The Best 4X Games

Update : Realm of Mystery added at rank #44.
1

Scythe (2018)

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100
Review score
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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

2

Kick the Buddy (2017)

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98
Review score
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IOS iPhone

Explode, destroy, fire, shoot, smash, kill, freeze, send the power of the Gods and don't even think about stopping! Man, you now have a virtually limitless arsenal to beat: rockets, grenades, automatic rifles, torture instruments and even a NUCLEAR BOMB!.


  • diplomacy
  • grand-strategy
  • turn-based
  • wargame
  • immersive
  • 4x
  • strategy
  • military
  • character
  • cooperative
  • historical
  • real-time
  • simulation
  • card
  • customization

3

The Battle of Polytopia (2016)

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94
Review score
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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

4

Snake Clash! (2023)

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94
Review score
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IOS iPhone Android

Snake Clash is the ULTIMAE SNAKE IO GAME! Hunt down snakes with lower levels than yours to become bigger and more powerful. Fight against players from around the world to claim your spot on the leaderboard.


  • diplomacy
  • grand-strategy
  • turn-based
  • wargame
  • immersive
  • strategy
  • 4x
  • military
  • snake
  • character
  • must-play
  • cooperative
  • historical
  • real-time
  • card

5

Cataclismo (2024)

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93
Review score
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early access PC Windows

Design and build fortresses brick by brick to stand against endless hordes of Horrors in this real-time strategy game with resource management, siege defense, and exploration. Lead from the ramparts, push back the darkness, and hold fast against the creatures of the Mist.


  • real-time
  • city-building
  • colony
  • strategy
  • grand-strategy
  • moddable
  • 4x
  • resource-management
  • base-building
  • tower-defense
  • economy
  • building
  • simulation
  • sandbox
  • historical

6

Airships: Conquer the Skies (2018)

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93
Review score
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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

7

Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD Game (2023)

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93
Review score
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IOS iPhone Android

New stages, battles, amazing unknown enemies and more to conquer!


  • diplomacy
  • grand-strategy
  • turn-based
  • strategy
  • wargame
  • immersive
  • 4x
  • tower-defense
  • military
  • rpg
  • character
  • real-time
  • medieval
  • tactical
  • cooperative

8

Nexus 5X (2024)

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92
Review score
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PC Windows

eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate, EXPRESS. All of the depth, diplomacy, conflict and conquest of a turn-based 4X epic but played in fast-paced 60-minute competitive sessions. Play Solo or Multiplayer for 2-8 players.

Buy

  • turn-based
  • 4x
  • board-game
  • diplomacy
  • science
  • tabletop
  • strategy
  • pvp
  • team
  • space
  • multiplayer
  • cooperative
  • sci-fi
  • management

9

Rogue Hex (2025)

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91
Review score
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PC Windows

Play your cards right to conquer the world in the Roguelite 4x. Explore mysterious lands, survive against the barbarian horde, and grow your stone age empire into the stars!

Buy

  • 4x
  • rogue-like-deckbuilder
  • grand-strategy
  • rogue-like
  • deckbuilder
  • hex
  • card
  • strategy
  • battler
  • city-building
  • grid
  • replay-value
  • building
  • historical
  • turn-based

10

Reshaping Mars (2023)

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90
Review score
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PC Windows

In Reshaping Mars, you play as a bold and meticulous base commander tasked with transforming the barren planet into a habitable one. Using a real terrain database, you must mine, build, and manage resources to create a thriving civilization. Manage the behavior of your inhabitants, climb the technology ladder, and engage in production. Once the ecological cycle is formed, the power of nature will help you further complete the transformation to habitability. With different story backgrounds, you can experience exciting new journeys. Enjoy the unique journey of navigating Mars as a pioneer!

Buy

What we like:
  • Good idea with potential for development
  • Fun gameplay mechanics
  • Lots of content and replay value
  • Androids increase productivity
  • Worth the price tag
What could be improved:
  • Performance: lag and stuttering
  • Unnecessary money system
  • Annoying notifications that can't be turned off
  • Production chains are unbalanced
  • Mining abilities are limited with no option to tunnel
  • Needs more fundamental work for deeper gameplay

  • 4x
  • mars
  • colony
  • base-building
  • grand-strategy
  • strategy
  • simulation
  • building
  • real-time
  • space
  • resource-management
  • management
  • futuristic
  • mineral
  • chain

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