Steam’s Turn-Based Carnival 2025 kicked off November 27 and runs through December 4, offering a weeklong celebration of games where thinking beats twitching. The festival features over 100 turn-based strategy games, tactical RPGs, and deck-builders with discounts up to 85 percent off. This isn’t just another Steam sale. It’s a statement that methodical, deliberate gameplay still has a massive audience in an industry obsessed with instant gratification and competitive reflex tests.
The lineup reads like a greatest hits of modern strategy gaming. Inscryption, the genre-bending card game that became 2021’s surprise hit, sits alongside Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader, For The King II, and dozens of indie gems most people have never heard of. Whether you want tactical combat on hex grids, deck-building roguelikes, or story-rich CRPGs where choices actually matter, this festival has something worth your time and money.
Why Turn-Based Gaming Matters Right Now
The gaming industry spent the last decade chasing esports, battle royales, and live service games that demand constant attention and lightning reflexes. Turn-based games represent the opposite philosophy. They reward planning over speed, strategy over mechanics, and thinking three moves ahead instead of reacting to the moment. You can pause, consider options, and make decisions without worrying about getting headshot while you’re in the menu.
This matters more than ever in 2025. As gaming becomes increasingly demanding of player attention and time, turn-based games offer an alternative. They respect your schedule. You can play for twenty minutes, save anywhere, and come back later without losing your place or getting destroyed by players with more free time. They accommodate disabilities that make twitch-based combat difficult or impossible. And they provide depth that doesn’t require superhuman reflexes to appreciate.
The market agrees. Turn-based games are experiencing a renaissance. Baldur’s Gate 3 became 2023’s game of the year with combat that gives you unlimited time to plan each action. Balatro, a poker-based roguelike, sold millions in 2024 despite being made by one person. Tactical strategy games like XCOM and its descendants maintain devoted fanbases. The genre isn’t dead. It was just waiting for the right moment to remind everyone why it works.
The Headliners Worth Your Attention
The Turn-Based Carnival features some legitimately excellent games at steep discounts. Here are the standouts that deserve consideration even if you normally skip strategy titles:
Inscryption
If you haven’t played Inscryption yet, this is your reminder. It starts as a card-based roguelike where you’re trapped in a cabin playing twisted games against a mysterious opponent. Then it becomes something else entirely. No spoilers, but this game earned its reputation as one of the most creative and surprising experiences in recent memory. The combination of deck-building, escape room puzzles, and meta-narrative experimentation makes it feel like nothing else. Currently discounted, and absolutely worth full price anyway.
Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
Developer Owlcat Games built their reputation on deep, choice-driven CRPGs with Pathfinder: Kingmaker and Wrath of the Righteous. Rogue Trader brings that formula to the grimdark Warhammer 40K universe. You play as a Rogue Trader, essentially a space pirate with a government license, exploring the far edges of the Imperium. The combat is tactical and challenging, the writing captures the setting’s absurd over-the-top nature, and your choices genuinely affect how the story unfolds. If you love Baldur’s Gate 3 but want something darker and stranger, this fits perfectly.
For The King II
The sequel to the co-op roguelike that blends tabletop RPG structure with tactical combat. You and up to three friends travel across a procedurally generated map, fighting in grid-based battles that feel like digital board games. Permadeath means failed runs hurt, but the unlockable progression between attempts keeps you coming back. The customizable difficulty lets you tune the challenge to your tolerance for punishment. Great for playing with friends who appreciate strategy over speed.
Crown Trick
A roguelike that uses turn-based mechanics in real-time dungeons. Enemies only move when you move, creating a puzzle-like flow where positioning and timing matter more than quick reflexes. The game features gorgeous hand-drawn art, diverse weapon types that change your playstyle, and randomly generated dungeons that stay fresh across multiple runs. At 75 percent off during the carnival, it’s an absolute steal.
The Hidden Gems Nobody Talks About
Beyond the headliners, the Turn-Based Carnival features dozens of smaller indie games that deserve recognition. These won’t have the marketing budgets or name recognition, but they offer unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
| Game | What Makes It Special | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Cheat Death | Inscryption-inspired card battler with dark humor | Fans of meta-narrative card games |
| Dice Fold | Visually stunning dice-based puzzle combat | People who want strategy with style |
| Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles | Deck-builder using dice instead of cards | Roguelike fans wanting fresh mechanics |
| Set a Watch | Tower defense meets turn-based tactics | Fantasy Emblem and tower defense crossover fans |
| Pairs & Perils | Pen-and-paper RPG feeling in digital form | DnD players wanting solo adventures |
| Spirited Thief | Turn-based stealth tactics (85% off!) | Thief series fans, stealth game lovers |
Many of these games cost less than a coffee during the sale. Even if half of them aren’t your thing, finding one hidden gem makes the whole exploration worthwhile. The beauty of Steam festivals is discovering games you’d never encounter through algorithmic recommendations or marketing campaigns.
Why This Genre Keeps Growing
Turn-based strategy isn’t experiencing a renaissance by accident. Several trends converged to make this the perfect moment for these games to thrive again.
First, accessibility matters more than ever. Gaming audiences are aging, and not everyone maintains the reflexes needed for competitive shooters or souls-likes. Turn-based games let people with disabilities, slower reaction times, or just different preferences enjoy deep, challenging gameplay without being at a mechanical disadvantage.
Second, mobile gaming normalized turn-based mechanics for mainstream audiences. Millions of people play games like Fire Emblem Heroes, Marvel Snap, or Clash Royale on their phones. The transition from casual mobile turn-based games to deeper PC experiences feels natural rather than alien.
