Top 10 Turn-Based Strategy Games That Will Keep You Hooked in 2025
If you're someone who enjoys strategic thinking but prefers taking a breath between moves, turn-based strategy games (TBS games) may have your name written all over them. Unlike real-time titles where speed is the essence, TBS game titles allow for thoughtful planning and calculated decision-making—an approach many hardcore and casual game enthusiasts love. With turn based strategy games gaining new levels of popularity, mobile gaming has taken up the torch with impressive titles that are both challenging and addictive.
In this list, we will dive deep into what makes these top games for iOS and Android worth playing—including some standout rpg mobile game hybrids—and also highlight what makes upcoming entries like Clash of Clans' rumored second installment one to watch closely for fans across the region, especially in China's gaming market. We're not here to just rank—they're all winners in unique ways—it's more about matching them to your preferred style and genre!
The Evolution of Turn-Based Gaming on Mobile Devices
Gone are the days when console or PC was necessary for enjoying immersive gameplay loops involving tactical turns and long-drawn conflicts. Now, smartphones serve as perfect arenas for players seeking richly-developed battle systems that run smoothly on the go. Titles like Civilization VI and Advance Wars rewrote the rules for what mobile turn-based strategy should strive toward.
- Easier access—play during daily commute or coffee breaks
- Balanced multiplayer experiences through asynchronous matches
- Premium single player story-driven campaigns for narrative lovers
| Title | Release Year | Developer | Main Genre | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Legends: Arceos | 2024 | The Pokémon Company & ILCA | RPG / Turn-based Tactics | Remade open world exploration format with fast-paced battles. |
| Disaster Report VR Portraits | 2025 Early Release | Nintendo & Bandai Namco Japan | Visual Novel + Turn-Based Strategy | A survival simulation set after a mysterious meteor fall near Okinawa. |
| Xcom: Command Center Edition | Planned | Firaxis Games / NExT Studio | Roguelike + Base Management Simulation | An attempt towards making the famous sci-fi franchise easier on touchscreens than SteamDeck editions. |
| Civ 6 – Asian Dynasties Update Pack | New DLC expected by Q3 '25 | 2K & Aspyr Media (Mobile Dev) | Turn Based War Simulation with Civics Trees & Trade | Major additions include Chinese Xia Dynasty expansion. |
This isn't a shrinking segment—in fact, analysts report an increased engagement trend particularly among gamers aged 18 to 44 years from China, South Korea and Singapore due to cultural familiarity with Japanese visual novels and tactical card mechanics often seen in CCG hits.
Turn-by-Turn Excellence: A List of The Best Mobile Tactical Games for 2025
From resource-heavy epics to bite-sized digital chess duels, we’ve handpicked ten turn-centric masterpieces below that deserve space on every serious mobile strategist’s shelf:
- 🧠 Chess Arena Plus — Brain-Training Meets Multiplayer Combat
- 🛡️ Final Fantasy: Brave New Life Rebuild — RPG Elements Meet Old School Battles
- 🎯 Shadowrun Hong-Kong Remastered — Sci-noire with Cyberpunk Edge
- 🌌 WarTech Fighters Online — Airborne Mechs Clash via Hot-seat Mode
- ⚔️ Gloomhaven: Legacy Mobile App Sync – Tabletop F2P Cross-over
- 🚀 Iron Conflict 2 – Naval Dominance, Global Real-Time Leaderboard Bidding Wars
- 🗡️ Fire Emblems: Tokyo Chronicles Expansion – Tactical Anime Mash-Up
- 🏰 Clash of Clans II: Dominion Rises – If rumors ring true this remake would merge real village building and turn tactics against rival kingdoms.
- 🔥 Dragon’s Dawn Empire Reborn – Strategic Alliance Formation w/ Clan AI Boss Raids
- 🪓 Northward Journey: The Vikings of Kyoto – Historical Fiction meets turn tactics
#1: Dissecting Why Gears 7 Won’t Leave Strategy Buffs Cold
Now while we’re technically calling this hypothetical since “Gears Tactic Operations 7" has no formal confirmation yet, let's assume it takes inspiration from Xcom, Advance War DS but with the polish and intensity only Epic can deliver. It's the next logical step if they want competitive depth plus narrative storytelling akin to previous campaign arcs found in past shooter series iterations released under Microsoft.
Imagine combining turn-base tactics layered with dynamic environments and destructibility—all on par with the visual brilliance of Fortnite.If released, features we’d hope to see include:
- Cooperative campaign for two player split squads (via Bluetooth pairing?)
- Customization suites where soldiers gain perk nodes per combat role.
- Casual versus ranked play matchmaking system with tiered ranking leagues monthly.
Such innovations would keep this on our most anticipated lists longer than most. But even as we wait, several current titles manage to hit very close in quality.
