And if you want to get a head start, you can buy Black Clover M accounts to get you right into the action!
The Banner Saga
The only original IP on this list, The Banner Saga takes Viking mythology as its inspiration, serving up a visually striking and gameplay rich experience in the process. Offering a notably more mature narrative-driven experience, in the game players lead a caravan of hand-drawn characters on a narrative with plenty of twists and turns, based on your decisions which influence the narrative in key ways.
While The Banner Saga focuses on story, its combat is no slouch. Offering up a nuanced system with a focus on positioning and movement to make the most of each character’s abilities and their synergies within the team.
It’s a unique turn-based RPG, made all the better thanks to its availability on mobile.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Definitive Edition
While originally released for PC and console Larian Studios’ Divinity Original Sin was met with incredible critical acclaim, only later surpassed by their most recent game… Baldur’s Gate 3! Believe it or not, Divinity: Original Sin 2 has been masterfully adapted for tablets—with an iPad version being available. Sure, this isn’t quite on your phone (yet), but it’s still very portable. And it makes sense that the game can’t make it to phone just yet—this is by far the largest and most intricate game mentioned on this list so far.
Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an expansive turn-based RPG with varied combat, memorable stories and characters while featuring almost everything that made Baldur’s Gate 3 such a success.
The turn-based RPG genre is quite niche, but it’s one of the best genres to play on mobile thanks to its focus on methodical combat, intricate stories and long formats. Whether you’re a fan of mythology, anime or deeply tactical battles, the games on this list should have you covered.