Third, streaming culture benefits turn-based gameplay. Viewers can actually follow what’s happening in a tactical RPG or deck-builder. Complex decisions make good content because streamers can explain their reasoning and viewers can backseat strategize. Compare that to watching a high-level fighting game or battle royale where everything happens too fast for explanation.
Fourth, indie developers realized turn-based games could be made with smaller teams and budgets. You don’t need dozens of animators and motion capture studios to create compelling turn-based combat. One talented developer with a good idea can build something special, as proven by games like Balatro, Slay the Spire, and Into the Breach.
How to Actually Choose What to Buy
With over 100 games in the festival, decision paralysis is real. Here’s how to narrow it down without spending three hours researching and zero hours playing:
Start with what you know you like. If you loved Baldur’s Gate 3, try Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader or Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. If Slay the Spire consumed your life, check out Inscryption, Monster Train, or any of the deck-building roguelikes in the sale. Use your existing preferences as anchors rather than trying to sample everything.
Check user review scores and filter by recent reviews. Some games launched rough but improved dramatically through patches and updates. Others started strong but added predatory monetization later. Recent reviews tell you what the game is like now, not at launch.
Watch gameplay videos, not trailers. Trailers lie. Five minutes of actual gameplay from a random YouTuber tells you more about whether you’ll enjoy a game than any amount of marketing material. Look for videos titled gameplay or let’s play rather than review or analysis.
Prioritize games with free demos if you’re uncertain. Several carnival games offer demos so you can try before buying. Thirty minutes of hands-on experience beats hours of reading reviews from people with different taste than you.
The Broader Shift in Gaming Culture
Events like Turn-Based Carnival signal something larger than just a Steam sale. The gaming industry is diversifying in ways it hasn’t for decades. For years, the dominant narrative was games need to be bigger, flasher, more cinematic, more competitive. Everything chased the Fortnite model of constant engagement, battle passes, and fear of missing out.
That model works for some games and some audiences. But it burned out countless players who just wanted to enjoy games without treating them like part-time jobs. Turn-based games represent an alternative philosophy. They prioritize depth over spectacle, strategy over speed, and respecting player time over maximizing engagement metrics.
The fact that Steam can fill a weeklong festival with 100-plus quality turn-based games proves the market exists. These aren’t niche products for hardcore strategy nerds anymore. They’re mainstream options serving audiences that other genres ignore or take for granted. And as the gaming population ages and diversifies, that audience only grows larger.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Turn-Based Carnival 2025 run?
The Turn-Based Carnival 2025 runs from November 27 through December 4, 2025 on Steam. The event features over 100 turn-based strategy games, tactical RPGs, and deck-builders with discounts ranging from small cuts to 85 percent off. Sales end at 7 PM CET on December 4.
What are the best games to buy during the Turn-Based Carnival?
Standout titles include Inscryption (genre-bending card game), Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader (deep CRPG), For The King II (co-op tactical roguelike), and Crown Trick (turn-based roguelike with gorgeous art). Hidden gems include Spirited Thief at 85 percent off, Astrea: Six-Sided Oracles, and Cheat Death.
Do I need to like strategy games to enjoy Turn-Based Carnival offerings?
Not necessarily. While the festival focuses on turn-based mechanics, it includes diverse genres. Deck-building roguelikes like Inscryption feel very different from tactical RPGs like Warhammer 40K or puzzle games with turn-based elements. If you’ve enjoyed any game that gives you time to think rather than demanding instant reactions, you’ll likely find something appealing.
Are there demos available during the Turn-Based Carnival?
Yes, many participating games offer free demos so you can try before buying. Check individual game pages for demo availability. Steam festivals typically encourage developers to provide demos, making it easier to sample games without financial risk.
Why are turn-based games becoming popular again?
Several factors contribute to the renaissance. Turn-based games are more accessible for players with disabilities or slower reflexes. They work better for streaming since viewers can follow decision-making. Indie developers can create compelling turn-based games with smaller teams. And audiences are hungry for games that respect their time rather than demanding constant engagement.
Will there be another Turn-Based Carnival in 2026?
While Steam hasn’t officially announced future Turn-Based Carnival events, the success of themed festivals like this typically leads to annual recurrence. Similar events like Turn-Based RPG Fest ran earlier in 2025, suggesting strong ongoing interest in curated strategy game sales.
Can I play turn-based games casually or do they require huge time commitments?
Turn-based games often accommodate casual play better than real-time competitive games. You can save anywhere, think at your own pace, and stop mid-session without penalty. While some games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Warhammer 40K offer 100-plus hour campaigns, many roguelikes and smaller titles work perfectly for short play sessions.
The Bottom Line
The Turn-Based Carnival 2025 celebrates a gaming philosophy that values thinking over twitching, strategy over speed, and depth over spectacle. It’s not just a sale. It’s proof that audiences exist for games that trust players to make interesting decisions rather than testing their ability to click heads before getting clicked themselves.
Whether you’re a longtime strategy fan or someone who bounced off competitive shooters and always wondered if gaming had alternatives, this festival deserves attention. With discounts up to 85 percent and over 100 games featured, finding something worth your time and money is practically guaranteed. The event runs through December 4, giving you a week to explore, experiment, and discover your next obsession.
In an industry that often feels like it’s forgotten how to make games for people who don’t have infinite free time or teenage reflexes, the Turn-Based Carnival stands as a reminder. There’s still room for games where the best move isn’t always the fastest one, where winning requires planning instead of just practice, and where taking your time is the whole point. That’s worth celebrating for a week, and it’s definitely worth twenty dollars off Inscryption.