4X

Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri

Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri wasn’t just Civilization in space. It was Civilization with teeth. Released in 1999 by Firaxis Games, it took the foundation of Civilization II and threw it into a future where humanity had left Earth behind and crash-landed on an alien world that wanted them dead. Instead of guiding a historical empire through the ages, players had to carve out a place for their faction on a planet that was actively trying to destroy them, all while...
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City Builder

Utopia: The New Worlds

Utopia: The New Worlds took everything the original Utopia: The Creation of a Nation did and threw in more planets, more problems, and more ways for things to go horribly wrong. Developed by Celestial Software and published by Gremlin Graphics in 1992, it wasn’t just a city-builder in space—it was a test of how well you could manage a colony while everything around you actively tried to kill it. This was no serene SimCity experience. Sure, you had to plan...
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Turn Based Strategy

Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War

Released in 1999 by DreamForge Intertainment and published by SSI, Warhammer 40,000: Rites of War brought the grim darkness of the far future into a turn-based strategy format. Inspired by the mechanics of Panzer General II, Rites of War merged the tactical depth of turn-based wargaming with the rich lore and factions of the Warhammer 40,000 universe. While it stood apart from other titles in the franchise, which often leaned heavily into real-time strategy, Rites of War carved out its...
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Critical Moves Podcast

Critical Moves Episode 9: Most Anticipated Strategy Games of 2025

In Episode 9 of Critical Moves, Al, Joe, and Nuno look ahead to the biggest strategy games of 2025. From highly detailed war games to bold new takes on RTS and city-building, they discuss the most exciting upcoming releases and what makes them stand out. Here’s what the episode covered: The episode opened with a discussion on Task Force Admiral, a highly detailed WWII carrier command game. Nuno highlighted how its attention to realism and historical accuracy set it apart,...
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4X

Thousand Parsec

Thousand Parsec, formally maturing as a project in 2010 after years of open-source development, was an ambitious framework for creating and playing 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) space strategy games. Unlike traditional standalone titles, Thousand Parsec was a platform rather than a single game, designed to enable developers and players to create and engage with highly customizable, turn-based strategy experiences set in the vastness of space. Its modular design and flexibility allowed for a wide variety of rulesets, game mechanics,...
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Turn Based Strategy

Silent Storm

Silent Storm, developed by Nival Interactive and released in 2003, is a tactical turn-based strategy game set during an alternate-history version of World War II. Players take command of a squad of elite operatives from either the Allied or Axis forces, engaging in a series of missions that mix historical themes with science fiction elements. Known for its deep mechanics, destructible environments, and role-playing elements, Silent Storm was praised for its tactical depth and innovative approach to squad-based combat. Squad-Based...
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Critical Moves Podcast

Critical Moves Episode 8: Morals in Strategy and War Games

In Episode 8 of Critical Moves, the hosts dive into one of the most contentious topics in gaming—morality in strategy and war games. From controlling entire nations to making life-and-death choices in survival simulations, Al, Nuno, and Tim discuss where games draw the line between historical accuracy, player agency, and ethical dilemmas. Here’s what the episode covered: The episode opened with a discussion on playing as historically controversial factions. Nuno argued that playing as the Axis in World War II...
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Real Time Strategy

Dungeon Keeper

Dungeon Keeper, released in 1997 by Bullfrog Productions and published by Electronic Arts, offered a unique and subversive take on the strategy genre. Instead of commanding heroes or kingdoms, players assumed the role of an evil dungeon overlord tasked with building and defending their lair from invading do-gooders. Combining real-time strategy, resource management, and dungeon simulation, Dungeon Keeper became an instant classic, lauded for its innovative gameplay and dark humour. Building and Managing the Perfect Dungeon The core of Dungeon...
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Real Time Strategy

Alien Legacy

Developed by Dynamix and published by Sierra On-Line, Alien Legacy debuted in 1994 as a blend of real-time strategy, resource management, and science fiction storytelling. Set in a distant future, the game tasked players with colonizing a new star system while unravelling a mystery left behind by a failed previous mission. With its focus on exploration, resource management, and narrative-driven gameplay, Alien Legacy stood out as an ambitious and innovative title. While it wasn’t a massive commercial success, the game’s...
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4X

