One of the most interesting aspects of the game is the fact that it has been in development almost constantly since it originally launched, due to its life as an open-source product.
Where to Playįreeciv is an open-source 4X strategy game that has existed since 1996. The story is fascinating, and the dedicated combat mechanics make it stand apart from more traditional 4X experiences like Alpha Centauri. The game focuses on several factions of people who have crash-landed on a strange planet and now must vie to control and dominate their foes to ensure their own survival. Where to PlayĮndless Legend is set in a fantasy universe (with sci-fi elements) that’s a little more approachable than its space-bound cousin. How specific you ask? Ever wonder what it would be like to have to decide which of the neighboring princes your daughter must marry to most effectively expand your influence on the continent? You’ll get your chance to do just that and make plenty of other diplomatic decisions in this game.Įuropa Universalis IV doesn’t adhere to the mechanics of the 4X genre as closely as other games in this list, but we feel its general presentation and themes more than justify its inclusion.
One of the elements of this game is its focus on highly specific decision making. Some of the games on this list (like Planetfall and Total War) are very combat heavy, but Europa Universalis IV chooses to focus on the relationships and tensions between neighboring countries in this case the countries of Europe. You can find Alpha Centauri on GoG or EA’s Origin.
#Best grand strategy games reddit Pc
We’re just happy that old games are getting new life thanks to modern PC gaming platforms. It’s a little on the older side now, but it is still an absolute classic. This deep and complex adventure abandons the historical context of Meier’s other projects to tell a tale of a speculative future for humanity and the trials and tribulations as our species ventures out into the galaxy.Īll of the political intrigue of the Civilization franchise remains, with the added complexity of the need to tame an inhospitable world through terraforming. Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri is more than just Civilization in space. There’s a lot to love in this sure-to-be-classic strategy game. It also has an orchestral/synth soundtrack that makes conquering the galaxy a musical treat. The world of Endless Space 2 features a vast multitude of strange and interesting alien races to discover. Its approachable controls and detailed tutorials make it a great entry point for new fans of the genre. Where to PlayĮnjoy the sci-fi themes of Age of Wonders: Planetfall, but find the mechanics too complicated? Then Endless Space 2 might be the game for you it’s considered one of the best space-themed 4X games around. The Records style focuses more on a historically accurate depiction of diplomacy and war in ancient China. The Romance style grants generals superhuman abilities that allow them to turn the tide in battles. Your goal as the leader of one of the twelve included factions is to conquer and unite all of China. This entry is set in the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history.
#Best grand strategy games reddit series
Total War: Three Kingdoms is the 13th entry in this strategy series by Sega, and its blend of turn-based and real-time mechanics makes it stand out. Xbox One, PS4, Steam, GoG Total War: Three Kingdoms Keep that in mind if you decide to dive into this extremely challenging, but ultimately rewarding experience. Planetfall has gotten a bit of a reputation for being complex, even by 4X standards. The original Age of Wonders was set in a fantasy world, but with Planetfall, the franchise has taken a sci-fi turn. The mechanics of Planetfall are similar to Civilization, however this series has a more complex X-Com-like combat system. Let’s take a look at some games like Civilization that use the 4X mechanics especially well and expand on the concept created by Sid Meier’s classic. You also respond to similar actions by other players during your turn, which complicates the decisions you make. This includes actions such as: moving your troops around, declaring war, and tending to your farms. This means that on your turn you make a variety of choices that affect the outcome of the next round of decisions by all of the players (human and otherwise) on the map. Civilization laid the groundwork for game developers all over the world to build upon the original concept and add their own take to the experience. It’s a fascinating blend of turn-based strategy mechanics, history, and world-building which created the genre known as 4X strategy.ĤX stands for eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate. If you play video games, you’ve probably heard of Sid Meier’s strategy masterpiece Civilization.