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Best options for my first 4X game?

MightyUncleanMightyUnclean Member EpicPosts: 3,531
in General Gaming

Hey guys,

I was thinking of picking up my first 4X game, I guess on Steam. What do you recommend for someone new to the genre? Preferably something that's not too complex and has a good tutorial. I prefer fantasy and historical settings over sci-fi. Modern graphics are nice but not crucial.

Thanks!

«1

Comments

  • TEKK3NTEKK3N Member RarePosts: 1,115
    Fantasy:
    - Age of Wonders 3
    - Endless Legends

    Historical:
    - Europa Universalis 4
    - Civilization 5 or 6

    Sci-fi:
    - Stellaris
    - Endless Space 2
    - Age of Wonders: Planetfall

    AoW: Planetfall is the latest one and it’s on sale on Steam right now,

    Though my absolute favourite is Europa Universalis 4, really addictive (Risk on steroids).
    Better than any Civ game.
    maskedweaselimmodiumAlBQuirky
  • MightyUncleanMightyUnclean Member EpicPosts: 3,531
    edited February 2020
    TEKK3N said:
    Fantasy:
    - Age of Wonders 3
    - Endless Legends

    Historical:
    - Europa Universalis 4
    - Civilization 5 or 6

    Sci-fi:
    - Stellaris
    - Endless Space 2
    - Age of Wonders: Planetfall

    AoW: Planetfall is the latest one and it’s on sale on Steam right now,

    Though my absolute favourite is Europa Universalis 4, really addictive (Risk on steroids).
    Better than any Civ game.
    Welp, I just saw that Planetfall has a t-rex unit with lasers strapped to its head.  That's pretty hard to pass up.  @TEKK3N ;how complex is the combat in Planetfall?  And is the combat in Planetfall and AoW3 the same?

  • TEKK3NTEKK3N Member RarePosts: 1,115
    edited February 2020
    Planetfall is a bit different from AoW3 as in it has City Management similar to Civilization.
    AoW3 has very minimal city management and it’s more focused on combat.

    They are both newby friendly, you should be able to learn how to play real quick.

    But probably out of the 2, AoW3 is easier, because city management at times can be frustrating, and if you never played Civ, there is a bit of learning curve.
  • MightyUncleanMightyUnclean Member EpicPosts: 3,531
    TEKK3N said:
    Planetfall is a bit different from AoW3 as in it has City Management similar to Civilization.
    AoW3 has very minimal city management and it’s more focused on combat.

    They are both newby friendly, you should be able to learn how to play real quick.

    But probably out of the 2, AoW3 is easier, because city management at times can be frustrating, and if you never played Civ, there is a bit of learning curve.
    OK thanks man.
  • QuizzicalQuizzical Member LegendaryPosts: 25,499
    I'm not the biggest 4X fan, so there are a lot of major games that I haven't played.  I'll chime in on the series that I have played, though.

    I wouldn't go with a Civilization game.  I've ignored 6, but both 4 and 5 had major problems with being poorly optimized.  There's no excuse for an overhead view 4X game to seriously struggle on high-end hardware, but both 4 and 5 did in their own ways.  Civ 5 was even a common game for video card benchmarks because it managed to run badly on everything.  The Civilization games tend to seriously bog down in micromanagement, too.

    I really liked Europa Universalis 2.  I tried 3, but couldn't get into it.  Europa Universalis games have a very steep learning curve, as they basically have to just throw you straight into the fire and let you wipe out horribly until you figure out what to do.  That's just the nature of a game when you start out as one kingdom out of 150 or so, most of which are aware of many of their neighbors, and the others are making alliances all over the place.  The Europa Universalis games are much heavier on diplomacy as a way to avoid micromanagement, and have pretty simple combat.  They also push the game hard along historical lines, to the extent that playing them is a totally legitimate way to learn history.  Europa Universalis 4 has a ton of DLC, though; if you want it all, it's about $238 on Steam right now, and that's with the package discount.

    Stellaris is good, though you said you didn't like science fiction.  You can see the heavy influence of Europa Universalis (as it's made by the same studio), though a game that starts in 2200 can't go along known, historical lines.  It's also a lot easier to get into than Europa Universalis as you can start small and build up like you would with Civilization, rather than just being thrown straight into the fire like Europa Universalis.
  • DafAtRandomDafAtRandom Member UncommonPosts: 129
    Thea 1 and 2 are pretty good games.

