Best free "turn-based" games

Turn-based video games structure gameplay into distinct phases where players and opponents act one after another rather than simultaneously. This pacing allows time to think, plan, and carefully weigh each move, making strategy and foresight more important than reflexes. The genre often features tactical combat, resource management, or puzzle-like decision-making, with outcomes determined by choices and sometimes chance (like dice rolls). Classic examples include Civilization, X-COM, and Divinity: Original Sin 2, spanning from grand strategy to small-scale tactical battles. At their core, turn-based games reward patience, planning, and adaptability, offering deliberate, thoughtful gameplay over fast, reaction-driven action.