Some days you just want to kick back, relax, and conquer the world. For would-be world rulers, there’s no genre better than the 4Xstrategy.
Four elements distinguish these games from other types of strategy:exploringthe world,expandingyour domain,exploitingmap resources, andexterminatingthe opposition. Of course, notevery4X places the same emphasis on each facet of the genre.
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We have cossacks, tanks, and even submarines!
For example, most 4X games offer victory conditions that don’t require murdering every other player on the map. Some don’t even really have “victory conditions” at all!
This diversity is what makes 4X games so engaging. Whether historical or sci-fi, rigidly turn-based or built on a continuously-ticking clock, the genre’s tactical variety contributed to its strategic success in the modern market. In this list, we’ll see how variations in the four Xs resulted in the genre’s best games.
10Endless Legend
Expanding Empire, Expanding Story
Endless Legend
Endless Legendreworks the classic turn-based 4X formula for a fantasy twist on the archetype. Built upon the standard “expand with cities to control more territory” model,Endless Legenduses events to generate narrative,and heroes to give that narrative a protagonist.
It also explores different ways of handling city-based expansion. Instead of building a web of cities like in Civ, the map ofEndless Legendis divided into distinct pre-established regions, which can be controlled by a single city. In my experience, this reduces the total number of cities (and therefore requires less micromanagement), but still requires careful economic strategy.
Endless Legendalso excels by emphasizing its fantasy setting through gameplay mechanics. The game’s rotating seasons require you to prepare and adapt accordingly. This creates a “cyclical” feel toEndless Legend, making it stand out from other 4X games.
9Stellaris
Ends In Apocalypse
InStellaris,you lead a young space-faring civilization on a journey to explore and dominate the galaxy. Beginning with a quite narrow scope, this grand strategy 4X quickly explodes into political machinations, random events triggering the collapse of entire systems, and the inevitable centuries-long blood feuds.
To my mind, what helpsStellarisstand out among similar games is thedramatic crises at the end of the game.These crises introduce a dangerous new element to the galaxy, which usually threatens to wipe out every civilization.
It’s an exciting plot twist that encourages both teamwork and backstabbing. After all, it sure would be convenient if that extradimensional horde wiped out your friend’s empire…
8Hearts Of Iron IV
The World At War
Hearts of Iron 4
Ever felt you could have done a better job in World War 2 than FDR and Churchill? Well,Hearts of Iron IVlets you give it a shot. Thischallenging historical strategygame gives you the chance to lead any of WW2’s belligerents to victory.
It isn’t just a chance to revise history that makesHearts of Iron IVcompelling. The game creates strategic complexity throughbreaking down gameplay structures into granular detail.For example, each province is subdivided into smaller states, and political factions use multiple diplomatic layers.
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For when conquering the world isn’t motivating enough.
Overall, the game’s superb detail allows you to play with a strategic vision as insular or grand as you wish. Because of how the layering is structured, though,Hearts of Iron IVrarely feels overwhelming. Combining martial, economic, and diplomatic strategies, it’s an excellent virtual rematch of the world’s bloodiest war.
7Age Of Wonders
Strategic Spell-Slinging
Age of Wonders
Combining elements of an RPG with tactical and strategic decision-making,Age of Wondersdemonstrates how diverse gameplay elements blend together to create an enticing strategy game. Like in an RPG, you decide how a hero grows—but you also must manage your faction’s large-picture concerns.
This game also requiresusing political strategyto manage your relationship with other races. While you begin the game playing as a single race—with default starting relationships—your choices in both interactions and while expanding your empire influence how other races perceive you. Juggling your friendships with multiple races allows access to their heroes, units, and settlements.
Add in some insane spellcasting and engaging tactical battles when armies clash, and it’s easy to see whyAge of Wondersis a magical 4X. Better yet, it isn’t a 90s relic waiting to resurface—Triumph Studios' revival of the series with titles likeAge of Wonders 4continues to succeed with the basic formula intact.
6Total War: Warhammer
Conquer The Old World
Total War: Warhammer
Back when Games Workshop’s originalWarhammer Fantasygame was killed off in favor of the more squad-centricAge of Sigmar,the Old World persisted through atriad of Warhammer gamesfor theTotal Warfranchise. It’s somewhat contested whether or notTotal Waris “truly” a 4X series. Each game blends turn-based strategy on the campaign map with small-scale real-time battles when armies clash.
Total Warcertainly focuses on the “exterminate” element of 4X. However, to my mind it—and the franchise as a whole—definitely fit the genre due to the elements of economic management and territorial expansion in the game’s turn-based component.
NumerousTotal Wargames are excellent, but theenormous Immortal Empires mapmakes its Warhammer iteration stand out. Combining factions and land masses from across all three games,Total War: Warhammer IIIis a fantastic game if you want tocolonize and conqueran entire fantasy earth map.