    Probably an unpopular choice, but I do like the Eador games as well, although they are known for being pretty hard for newcomers to the genre.

    I also like Fallen Enchantress.

    I also like most of Tekk3n's suggestions, just thought I'd throw in a few more titles.
    Scorchien
  • SovrathSovrath Member LegendaryPosts: 32,936
    Andromeda
    Masters of Orion II
    Like Skyrim? Need more content? Try my Skyrim mod "Godfred's Tomb." 

    Godfred's Tomb Trailer: https://youtu.be/-nsXGddj_4w


    Original Skyrim: https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/109547

    Try the "Special Edition." 'Cause it's "Special." https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrimspecialedition/mods/64878/?tab=description

    Serph toze kindly has started a walk-through. https://youtu.be/UIelCK-lldo 
  • MikeBMikeB Community ManagerAdministrator RarePosts: 6,555
    Civ VI! Has a pretty good tutorial, too! You can try the free demo on Steam.
    gervaise1MendelAmathe
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  • MightyUncleanMightyUnclean Member EpicPosts: 3,531
    MikeB said:
    Civ VI! Has a pretty good tutorial, too! You can try the free demo on Steam.
    Civ VI does interest me, but the $150 or so of DLC is pretty daunting.
  • monieemoniee Newbie CommonPosts: 1
    edited February 2020
    • Age of Wonders: Planetfall. If you love in-depth empire building and have the patience to watch a great game unfurl, Age of Wonders: Planetfall ought to catch your eye. ...
    • Galactic Civilizations III. 
    these are my favorite 4k game
    i have really enjoying this

    MyKFCExperience
    Post edited by moniee on
  • maskedweaselmaskedweasel Member LegendaryPosts: 12,195
    I agree with the endless series, endless legends/space. Good games. 



  • LithuanianLithuanian Member UncommonPosts: 559
    I would propose Master of Orion II.
    Old, yet good. Races that does matter. Creative Psylons? Highly-reproductive Sakkras that may win just by colonizing everything? Stone-eaters Silicoids that can inhabit any planet (well, stones are everywhere)? Or Humans with best form of government? Top-level spies Darloks?
    I personally enjoy Sakkras. Feudal (well...-10 to espionage), they double number of colonists planet can support, their population increase rapidly (no birth control?). Best combo? My Sakkras versus Psylons (they would have all technologies from list, other races - just one) versus Silicoids.
    SovrathBrotherMaynard

    http://www.mmoblogg.wordpress.com

  • VrikaVrika Member LegendaryPosts: 7,989
    edited February 2020
    For first timer I'd recommend Civilization because it's easier figure out what you need to build a country in historical setting than in a fictional setting.
    Sal1
     
  • gervaise1gervaise1 Member EpicPosts: 6,919
    edited February 2020
    XBox Beta Pass for PC for a month?


    Goes without saying that not all 4X games are the same. Harder if you have never tried one to appreciate how much difference the interface makes and how much control you are / are not given,

    So Civ VI - very slick, you absolutely don't need the DLC and unlike e.g. Civ V didn't have the optimisiation issue. Endless Legends - good in its own way but not "friendly". 


    Microsoft's XBox PC Pass - cheap introductory offer - would give you access to:

    Europa Universalis IV
    Age of Wonders: Planetfall
    Stellaris

    as well as
    Hearts of Iron IV - also Paradox Studios like Europa, WW11
    Imperartor Rome - also Paradox, Ancient Rome 

    And several others  including:

    AGE OF EMPIRES 1 & II Definitive HD (redone) Editions .... these are classic games, great fun and very first timer friendly. 

    and several others. 

    On the subject of Paradox Studios their base game Crusader Kings II is free on Steam. Don't think f2p think free because CK III is coming out soon and the game has vast amounts of DLC ... the base game is huge though. 



    One other thing that you will have to figure out is how much time you want to invest in "a single campaign". 4X campaigns can easily run to dozens of hours and longer.