Master of Orion

Released in 1993 by SimTex and published by MicroProse, Master of Orion is widely regarded as one of the founding titles of the 4X genre – eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate. Set in a procedurally generated galaxy filled with alien species and uncharted worlds, Master of Orion challenged players to lead their chosen civilization to galactic dominance through diplomacy, technological advancement, and military conquest. Its innovative mechanics and elegant design established a template that would influence countless strategy games in the...
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Critical Moves Podcast

Critical Moves Ep.7: The Best Strategy Games of 2024

In Episode 7 of Critical Moves, the hosts break down the best strategy games of the year. With 2024 delivering an impressive lineup of new releases, remasters, and long-awaited sequels, Al, Nuno, and Tim debate which titles stood out the most. Here’s what the episode covered: Tim kicked things off with a look at a modern take on Heroes of Might and Magic, praising its gorgeous pixel art and well-thought-out combat mechanics. He highlighted the way it streamlines traditional turn-based...
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City Builder

Cities XL

Released in 2009 by Monte Cristo, Cities XL aimed to revolutionize the city-building genre by combining traditional urban management with ambitious online multiplayer features. Building on the foundation laid by classics like SimCity, Cities XL offered players the chance to construct and manage sprawling metropolises while tackling the challenges of balancing economic growth, environmental sustainability, and citizen satisfaction. What set Cities XL apart from its predecessors was its attempt to integrate a persistent online experience, where players could trade resources...
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4X

Star Ruler

Released in 2010 by Blind Mind Studios, Star Ruler aimed to deliver a grand-scale real-time 4X strategy experience, where players could build sprawling galactic empires and command massive fleets. Known for its focus on scale and customization, Star Ruler stood out in the 4X genre by offering an unprecedented level of control over ship design, resource management, and automation. The game’s massive, procedurally generated galaxies and complex mechanics appealed to players who craved depth and flexibility in their strategy games....
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Critical Moves Podcast

Critical Moves Ep.6: The Strategy Games That Made Us

In Episode 6 of Critical Moves, the hosts take a personal journey through the games that shaped their strategy gaming paths. Shane, Al, Nuno, and Tim discuss the first strategy games they ever played, the ones that cemented their love for the genre, and the titles currently keeping them engaged. Here’s what the episode covered: The discussion began with the hosts recalling their earliest experiences with strategy games. Al’s introduction to RTS came with a ground-breaking classic that combined fast-paced...
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Turn Based Strategy

Dark Legions

Released in 1994 by Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI), Dark Legions was an innovative strategy game that combined elements of tactical combat, resource management, and role-playing. Developed by Chris Kraus and Ted Carron, who had previously worked on The Summoning and Veil of Darkness, the game placed players in command of a fantasy army, where the ultimate goal was to annihilate the opposing force and capture their leader. What set Dark Legions apart was its hybrid gameplay. It offered a mix...
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4X

Pax Imperia

In 1992, Changeling Software released Pax Imperia, a title that would become one of the early forerunners of the 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate) genre. Published by THQ, the game offered a deep and complex take on interstellar empire-building. Unlike many of its contemporaries, Pax Imperia focused heavily on micromanagement and customization, allowing players to control virtually every aspect of their galactic empire. With its real-time mechanics, expansive galaxy maps, and detailed approach to empire management, Pax Imperia stood out...
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Critical Moves Podcast

Critical Moves Ep.5: Franchises That Should Games

In Episode 5 of Critical Moves, the hosts explore franchises that could make exceptional strategy games. From cult sci-fi books to blockbuster IPs, Al, Joe, and Nuno share their dream picks and discuss how these concepts could translate into engaging strategy experiences. Here’s what the episode covered: The discussion kicked off with Joe’s pitch for a Bobiverse strategy game. Based on the sci-fi book series, it would place players in the shoes of Bob, an AI tasked with exploring and...
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Real Time Strategy

Siege

Released in 1992 by Mindcraft Software, Siege brought the gritty reality of medieval siege warfare to life in a unique tactical strategy game. Set in a fantasy world loosely based on the Empires of Steel series, Siege focused on the intense and methodical battles surrounding castle defences. Players could either defend a fortress from waves of attackers or take on the role of the besiegers, aiming to breach the walls and claim victory. This duality provided a comprehensive look at...
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