What is your favorite 4X game?

[Brawndo]

For the unaware, "4X" stands for eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate. These games are typically turn-based strategy games, but they don't have to be.

Personally, nothing can top Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri, although Sins of a Solar Empire comes pretty close.

 

[The Madman]

Galactic Civilizations 2. I love the sheer depth of that game, it's just mind boggling. Not only that but the random events and morality system ensure things never become stale while the huge unique research tree and ability to create your own ships based on what you've learned via research adds a fantastic personal element.

When in GalCiv 2 you research a new, fantastic type of weapon then spend an hour designing the new ultra-mega-awesome ship it will be equipped on, it really feels like an achievement when you finally roll one of those things out. It's your Death Star, your Enterprise, it's a flagship that you care about as it gains experience and holds off the inevitable enemy hordes. There's not really another 4x game that quite captures that same sort of feel. Alternatively you can also go the Empire route and just flood the screen with massive army of cheap lil' guys that swarm and overwhelm the enemy with sheer numbers. Up to you!

That the AI in the game is also some of the best in the business is fantastic as well. Between that and all of the perks I mention above GalCiv2 is just an endlessly replayable and satisfying 4x. Love it!

That said bit tricky to know whether it counts of not as it's a bit of a unique monster but I've been playing the hell out of Crusader Kings 2 recently and it's definitely becoming one of my favourite strategy games ever. Brilliant concept and perfect execution!

 

[ResonanceSD]

GalCiv 2, it's unbeatable. For all that Post #2 said, he forgot the bit where the tech descriptions are nothing short of hilarious.

 

[Kahunaburger]

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri

This. What other game lets you control rainfall by terraforming mountain ranges?

 

[Shock and Awe]

I really enjoyed Sins of a Solar Empire, though the endgame is a little dull sometimes because it takes awhile to clean up completely.

 

[Saladfork]

Galactic Civilizations 2. I love the sheer depth of that game, it's just mind boggling. Not only that but the random events and morality system ensure things never become stale while the huge unique research tree and ability to create your own ships based on what you've learned via research adds a fantastic personal element.

When in GalCiv 2 you research a new, fantastic type of weapon then spend an hour designing the new ultra-mega-awesome ship it will be equipped on, it really feels like an achievement when you finally roll one of those things out. It's your Death Star, your Enterprise, it's a flagship that you care about as it gains experience and holds off the inevitable enemy hordes. There's not really another 4x game that quite captures that same sort of feel. Alternatively you can also go the Empire route and just flood the screen with massive army of cheap lil' guys that swarm and overwhelm the enemy with sheer numbers. Up to you!

That the AI in the game is also some of the best in the business is fantastic as well. Between that and all of the perks I mention above GalCiv2 is just an endlessly replayable and satisfying 4x. Love it!

That said bit tricky to know whether it counts of not as it's a bit of a unique monster but I've been playing the hell out of Crusader Kings 2 recently and it's definitely becoming one of my favourite strategy games ever. Brilliant concept and perfect execution!

I second this. I only recently got the game off steam, so I'm still not great at it, but I enjoy it a lot.

It's just a shame that the dread lords are so easy to defeat. I was expecting reaper-level ownage of my fleets the first time and I managed to take their only ship and only planet with a loss of 2 frigates and 1 troop transport.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

I second this. I only recently got the game off steam, so I'm still not great at it, but I enjoy it a lot.

It's just a shame that the dread lords are so easy to defeat. I was expecting reaper-level ownage of my fleets the first time and I managed to take their only ship and only planet with a loss of 2 frigates and 1 troop transport.

You got lucky then. In the one game I encountered them, they went on a galaxy wide rampage, only stopping when I brought out my fallback swarms of cheap, unarmored missile bank fighters (nicknamed "The Bees" for obvious reasons) and I still lost a large amount of my fleet.

OT: GalCiv 2 is undoubtedly THE best 4x game there is, though I've been playing Endless Space quite a fair bit.

 

[Saladfork]

I second this. I only recently got the game off steam, so I'm still not great at it, but I enjoy it a lot.

It's just a shame that the dread lords are so easy to defeat. I was expecting reaper-level ownage of my fleets the first time and I managed to take their only ship and only planet with a loss of 2 frigates and 1 troop transport.

