As if on cue, the seasons change, and Steam offers up its bounty. The Steam Autumn Sale is here, bringing discounts for the next week. There are too many deals to list them all, but for turn-based games, I’m positively spoiled this time around.
This time, I went straight for the heavy hitters and picked out 25 RPGs and strategy games that rank among the very best of recent years, all available at some ridiculously low prices.
Whether you’re looking for RPGs, strategy games, or something of a mix, the Steam Autumn Sale has some stellar deals. Check out my picks below, and share your own sale picks in the comments on Reddit.
Library Of Ruina
- Developer: ProjectMoon
- Release Date: 10 August, 2021
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
With its rich, lore-heavy concept, Library of Ruina might seem a bit weird at first compared to other deckbuilders. It doesn’t take long to get engrossed in its world, though, and it rewards repeated runs with more tantalizing clues about the setting and its history.
As you battle foes to claim their souls in the form of books, manipulating their emotions is just as important as making moves in combat. If you’re looking for something that’s a bit out there, Library of Ruina is a great deal until 8 October at $10.19, a 66% discount off its usual $29.99 price tag.
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
- Developer: Firaxis
- Release Date: 21 October, 2016
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, iOS
- Steam Page
If Civilization V took the series in a bold new direction, Civ VI showed how far in that direction it could go, redefining how the franchise approached practically everything, from city-building to tech trees and the overall pacing of the game; its influence has been felt across the 4X genre for the last decade.
If you still haven’t had a chance to try it, Civilization VI is 90% off at $5.99 right now. You can also get the Anthology Bundle, which contains all the DLC, at 75% off during the Autumn Sale, knocking the whole package down to $30.25 – just over half the base game’s standard price of $59.99.
Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus
- Developer: Bulwark Studios
- Release Date: 15 November, 2018
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
The XCOM-like strategy RPG subgenre was practically made for the Warhammer 40,000 setting, and kudos to the developers for letting the Tech-Priests shine in Mechanicus instead of rolling out yet another Space Marine slugfest. Armed with the Imperium’s finest arcane technology, you’ll plumb the depths of a Necron Tomb World, battling its robotic guardians in search of strange relics.
Mechanicus is a must for Warhammer fans, and the Steam Autumn Sale lists it at an unbelievable 95% discount for the Standard Edition, dropping the price from $29.99 to just $1.49. You can also get the game bundled with all DLC and its recent sequel for $53.65, a 46% discount off the grand total.
Jagged Alliance 3
- Developer: Haemimont Games
- Release Date: 14 July, 2023
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
If you’d rather command your troops against human foes on Planet Earth, Jagged Alliance 3 offers an almost as big a discount and just as much thrilling tactical challenge. Waging guerrilla warfare against a paramilitary force in the wake of a coup, you’ll have to take the fate of Grand Chien into your own hands.
Jagged Alliance 3 is 90% off for the Steam Sale, dropping from $44.99 to $4.49 until 8 October. If you want to get the whole series, out of nostalgia or curiosity, the Ultimate Bundle has all three games and all their DLC for $29.33 during the sale period, a 78% savings.
Darkest Dungeon 1 & 2
- Developer: Red Hook Studios
- Release Date: 19 January, 2016
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
The great thing about the Darkest Dungeon series is that the two games share themes, aesthetics, replayability, and overall challenge, but have very different gameplay loops that make them both well worth playing in their own right.
There’s no reason to abandon the first game for the second, and the sequel doesn’t overshadow its predecessor. They’re both horror-fantasy RPG masterpieces, and a great addition to any player’s library.
Both games are on sale right now through Steam (appropriate, given Halloween is nearly upon us); Darkest Dungeon is 85% off at $3.74, and Darkest Dungeon 2 is 69% off at $9.91. Both games have a slew of great DLC options, so if you don’t mind spending a bit extra, the Collector’s Edition bundle linked above is the best deal; it gets you everything for both games, ensuring hours of gruesome, tragic deaths.
Slay The Spire
- Developer: Mega Crit
- Release Date: 23 January, 2019
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, iOS
- Steam Page
Even if you haven’t played Slay The Spire, you’ve probably heard of it – especially now, with the renewed surge of interest following the sequel’s Early Access release. The game that kicked off our global obsession with roguelike deckbuilders is no less compelling than it was when it first launched, and best of all, the game is a complete package with no DLC to worry about.
You can get that complete package on Steam for just $5.62 until 8 October, saving 75% off its standard price of $22.49. Slay The Spire II isn’t discounted, but you can get the two games bundled together to squeeze in a 10% savings.
ENDLESS Legend 2
- Developer: Amplitude Studios
- Release Date: 17 September, 2026
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
Amplitude’s knack for thinking outside the box while blending 4X and RPG gameplay shines in their latest offering. Endless Legend 2 will feel immediately familiar to fans of the original, with key changes to keep things interesting, while newcomers to the other Endless games will also find some delightful Easter eggs.