    Some games have both short and long scenarios / campaigns / objectives. Some are more comparative: start weak become moderately strong = victory; start strong don't grow much - not as good.


    Edit: And if going forward you find your self wanting to play a space / fantasy / ancient empires etc. then I am sure "we" will have suggestions!
    Post edited by gervaise1 on
    maskedweasel
  • cheyanecheyane Member LegendaryPosts: 9,404
    edited February 2020
    Sorcerer king that was my first game think @Scorchien recommended that as a beginner game to me
    Scorchien
    Garrus Signature
  • sassoonsssassoonss Member UncommonPosts: 1,132
    I prefer to play endless series 
  • MendelMendel Member LegendaryPosts: 5,609
    MikeB said:
    Civ VI! Has a pretty good tutorial, too! You can try the free demo on Steam.

    For an introduction to 4x games, you might want to look for a copy of Civ I.  You'll have to endure the dated graphics, and probably have to play at a very restricted resolution, but the game is simple to understand, but deep.  Further games in the Civilization series build on the ideas here, and sometimes overtake the basic function.  Making money in Civ 4 or Civ 5 almost becomes the point of the game, instead of conquering the world.  The original Civ is easier to grasp for someone looking for a very first 4x game.

    (Be thankful, I could have recommended Empire instead.  But who knows if there's even a working version out there anymore).



    AlBQuirky

    Logic, my dear, merely enables one to be wrong with great authority.

  • ScorchienScorchien Member LegendaryPosts: 8,914
    edited February 2020
    cheyane said:
    Sorcerer king that was my first game think @Scorchien recommended that as a beginner game to me

    that is a good intro to 4x .. very fun game

      If you want ot head into space Halcyon6 is an excellent choice .. mazing game ..



    Eador Imeperium is an excellent fanatsy based 4x..




      The pinncale of all 4x games and what all others are judged by imo is

      Distant Worlds .. But the learning curve is steep ....


    https://store.steampowered.com/app/261470/Distant_Worlds_Universe/

     And imho Civ is a bore ass of game compared to the others ive listed for ex..
    Post edited by Scorchien on
  • CaffynatedCaffynated Member RarePosts: 753
    Sins of a Solar Empire is a very approachable introduction to 4X.

    Positives:
    Graphics
    Combat
    Easy to learn

    Negatives:
    Lacks complexity


    It's the Total War of the space 4x genre. Enjoyable and approachable, but you will eventually want something with more depth.


    BrotherMaynard
  • gervaise1gervaise1 Member EpicPosts: 6,919
    Mendel said:
    MikeB said:
    Civ VI! Has a pretty good tutorial, too! You can try the free demo on Steam.

    For an introduction to 4x games, you might want to look for a copy of Civ I.  You'll have to endure the dated graphics, and probably have to play at a very restricted resolution, but the game is simple to understand, but deep.  Further games in the Civilization series build on the ideas here, and sometimes overtake the basic function.  Making money in Civ 4 or Civ 5 almost becomes the point of the game, instead of conquering the world.  The original Civ is easier to grasp for someone looking for a very first 4x game.

    (Be thankful, I could have recommended Empire instead.  But who knows if there's even a working version out there anymore).



    I was thinking that when I mentioned Age of Empires. Updated graphics as well and why the XBox PC Pass might be something to consider if only for a month.
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  • RidelynnRidelynn Member EpicPosts: 7,383
    XBGP for PC really is a decent deal all the way around 
    gervaise1
  • ArglebargleArglebargle Member EpicPosts: 3,481
    If you decide you like the 4X genre, be sure to consider Alpha Centauri.  The best of the Civ style games.  Lots of customization, clever tactics, good story.   Not fantasy, but such good design that it merits a play through.
    Sovrath

    If you are holding out for the perfect game, the only game you play will be the waiting one.

  • AlBQuirkyAlBQuirky Member EpicPosts: 7,432
    4X... The genre that coined the phrase, "Just one more turn!"

    Have fun :)
    Mendelmoshraimmodium

    - Al

    Personally the only modern MMORPG trend that annoys me is the idea that MMOs need to be designed in a way to attract people who don't actually like MMOs. Which to me makes about as much sense as someone trying to figure out a way to get vegetarians to eat at their steakhouse.
    - FARGIN_WAR


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