Uh... You sure? The difficulty struck me as utterly punishing, I'd call the "novice" campaigns quite challenging, and once you move past those, good luck. The turn limit has plenty to do with that, and then there's the fact that RNG decides everything.

It's one of my most played games ever. While many people dislike the heavy RNG as the core of the game, when you understand that the best way to play the game is to "manipulate" RNG to your favor, by using high defense hexes. Meaning the hex your unit sits gives you a defense (or parry) value, it's the chance the enemies have to actually hit your unit not the damage.
I'm mentioning this because a online friend I used to play didn't get that the %value was your defending hit probability, unlike most games (he was 50h into the game, always blaming the RNG). It's very easy to play since you don't have a lot of stats to keep attention to, most of the strategy goes in choosing a favorable terrain and leveling key units (units regenerate when they lvl up).

The main campains are quite fun and easy to play. You can download a lot of unoficial campains and some of them, like Legends of the Invincibles are really long (I was not even half way, at 50-100h into it when I quit) but have a lot of RPG-ish elements, like character building tree, items etc.

The mechanics are simple enough, not too many over complex features, And there is a clear differentiation and option to choose easy campaigns. The game is so pure in the classic spirit of turn based, tabletop, wargame strategy games that I consider it a good option to enter th genre. And, well, it is free. and good. It is worth the try.

And after I forget it, other good option could be Elven Legacy, same spirit, probably easier and 3D hex based. Modern interpretation of the same formula. And here the turn limits use not to be a serious issue. Pretty fun.

Greetings

I don't think anyone has mentioned Chaos Reborn. It is brilliantly simple at its core, albeit has been diluted by multiple additional game modes. Playing offline Classic Chaos mode is my favourite; simple to get into with surprising depth as you get used to the mechanics. And if you loathe RNG-driven games, you can play on "Law" mode instead. That's too deterministic for my tastes. The campaign mode and the "Equipped" game variants are there if you'd like to build a character over several sessions.

It might not hold up that well now but Fallen Haven is one I remember as pretty easy and simplistic. Other than that I'll just second Heroes 3.

Indeed, it is designed to be tough, actually that is a selling point for the game.

Take a look at Pathway. It's currently on sale.

my first recommendation would be a steam game to be honest, not to be just rude but to point you towards one of the most accessible and enjoyable turn based games out there namely X-Com ( the version i belief released for the first time in 2013 )

Civilization is another one, i'm not sure how far GoG goes but both 4 & 5 are pretty and enjoyable too and certainly forgiving for newcomers.

One of the more enjoyable sf brain punchers out there is Galactic Civilizations III ( though admittedly, your better of waiting for a sale and grabbing the whole deal, the game goes on a 75% sale quite often )

Except Civilization V all of these games are available on GOG

Yes, Disciples 2 actually was more interesting than what came after HoMM3 (YMMV). The original Disciples is well worth playing as well. Actually the interface of Disciples 2 makes more sense once you have played Disciples.
Surely you speak in jest, XCOM and XCOM 2 are in GOG.
This one looks interesting. Thanks for pointing it out, I just had missed it.
If you played Let Us Cling Together, they say it draws inspiration from there. A pity that it is not on sale right now. The time will come again.

And another one. To any Civilization game, 1-4 (sadly only III and IV are in GOG by now). Civ IV looks gorgeous in large screens, the interface adapts very well. With Civ III it is necessary to tinker a little to get a nice resolution.

yeah panzer g clones are good
or axis and allies

I tried it, I couldn't get into it. It felt too "everyone is generically the same" through the first few battles without real differentiation in sight. I just couldn't find the same joy in it as I did FFT and others. Maybe I should give it an emulated go again sometime though.

King's Bounty can be great for someone who likes tactical battles and exploration and does not really want to bother with constructing structures. Getting gold, experience and units for your army are the sole worries. It is a somewhat whimsical game where at times it feels that anything might happen, while not taking itself too seriously (meaning, there is humour). It has a great sequel as well, in case you find that you want more of it.

Heroes of Might and Magic II was the game that (IMHO) best conveyed this feeling that you were in a magical country run by serendipity and unexpected findings, in the vein of Spenser's Gloriana. Worth playing before III if you enjoy old games.

Also, a timeless game that is one of a kind: King of Dragon Pass. You dive into a culture of northern barbarians. You guide a clan through the years. First to survive, then to found a tribe (a union of clans), then to found a kingdom in Dragon Pass. Set in the world of Glorantha. It is strategy with elements of role play games, adventure, fantasy myth and anthropology and whatnot. Highly unconventional.
Awwww, that is exactly what I was fearing and what made me hesitate so far. Too bad :-(
Thanks for the heads up.

Great thread - so many good games suggested - reminds me why turn based strat / RPG is one of my favorite genres.

After seeing it recommended here a few times - should I put Fort Triumph on my radar? I can't tell if it's like a pared down Heroes of Might and Magic with a bit of Massive Chalice mixed in or just a lot of tiny fights on small maps.

Anyone want to sell me on this game?