Look, action RPGs with fast-paced trading of blows are grand and all, but let us be honest: turn-based RPGs where you can leisurely plot your strategy possess a charm quite unlike anything else. They demand brainpower over twitch-reflexes, delivering that unique, delicious thrill of outsmarting foes one calculated step at a time. With that jolly good thought in mind, this week's [Game Recs] rounds up fresh turn-based RPGs that let you kick back while still serving up a proper, nail-biting tension.

Released back on May 29, 'Stardust: Star and Witch'is a homegrown turn-based RPG blending classic SRPG vibes with deck-building elements. The adventure follows a rowdy, self-proclaimed hero girl named 'Star' and a wizard named 'Yu' as the pair unravels the secrets of the stars. It currently holds a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam (backed by 775 reviews with 81% approval), standing out thanks to its bright atmosphere and a deeply immersive, full Korean voice cast.

The crowning feature here is the skill card system. You draw cards from a deck of 9 to execute skills, and playing certain cards triggers glorious bonus effects like combos or counters, letting you utterly dominate adversaries with style. Plus, the meticulously crafted 2D pixel art and flashy anime cutscenes that pop off every time you unleash an ultimate move make it an absolute feast for the eyes.

'Tianlin Hunyuan'is a turn-based tactical game set in a fictional xianxia universe where magic, monsters, and humanity awkwardly share space. Following its July 23 launch, it sits proudly with a 'Very Positive' rating on Steam (from 205 reviews, 86% positive). Players must square off against formidable foes to untangle the web of secrets cloaking this realm. While localisations into Korean have been noted as a wee bit awkward, building up characters and tinkering with party compositions offers a surprisingly meaty gameplay loop.

Battles hinge entirely on strategic positioning, factoring in unit stats, terrain, and elemental advantages. You can also wander freely through an open world as you push the main story forward, while dungeons stuffed with roguelike elements keep repeat playthroughs from getting stale. Crucially, the 'alchemy' system lets you craft weapons and talismans from gathered materials with randomized outcomes, forcing you to constantly ponder the optimal gear setup for whatever mess you've gotten yourself into.

Launched on July 31, 'Moon Crown'is a dark fantasy deck-building RPG detailing the tale of a hero awoken inside an ancient temple. Players must poke around citadels, badlands, and dungeons to smash enemies and recover lost memories. It bagged a 'Very Positive' score on Steam (206 reviews, 82% positive), and with its grim aesthetic and teeth-grinding combat difficulty, plenty of folks are calling it a soulslike tossed in a blender with deck-building mechanics.

The true hook of the game is the sheer freedom of its deck-building, fueled by hundreds of cards and over 40 distinct jobs. By mixing class-exclusive cards with general ones, you can forge your own bespoke playstyle, whether that's a frontline spellcaster or an agile berserker. Combat demands proper tactical footwork—moving past merely dropping cards to mind your positioning, dodges, and environmental cover. On top of that, a limb-breaking system lets you surgically dismantle enemy weak points for truly strategic warfare.

Published by South Korean gaming outfit Nexon, 'Memories: Forsaken by Light'is a turn-based tactical RPG cast against a medieval cityscape choking on monsters. Since dropping on April 28, it has secured a 'Mostly Positive' rating on Steam (245 reviews, 76% positive). The title portrays a bleak, hopeless world devoid of guns and magic where you must survive strictly on cold steel, all rendered in charming pixel art. Combat is proper punishing, meaning you will need to milk every scrap of equipment and bit of terrain for all it is worth just to stay breathing.

Players assemble an expedition squad by picking three survivors out of a roster featuring distinct archetypes like barbarians, nuns, and inquisitors. As you adventure, you will scavenge fragments of memories to unlock over 130 abilities, mixing and matching them to develop your characters however you see fit. There is also a relentless 'night fog' mechanic that slowly nibs away at your squad's sanity the longer turns drag on, delivering a lovely sense of oppressive dread and sweaty palms throughout.

Released on June 8, 'Terrinoth: Heroes of Descent'is a dungeon crawler RPG adapted from the board game 'Heroes of Terrinoth'. It follows a four-person party battling dark forces to unearth forgotten relics, currently sitting at a 'Mostly Positive' Steam rating (483 reviews, 74% positive). While some players have grumbled about occasional bugs, the refined quality-of-life features and the sheer joy of brewing massive item builds have won widespread praise.

The game skips convoluted rules in favour of intuitive, accessible turn-based combat. It hones in on core tactical choices—leveraging positioning, line of sight, and elevation for tactical advantages, while bringing down foes via coordinated synergy attacks between characters. The main loop revolves around picking your preferred lineup out of 8 heroes, leveling them up, upgrading kit, and diving deeper into tougher dungeons. It even supports up to 4-player online co-op, making it a cracking good time with mates.