Calling all connoisseurs of tactical action games! Are ya interested in finding out which ones are worth checking out in 2024? If the answer’s yes, well, today’s your lucky day. Often overlooked, these tactical action titles are gonna get their time under the spotlight. So, then, let’s not waste another second and get right to it, shall we? Here we go!
Which Tactical Action Games Should You Check Out In 2024?
With all the recent shorter lists we’ve been dishing out, we figured let’s change things up a little. So, we’ve got a whooping top 10 list of amazing tactical action games for y’all today; you’re welcome interweb. Also, don’t be confused that we’re only picking tactical RPGS since we’re broadening the scope a little to include non-RPGS, too. Capeesh? Good! Now, let’s get this party going!
10.) Gears Tactics
Kicking off the list of dope tactical action games, we’ve got Gears Tactics. Yeah, the spin-off of Xbox’s premier third-person shooters, the Gears of War series. This was a dramatic departure from the real-time, fast-paced shooting format, but you know what? Gears Tactics did it incredibly well, and its gameplay holds up surprisingly well, even today.
Gears Tactics increases the immersion by adding in a squad-management system that’s super intuitive. The turn-based movement and alignment put an extra layer of strategy into the gameplay. This may take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, Gears Tactics becomes so freaking fun and awesome to play.
The impactful weapons and colorful commentary of the characters in Gears Tactics retain the series’ vibe and authenticity. Every boss fight in Gears Tactics is a game-changing one, literally! You gotta change things up significantly to deal with them. Take one word for it: Gears Tactics is one of the must-play tactical action games.
9.) Othercide – One of the Highly Unique Tactical Action Games
When it comes to tactical action games, none can touch Othercide when it comes to stylish aesthetics and panache. Seriously, the mix of gothic and noir-esque visuals gives the game such a distinct and eye-catching appearance. Othercide is also unique for its sacrificial mechanic that allows players to kill one of the playable characters to heal the other.
This also provides a boost in ability and health upgrade for the one receiving the healing. Essentially, you’re opening the door to turn the tide of a losing battle in Othercide. If you fail and all the playable characters fall in battle, it does not mean that you gotta start over. No, far from it; in fact, you’ll gain better skills and know you’ll have a better understanding of the enemy’s tactics.
Oh, and did we mention that the protagonists are super badass ladies in Othercide? Yep, they’re not only gorgeous but really efficient at thwarting their enemies, too. Pretty much like the protagonists in our favorite games for girls. So, yeah, the bottom line is that Othercide is one of the most incredibly epic tactical action games ever.
8.) Marvel’s Midnight Suns
We’re entering the Marvel Universe for our next entry on the list of exciting tactical action games. Specifically, we’re talking about Marvel’s Midnight Suns. One of the more under-appreciated gems upon release, Marvel’s Midnight Suns brought an interesting twist to the superhero slugfest formula.
You do use flashy powers and abilities that are the hallmark and signature of beloved Marvel characters. However, you gotta earn the chance to use them in tactical-style gameplay. Marvel’s Midnight Suns brings a threat so powerful that the most well-known heroes and some obscure ones get the call to stop it. The roster is a who’s who of fan favorites from street level to powerhouses.
You gotta pick a deck of cards to assign active and passive powers to every character in Marvel’s Midnight Suns. As you pass by objects on the grid during battles, you’ll be able to throw them at enemies to stagger and deal a bit of damage, too. Let’s face it; Marvel’s Midnight Suns isn’t the most technical, unlike other tactical action games, but it is a fan-service fest that many will truly enjoy.
7.) Metal Gear Solid Series
When it comes to tactical action games, there’s one series that stands among the genre’s pioneers. In fact, it’s a dual champion of two distinct styles; the first is tactical, and the other? Stealth games. Yep, the one and only Metal Gear Solid series. Solid Snake and Big Boss’s cinematic journey and the trials and tribulations both went through.
Every entry in the Metal Gear Solid series brings something innovative and fun to the core gameplay. The goal is to play out the one-man missions with twists and turns, not to mention eccentric and over-the-top characters. Every major antagonist is quirky and gimmicky, giving that Hideo Kojima weirdness edge to them.
As for the gameplay of the Metal Gear Solid series, the gist is not to get spotted. Use every weapon, tactic, and gadget alongside your wits to conceal your presence. As you navigate enemy terrain or compounds, you’ll also face puzzle challenges, too. Everything combines in a way that you’re left awestruck in Metal Gear Solid series; they’re some of the best tactical action games of all time.
6.) XCOM 2 – One of the OG Tactical Action Game Series
One of the original tactical action games belongs to the beloved XCOM series, and specifically, we’re going with XCOM 2. Those who are into the X-Files and wacky conspiracy theories about alien life forms are gonna love this game. The storyline is beyond absurd, where the human military is actually the resistance movement, and the aliens rule the Earth.
But anyway, XCOM 2 is popular even today because of the fun and highly engaging playstyle of turn-based tactical shooters. The planning stages are not to be taken lightly cause your foresight will help you win difficult enemy placements. XCOM 2 has a learning curve where things are just so fun and interesting that you’ll want to get good at the game.
Before engaging a group of enemies, you can scout around a level and learn what to expect in XCOM 2. As you learn the layout, you can map out your strategy and take out each group systematically. The skills of your squadmates need to be assigned and used at the appropriate time; otherwise, it’s game over. XCOM 2 rightfully deserves its acclaim as one of the original tactical action games.