5Europa Universalis IV
Europa Universalis 4
ConsideringParadoxis the 4X king, it shouldn’t be particularly surprising that the publisher’s colonization simulator is the next entry on our list. Set in the historical Age of Exploration,Europa Universalis IVsends you sailing to fulfill all of your colonial dreams and nightmares.
Unlike most of Paradox’s grand strategy titles,some geographical territories begin “uncolonized” at the start of EU4.Ripe for exploitation, these lands encourage a race for territory quite similar to the expansion of the historical European powers. As the game progresses, gameplay shifts from rapid expansion to focusing on your diplomatic relations with the other colonial powers.
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Covering nearly 400 years, EU4 forces you to respond to revolutionary technological changes, as well. From the expansion of the printing press and literacy to the early years of industrialization, these advancements expand your strategic options. I’d argueEuropa Universalis IVlets you play through the period with the most turbulent scientific, social, and political changes in Earth’s history.
4Alpha Centauri
Colonize Sol’s Nearest Neighbor
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri
IfCivilization: Beyond Earthdidn’t scratch your itch for “Civ in Space,“Alpha Centaurimay be more to your liking. LikeCivilization,Alpha Centauriis the brainchild of the justly-acclaimed Sid Meier. UnlikeBeyond Earth—in my opinion—this old-school sci-fi game successfully goes beyond the “Civ in space” elevator pitch.
Inspired by sci-fi authors likeDune’sFrank Herbert andRingworld’sLarry Niven,Alpha Centauriis about human colonization of a completely alien planet. It uses this theme to great effect via thevariety and responsiveness of indigenous threats.For example, you must terraform new terrain to seize new living space. Yet if the players terraform excessively, an alien fungus adapts and begins destroying terraformed tiles.
Alpha Centaurialso spices up the Civ formula with new economic and military options. In particular, new techs no longer unlock new units. Instead, you gaincomponentswith which to design (or upgrade) new units yourself. This adds tactical complexity not commonly found in Civ-likes, which truly helpsAlpha Centauriexcel.
3Master Of Orion 2
StarCraft Across The Galaxy
Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares
Just like the OGStarCraftcontinues to be the historical standard for RTS game design,Master of Orion IIis the standard for 4X strategy games.An impressive medley of static elements with player customization makesMaster of Orion IIone of the most finely-tuned strategy games ever made.
Spreading across the galactic map,Master of Orion IIhas you conquer and colonize star systems while seeking military or diplomatic dominance over the other factions. You can modify everything from your starting race’s attributes to the tactical layout of spaceships while pursuing this goal. Yet there is almost always a counterplay, strategic alternatives creating a back-and-forth contest with your opponents.
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While some games have lightning fast action and combat, other games take combat more methodically and strategically.
The only downside is thatMaster of Orion IIexcels at exactly one aspect of a 4X game. It’s nearly perfect for when you want that “board game”-esque experience of seeking victory or defeat. However, its lack of impactful narrative elements found in most modern 4X titles meansMaster of Orion IIfeels a bit dated—especially if you like a more “sandbox” approach to strategy.
Within its intended scope, though,Master of Orion II’sgame mechanics absolutely rival or surpass those of any modern title.
2Crusader Kings III
Rule For Generations
Crusader Kings 3
Few games are quite as good at making me go"Wait, what just happened?“asCrusader Kings III.It’s a strategic masterpiece that cares just as much about generating narrative as presenting a strategic challenge.
With all the hazards of medieval life—from plague, to conniving barons, to plague, to religious strife, to a bit more plague—keeping yourself alive in CK3 can be a little bit tricky. Making your state thrive, expand, and rise to power is an even bigger ask.
In addition to CK3’sstrategic challenges, the game’s mix of sober and strange random events does splendid work in weaving an ambient narrative. There’s no overarching campaign in CK3. Yet at the same time,your lifepaththrough the game always tells a distinct story.
And a surprising amount of the time ends up with truly peculiar tales. For example, pulling a Caligula and putting a horse in charge.
1Civilization
The Birth Of A 4X Empire
Sid Meier’s Civilization
Sid Meier’sCivilizationis indisputably the most influential 4X of all time. Considering it pretty muchinventedthe genre of videogames, I’d argue it’s also one of the most influential games ever.
What makes theCivilizationseries so impressive, though, isn’t merely its legacy. Time and again, theCivilizationgames are consistently great.
We can always argue about which is best—my personal favorite isCiv 5once you include theBrave New WorldDLC, thoughCiv 3is a classic—but each installment has both its advocates and its critics. Few series in any genre manage tochange their formulafrom game to game while retaining enduring popularity.
It’s also worth mentioningCivilization’sopen-source cousin,Freeciv.Receiving continuous development and support for a whoppingthirty years,Freecivis the longest-running videogame project of which I’m aware. With a new version released just a few weeks ago, it’s an impressive monument toCivilization’simpact on the 4X genre.
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