List of 4X video games
4X is a subgenre of strategy video games. The term is a loose acronym of "explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate", coined in 1993 to describe the gameplay of Master of Orion. 4X games usually feature complex simulations of scientific research, economics, diplomacy, and social dynamics. Unlike computer wargames, they usually have more ways to win than through warfare, and they model the creation and evolution of an empire from its beginning. Games prior to Master of Orion have been retroactively identified as 4X games. Early precursors include the board games Outreach and Stellar Conquest, both published in the 1970s.[1] Some early strategy video games, such as Andromeda Conquest (1982) and Cosmic Balance II (1983) incorporated what would later become elements of 4X games, but the first 4X video game was Reach for the Stars (1983).[2][1] Because of the genre's focus on mouse-and-keyboard control schemes, most 4X games are available on personal computers, but examples exist on other platforms.[3] Some 4X games include elements of real-time strategy, but 4X games are typically slow-paced.[1]
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Classic 4X games
Year | Game | Developer | Setting | Platform | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1983 | Reach for the Stars[4] | SSG | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, WIN, APPII, MAC, C64, AMI | remade in 2000 under the same name[5] |
1988 | Stellar Crusade[6] | SSI | Space | ST, DOS, AMI | |
1990 | Spaceward Ho![7] | Delta Tao | Sci-fi (Space) | MAC, WIN, AMI | |
1991 | Armada 2525[8] | Interstel | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS | |
1991 | Civilization[9] | MicroProse | Historical | DOS, WIN, MAC, AMI, ST, SNES, PS1, SAT | First title in the series. |
1992 | VGA Planets[10] | Tim Wisseman | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS | |
1993 | Master of Orion[11] | Simtex | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, MAC | First title in the series. First game to use the term "4X". |
1993 | Space Empires | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | First title in the series. |
1994 | Colonization[1] | MicroProse | Historical | AMI, DOS, WIN, MAC | |
1994 | K240[12] | Gremlin Graphics | Sci-fi (Space) | AMI | |
1994 | Reunion | Digital Reality | Sci-fi (Space) | AMI, DOS | |
1994 | Master of Magic[13] | Simtex | Fantasy | DOS | |
1995 | Ascendancy[14] | The Logic Factory | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, WIN, IPAD (iOS) | |
1995 | Space Empires II | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Space Empires. |
1995 | Stars![15] | Jeff Johnson and Jeff McBride | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
1996 | Civilization II[16] | MicroProse | Historical | MAC, PS1, WIN | Sequel to Civilization. |
1996 | Emperor of the Fading Suns[17] | Holistic | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | |
1996 | Freeciv[18] | Freeciv team | Historical | MULTIPLATFORM | Civilization clone. |
1996 | Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares[11] | Simtex | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, WIN, MAC | Sequel to Master of Orion. |
1997 | Fragile Allegiance[19] | Gremlin | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN9X, DOS | |
1997 | Imperialism[20] | Frog City | Historical | MAC, WIN | |
1997 | Imperium Galactica[1] | Digital Reality | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS | First title in the series. |
1997 | Space Empires III | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Space Empires II. |
1999 | Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri[3] | Firaxis | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN, LIN, MAC | Pseudo-sequel to Civilization |
1998 | Star Wars: Rebellion[3] | Coolhand | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
1999 | Age of Wonders | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | First title in the series. |
1999 | Civilization II: Test of Time | MicroProse | Historical, Fantasy or Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | Remake of Civilization II. |
1999 | Civilization: Call to Power[1] | Activision | Historical and Sci-fi (Planet) | BEOS, LIN, MAC, WIN | Spin-off of Civilization. |
1999 | Imperialism II: Age of Exploration[3] | Frog City | Historical | OSX, WIN | Sequel to Imperialism. |
1999 | Malkari | iMagic | Sci-fi | WIN | [21] |
1999 | Star Trek: Birth of the Federation[22] | MicroProse | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2000 | Call to Power II | Activision | Historical and Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | Sequel to Civilization: Call to Power. |