5.) Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
If you’re looking to introduce the wee ones to tactical action titles like our favorite games for kids, Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is a great introduction to the genre. Basically, it’s a showdown in the silliest and most colorful way possible between zombies and sentient plants.
Every class type in both factions in Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 adds some really great utility to the team dynamic. There are several game modes to try in Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2. They give players a lot of variety if they get bored playing one way and wanna switch things up. The animations in the game are hilarious and will leave you a snickering mess.
There’s even a story mode in Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2, which will help the kiddies stay invested. This is an easy-going, light-hearted title not meant to represent the pinnacle of tactical action games. Keep this in mind before you start rambling on about this particular choice of ours. But yeah, Plants Vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 is super fun, plain and simple.
4.) Hell Let Loose
For those looking for tactical action games with a grittiness to them they can sink their teeth into, this next one will delight. We’re talking about Hell Let Loose. Spooky name, yeah? But don’t worry, it’s not a horror game, but rather a realistic, gritty World War II-era FPS. And get this: the multiplayer capability of Hell Let Loose allows up to 100 players to play simultaneously.
You wanna know what else is there that’s got Hell Let Loose so high up on today’s list? Well, the Hell Let Loose cross-platform feature support is commendable. Also, gameplay-wise, the depiction of realism is stellar. The grim reality of the battlefield during wartime is captured sublimely. You gotta maneuver around treacherous landscapes and close in on enemies to take’em out.
There are specializations available in the game that elevate the tactical part of Hell Let Loose. You gotta team up with a squad of 50 and take on the opposing team of 50. So, you can imagine being tactical isn’t optional; it’s a darn requirement in Hell Let Loose. Naturally, with such emphasis on strategy, we had to bump up Hell Let Loose on today’s list of tactical action games.
3.) Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga
Ushering us into the top 3 of our list of amazing tactical action games, we’re going with a modern game with retro throwback vibes, Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga. Oh boy, where do we even start with this one? Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga blends together a medieval fantasy saga with in-depth customization and tactical combat. The result is the best darn indie game ever.
You pick and nurture heroes and recruit mercenaries to fill up the numbers, then go after the hostile kingdom to your nation. Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga pushes the emphasis on seeking every advantage possible before a fight. You can do things like going over to higher ground so you can raind down arrows on enemy formations or trap them in a narrow space with a pincer attack.
This is a criminally underrated gem that’s a love letter to the days of SNES games. The visuals are purposefully pixelated but they have modern crispiness to them. The attack animations, in particular, feel cinematic and you’ll be left in awe of them. Symphony Of War: The Nephilim Saga is one of the most awesome tactical action games right now, so check it out, already!
2.) Fire Emblem: The Three Houses
Strategy action games list without a Fire Emblem entry is just incomplete, so here we are. Let’s face it, the Fire Emblem games practically perfected the formula and wrote the book on this niche. With Fire Emblem: Three Houses, it is just perfection. Like literally, Fire Emblem: Three Houses is the celebration of the entire franchise, and it does so with grace and engaging features.
You get to choose between the titular three houses, each one separating the story’s fragments into multiple perspectives. Meaning if you wanna know the whole story, prepare to do multiple playthroughs, then another one to get the true picture of events. Fire Emblem: Three Houses has so many intriguing twists and turns, not to mention a surprisingly complex relationship element.
You’ll lose hours to the game but not even realize it, that’s how dope Fire Emblem: Three Houses is. The combat segments are easy to grasp but to maste them entirely, prepare to grind. Though, the gameplay is so enjoyable, you won’t feel like it’s a chore ever. Tactical play of Fire Emblem: Three Houses is top-notch and the action moments make it one of the most compelling games ever.
1.) Age Of Empires IV
We’re capping off our list of spectacular tactical action games with one of the classic strategy series, Age Of Empires. For today, we’re going with their latest offering Age Of Empires IV. It’s the one with the prettiest graphics, and the most fast-paced gameplay in the series to date. The intricacy of the strategic formations, alliances and how to go about maintaining those relations are done brilliantly.
Age Of Empires IV features a huge overall to the growth system in which you do research, gather resources, and create entire cities, nay an empire. Just as there are new highlight features, so is the difficulty in mastering theme. Age Of Empires IV gives you the most satisfying kind of strategic gameplay while not being too overwhelming nor a cakewalk either. It’s the perfect middle ground.
The knowledge and skills you’ll master will open up different routes and influence your empire’s army. Age Of Empires IV doesn’t hold back anything in terms of throwing new things at the players. The diverse empires from history create this epic saga you get to play out throughout the ages in Age Of Empires IV. If you could try one title from all the tactical action games Age Of Empires IV is it.
Final Thoughts On the Best Tactical Action Games Worth Playing In 2024
Well, that was a doozy, but we managed to nail our list of the best tactical action games. So, then, what’s the verdict, folks? Think we did a good job here, or have we dropped the ball completely? Either way, rant, comment, and list your own personal picks, keeping in line with today’s theme down below. We really look forward to the feedback from y’all and the fireworks, too.
If you’re still itching for something within the same ballpark as today’s selection, don’t worry. We’ve got plenty of suggestions you can check out. For instance, take a gander at our ranked list of SoulsBorne games. They may not give tactical pauses, but you can bet your bottom dollar you’ll need tactical strategies to survive them. Welp, that’s gonna do it for now. So, until next time, take care!
