4X Games?

[ThisAdamGuy]

Guys! Please read the entire post! My computer can't handle games, so please stop recommending PC exclusive games!

I really like 4X games on paper. By 4X games, I'm talking about games like the Civilization series. I love games that let me build something and then watch it grow, improvising when necessary to deal with problems when they arise. It's the same reason why I love games like Roller Coaster Tycoon (which is NOT a 4X game) but I have yet to find a 4X game I actually enjoy. Admittedly, right now that list only consists of Civ6. I bought Humankind on PS5 yesterday since it was on sale, and I'm hopeful about it, but from what I've read and watched I can see myself having the same problem with it as I did with Civ6. That problem being, they're just too freaking complicated! I gave up on Civ6 when, no matter what I did, my citizens refused to be happy, which had a major negative impact on building things. How do I fix that, I asked Google? You need amenities. How do I get amenities? By unlocking them on the tech tree. How long does that take? More than an hour. So what am I supposed to do about happiness before then? I dunno lol. Okay, I built an amenity, but my people are still unhappy. Why? That's the wrong kind of amenity. Then what kind do I need? Cleopatra has just invaded your capital. You lose!

Anyway, does anyone have some recommendations for 4X games that you can learn to play without taking a master's course on YouTube? I'm thinking about trying Age of Wonders 4, but that's a lot of money for a game I don't even know if I'll like. Oh, and they need to be console games since my computer is a potato.

 

[owotrucked]

Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes might run on potato

 

[Corty]

ENDLESS™ Space 2 on Steam

ENDLESS™ Space 2 is a Strategic Space Opera, featuring the compelling “just one more turn” gameplay, set in the mysterious ENDLESS™ Universe. As the leader of your civilization, will you impose your vision and build the greatest stellar empire?

store.steampowered.com

Save 35% on Manor Lords on Steam

Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles, and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord – the seasons pass, the weather changes, and cities rise and fall.

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Northgard: Definitive Edition on Steam

Northgard: Definitive Edition is a critically acclaimed real-time strategy game based on Norse mythology. Lead your clan, uncover the secrets of a mysterious newfound continent and defeat your enemies to conquer the Throne!

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Save 75% on Old World on Steam

Old World is a revolutionary new historical strategy game where you lead your dynasty over generations of rule against rival kings and queens. Wage massive wars, manage your court, and build a dynasty — or watch your empire crumble to dust. What legacy will you leave behind?

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Galactic Civilizations IV on Steam

Take command of a civilization that has just achieved faster-than-light travel in Galactic Civilizations IV, the newest entry in the award-winning space 4X strategy game series. Explore the galaxy, colonize worlds, shape cultures, make alliances, fight wars and pioneer new technologies.

store.steampowered.com

ENDLESS™ Legend on Steam

ENDLESS™ Legend is a 4X turn-based fantasy strategy game by the creators of ENDLESS™ Space and Dungeon of the ENDLESS™. Control every aspect of your civilization as you struggle to save your homeworld Auriga. Create your own Legend!

store.steampowered.com

Master of Orion on Steam

The ascendant spacefaring 4X strategy game returns! A new chapter in the epic Master of Orion saga is poised to once again capture the imaginations of millions of gamers.

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Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion on Steam

Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.

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[LilRora]

From what I played and can personally recommend, you can try Master of Orion; I think it's worse than Endless Space 2, but both are fun and the former is far simpler.

Corty already provided links to both.

 

[SternenklarenRitter]

I am likewise rather fond of 4x games. However, a problem with the whole genre is that writing a good AI for a 4x is a nearly impossible task for developers. So how do they increase difficulty? They give a multiplier to the AI for resource generation or combat ability. Unfortunately, that also unbalances when the AI is difficult, making them generally undefeatable early on but pushovers if you can manage to not attract their aggro until late in the game. If you are looking for a few recommendations for a 4x that is a little easier to play, try the "endless" franchise which has a little bit gentler of a learning curve, or maybe "stellaris" which has an extensive in game tutorial. You might also try looking at the RTS genre, which has some commonalities with 4x, but in contrast has greatly simplified gameplay that happens in real time rather than progressing through turns.

 

[Daitengu]

I mean, if ya got a potato, just play older versions. Civ3 or 4 are much simpler than civ 6.

Pretty much each release is more complex than the previous one.

Then there's classics like Age of Empires 2 and Sid Myers Alpha Centari.

 

[Alski]

Sounds like you need to play the tutorial.

 

[Deleted member 192215]

I mean, if ya got a potato, just play older versions. Civ3 or 4 are much simpler than civ 6.

Pretty much each release is more complex than the previous one.

Then there's classics like Age of Empires 2 and Sid Myers Alpha Centari.

Specs?

 

[Daitengu]

Specs?

Age of Empires 2, and Alpha Centari came out in 1999. Civ 3 was released in 2001, and Civ 4 was 2006. You literally would have to be running a 30yr old PC to not be able to play em. I bet even one of them crappy windows tablets from 10 years ago could run em.

I do still pull out my old school Alpha Centari and Civ 4 discs when I'm feeling it. Even though I have Civ6. They just hit different.

PS, Civ3 and 4 are 80% off atm on steam. So 2 and 4 bucks.
PPS: Civ5 is the best civ.

 

[Deleted member 192215]

Age of Empires 2, and Alpha Centari came out in 1999. Civ 3 was released in 2001, and Civ 4 was 2006. You literally would have to be running a 30yr old PC to not be able to play em. I bet even one of them crappy windows tablets from 10 years ago could run em.

I do still pull out my old school Alpha Centari and Civ 4 discs when I'm feeling it. Even though I have Civ6. They just hit different.

PS, Civ3 and 4 are 80% off atm on steam. So 2 and 4 bucks.
PPS: Civ5 is the best civ.

Worth playing in my 2009 netbook then .