2000 | Imperium Galactica II: Alliances[23] | Digital Reality | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Imperium Galactica. |
2000 | Space Empires IV[24] | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Space Empires III. |
2001 | Civilization III[9] | Firaxis | Historical | WIN, MAC | Sequel to Civilization II. |
2002 | Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | Sequel to Age of Wonders. |
2002 | Starships Unlimited[25] | Apezone | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2003 | Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | Sequel to Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne. |
2003 | FreeCol | The Freecol Team | Historical | WIN, OSX, LIN | Colonization clone. |
2003 | Galactic Civilizations | Stardock | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | First title in the series. |
2003 | Master of Orion III[26] | Quicksilver | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX | Sequel to Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares. |
2004 | Aurora[27] | Steve Walmsley | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Freeware |
2004 | FreeOrion[28] | Various developers | Sci-fi (Space) | LIN | initial release date |
2005 | Civilization IV[16] | Firaxis | Historical | WINNT, OSX | Sequel to Civilization III. |
2006 | C-evo[29] | Steffen Gerlach | Historical | WIN | Civilization clone. |
2006 | Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords[13] | Stardock | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Galactic Civilizations. |
2006 | Space Empires V[30] | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Space Empires IV. |
2006 | Sword of the Stars[31] | Kerberos | Sci-fi (Space) | WINNT | Turn-based with Real-time combat. |
2006 | Dominions 3: The Awakening | Illwinter Game Design | Fantasy | WIN, OSX, LIN | Third game in the Dominions series |
2007 | Lost Empire[32] | Pollux Gamelabs | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. |
2008 | Lost Empire: Immortals[33] | Pollux Gamelabs | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. |
2008 | Sins of a Solar Empire[13] | Ironclad | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-time. |
2008 | Civilization Revolution | Firaxis | Historical | PS3, DS, X360 | |
2008 | Civilization IV: Colonization | Firaxis | Historical | WIN | |
2008 | Shattered Suns[34] | Clear Crown | Sci-fi (Space) | PC | real-time |
2009 | AI War: Fleet Command[35] | Arcen Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | hybrid RTS/tower defense/4X game[35] |
2010 | Neptune's Pride[36] | Iron Helmet Games | Sci-fi (Space) | BROW | Real-time |
2010 | Civilization V[13] | Firaxis | Historical | WIN, OSX, LIN | Sequel to Civilization IV. |
2010 | Elemental: War of Magic[37] | Stardock | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based strategy with a fantasy theme, combining role-playing elements. |
2010 | Distant Worlds[38] | Code Force | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-time |
2010 | Star Ruler[39] | Blind Mind Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-time |
2010 | Armada 2526[8] | Ntronium Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2011 | Sword of the Stars II: The Lords of Winter[31] | Kerberos | Sci-fi (Space) | WINNT | Turn-based with Real-time combat. Sequel to Sword of the Stars. |
2012 | Warlock: Master of the Arcane[13] | 1C:Ino-Co Plus | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based. Derived from the Majesty universe. |
2012 | Endless Space[40] | Amplitude Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX | Turn-based |
2012 | Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion[3] | Ironclad | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-Time. Expansion to Sins of a Solar Empire. |
2012 | Legends of Pegasus[41] | Novacore Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based |
2012 | Elemental: Fallen Enchantress[42] | Stardock | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based strategy with a fantasy theme, combining role-playing elements. |
2013 | StarDrive[43] | Zer0sum Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-time |
2013 | Lords of the Black Sun[44] | Arkavi Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based |
2013 | Pandora: First Contact[45] | Proxy Studios | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN, OSX, LIN | Turn-based planetary colonization and conquest, borrowing heavily from Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. |
2013 | Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension[46] | Illwinter Game Design | Fantasy | WIN, OSX, LIN | |
2013 | Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes[3] | Stardock | Fantasy | WIN, OSX, LIN | |
2013 | Eador: Masters of the Broken World[47] | Snowbird Games | Fantasy | WIN | |
