Humankind
Here’s one of the most competitive examples of a Civ-like game: Humankind, a historical strategy game from the same developers responsible for Endless Legend and Endless Space. You’ll develop a civilization across six key eras of human history—and, even more interestingly, select different civilization types based on actual historical societies, combining cultures and civilizations to create a wholly unique society of your own. Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5 Developer: Amplitude Studios Release Year: 2021 Key Features: Turn-based strategy, 4X, historical setting, civilization creation (and development), single-player and multiplayer modes
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri
Yes, Alpha Centauri comes from the same designers of Civilization and Civilization II (Sid Meier and Brian Reynolds, respectively)...but that’s why it’s such a good alternative to Civilization. While you’ll have to get used to the older graphics, Alpha Centauri is still a classic. It’s a sci-fi strategy game set in the 22nd century, with human and non-human factions to develop through research, base management, battles, and diplomacy. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Developer: Firaxis Games Release Year: 1999 Key Features: Turn-based grand strategy, 4X, space exploration, single-player and multiplayer modes
Endless Legend
If you’re more of a fantasy genre fan, you might find your Civ-like match in Endless Legend: a game in which strategy meets RPG (roleplaying game). You’ll use a fantasy faction, with different heroes and histories, and define how your heroes make their mark on the world. In between all the city-building, battles, and diplomacy, you’ll also be completing quests and unraveling fascinating mysteries! Platforms: PC, Mac Developer: Amplitude Studios Release Year: 2014 Key Features: Turn-based strategy, 4X, fantasy setting, city and civilization management, single-player and multiplayer modes While we’re mainly discussing the first Endless Legend, the sequel (Endless Legend 2) is currently available in early access. In other words, it’s not officially completed yet—but PC gamers can still start playing now!
Age of Wonders: Planetfall
Age of Wonders: Planetfall is a sci-fi genre strategy game—and this one puts you in a ruined galaxy where all major empires have fallen. You’re responsible for helping your chosen faction rise from the ashes and rule the galaxy (while fending off hostile sentient machines, cyber-sectarians, and more). And because each faction offers unique gameplay, there’s a lot of replay value! Platforms: PC, Mac, PS4, Xbox One Developer: Triumph Studios Release Year: 2019 Key Features: Turn-based strategy, 4X, space exploration, city management, single-player and multiplayer modes
Age of Wonders 4
Planetfall is part of a larger Age of Wonders series, and most of the series actually falls in the fantasy genre—including its latest entry, Age of Wonders 4. This turn-based strategy game will immerse you in a classic high fantasy setting inhabited by elves, orcs, demons, and more, taking place on Athla (a world in the Astral Sea). You’ll create an entire faction and grow an empire through exploration, combat, and city-building. Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 Developer: Triumph Studios Release Year: 2023 Key Features: Turn-based strategy, 4X, fantasy setting, wargame, empire management, single-player and multiplayer modes
Total War: Three Kingdoms
Total War: Three Kingdoms is a turn-based strategy game set during China’s Han dynasty (which took place from 189 to 220 CE). In this immersive and quite historically accurate game, you’ll take control of a faction and set out on a mission to take down the other factions and rival Emperors vying for power—each led by powerful warlords. In the end, your goal is to unify and rule all of China! Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Developer: Creative Assembly Release Year: 2019 Key Features: Large-scale real-time battles, strategy, empire management, historical maps, single-player and multiplayer modes
Europa Universalis IV
Europa Universalis 4 is another example of a historical game from the grand strategy genre, with a ton of freedom to manage your empire (or not manage it at all). You can effectively rewrite history with the sheer number of possibilities within the game, perfect for anyone who loves to plan their civilizations meticulously and enjoy a deeply immersive historical experience! Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Developer: Paradox Development Studio Release Year: 2013 Key Features: Grand strategy, trade, diplomacy, espionage, single-player and multiplayer modes
Old World
As the name suggests, Old World is a strategy and simulation game focused on ancient civilizations—including Rome, Assyria, and Carthage. It blends more typical turn-based strategy and battle mechanics with story-rich quests for a fresh take on the genre. Additionally, your decisions affect not only your civilization, but also the in-game family you create! The game was spearheaded by Soren Johnson, former lead designer of Civilization IV. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Developer: Mohawk Games Release Year: 2020 Key Features: Turn-based strategy, 4X, city management, historical setting, dynasty simulation, single-player and multiplayer modes
Endless Space 2
Endless Space 2 is a turn-based strategy game that lets you explore an expansive and futuristic galaxy. It comes with different story campaigns to try, and an array of playable races with distinct abilities and mechanics—so there’s plenty of replay value. You’ll manage fleets, trade with other factions, and face tactical challenges as you play among the stars! Platforms: PC, Mac Developer: Amplitude Studios Release Year: 2017 Key Features: Turn-based strategy, 4X, gathering resources, space exploration, single-player and multiplayer modes
FreeCiv
Unlike the other games on this list, FreeCiv wasn’t made by a major developer or given an “official” release; it’s an open-source project that’s been actively worked on since 1996. And, because of that, it’s completely free to play! So, if you’re looking for a Civilization copycat on a budget, FreeCiv is your game. It’s evolved a lot over the years, now supporting both 2D and 3D graphics. Platforms: PC, Linux Developer: Various international designers and coders (complete author list here) Release Year: 1996 - present Key Features: Empire-building, historical civilizations, turn-based strategy, free to play, multiplayer
