Top 4X Strategy Games on PC. 12 Games for Fans of Hard-core Strategy!

Exploration. Expansion. Exploitation. Extermination. These are the pillars of the 4X strategy genre. Recently, it has enjoyed quite a lot of popularity, which naturally resulted in a number of noteworthy games. Some are more accessible, some less. What they all have in common is that they offer entertainment for dozens, if not hundreds of hours. Below, you will find twelve games that, in our opinion, are particularly worth recommending (in random order).

Civilization 6

Civilization is a kind of a 4X synonym – its genre could be called "civlike," although it wasn't the game signed by Sid Meier that gave rise to it (it was Reach for the Stars from 1983). I consider the sixth installment of the series to be a game so complete that we might not need another one (although – as we know – another game is already in development).

Why is that? Civilization VI offers fifty nations that we can lead through the ages. This is the most we ever got in the series – with more leaders available and more already announced and waiting to be added. I've clocked about three hundred hours in the game and still haven't completed even half of them.

In addition, the sixth Civilization gives the players custom scenarios and a lot of achievements (over three hundred). Particularly interesting are those with a historical flavor, such as triggering Charles Darwin in the Galapagos Islands or conquering Jerusalem as Frederick Barbarossa. Although their completion requires favorable circumstances, they give considerable satisfaction. The multiplayer mode is also noteworthy, although even without it, Civilization VI would be my desert island game.

1. Sid Meier's Civilization VI in our encyclopedia

Stellaris

If domination on Earth seems passe and you dream of conquering space, check out the absolute behemoth, Stellaris. In this game from Paradox, conquering the galaxy is as exciting as it gets, and the game has a veritably infinite replayability. The game is able to maintain incredible freshness in each subsequent playthrough thanks to random elements and incredibly deep and layered mechanics. The game also offers a multitude of available races – each feels a bit different – as well as the ability to create your own nation, complete with customized political system and civilization traits.

Alien civilizations may try to thwart our imperial tendencies, or join our alliance. We can also annihilate or subjugate them. The latter goal can be achieved through trade, diplomacy, scientific dominance, etc. If we decide to exterminate everyone in the galaxy, we'll be able to go into battle in self-designed spaceships.

1. Stellaris in our encyclopedia

Endless Legend

For players looking for a 4X strategy that takes them into a fantasy world, Endless Legend is a great choice. In general, the work of Amplitude Studios brings the same offer as Civilization 6 and Stellaris – we start with a handful of soldiers and workers to eventually lead a huge empire. To this end, we expand cities, take care of the economy, develop technology, etc. Simply put – a well-executed genre standard.

What distinguishes Endless Legend from previously discussed games are turn-based combat and RPG elements. In combat, we can direct our troops on tactical maps covered with hexes. Tactical prowess including taking advantage of the terrain can tip the scales of victory in our favor, even if you're facing seemingly insurmountable odds.

On the other hand, the RPG elements present in Endless Legend diversify the experience, among others, by sending our heroes on expeditions, from which they usually return with pockets full of treasures and valuable information. At the same time, they gain new levels of experience and skills, thanks to which they become more and more powerful, and thus – more versatile and useful.

1. Endless Legend in our encyclopedia

Humankind

If you like the offering of Amplitude Studios, but prefer realism from fantasy, don't worry – there's something from the studio you might enjoy as well. We're talking about Humankind released a year and a half ago, which – although it didn't become the king of the hill – introduced some interesting solutions to the well-known formula.

I especially like the idea that we don't start the game with choosing a nation, but with creating a leader. At the beginning, they lead a tribe of nomads, whose goal is to move around the world map in search of food to ensure survival. Although after a dozen turns or so, we get the opportunity to settle a city and then the game continues in accordance with the genre standard – however, this unusual beginning provides a breath of fresh air.

Another similar element are cultural patterns that we can change, advancing to an era closer to modernity. Nothing stands in the way of leading the Huns, Celts, Vikings, Poles, and finally the Americans in a single game (sort of). In fact, the game encourages constant changes with various bonuses. However, if we are very sentimental, we can bring the Babylonians or Phoenicians into the 21st century. It's a ride.

