The Best 4X Games

Update 20 January 2024: World Tour added at rank #5. 81 Review score PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Age of Wonders 4 is a fantasy 4X game that allows players to create their own magical empires and explore new worlds with tactical turn-based battles. The game has an open-ended and endlessly replayable experience

Update 20 January 2024: World Tour added at rank #5.

Here are our 10 Best 4X Games: 1

Age of Wonders 4 (2023)

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81

Review score

Logo of Age of Wonders 4 Play Video: Age of Wonders 4 Screenshot of Age of Wonders 4 Screenshot of Age of Wonders 4 Screenshot of Age of Wonders 4

PC Windows Xbox Series X Playstation 5

Age of Wonders 4 is a fantasy 4X game that allows players to create their own magical empires and explore new worlds with tactical turn-based battles. The game has an open-ended and endlessly replayable experience that adds a new chapter to your saga every time you play. With immersive storytelling and customizable empires, Age of Wonders 4 is a must-play for 4X and tactical battle fans.

What we like:
  • Great for 4X and tactical battle fans
  • Meta-game adds layer of customization
  • Modding-friendly
  • Immersive story and lore
  • More tactical battles with interesting terrain elements
What could be improved:
  • Lack of control over map size/type in single player mode
  • No huge campaign story in single player mode
  • Limited faction selection customization
  • World map AI could be improved during wars
  • 4x
  • strategy
  • turn-based
  • empire
  • fantasy
  • tactical
  • battle

Good match + 4 Bad match

2

Fallen (2023)

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78

Review score

Logo of Fallen Play Video: Fallen Screenshot of Fallen Screenshot of Fallen Screenshot of Fallen

Android PC Windows

A minigame collection game where you help people in the town of Havoton to regain your angelic status!

  • 4x
  • choices
  • minigame
  • tactical
  • fantasy
  • empire
  • rpg
  • battle
  • conversation
  • 2d
  • combat
  • visual-novel
  • strategy
  • medieval
  • casual

Good match + 4 Bad match

3

Humankind (2022)

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78

Review score

Logo of Humankind Play Video: Humankind Screenshot of Humankind Screenshot of Humankind Screenshot of Humankind

Android Playstation 4 Xbox Series X/s Xbox One PC Windows Mac OS Playstation 5 stadia Xbox Series X

Experience the thrill of rewriting history in HUMANKIND™, a strategy game that lets you build unique civilizations, make critical decisions, and create scientific breakthroughs. With customizable leaders, complex diplomacy options, and flexible winning conditions, you can leave your mark on the world in a way that's uniquely you.

What we like:
  • Fresh take on empire-building
  • Personalized leaders and cultures
  • In-depth diplomacy options
  • Streamlined gameplay
  • Constant shifting of strategies
What could be improved:
  • Clunky mechanics
  • Unbalanced DLC
  • Confusing combat
  • 4x
  • historical
  • strategy
  • empire
  • turn-based

Good match + 15 Bad match - 19

4

Endless (2022)

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82

Review score

Logo of Endless Play Video: Endless Screenshot of Endless Screenshot of Endless Screenshot of Endless

Android Xbox One PC Windows

Endless - is a casual game where you control a dark cube and your main task is to dodge red obstacles. For each obstacle you pass, you get a point, but if you hit with at least one, you will immediately lose and you will have to start over. And how many points can you get?

  • 4x
  • empire
  • strategy
  • political
  • economy

Good match + 15 Bad match - 26

5

World Tour (2024)

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81

Review score

PC Windows Android

This is a simple and fun elimination game.

  • 4x
  • dynamic
  • soccer
  • 2d
  • fiction
  • narration
  • simulation
  • interactive
  • football
  • platform
  • strategy
  • team

Good match Bad match

6

Scythe (2018)

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100

Review score

Logo of Scythe Play Video: Scythe Screenshot of Scythe Screenshot of Scythe Screenshot of Scythe

Android Mac OS PC Windows IOS iPhone

Scythe transports you to an alternate reality in 1920s Europa, one ravaged by the First World War. Take up the role of leader by assuming command of one of 5 factions, and set out to conquer the coveted "Factory". Lead your mechs to war and your people to victory!