Endless Legend 2 is 50% off during the Steam Autumn Sale, which is a great deal considering it just left Early Access a few weeks ago. It’s also available bundled with Terra Invicta and Old World for a total of $39.66, saving you 62% off the price of all three, so if you love deep strategy games, that’s an amazing deal.
Wartales
- Developer: Shiro Games
- Release Date: 12 April, 2023
- Platform: Windows, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
If you’d prefer to lean more toward RPG gameplay with a dash of strategy than the other way round, Wartales is the next logical step in the mercenary-sim sandbox genre popularized by Battle Brothers. While it sacrifices a bit of randomness with its handcrafted world, Wartales more than makes up for it with compelling scenarios that make you feel like you’re part of a living, breathing world.
Admittedly, there is quite a bit of DLC for the game at this point, but if you’re just looking to dip a toe in the (bloody) water, the base game is $9.79 on Steam until 8 October, saving you 72% off the usual price of $34.99. The Starter Edition bundle adds on two must-have DLCs and is priced at $29.24 (a 51% savings), while the Mercenaries Edition has everything for $54.31 during the Autumn Sale, a 25% discount.
XCOM 2
- Developer: Firaxis Games
- Release Date: 5 February, 2016
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, Android, iOS
- Steam Page
There aren’t many strategy games more influential than XCOM, and the sequel raised the stakes perfectly. Ten years on, we’re still waiting for any word of a possible XCOM 3, but that just gives you more time to play through the legendary alien invasion… for the first time or the fifth.
The base game for XCOM 2 is just $2.99 for the Steam Autumn Sale, shaving 85% off the already-decent price of $19.99. The full collection, which includes all the DLC, is 61% off at $8.20, and you can get the complete editions of both XCOM and XCOM 2 for just $19.84 – not bad for less than twenty bucks!
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Developer: RGG Studio
- Release Date: 25 January, 2024
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
Like the other Yakuza games, Infinite Wealth is a mob movie, an action flick, and a bizarre comedy all in one. Continuing the story of Like A Dragon‘s new protagonist Ichiban Kasuga and dropping him in a new setting – Hawai’i – it also serves as a fantastic JRPG. If you haven’t started with the Yakuza series, this is a great place to dive in with both feet.
Infinite Wealth usually goes for $69.99, but the Steam Autumn Sale has it discounted to a much more palatable $17.49, saving you 75%. The discount applies to the Deluxe and Ultimate Editions as well. If you’re just getting started with the series, though, I recommend the Series Starter Pack, which bundles both of Ichiban’s turn-based adventures at $24.21 during the sale.
Divinity: Original Sin
- Developer: Larian Studios
- Release Date: 27 October, 2015
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
If you’re one of the countless players who fell in love with Baldur’s Gate 3, you should go back to check out the games that put Larian on the map before their magnum opus. Divinity: Original Sin has the party-based RPG gameplay and enthralling story that’s made the developers a household name, all in their original setting.
The best thing about getting started with Divinity over a decade after the fact is that you can do so for next to nothing. The Enhanced Edition is available on Steam during the Autumn Sale for $3.99, 90% off its usual $39.99 price tag, while the Source Saga Bundle, which contains both Original Sin games, is just $10.66 – an 82% savings.
Battle Brothers
- Developer: Overhype Studios
- Release Date: 24 March, 2017
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
Battle Brothers is the ultimate indie sandbox, putting you in charge of a rough-and-tumble mercenary company in a deadly fantasy world. There are always new jobs to take, places to explore, and foes to fight, but the real challenge is in living long enough to see it all. Battle Brothers‘ ruthless difficulty is the stuff of legends, but it’s wonderfully rewarding if you stick with it.
You can start your journey with Battle Brothers on Steam for just $8.99 until 8 October, a 70% discount from its usual price of $29.99. The DLC packs are all 20% off, and bundling the whole package together can save you an extra 20% off the total. All in all, now is a great time to give this gem a try.
Tactical Breach Wizards
- Developer: Suspicious Developments
- Release Date: 22 August, 2024
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
This zany tactical title is like Door Kickers meets Dungeons & Dragons with a dash of Fights In Tight Spaces. Commanding a small, elite SWAT-style squad, you’ll breach and clear rooms full of bad guys using powerful magic alongside high-tech gear. Tactical Breach Wizards is a perfect example of what happens when a game leans all the way into a silly, fun concept while also offering well-designed gameplay.
It’s hard to argue with giving wizards shotguns, so if you haven’t already picked up Tactical Breach Wizards you can get it for 45% off during the Steam Autumn Sale. Normally $19.99, it’s down to $10.99, or you can get the Special Edition with all the DLC for $16.49.