You got lucky then. In the one game I encountered them, they went on a galaxy wide rampage, only stopping when I brought out my fallback swarms of cheap, unarmored missile bank fighters (nicknamed "The Bees" for obvious reasons) and I still lost a large amount of my fleet.

OT: GalCiv 2 is undoubtedly THE best 4x game there is, though I've been playing Endless Space quite a fair bit.

I considered getting Endless Space but I really didn't like the look of the combat in that game.

Some kind of Space: Total War kind of game would be neat, but the only gae I can think of like that is Sword of the Stars, which... has some problems of its' own.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

I considered getting Endless Space but I really didn't like the look of the combat in that game.

Some kind of Space: Total War kind of game would be neat, but the only game I can think of like that is Sword of the Stars, which... has some problems of its' own.

Sword of the Stars 1 is still a good game. Sword of the Stars 2 was broken on release, but it's gotten patched up and some people say that it's playable now. I'm gonna give it a couple months more before buying though.

 

[Fr]anc[is]

I want to like GalCiv2, but I never fully wrapped my brain around it and the races bore me. Alpha Centauri definitely gets my top spot though. A civ game with a plot, a decent plot at that, and interesting faction leaders.

 

[Firefly9007]

My favorite 4X video game would have to be Master of Orion 2. Its pretty well known, and for good reason, but pretty old at this point. Since its so old I have a hard time thinking of it as innovative, but everything it does it does so well that it really shines.

I also played a play by mail 4X game called Supernova: Rise of the Empire years ago. Basically think of it as a pen and paper MMO 4X game played through e-mail. Game was massively complex. The rule book took up a 2 inch 3 ring binder and concluded saying that it was only the basic rules and that most of the mechanics were hidden and would have to be discovered through gameplay. Definitely a slow paced and expensive hobby but I really enjoyed it.

 

[Chalacachaca]

Well there's only one series I like, and it's Civilization. Mostly IV and V, I tried my luck on III but I failed miserably.
But my favourite strategy genre is Grand Strategy.

 

[SomeLameStuff]

Well there's only one series I like, and it's Civilization. Mostly IV and V, I tried my luck on III but I failed miserably.
But my favourite strategy genre is Grand Strategy.

Civilization is great and all, but it feels SO much more satisfying to set your fleet of Dreadnoughts, Cruisers and Frigates on an enemy than normal footsoldiers.

Effects are nice too!

[small][small]Pow! Bam! Zap zap![/small][/small]

 

[CommanderL]

Star ruler Love it its so good And they way you can pick traits for your custom race makes the game so good since you can make your playstlye match those traits The tech web is amazing same with the custom ship desging

 

[DustyDrB]

Civ IV is mine, though I've not played Alpha Centari.
I have to say I'm really looking forward to Endless Space, though.

 

[Kyrian007]

My favorite 4X video game would have to be Master of Orion 2. Its pretty well known, and for good reason, but pretty old at this point. Since its so old I have a hard time thinking of it as innovative, but everything it does it does so well that it really shines.

Yeah, Masters of Orion 2. Easy to learn, but always presents a challenge (especially if you spawn on the opposite side of the galaxy from the Psilons.) It's been the first game install on my last 3 computers.

 

[Chalacachaca]

Well there's only one series I like, and it's Civilization. Mostly IV and V, I tried my luck on III but I failed miserably.
But my favourite strategy genre is Grand Strategy.

Civilization is great and all, but it feels SO much more satisfying to set your fleet of Dreadnoughts, Cruisers and Frigates on an enemy than normal footsoldiers.

Effects are nice too!

[small][small]Pow! Bam! Zap zap![/small][/small]

Are you talking about Galactic Civilizations? or Alpha Centauri? (Sadly, I don't know much about AC), my brother loves GC, I tried to get into it but found it frustrating at times.

 

[Hal10k]

It's just a shame that the dread lords are so easy to defeat. I was expecting reaper-level ownage of my fleets the first time and I managed to take their only ship and only planet with a loss of 2 frigates and 1 troop transport.

Dread Lord ships are classic glass cannons. They have remarkably low armor, but can bring the hurt to an absurd degree once they fire. They also have some of the highest speeds in the game, meaning they'll almost always get the first shot. The traditional way of beating one is sending vast fleets of moderately armed, unarmored ships, and hoping that it doesn't reduce them all to a red paste before you get a chance to fire.

In shorter terms, you are the luckiest son of a ***** to ever pay that game.

 

[Smithburg]

Hmmm Medieval 2 probably