  • board-game
  • 4x
  • mech
  • historical
  • i
  • hex
  • turn-based
  • steampunk
  • visual-novel
  • tabletop
  • alternate
  • eroge
  • strategy
  • beautiful
  • grid

Good match + 15 Bad match - 5

7

Galactic Civilizations IV (2023)

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73

Review score

PC Windows

Take command of a civilization that has just achieved faster-than-light travel in Galactic Civilizations IV, the newest entry in the award-winning space 4X strategy game series. Explore the galaxy, colonize worlds, shape cultures, make alliances, fight wars and pioneer new technologies.

  • 4x
  • grand-strategy
  • space
  • strategy
  • turn-based
  • hex
  • moddable
  • sci-fi
  • sandbox

Good match Bad match

8

The Battle of Polytopia (2016)

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94

Review score

Logo of The Battle of Polytopia Play Video: The Battle of Polytopia Screenshot of The Battle of Polytopia Screenshot of The Battle of Polytopia Screenshot of The Battle of Polytopia

IOS iPhone PC Windows Linux Mac OS Android Nintendo Switch

The Battle of Polytopia is a simplified 4X game that allows players to experience the Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate aspects of the genre in under an hour. Available for mobile devices, it's the pocket-sized 4X that anyone can play anywhere.

What we like:
  • Distillation of the 4X genre in a great turn-based action game
  • Mechanism for competitive play
  • Addresses limitations of chess
What could be improved:
  • Limited multiplayer and co-op options
  • Not ideal for players who want a longer game
  • turn-based
  • 4x
  • strategy
  • civilization
  • diplomacy
  • empire
  • multiplayer
  • building
  • economy
  • tactical
  • real-time

Good match + 7 Bad match - 11

9

Airships: Conquer the Skies (2018)

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93

Review score

Logo of Airships: Conquer the Skies Play Video: Airships: Conquer the Skies Screenshot of Airships: Conquer the Skies Screenshot of Airships: Conquer the Skies Screenshot of Airships: Conquer the Skies

Linux PC Windows Mac OS

Construct mighty steampunk airships and fly them into battle, waging war and conquering the skies!

  • grand-strategy
  • real-time
  • naval
  • steampunk
  • strategy
  • i
  • wargame
  • 4x
  • authentic
  • pvp
  • data-driven
  • cooperative
  • mech
  • combat
  • tanks

Good match + 14 Bad match - 11

10

Shadow Empire (2020)

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84

Review score

Logo of Shadow Empire Play Video: Shadow Empire Screenshot of Shadow Empire Screenshot of Shadow Empire Screenshot of Shadow Empire

PC Windows

Shadow Empire is a sci-fi 4X game with a huge scope where players rule as an absolute leader of a nation on a far-future planet. Discover new technology, invent industrial-scale warfare, and become the most powerful ruler on the planet. The game has a complex, detail-oriented simulation of politics, governance, and economics that complements the focus on technology and warfare. With a diverse and complex universe, Shadow Empire offers a unique 4X wargame experience that is worth playing.

What we like:
  • Deep strategy game with lots of attention to detail
  • Unique planet generator ensures every game feels different
  • Excellent balancing of game mechanics
  • Combines wargame, city builder, empire management, and RPG elements
  • Hours of gameplay without any dull moments
What could be improved:
  • Steep learning curve and complex mechanics
  • Archaic graphics
  • Lengthy end turn times
  • AI doesn't always play by the same rules as the player
  • Requires time and dedication to master
  • 4x
  • turn-based
  • wargame
  • grand-strategy
  • hex
  • strategy
  • sci-fi
  • multiplayer
  • asynchronous
  • war
  • economy
  • management
  • aliens
  • space
  • empire

Good match + 5 Bad match - 6

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