Chained Echoes
- Developer: Umami Tiger
- Release Date: 8 December, 2022
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
We’ve seen some fantastic modern RPGs over the last few years, but sometimes you crave a return to the glory days. Chained Echoes feels like a lost relic of the mid-’90s, the golden era that shaped JRPGs with some of the most memorable titles of all time. If you’re looking for something that offers nostalgia without just playing through the classics for the umpteenth time, look no further.
Chained Echoes is normally priced at $24.99, but until 8 October, Steam has it down 65% to $8.74. The Complete Edition, which includes the Ashes of Elrant DLC, is 56% off at $13.71. The game is also available as part of a few different bundles, making it a solid choice for RPG fans looking to expand their collection.
Old World
- Developer: Mohawk Games
- Release Date: 19 May, 2022
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Steam Page
If you’re the kind of player whose attention drifts away from your Civilization campaign once gunpowder is invented, Old World could be the game for you. It offers deep 4X strategy gameplay with a little bit of Crusader Kings-style dynasty management, all strictly in Antiquity. It captures the flavor of the Bronze and Iron Ages wonderfully, and it also has some of the best scenario campaigns around.
The base game for Old World is a very generous 90% off for the Steam Autumn Sale, dropping the price from $39.99 to $3.99. The DLC are all 25% off, with the exception of the recent Empires of the Indus, which is 10% off. If you want to go all-in, the Complete Bundle tacks on an extra 24% discount for the full game and all expansions.
BATTLETECH
- Developer: Harebrained Schemes
- Release Date: 24 August, 2018
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux
- Steam Page
The Battletech franchise has been around for decades, but the 2018 tactical game has given it new life and its widest audience yet. It’s easy to see why; Harebrained Schemes brings the storied setting to life with smart, immersive gameplay. It’s the perfect introduction for newcomers, and a wonderful treat for longtime fans.
If you’re hoping to send some mechs into battle this week, you’re in luck; Battletech is 75% off on Steam, dropping its price from $39.99 to $9.99. The discount applies to all editions of the game, so you can get even more value by bundling in more DLC; the Mercenary Collection, which has the full package, is just $16.90 while the sale is ongoing.
Wasteland 3
- Developer: inXile Entertainment
- Release Date: 27 August, 2020
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, PlayStation, Xbox
- Steam Page
If Fallout had remained an isometric RPG series, it might have looked something like Wasteland. The former’s loss is the latter’s gain, as Wasteland 3 admirably fills the void in old-school Fallout players’ hearts. Not only does it have a fully-realized post-apocalyptic setting with dangerous factions to ally with or battle, but it offers some of the smartest tactical combat in any CRPG this decade.
You can get Wasteland 3 on Steam for 70% off until 8 October, dropping from $39.99 to $11.99. The Colorado Collection, which includes all the DLC, is 66% off at $18.77, and the Wasteland Series bundle, which has the whole trilogy plus expansions, is $26.27 – a 73% savings.
Ruined King
- Developer: Airship Syndicate
- Release Date: 16 November, 2021
- Platform: Windows, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch
- Steam Page
League of Legends is sometimes a victim of its own success – it’s got tons of lore and exciting characters to inhabit their world, but they often get overshadowed by strict, competitive gameplay. Luckily for those who want to see more of Runeterra than lanes, Ruined King is a full RPG adventure featuring some of League‘s most famous Champions.
Even if you don’t play LoL, Ruined King is a great journey with some stellar visuals. It’s just $7.49 on Steam during the Autumn Sale, a 75% discount off its $29.99 price tag. That discount applies to the Deluxe Edition as well, so you can get some extra add-ons for just $2.50 more.
Into the Breach
- Developer: Subset Games
- Release Date: 27 February, 2018
- Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Switch, Android, iOS
- Steam Page
Into The Breach didn’t just prove that Subset was more than a one-hit wonder – it showed they were an indie force to be reckoned with. This tactical puzzler gives you a squad of three mechs and challenges you to save the world from swarms of rampaging kaiju in some of the cleverest battles you’ll ever fight. It’s also great on the go, which is great since it’s Steam Deck verified.
You can get Into The Breach for just $5.24 during the Steam Autumn Sale, a 65% discount off its standard price of $14.99. It’s also available in a bunch of different bundles, so you’re sure to find another great game to pack it with and save even more.
TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children
- Developer: Dandylion
- Release Date: 23 April, 2020
- Platform: Windows
- Steam Page
With its deeply built world, wide cast, and tactical gameplay, Troubleshooter feels a bit like Persona meets XCOM. There’s a ton of lore to unlock about its dystopian world and the characters that inhabit it, and the deep skill system means there are enough options to satisfy even the most intense players.
Troubleshooter is another game with a lot of DLC, but the Complete Collection is 75% off for the Steam Autumn Sale, letting you get the whole saga for $14.58. If you’d prefer to start small, the base game is also 75% off, dropping from $24.99 to just $6.24.
