We’re coming up at the end of the year, and that means that lots of new games will be dropping right before the holidays. Turn-based games are no exception, and November will be a great month for RPG and strategy fans in particular.
From long-awaited launches to exciting new early-access RPGs, the final months of 2023 are shaping up to be a stellar capstone to a stellar year in gaming. Which of these games are you most excited to play? Let us know below!
For The King 2 (2 November)
The original For The King was an excellent multiplayer roguelite, and the sequel refines and improves the formula that made it a success. Parties of up to four players can battle their way through gangs of goblins and dangerous boss fights, relying on teamwork and coordination to win the day.
Even if you haven’t played the first game, this tabletop-inspired adventure is a great way to spend some time online with your friends. It’s even playable on Steam Deck!
The Iron Oath (2 November)
The highly-anticipated sandbox mercenary sim is out of early access at last! With stunning pixel graphics and an enormous open world to explore, The Iron Oath could be the game that sees you through the rest of 2023.
Leading your band of warriors back from the brink of destruction after a stunning betrayal, you’ll wander the land taking on quests and recruiting new heroes. If creating your own story appeals to you, then you won’t want to miss The Iron Oath.
Back to the Dawn (2 November)
Don’t let the cartoony, anthropomorphic look of Back To The Dawn fool you. This is a hard-boiled crime drama for the ages. Think Zootopia meets The Shawshank Redemption.
Living your day-to-day life in prison, you’ll interact with guards and inmates while communicating with your lawyer outside to clear your name. It’s only in early access right now, but Back To The Dawn is an impressive RPG that merits keeping an eye on.
Artifice: War Tactics (8 November)
Artifice is a small-scale arena battler where preparation and foresight are key. With limited space and only a handful of units, you’ll need to set overwatch and prepare combos to overcome your enemies.
Artifice offers multiple biomes and bosses to test your mettle, and since it’s in early access it’s reasonable to expect that there are further challenges on the way.
Wantless: Solace At World’s End (8 November)
Wantless offers a sleek, fresh dystopian setting that appears to combine cyberpunk with psychic horror. Its nightmarish maps are full of grotesque enemies to defeat, with fast-paced gameplay that rewards aggression and risk-taking.
Wantless has a deep skill system that allows for heavy customization, so there should be plenty of reasons to keep coming back to the game throughout its early access period and into launch.
Demeo Battles (9 November)
It’s one thing to outwit the AI in a tactical game, but how will you fare against other players? Demeo Battles lets you take on live opponents in grid-based battles with a hand of cards to enhance your army.
With seven classes and randomized build options in each match, you’ll need to balance between developing a winning strategy and improvising as necessary. Matches only last about twenty minutes, making it easier to climb the leaderboards in your spare time.
Small Saga (16 November)
Small Saga is a turn-based RPG from solo developer Jeremy Noghani. Leading your party of mice, squirrels, and other rodents, you’ll explore the hidden world of animals beneath London, taking what human tools you can find (and carry) to survive.
Fans of The Borrowers and Redwall will certainly find a lot to love in Small Saga, where a simple housecat is as dangerous as a mighty dragon!
Persona 5 Tactica (17 November)
Persona 5 is one of the most stylish games ever made, and Persona 5 Tactica captures that sleek quality in chibi form! This is a brand-new story featuring the beloved cast of characters from the original game, with grid-based tactical battles in place of the more traditional JRPG fights the series is known for.
Whether or not you’re a fan of Persona, Tactica is sure to offer excellent gameplay and a thrilling story.
In Stars and Time (20 November)
Fans of indie RPGs will definitely want to check out In Stars And Time, a tale of friendship and time loops. As Siffrin, you’ll have to find a way to avert a terrible tragedy, no matter how many times you have to live through the same fateful days over and over.
In Stars And Time has a neat hand-drawn black-and-white look and energetic, fun dialogue. If you liked Ikenfell, this is a great game to try next!
Worldless (21 November)
Platformers can be instensely satisfying, and Worldless adds an RPG element to its stylized running-and-jumping gameplay. You’ll traverse the world in real-time, but when a fight breaks out you’ll switch to active-time battles.
Worldless has a simple but deeply elegant appearance, with minimal character designs that work well to let players focus on the gameplay and the environments. A demo is available to try if you want to give the game a shot before it launches later this month.