2014 | Horizon[48] | L3O | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game with MOO2 like tactical combat and story missions. |
2014 | Age of Wonders III[18] | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | Sequel to Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic. |
2014 | Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth[47] | Firaxis | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN, LIN | Turn-based |
2014 | Endless Legend[3] | Amplitude Studios | Fantasy | WIN, OSX | Endless Legend is a 4X turn-based fantasy strategy game by the creators of Endless Space and Dungeon of the Endless. |
2014 | Star Ruler 2[47] | Blind Mind Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX, LIN | Real-time. Sequel to Star Ruler. |
2014 | Warlock II: The Exiled[47] | 1C:Ino-Co Plus | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based. Sequel to Warlock: Master of the Arcane. |
2014 | Sorcerer King[49] | Stardock | Fantasy | WIN | |
2014 | Distant Worlds: Universe[3] | Code Force | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2014 | Star Traders: 4X Empires[50] | Trese Brothers | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2015 | StarDrive 2[51] | Zer0sum Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. Sequel to StarDrive. |
2015 | Sid Meier's Starships[52] | Firaxis Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game. |
2015 | Galactic Civilizations III[3] | Stardock | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game. |
2015 | Worlds of Magic[53] | Wastelands Interactive | Fantasy | MULTIPLATFORM | |
2015 | Galactic Inheritors[54] | Argonauts Interactive | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game. |
2015 | Predestination[55] | Brain and Nerd Ltd | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game. |
2015 | Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients[56] | Longbow Games | Historical | WIN | Real-time with pause strategy game. |
2016 | Stellaris[3] | Paradox Interactive | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX, LIN, PS4 | Real-time space grand strategy game. |
2016 | Falling Stars: War of Empires[57] | Riveted Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based online digital tabletop game. |
2016 | Master of Orion Conquer the Stars[3] | NGD Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX, LIN | Turn-based space strategy game. |
2016 | Civilization VI[3] | Firaxis Games | Historical | WIN, OSX, LIN, PS4, X360, Switch | Sequel to Civilization V |
2017 | Stars in Shadow[58] | Ashdar Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based strategy in the vein of Master of Orion 2 |
2017 | Thea: The Awakening[59] | MuHa Games | Fantasy | WIN, XOne, PS4, NX | Turn-based strategy game. |
2017 | Endless Space 2[3] | Amplitude Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX | Endless Space 2 is a turn-based strategy, science fiction 4X game. It is the sequel to the Endless Space. |
2017 | Dominions 5: Warriors of the Faith[3] | Illwinter Game Design | Fantasy | WIN, OSX, LIN | |
2017 | Oriental Empires[3] | Iceberg Interactive | Historical | WIN | Turn-based |
2018 | Aggressors: Ancient Rome[3] | Kubat Software | Historical | WIN | 4X turn-based strategy game with tactical elements. |
2018 | Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War[3] | Proxy Studios | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN, OSX, LIN | Takes place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe |
2018 | Space Tyrant[60] | Blue Wizard Digital | Space | WIN | Streamlined 4X game |
2019 | Interstellar Space: Genesis[61] | Praxis Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based strategy in the vein of Master of Orion 2 and Stellaris |
2019 | Thea 2: The Shattering[3] | MuHa Games | Fantasy | WIN, XONE, NX | Turn-based strategy |
2019 | Age of Wonders: Planetfall[3] | Triumph Studios | Space | WIN, PS4, XONE | Turn |
2020 | Shadow Empire[38] | Matrix Games | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | 4X Turn-based strategy on a far-future, post-apocalyptic world |
2020 | Imperiums: Greek Wars[62] | Kube Games | Historical | WIN | Hybrid 4X/grand strategy turn-based game with mythological twist[62] |
2021 | Old World[18] | Mohawk Games | Historical | WIN | |
2021 | Humankind[63] | Amplitude Studios | Historical | WIN, OSX, Stadia | 4X turn-based strategy game. |
2022 | Distant Worlds 2[64] | CodeForce | Space | WIN | Real time with pause[64] |
2022 | Dune: Spice Wars | Shiro Games | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | Real time with pause |
Games with additional 4X mode
These games include a mode of gameplay that resembles the 4X genre (i.e. global map instead campaign).
See also
References
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