Greetings fellow Aliens! It’s no secret that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has blessed our gaming timeline in 2025 and is nothing short of a masterpiece. Dare I say a heavy GOTY contender? With its real-time mechanics, to the world its set it in, inspired by Belle Epoque France, Clair Obscur is a game everyone should try out.  

And for those that did, whether you're a fan of the genre or figured out that you are with this beautiful piece of entertainment, and got a taste of turn-based combat, felt the strategy that goes into planning out consecutive turns, quick changes based on what a boss does, or even strategies going into a specific boss battle, the genre itself is teeming with life! There are so many options!

I have gone and put together a quick list of 5 other games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 in the sense of turn-based combat. We have our greats in the genre, the forefather if you will, but these other games are unique in and of themselves. Those of you gamers that are getting introduced to the genre finally, or finding out you actually enjoy it more than maybe you once thought, there are some bangers out there you should definitely try! 

Without further ado, if you liked Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, then you might like these games! 

 

Shogun Showdown

 

If you’re a fan of stylish, methodical strategy games with a bite, then Shogun Showdown is definitely worth your time. This turn-based roguelike tactics title offers an elegant blend of precision, pattern recognition, and brutal punishment for missteps. The gameplay revolves around a unique grid system where every attack, movement, and defense is queued and executed in rhythm-like intervals, adding a cerebral flow to every encounter. 

Your samurai or ninja isn't just surviving waves of enemies, they’re tactically outmaneuvering them with combo-driven abilities and customizable attack tiles. Each decision counts, and building your perfect move order becomes an art form. Deck-building elements further expand your toolkit with new skills and upgrades that radically shift your strategy over time.

The pixel art is beautifully minimal, stylized with brush-stroke UI and kanji effects that feel right out of an animated scroll. Shogun Showdown doesn’t waste time with fluff, it challenges you to think ahead, adapt, and fight with intent. Whether you're a turn-based purist or just looking for something that rewards smart play, this one's a sleeper hit that continues to gain traction among indie strategy fans.

 

Metal Slug Tactics

A beloved arcade series I have spent many quarters on, reborn in grid-based, turn-based glory! Metal Slug Tactics is an explosive reinvention of the classic run-and-gun formula. While it maintains the chaotic energy and signature pixel art fans know and love, this spinoff leans into tactical depth, offering a surprisingly rich strategy experience.

You’ll lead familiar characters like Marco, Fio, and Tarma through randomized missions, using cover, overwatch abilities, and a powerful “Sync” system that lets teammates chain their attacks for devastating combos. It's a heady mix of positioning, timing, and squad synergy -- and yes, the tanks are still a blast.

The game’s roguelite structure means no two runs are quite the same, and success hinges on your ability to adapt, upgrade your unit’s gear, and make smart decisions under pressure. If Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 left you craving more stylized, turn-based gameplay with strong visual identity and punchy combat, Metal Slug Tactics is a high-energy alternative with attitude to spare.
 

Rogue Waters

Sail the high seas of strategy in Rogue Waters, a fresh turn-based RPG that combines naval exploration with deeply customizable squad combat. Set in a grim-fantasy pirate world, the game follows Captain Cutter on a vengeance-fueled journey through three acts of intense battles, rogue encounters, and crew management.

You’ll recruit a diverse band of characters, each with unique abilities, traits, and flaws, and lead them in strategic, grid-based combat both aboard ships and onshore. Summon sea creatures, unleash elemental attacks, and brace for incoming cannon fire in tense turn-based clashes that demand you manage positioning, cooldowns, and morale.

But combat is only half the appeal. As a captain, you’re constantly making narrative choices that affect your ship’s path, your crew’s loyalty, and the evolving world map. Permadeath and branching quests give weight to every encounter, and the grim, illustrated art style lends weight to its brooding, cursed-ocean atmosphere. For players who enjoyed the narrative intensity and turn-by-turn pacing of Expedition 33, Rogue Waters offers that same deliberate depth — but with pirate grit and arcane flair.


 

For the King II 

Building on the breakout success of the original, For The King II returns with a bigger, deeper, and bolder approach to cooperative turn-based adventuring if you haven't played it yet. It blends tabletop-inspired strategy with roguelite unpredictability, delivering procedurally generated campaigns that demand both teamwork and tactical thinking.

This time around, up to four players can team up to challenge the corrupted Kingdom of Fahrul. New class options, loot mechanics, and an upgraded “Battle Grid” system make positioning more critical than ever. Every tile you move and ability you use can be the difference between glorious victory and permadeath wipeout.

With five full-length narrative campaigns, robust mod support, and polished new visuals, the game boasts tons of replay value. Whether you're crawling dungeons or braving overworld events, each session feels like a fresh spin on the classic D&D-style quest structure. Fans of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will appreciate For The King II’s tight turn economy, rich lore, and commitment to rewarding strategic forethought. It’s perfect for anyone seeking a more social, dice-roll-fueled take on traditional turn-based design.
 

Darkest Dungeon II
 

A journey through madness, loss, and courage, Darkest Dungeon II takes the haunting strategy of its predecessor and expands it into a full-blown roguelike road trip across a crumbling world. With roguelite structure, turn-based battles, and deep stress mechanics, it challenges not just your tactical skill but your ability to keep your party sane and functioning as a team.

You’ll guide a stagecoach across a series of biomes, facing combat encounters, narrative choices, and resource crises at every stop. Each of your heroes, whether they be a leper knight or plague doctor, has unique quirks, combat synergies, and stress vulnerabilities that you’ll need to manage carefully. One wrong choice could spark an argument that spirals your run into chaos.

Combat feels heavier and more deliberate, with an emphasis on synergy, combo building, and brutal consequences. The new relationship mechanic adds another layer of drama, as heroes form bonds, or rivalries, that directly affect battle outcomes. If you loved the tension, art direction, and methodical pacing of Expedition 33, Darkest Dungeon II doubles down on mood and decision-making while offering a deeply replayable, turn-based experience full of despair... and hope.

So, there you have it! 5 other turn-based games that you can give a go off the coattails of an incredible banger that we know as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33!

As always, there are a ton of games out there and I may have missed your favorite in this genre! Let’s chat about it in the comments below! Do you have any other favorites of the genre that you would add to the list?