The turn-based tactics and strategy genres have seen an increasing popularity in modern indie games. They have become especially predominant in turn-based RPGs, rogue-likes, and most notably with deck builders. Of these turn-based, tactical experiences, few of them take place in dark, gritty worlds.
However, games such asDarkest Dungeonand the more recentQuasimorphboth feature dark and gritty environments, visuals, and narratives. Both of these examples use brutal and unforgiving turn-based combat to complement their dark tone, creating a darkly tactical experience, and many other examples do the same.
7BEAST: False Prophet - Grim, Gothic Turn-Based Tactics
Steam User Rating: 84%
This turn-based tactics game takes place in a dark medieval setting, with a gridless combat system that’s often freeing. Although the game is still in Early Access at the time of writing,BEASTis shaping up to be a dark, tactical experience.
While its aesthetic and narrative are as gritty as they are grim,BEASTalso features combat mechanics that lean into its dark themes. InBEAST, players control a war-band of characters. However, the protagonist of the game struggles with occult insanity that, if left unchecked, allows players to unleash the beast. Insanity levels are measured with a standard in-game meter, and players can even increase their insanity by executing their own companions.
6Brutal Orchestra - A Strategic Rogue-Lite About Tactical Positioning
Steam User Rating: 97%
This weirdly wonderful rogue-lite strategy game features a disturbingly strange pixel-art aesthetic and a dark story set in Purgatory.Brutal Orchestrais party-based, and focuses on resource management and deck-building mechanics.
Brutal Orchestraplays similarly toold-school strategy RPGs, combining classic turn-based strategy gameplay with rogue-like elements. The game’s combat focuses around an ability/mana system that allows for the use of various fun abilities. However, it also features a unique twist. InBrutal Orchestra, combat takes place in various lanes, and players are able to move their party members across lanes to attack specific enemies and avoid incoming damage. This added level of strategic positioning makesBrutal Orchestra’scombat feel, at times, like a puzzle.
Othercidefeatures a unique turn-based combat system that revolves around a dynamic timeline, wrapped in a stark, predominantlyblack-and-white aesthetic. The game’s distinctive dark visuals and punishing gameplay make it a truly dark and tactical experience.
Othercideis a rogue-lite, tasking players with running through a gauntlet of tough turn-based battles without losing their entire party. The game also features a variety of bosses, and a rogue-lite progression system that allows players to make progress between runs.
4Quasimorph - A Grim-Dark Tactical Extraction RPG
Steam User Rating: 78%
This brutal turn-based tactics game fuses strategic, turn-based combat with RPG mechanics and anextraction-shooter gameplay loop. The game is set in a grim-dark science fiction future controlled by corporations.
Quasimorph’sgameplay loop revolves around diving into facilities packed with horrendous creatures, gathering as much valuable loot as possible, and trying to escape alive. If players die, they lose everything they found during the mission, essentially makingQuasimorpha rogue-lite.Quasimorph’sgritty aesthetic, dystopian atmosphere, and unforgiving combat make it a fantastic experience for fans of dark tactics games.
This turn-based RPG features a dark, low-fantasy medieval setting and a gritty atmosphere that perfectly suits its harsh gameplay. The world ofBattle Brothersis gritty and unforgiving, andpermanent death mechanicsmake losing characters in combat an often devastating experience.
The combat ofBattle Brothersis deeply tactical, tasking players with managing their team’s morale, fatigue, and positional awareness. Surrounding, high ground, and decapitation are just a few examples of the things players must worry about during combat. However, even outside of combat,Battle Brotherscan be a dark and brutal experience. Random events, starvation, and financial woes will often drag the player down. However, for those willing to learn its intricate mechanics and push past its harsh gameplay,Battle Brothersis a dark tactical experience with massive replay value.
This horror RPGfeatures a crunchy, black-and-white aesthetic and a narrative-focused structure in which combat takes a back seat. However,World Of Horror’sturn-based combat is tactical and methodical.
Although players looking for an action-packed experience will be disappointed, fans of turn-based tactics looking for a story-driven game will appreciateWorld Of Horror’sdesign. Furthermore, the game’s unique combination of rogue-lite and RPG mechanics make it a distinctive experience.
Thisturn-based strategy gamefuses RPG mechanics with a rogue-like structure and brutal combat to create a harsh, unforgiving experience.Darkest Dungeon’sworld is appropriately grim, featuring all manner of diseases, afflictions,and Lovecraft-inspiredmonsters to defeat.
Darkest Dungeon’sdifficulty perfectly parallels its world design. Although its story is bare-bones and its characters rarely get a chance to display personality, the game’s world manages to feel rich. Furthermore, the game’s design allows players to become attached to their characters, making every death all the more devastating.
