4X games Archives

AppWizard

December 31, 2025

Edwin’s most anticipated PC games for 2026

An indie strategy simulation game allows players to embody a tribe of primordial hunter-gatherers, focusing on technology and social values. Mars Tactics is a tactical strategy game set on Mars, where players can command either Capital or Labour forces, each with distinct advantages and vulnerabilities. Subnautica 2 has shifted from an undersea survival game to a legal attrition simulator, retaining multiplayer features but changing its focus. The Bustling World is an ambitious RPG offering various roles and vibrant aesthetics, though concerns exist about its social simulation's feasibility. Cicadamata is a first-person shooter with a fast pace and vibrant aesthetic, drawing inspiration from classic titles while offering modern twists.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

This relaxing take on Civilization wrapped in Windows 2000 style just hit 1.0, it’s completely free, and I’m mesmerized

Civilization 7 has received 'mixed' reviews on Steam, contrasting with its predecessor's 'very positive' rating from over 100,000 reviews. CivIdle, developed by FishPond at Fish Pond Studio, is a leisurely version of Sid Meier's Civilization that allows players to guide civilizations through tech trees and engage in trade and warfare. It recently transitioned from patch 0.28 to 1.0. CivIdle features a minimalist aesthetic with a muted color palette and hex-based world, evoking nostalgia for early 2000s software. The game has nearly 50 recent reviews pushing it closer to a 'very positive' rating and is free to play, with optional purchases available for supporting the developer and unlocking cross-platform cloud saves. Future expansions are hinted at, including an interplanetary version.

AppWizard

December 6, 2025

The 10 best Total War games to play today ahead of Medieval 3

The Total War series has evolved over two decades from a simple wargame to a complex strategy format combining real-time tactics with a strategic world map, incorporating military, political, and economic dimensions. Total War: Napoleon (2010, PC) focuses on gunpowder campaigns and emphasizes combat tactics and army strategy. Total War: Rome (2004, PC) is considered a franchise-defining title, introducing a variety of unit types and campaign factions, and remains popular with numerous mods available. Total War: Attila (2015, PC) immerses players in a world on the brink of collapse, focusing on empire management and societal decline. Total War: Medieval 2 (2006, PC) is known for its intense battles and intricate tactics, becoming a popular modding platform. Total War: Shogun 2 (2011, PC) is praised for its refined gameplay and accessibility, set in a single nation during a specific historical period. Total War: Rome 2 (2013, PC) has developed a distinct identity despite initial criticism, offering rich strategic gameplay. Total War: Three Kingdoms (2019, PC) introduces character-driven politics and relationships, enhancing narrative engagement. Total War: Warhammer (2016, 2017, 2022, PC) provides a dark fantasy experience with a vast game map and diverse factions, solidifying its place in the franchise.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

One of our favorite 4X games is holding an extra-long free weekend starting today

Age of Wonders 4 is available for free this weekend until Monday, November 17. The game combines 4X gameplay with turn-based tactical RPG mechanics, allowing players to customize rulers with unique cultures and abilities. Players can gather magical artifacts, develop schools of magic, and engage in turn-based battles. It features asynchronous multiplayer options for cooperative or competitive play. There is also a vampire-themed DLC and a limited-time sale on Steam, offering the game at 50% off its regular price. The free trial primarily includes the base game, providing players with a wealth of content to explore.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

Civilization 7’s new initiative lets you test features before they go live, including the one you’ve all been asking for

Firaxis is launching the Firaxis Feature Workshop to enhance player engagement and satisfaction for Civilization 7 by incorporating community feedback. The studio is developing a mode that allows players to guide a single civilization through all three ages, responding to player criticism of the current gameplay. Creative Director Ed Beach mentioned that they are playtesting this feature and inviting community members to help refine it. Following the recent patch 1.3.0, which included a naval rework and new civilizations, the team will focus on larger features like the single-civ mode and the Workshop, with plans for smaller, less frequent updates. Early participants in the Workshop will test upcoming changes to Legacy Paths and Victories. Applications to join the Workshop are currently open, and successful applicants will have access to a private Discord server for feedback.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Stellaris announces release date for Infernals species pack, and I can’t wait to finally play as volcanic Tyranids

