BORED CORPORATE DRONE NEEDS TURN BASED PHONE ENTERTAINMENT

July 27, 2011 12:37 PM

I need a good Turn-Based iphone game to wheedle away the time. Help!

I have burned myself out on iPhone games. I don't want to see another doodler, angry bird, or scrabble tile again! What did perk me out of my funk, however, was Dungeon Raid. That game is pure genius. However, I'm now burned out on it too, and I am looking for a replacement.

My only request is, I'm not looking for any kind of reflex games/FPS/Platformers, etc, just something turn-based, strategy or otherwise. I've searched iphone game reviews far and wide, and mostly struck out - Lux, GLWG, etc, were just terrible.

Maybe something along the lines of Heroes of Might and Magic, or a roguelike? To be honest, I don't even know what I'm looking for, as I haven't played these kinds of games in years. However, anything that was just great is fair game too, turns or not. So tell me, hivemind, what has piqued your fancy in iPhone games recently?

posted by wuzandfuzz to computers & internet (24 answers total)

Game Dev Story!
posted by Grither at 12:38 PM on July 27, 2011

battle for wesnoth
posted by drethelin at 12:46 PM on July 27, 2011

Carcassone, or Tiny Tower. Not in the vein you've mentioned (fantasy/RPG-esque), but they're fun and turn based.
posted by jasondbarr at 12:46 PM on July 27, 2011

There's an official port/emulation of Shining Force.

Also, Deep Deep Dungeon is a super-simple dungeon crawler, although the attack method is moving slider (like golf games.)
posted by griphus at 12:51 PM on July 27, 2011

Nethack (I have iNethack). You'll never need another turn based game, and may never finish it.
posted by kjs3 at 12:51 PM on July 27, 2011 [2 favorites]

(Also, Tiny Tower is lotsa fun, but it's more drawn out. I'm not entirely sure what you can do with it outside of 3-5 minute sessions other than give people rides on the elevator.)
posted by griphus at 12:52 PM on July 27, 2011

Seconding carcassone! Its awesome! Also loving the settlers of catan app for my ipod touch.
posted by snowysoul at 12:52 PM on July 27, 2011

Final Fantasy Tactics is supposed to be out for iOS soon.
posted by zamboni at 12:52 PM on July 27, 2011

Civilization Revolution is turn-based and a hell of a lot of fun.
posted by jquinby at 12:55 PM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]

Rats, meant to link to the iphone/touch page.
posted by jquinby at 12:56 PM on July 27, 2011

Strategic Dice is a near-perfect replica of the addictive web game Dice Wars, and has online multiplayer.
posted by Rhaomi at 1:00 PM on July 27, 2011

Words With Friends is pretty good (though not exactly in the genre you described), but if your friends aren't taking their turns frequently, then you'll be back to being bored with 5 minutes or so.
posted by asnider at 1:03 PM on July 27, 2011

Seconding Civilization Revolution. It is like crack to me. YMMV.
posted by grapesaresour at 1:06 PM on July 27, 2011

I really liked Helsing's Fire. Good puzzles, loads of levels.
posted by bcwinters at 1:08 PM on July 27, 2011 [1 favorite]

I have recently introduced our office to the addiction that is Ascension: Chronicle of the Godslayer.

It is a card game that is easy to teach and pick up. You can play solo against the AI, play multiplayer online with strangers, or multiplayer locally with play and pass. The play and pass is the mode everyone is into here. All modes allow up to four players total. The lite version can't play online though and is limited to two player play and pass locally but it's a great way to try it out. We have more then made up the cost of the full version with all the play this game has gotten.
posted by Animus at 1:11 PM on July 27, 2011

Oh man, Dungeon Raid was terrific. You will likely love Sword Poker 2 - very similar, but with poker hands rather than match-3. Also, Puzzle Quest has a similar mechanic, and Game Dev Story can scratch the same itch, but in a different context.
posted by blahblahblah at 1:14 PM on July 27, 2011

Seconding Carcassone.
posted by alms at 1:51 PM on July 27, 2011

Nthing - Carcassone, Civ Revolution, Helsing's Fire
Adding - Trainyard
posted by bright cold day at 2:22 PM on July 27, 2011

100 Rogues is a good time.
posted by ignignokt at 2:44 PM on July 27, 2011

Definitely 100 Rogues - it's a fun little rougelike, and is easy enough to pick up and put down at whim.

Game dev story, as mentioned above, is fun too.

ChuChu rocket is a favorite of mine.

Super Mega Worm was fun for awhile

Plants vs. Zombies is a can't miss.
posted by owls at 3:46 PM on July 27, 2011

I like Highborn. I hear there's an iDevice version. The dialog is a little cheesy but the strategy is pretty fun.
posted by anaelith at 5:31 PM on July 27, 2011

Do not get Civilization Revolution! It will consume your life. It has all the addictive power of desktop Civ, but can be played anywhere.
posted by hammurderer at 8:51 PM on July 27, 2011

Frotz. Try Violet, Bronze, and Dreamhold.
posted by Zed at 10:40 PM on July 27, 2011

dayum, civ revolution is awesome. like going back to 1994. Thanks!!
posted by wuzandfuzz at 6:12 PM on July 29, 2011