1. Humankind in our encyclopedia

Age of Wonders 3

Perhaps you have noticed, or perhaps you just know what the above games have in common – none of them has a story campaign. However, this doesn't mean none of the games in 4X genre have story. You will find it in Age of Wonders III, for example.

The game from the Dutch Triumph Studios takes us to the fantasy land of Evermore, which is consumed by the conflict of two great factions. So, we get not one, but two story campaigns with eight missions each. These are not only very diverse, but also allow you to experience the events from the perspective of both sides of the conflict. Not to mention that both factions feel a bit different.

In addition , Age of Wonders III offers a storyless free mode, online modes and even a hotseat. We can then lead factions unavailable in the campaign – Draconians, Orcs, Dwarves or Goblins. If you need an additional excuse to try AoW3, let us mention that the fourth installment of the series is coming out on May 2 on PC, PS5 and XSX/S. So it's worth rehearsing (or learning) the basics before it releases.

1. Age of Wonders III in our encyclopedia

Dune: Spice Wars

Early Access games are governed by their own laws, and they often don't offer a whole lot of content. Thankfully, Dune: Spice Wars by Shiro Games is an exception. The creators of the excellent Wartales and fine Northgard proved at an early stage that they understand the universe created by Frank Herbert well.

The action of the game was set on the desert planet, Arrakis. The player's task is to seize it, while gaining access to Melange – the spice that expands consciousness, prolongs life and enables space travel.

As a result, Dune: Spice Wars is largely focused on combat. Diversity is provided by the available factions, which handle quite differently. The game currently includes five factions available – Houses Atreides, Harkonnen and Corrina, as well as Fremen and Smugglers. There should be more in version 1.0. There will also be a story campaign. Currently, however, players can try their hand at multiplayer.

1. Dune: Spice Wars in our encyclopedia

Terra Invicta

And while we're on the subject of Early Access games, we can also recommend Terra Invicta. It's the first commercial project of Pavonis Interactive – creators of Long War and Long War 2 mods for two installments of the XCOM series by Firaxis Games. Let me just warn you that this is an offer for real connoisseurs.

Terra Invicta can be quite overwhelming with its complexity. A multitude of mechanics, a ton of micromanagement, an interface consisting of rather intimidating charts and tables – that's not up everyone's alley. Underneath all that, however, is a space adventure that can last a hundred hours. Not only that – Terra Invicta is sometimes described as a combination of Paradox' games Stellaris and Hearts of Iron, it doesn't reuse too many usual genre solutions, and rather introduces new ones.

This is clear, for example, in the credibe approach of the creators to the issue of first contact with an alien civilization, whose probe is approaching Earth. Different factions intend to behave differently in this situation, so and players must find their way in a complicated economic and political system. The game's proper release is planned for June 2023 at the latest (although a certain delay still cannot be ruled out).

1. Terra Invicta in our encyclopedia.

Europa Universalis 4

If you prefer more down-to-earth circumstances and would still like a highly complex strategy game, try Europa Universalis IV. Many players consider it the best Paradox strategy and value it more than the second and third installments of Victoria or games from the Crusader Kings series, all critically-acclaimed titles. Indeed, the game comes as close to perfection as it gets, which is reflected in high review scores.https://www.gry-online.pl/S020.asp?ID=9192

However, the big DLCs released post-launch had a different reception. Leviathan, the fourteenth of the sixteen DLCs, was probably the least compelling. It seemed unfinished, introduced unintuitive mechanics, and also spoiled the balance of the game. However, with Origins and (especially) Lions of the North Paradox regained the players' trust.

However, regardless of whether you decide to buy the DLC or not, EUIV will last for dozens of hours, even in the base version. There are over 250 nations to choose from, and a single campaign can last up to 400 years, which translates into hundreds of hours. This time will be spent dealing with foreign policy, trade, economy, colonization and a lot of other, hefty matters.

