Everybody likes a good strategy game, and the scope of the genre is quite large, encompassing everything from fast-paced squad combat to relaxed empire-building.
For the more devoted strategy game fans, those who crave the deepest levels of complexity and depth with limitless gameplay options, there is the 4X genre.
4X games are grand-strategy games in which players control an empire and have almost limitless options, allowing them to “eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate” at will.
The games have proven popular and do not generally require powerful graphics cards to run, as the genre focuses on complexity and depth over graphics.
Check out the greatest 4X strategy games ever made below.
Civilization IV
Civilization IV is the best-rated out of all the Civilization games, and features a ton of expansion packs which greatly expand gameplay. The game preserves the complex 4X gameplay of Civ II while presenting higher-fidelity graphics and a more intuitive interface.
Civilization II
Civilization II brought 4X gaming into the spotlight with its accessible but complex gameplay. The game laid down the blueprints for the rest of Sid Meier’s Civilization series, and competes with Civilization IV for the title of best 4X game ever made.
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri is rated slightly below Civilization II and IV on both Metacritic and GameRankings, despite its comparable gameplay and complexity.
Alpha Centauri features gameplay similar to that of the Civilization series, with the biggest difference being its Sci-Fi, futuristic setting and expanded customisation of races and units.
Galactic Civilizations II
Galactic Civilizations is an epic sci-fi 4X strategy game which focuses on the military conflict between space empires.
Space empires are a common theme in 4X games due to the large degree of customisation the setting offers. Galactic Civilizations offers players the opportunity to create their own unique empire and pits them against the game’s formidable AI or other players.
Civilization V
Civilization V is the latest Civilization game which is set on Earth and follows the traditional Civilization gameplay.
Civilization V was received rather well at launch and has since grown stronger and stronger thanks to its many expansions packs and addons which greatly enhance gameplay.
The game is a rival for the best 4x strategy title and has been critically-acclaimed as a better game than the more recent Civilization: Beyond Earth.
Rise of Nations
Rise of Nations is a more fast-paced title than the rest of the games on this list.
The game features refined Age of Empires-esque gameplay while including all four major 4X elements in its global map mode, which sees you controlling an empire and navigating the world map while fighting individual battles in an RTS arena.
Crusader Kings II
Crusader Kings II is the ultimate dynasty-building game.
Players control a character who controls an empire, mixing role-playing elements with grand strategy in a totally unique and unprecedented way.
The game forces players to consider not only their vassals’ favour and their army size, but also their marriage choices and personal relationships.
Europa Universalis IV
Europa Universalis features similar gameplay to Crusader Kings II, although it forgoes the role-playing elements in favour of large-scale battles and empire-to-empire diplomacy.
Also created by Paradox Interactive, EU IV is a grand strategy game of epic proportions and the highest level of complexity, granting players the ultimate freedom to conquer their enemies.
Sins of a Solar Empire
Sins of a Solar Empire is similar to Galactic Civilizations in that both are sci-fi empire-building strategy games.
SoSE implements all the traditional 4X features – such as customisation, diplomacy, tactical combat, and building – while retaining the basic elements and pace of strategy games.
Although most 4X games have longer play-times than regular titles, the extended time generally flies by due to the sheer amount of content the game presents.
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