Terra Invicta
Terra Invicta is yet another sci-fi strategy game—this one set during an alien invasion of Earth. Once the alien incursion begins (which involves abducting and body-snatching humans), different factions attempt to figure out how to respond. As the player, you’ll get involved in Earth’s politics, controlling a faction and forging a path forward for the world. Platforms: PC Developer: Pavonis Interactive Release Year: 2022 Key Features: Grand strategy, simulation, single-player mode, space economy and combat, single-player
Gladius - Relics of War
This one’s for Warhammer fans—a 4X strategy game set in the dark sci-fi universe of the Warhammer 40k wargame. Warhammer 40,000 Gladius is set on the imperial world of Gladius, featuring turn-based tactics and gigantic battles. Unlike most 4X games, there’s no diplomacy to this one—it focuses on tactical combat on a hex grid. You’ll control an army and battle it out for victory! Platforms: PC, Linux Developer: Proxy Studios Release Year: 2018 Key Features: 4X, turn-based strategy, real-time battles, factions (armies), single-player and multiplayer modes
The Battle of Polytopia
The Battle of Polytopia is a 4X strategy game with the blocky, colorful art style of games like Minecraft or Roblox. It started out as a mobile strategy game before growing into what it is today, with 12 different civilizations to control and several procedurally generated maps to use as you play. There are also extra civilizations available for purchase as DLC. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Switch Developer: Midjiwan AB Release Year: 2016 Key Features: Turn-based strategy, 4X, tribes (factions), empire building, procedurally generated world, single-player, multiplayer
Sigma Theory: Global Cold War
Sigma Theory takes place during a futuristic cold war spanning across the world; rather than waging full-scale battles, you’ll be tasked with recruiting agents and sending them out on missions—either for diplomacy or espionage. Develop new technology and use your strategic wiles to pull ahead of other nations, taking control of the world’s future. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux Developer: Mi-Clos Studio, Goblinz Studio Release Year: 2019 Key Features: Turn-based strategy, espionage, simulation, futuristic gameplay and setting, single-player
ARA: History Untold
Unlike some strategy games, which start you off in a particular setting or era, Ara: History Untold allows you to start at any point in its alternate timeline of human history. You’ll join a living world with uncharted lands to explore, civilizations to develop, allies to cultivate, and of course, wars to fight. You’ll also get to manage the game’s non-linear technology tree and national crafting economy! Platforms: PC Developer: Oxide Games Release Year: 2024 Key Features: Turn-based grand strategy, historical setting and warfare, dynamic world, terrain-based combat, single-player and multiplayer modes
Crusader Kings III
If you prefer your grand strategy games with a healthy dose of narrative roleplaying, Crusader Kings III is another option to consider. It starts you off in the Middle Ages, during the years 867, 1066, or 1178. As the player, you’re put in the shoes of a civilization’s ruler, and even if your character is deposed or dies, you’ll get to take control of their heir next. You can develop your dynasty over centuries, up until the game’s default endpoint in 1453. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox Series X/S, PS5 Developer: Paradox Development Studio Release Year: 2020 Key Features: Grand strategy, role-playing game, dynasty simulation, full 3D rendered customizable characters, single-player and multiplayer modes
Tropico 6
Tropico 6 is a city-builder game with a dash of humor. In the game, you play as El Presidente, the dictator of the island Tropico—and it’s yours to beautify while bringing prosperity to its people. And yes, you can do some questionable things as a dictator, but that’s part of the fun. You can also customize your palace, build a whole archipelago of islands, and defend Tropico from foreign meddlers. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One/Series X/S, PS4/5, Switch Developer: Limbic Entertainment Release Year: 2019 Key Features: Construction and management simulation, government and political simulation, single-player and multiplayer modes
Heart of the Machine
Talk about unusual concepts! Heart of the Machine is a melting pot of city-building, colony management, and RPG adventure, putting you in the shoes of the first sentient AI. As an AI, you’ll get to shape humanity’s future as a benevolent leader or brutal dictator as you grow from a fugitive android into an unstoppable machine intelligence. The game is currently in Early Access, but is playable on Steam and GOG. Platforms: PC, Mac Developer: Arcen Games Release Year: 2025 Key Features: Turn-based grand strategy, 4X, simulation, sci-fi setting, colony management, single-player
Galactic Civilizations IV
Galactic Civilizations IV is a sci-fi game offering turn-based strategy gameplay. As a player, you can colonize an entire galaxy, explore to discover new alien species and technology, and take part in epic space battles. You’ll also get an AI assistant to help you through the game—appropriately named “Space Clippy.” Platforms: PC Developer: Stardock Entertainment Release Year: 2023 Key Features: Turn-based grand strategy, 4X, space exploration, sandbox mechanics, single-player and multiplayer modes
Stellaris
Stellaris is Paradox Interactive’s foray into grand strategy, focusing more on war and diplomacy than other 4X games. Taking place centuries in the future, Stellaris puts you in control of an interstellar civilization and gives you the task of exploring your region of the galaxy, building colonies, as well as relations with the other civilizations there. It also features scripted and emergent events that add to the story of your galactic civilization. Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PS4 Developer: Paradox Development Studio Release Year: 2016 Key Features: Real-time strategy, 4X and grand strategy mechanics, space exploration, procedurally generated maps, single-player and multiplayer modes
Comments
0 comment