1. Europa Universalis IV in our encyclopedia

SpellForce: Conquest of Eo

For those looking for something simpler and calmer, we can recommend the newest game on this list, SpellForce: Conquest of Eo. The game from Owned by Gravity turned out to be my personal dark horse of February... and also a kind of plague of that month, as it sucked me in for over sixty hours. And I don't regret a minute.

The game brings a simple storyline and enjoyable, relaxing exploration of the charming world map, for which we're lavishly rewarded, which enables us to expand our tower and territory and grow the army, and these are just some of the advantages of SpellForce: Conquest of Eo. Ultimately, the tactical combat is the thing that really makes this game what it is. Few things are more satisfying than winning a battle in which, according to the game's calculations – we had no chance. Sometimes such a win takes a few failed attempts, but in this way, the taste of victory only gets better.

However, if you prefer to focus on learning the story and general management, you can forget the combat for the most part. It can be resolved automatically. Be warned, though, that it can get irksome. On the other hand, it doesn't divert attention from the story. So, you can decide which way you like it more.

1. SpellForce: Conquest of Eo in our encyclopedia

Old World

The next proposal may seem a bit controversial – after all, Old World wasn't a universal success.https://www.gry-online.pl/gramy-dalej.asp?ID=14504 We believe, though, that this game is at least worth giving a chance. Sure, it isn't very original – it's a little like Offworld Trading Company and a lot like Civilization – although there is some diversity provided by resources or mechanics borrowed from card games and a few other, interesting ideas that seem to work really well in a 4X game.

In just over a year and a half since the release of Old World, Mohawk Games released a dozen or so big updates that eliminated many of the game's issues. Not all of them, because the AI can still be abominable, but quite a lot. This is reflected by the surge of positive reviews on Steam. Even though there are some negative opinions, they seem to mostly come from die-hard 4X fans, to whom the game may indeed appear a little shallow.

We really think it isn't, but the fact is that it's better to approach Old World as an RPG with mechanics from a strategy game. In this way, many elements – such as the need to have an heir – are no longer irritating. In addition, it's hard to find a good 4X game set exclusively in ancient eras. So if you like this period, give Old World a chance.

1. Old World in our encyclopedia

Crusader Kings 2: A Game of Thrones

We've already mentioned Crusader Kings, so here's the full thing. It's most often referred to as a "grand strategy game" rather than a 4X strategy, but it does contain many mechanics of this genre, and isn't inferior to its representatives in terms of complexity (first contact can be really overwhelming).

However, to spice things up, we don't recommend here the game itself, but a modification to it. One of the most interesting mods that have been created is Crusader Kings II: A Game of Thrones (you can download it from here). In essence, this mod allows you to take part in the events known from the books by by George R.R. Martin– Fire and Blood and A Song of Ice and Fire. We start at any date within three hundred years of Aegon's conquest, and try to survive in a web of political conspiracies until the days of A Feast for Crows.

Importantly, the story doesn't have to follow the same path as in the books. We can see for ourself if Robb Stark would be able to capture the King's Landing or convince Stannis and Renly Baratheon to team up against Joffrey. Nothing stands in the way of nipping Robert's rebellion in the bud and maintaining the rule of the Targaryen dynasty over the Seven Kingdoms. Crusader Kings 2: A Game of Thrones is a real treat for fans of this universe – especially since vanilla CKII is free!

1. Crusader Kings II: The Dark Ages in our encyclopedia

Galactic Civilizations 3

Last, but not least, we have Galactic Civilizations 3. On the one hand, it is a 4X strategy like any other – it's about creating an army, and expanding cultural, technological and political power. What's interesting, however, is that in GCIII we can control not only humans, but also aliens. A few races even have an interesting, non-humanoid appearance, which I particularly like – aliens in pop culture are often far too anthropomorphic.

The multitude of factions available in Galactic Civilizations III is particularly important due to the multiplayer mode offered the game offers, which was missing in the first two parts. This variant of gameplay returned in part four, released last year, available exclusively in the Epic Game's Store. And even if not, I'm convinced that part three offers a more complete experience – after all, it received a handful of small DLCs and four large expansions, while GCIV got none so far.

1. Galactic Civilizations III in our encyclopedia