Paradox Interactive has announced the release date for the upcoming Stellaris species pack, titled Infernal, which will launch on November 25. This volcanic-themed pack will introduce new character portraits, civics, ships, and gameplay adjustments. It features new species such as bird-like creatures and crocodilian beings, along with two origins: Cosmic Dawn and Red Giant. The pack will also include a new planet type, volcanic worlds, and a new crisis path.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

This strategy game has been missing one crucial thing, but its “ambitious, reckless” new update means it finally lives up to its name

The update for 9 Kings introduces a new character, the King of Time, bringing the total number of kings to nine. This character features a clock for a face and introduces time-based cards, requiring players to focus on timing in their strategies. New perks and decrees, including Broken Decrees linked to the King of Time's abilities, add complexity to deck-building. Players who have completed the game at King difficulty can now use a new rainbow perk called Banisher to ban a king before matches. The challenge level has increased, but early gameplay is more forgiving to allow for strategy exploration. Additionally, 19 new achievements have been added. Future updates will introduce new decrees, cards, and game modes, including Challenge and Ranked modes. The new update is currently available.

AppWizard

October 3, 2025

As yet another Stellaris DLC lands to negative outcry, Paradox admits fixing performance is a “long haul”

The Stellaris DLC, Shadows of the Shroud, has received a 43% positive rating on Steam, primarily due to performance issues such as bugs, desyncs, crashes, and instability, rather than the content itself. Game director Stephen 'Eladrin' Muray acknowledged these challenges and mentioned that the open beta for patch 4.1.4 revealed critical issues, leading to a new open beta, 4.1.5, focused on fixes. Performance is a top priority for the Stellaris team, with a subteam dedicated to diagnosing and resolving issues. Muray noted an unusually large number of ships in late-game saves, attributed to enhanced economies from version 4.0, and highlighted the AI's improved naval capacity. The performance of version 4.1 is marginally better than 3.14 until around 2300, after which performance diverges sharply. The team is working on reducing ship counts through economic balancing and mechanical changes. QA analyst 'Gosia' confirmed the team's commitment to performance testing across various machine specifications. Muray mentioned that the performance team is rewriting how modifiers are calculated, which could positively impact late-game performance. He also discussed a new mod that increases ship costs and power to reduce vessel numbers and emphasized the need to address non-linear growth in the post-4.0 economy. Multiplayer stability and desyncs are ongoing concerns, with the team actively working to resolve these issues and encouraging players to report problems.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

Over a decade on, the fantasy 4X rival that pulled me away from Civ 5 is back, and I’m already hungry for more

Civilization 7 features bold changes to the series, while Endless Legend 2, developed by Amplitude Studios, offers a return to classic 4X gameplay with five distinct factions at launch. Each faction has unique mechanics, although the total number of factions may lead to repetitive gameplay. The game introduces a map-altering feature called Tidefall, which changes water levels and reveals new paths over time. Hero characters can grow and participate in narrative elements, and the game is visually appealing with a clean menu design. Endless Legend 2 is currently in early access on Steam, priced at .99 / £44.99, and available on PC Game Pass. Future updates are planned, including online multiplayer and additional factions.

AppWizard

September 18, 2025

Stellaris factions keep getting weirder, as Paradox’s “madness-consumed doomsday cult” lets you embrace the end with open arms

Paradox Interactive's latest expansion for Stellaris, titled Shadows of the Shroud, introduces the Endbringers, a faction linked to a cosmic force that leads them toward an unavoidable fate. Players must choose to resist, accept, or propagate this impending doom. The expansion features predetermined ascension paths, with the Psi-Corps replaced by the Chamber of Silence, where players can attune to the End's voice. The Shroud interface now acts as a countdown clock, and players can gain various covenant powers while managing rising paranoia among their populace. New civics, such as 'Entropy Drinkers,' allow leaders to siphon life energy from the population. The expansion also includes proxy wars, enabling players to instigate conflicts between civilizations based on trust or infiltration ratings. Shadows of the Shroud is set to launch on September 22, priced at .99 / £16.75, and will be available as part of the Season 9 expansion pass for .99 / £34.99.