Turn-based strategy games aren't a super popular genre. Of course, there are different sub-genres within the wider umbrella of the "turn-based strategy game," but for the most part, these games don't typically gain a lot of traction. And it's a shame, because many of them are actually very good. If one was to venture outside of their comfort level to experience one, they may in fact find a favorite new genre of games. But that is not the case with these. Stay well clear of these at all costs.

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These are the ten worst turn-based style video games of all time, according to Metacritic.

10 Sword Of The Stars II: Lords Of Winter - 44

The description of this game proudly highlights that it sets "a new standard in space strategy games." But if the critic scores are anything to go by, that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, it's likely one of the worst space strategy games ever made. Most critics agree that it is a commendably ambitious game but that the practice falls well short. The game is fundamentally flawed and broken, a product of either budgetary constraints, a spread-too-thin team, or unattainable ambitions. Either way, you can safely jettison this one into space without a second thought.

9 Empire Of Magic - 44

Much like Sword of the Stars II, Empire of Magic also contains an unfortunate description. It is claimed that this game "stands out against the masses of fantasy turn-based games," and that is certainly true. Just, not in the way that they had likely anticipated. Many critics highlighted the game's poor production values, which included ugly graphics and horrendous sound design. Others negatively highlighted the game's difficulty, claiming that it veered from "enjoyably challenging" to downright frustrating. It does stand out - as possibly the worst fantasy turn-based game ever made.

8 Steel Horizon: 42

We expected more from Steel Horizon. This came was published by Konami, and we expect at least some semblance of quality control from such a big and important publisher. But Steel Horizon, a Naval-based World War II game, is dreadful stuff. While most critics agreed that the production values were surprisingly good (again, something we expect from a AAA publisher), the gameplay itself caused a lot of consternation. Whether it was boring mission design or endless frustration, most critics agreed that this game deserves to be at the bottom of the ocean.

7 History Great Empires: Rome - 42

The Roman Empire may have been great, but this game is not. In this game you play as a budding Emperor as he builds his Empire, which of course includes making allies, defeating enemies, building a vast economic might, and being diplomatic.

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It sounds fun, but it's about as fun as building a real Empire. Which is to say, probably not that fun. Aside from the horrid production values (including some abysmal graphics), the game is marred by numerous technical issues that make it borderline unplayable. Skip this one and read a history book instead.

6 Narcos: Rise Of The Cartels - 41

Narcos: Rise of the Cartels attempts to bring the hit Netflix show to gaming. "Attempts" to being the operative word. Unfortunately, it is marred by so many inconsistencies that it falls well short of the expectations that the brilliant TV series afforded it. Uninspired gameplay design is the most glaringly obvious flaw, but it also contains a host of smaller pains that eventually add up into a disappointing whole. Narcos deserves better than this.

5 Brigade E5: New Jagged Union - 41

In the horribly-named Brigade E5: New Jagged Union, you play as mercenaries who are sent in to a fictional island to help quell a potentially destructive civil war. It sounds like a typical turn-based strategy game, and this unfortunate lack of originality or flavor is a testament to the entire game's quality. Aside from the uninspired setting and plot, the game is filled with unintentionally hilarious translation issues, terrible artificial intelligence that completely ruins the experience, and bugs that make the game borderline unplayable. It's a total mess.

4 SuperPower - 39

Now we're getting into the really bad stuff. The terribly titled SuperPower is also a terrible game, although it does contain a surprisingly unique concept — you can play as any one of 140 nations and attempt to solve its economic and political issues. It is "built using recent UN and CIA data," so this game really should have been a hyper realistic runaway success.

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Unfortunately, the execution severely let down its ambition. The game is cheap and utterly broken, and many critics found it not only impossible to enjoy, but impossible to play.

3 Making History II: The War Of The World - 38

Yet another war-based strategy game, Making History II: The War of the World is perhaps the weakest of them all. This game was released by Muzzy Lane Software back in 2010 to scathing reviews, many of whom unfavorably compared it to the Hearts of Iron series. Most of the criticism stemmed from the game's presentation. A horrible interface completely ruined any initial enjoyment that may have been found, and the countless bugs ensured the negative reception. It's broken, it's messy, and it's terrible.

2 Legends Of Pegasus - 36

We may have thought it impossible, but Legends of Pegasus is actually a worse space-based tactical game than Sword of the Stars II. And that's saying something. Unfortunately, this is yet another example of a developer's ambition far-exceeding their realistic reach. Legends of Pegasus contains grand ideas but sloppy execution. It is horribly designed, incredibly confusing and unclear, and of course very, very buggy. This is like if Herman Melville published the general outline to Moby Dick instead of the novel itself. There are good ideas here. They just have to be, you know, completed.

1 Langrisser Re:Incarnation - TENSEI - 35

Just take a quick gander at that title: Langrisser Re:Incarnation - TENSEI -. Now is that a game you would want to pick up? When the title alone is that messy, confusing, and incomprehensible, it is never a good sign for the quality of the game itself. The game itself was a near total disaster on every level, from the baffling design choices to the terrible and unresponsive controls to the ugly presentation. It really is an unplayable mess, and some critics have regarded it as the worst turn-based strategy game ever made. Stay well clear of this one.

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