10 – Endless Space 2
Another Amplitude Studios title, Endless Space 2, remains a gold standard for sci-fi 4X games, a deep and visually stunning space opera that offers a compelling blend of exploration, diplomacy, and strategic warfare very much in the traditional sense of the 4X genre. Other games leave out the idea of a proper story for players to write themselves, but Endless Space 2 sets itself apart by its narrative-driven approach, where each of the diverse and asymmetrical factions, from the nomadic Vodyani to the corporate United Empire, they all have a rich backstory and unique questline that unfolds as you play. If that reminds you of Endless Legend, the 2016 classic that’s going to show up later in this list, then it’s because it’s made by the same company. This focus on lore and a living, breathing galaxy, coupled with its gorgeous art direction and powerful soundtrack, creates an immersive experience that is second to none.
9 – Sins of a Solar Empire II
Hey, look! It’s my favourite game of 2024, Sins of a Solar Empire II! Sins is a series that became famous in the early 2000s for its innovative mix of real-time strategy and 4X elements. It managed to blend together the frantic RTS battles players love so much from other titles like Age of Empires, Starcraft, and Company of Heroes with the grand scale of Civilization and Master of Orion. Sins II is the sequel to the beloved classic and was released on Steam in August 2024. and has since evolved into a polished and expansive experience. One that yours truly enjoyed a ton when he reviewed the game. The basic gist of the game remains the same, as you’re thrown into the middle of a galactic conflict between three distinct factions: the human Trader Emergency Coalition (TEC), the alien Vasari, and the psychic Advent. The game’s core strength lies in its dynamic, simulated solar systems where planets, asteroids, and other celestial bodies move and orbit their suns. This adds an incredible layer of strategic depth, allowing for new tactical maneuvers and ambush opportunities. If you want a more action-packed 4X game with a mix of real-time, you cannot go wrong with Sins 2, and the game is also absolutely drop-dead gorgeous!
8 – Distant Worlds 2
It’s hard to put into words just how expansive and complex Distant Worlds 2 truly is, but an anecdotal thing I say to let other people know is that: if you want to understand aliens, you need to research their language. Yes, that’s the level of detail we are talking about here. Distant Worlds 2 is in a league of its own. This pausable real-time 4X game throws players into a living, breathing universe simulation where they can manage their empire on a grand scale or let the game’s highly sophisticated automation handle the minutiae for them.
Every element, from your civilian economy of private freighters and passenger ships to your military fleets, operates with a life of its own, creating a dynamic and immersive sandbox unlike any other. Want to play a micro-management sicko that controls every aspect of your empire? You can do it. Want to play the role of an admiral? Just control the military. Want to play as the emperor of mankind? Just make big decisions and let everything else be run by the game itself. The game’s colossal scale, with up to 2,000 star systems and tens of thousands of celestial bodies, means every playthrough is unique and there’s always a sprawling story waiting to be developed. Playing Distant Worlds 2 in 2025 is the best it’s ever been. The developers have been hard at work addressing early criticisms and adding substantial content. The “Return of the Shakturi” and “Atuuk and Wekkarus” DLCs, released in late 2024 and early 2025, respectively, have introduced a major endgame crisis, new factions, and a host of quality-of-life improvements.
7 – Dominions 6 – Rise of the Pantokrator
I’m currently getting into Dominions! Since I just went on vacation and finally have the time to delve into Dominions 6 – Rise of the Pantokrator, an incredibly deep, unapologetic hyper-complex fantasy 4X system that will have you saying “wtf” every time you discover a weird spell mix. Released in January 2024, this latest entry in the cult-classic series from Illwinter Game Design has quickly become the definitive version of a game that has been refined over two decades. The game’s core loop is that of a mythological sandbox where you lead a nation of your choice as a powerful deity, summoning fantastical creatures for your armies, researching and combining hundreds of spells to create the most insane stuff imaginable, while fighting other deities for your right to become the ultimate God. The game’s sheer variety is staggering, with over 100 unique nations inspired by real-world mythology and an almost endless number of ways to create your Pretender God.
6 – Galactic Civilizations IV
Galactic Civilizations IV is a massive space 4X game that continues the series’ legacy of deep, turn-based strategy with a host of innovative features. Built by Stardock Entertainment, the same company that created Offworld Trading Company, Ashes of Singularity, and Sins of a Solar Empire, Galactic Civ IV is one of their better games. You lead a fledgling civilization on its first interstellar voyages, navigating a procedurally generated galaxy broken down into multiple sectors. This “multi-sector” design is a game-changer, forcing you to develop colonies not just on a single map, but across a series of interconnected star clusters, making for a more dynamic and engaging mid-to-late game. The game’s strengths are its robust political system, a rich, lore-driven narrative, and an unparalleled level of customization for your ships and civilizations. The game is still very much in active development, with constant new updates and DLCs being launched every couple of months.
Leave a Reply