What does 4X stand for? It stands for Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate. I didn’t even know what that stood for before I even started writing this article - so pretty much, games like Stellaris, Age of Wonders III, Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville, etc.

So yeah. We’re gonna talk about games in which you can expand your territory, steal or gather resources and kill everything you see(or not). These sort of games are usually sandbox-y and fun to play - let’s get started!

15. Sid Meier’s Civilization® VI

I’ve seen this game before, it’s that silly game where you’ll go through many stages in history and admire the size of your empire as you progress. The game also allows you to discover new tech which will boost the strength and development of your kingdom. Diplomacy, micromanaging units is key in this awesome game - try it out!

14. Stellaris

You’re gonna have a blast in this space-based game where you’ll discover new alien races, civilizations, and their tech. Encounter dangerous situations and challenges as you visit new planets, craft/purchase new ships, gather resources and engage in combat. The game is surprisingly fun and challenging - try it out!

13. HUMANKIND™

This game lets you change the course of the history of civilizations that you’re playing as or playing against. You’ll have to master the art of combat on land, in air, water, and on land. Develop your civilization and survive throughout the ages and become a raging superpower that not even Morgan Freeman will be able to soothe with his voice!

12. Total War: ROME REMASTERED

Since it’s a remaster, it obviously has better graphics and gameplay in general. As the name suggests, the action of the game will be taking place in ROME. Be a part of one of the most advanced civilizations(for those times…) in the history of the world. 

Create your legions of highly-skilled warriors, play 38 factions of your choosing and enjoy the epic battles with vastly improved visuals!

11. Sins of a Solar Empire®: Rebellion

A fun, futuristic, 4X RTS that has to offer epic space battles with incredible visuals. This game offers large replayability as it offers limitless progress of your little space kingdom. Engage in battles or attempt diplomacy - whether which one is more fun, is totally up to you. Act fair, perhaps like a jerk, genocidal maniac, or whoever - this game lets you draw your own conclusions as to how you should rule your empire!

10. Age of Wonders III

Unique and fun to play, if you’re not that much of a fan of multiplayer games, no worries, this game has to offer you a lengthy campaign with awesome strategic gameplay. You can also create your own maps, thus creating completely new scenarios. Unlock new abilities and grow your empire!

9. ENDLESS™ Space 2

Another Sci-Fi based game where you’ll explore the deep parts of space, visit new planets, and enslave, befriend or eliminate alien races of that certain planet. This game lets you be a prick or a good, fair leader. Discover new mind-blowing tech that will improve the state of your empire, use trading routes and engage in lengthy wars - epic game!

8. ENDLESS™ Legend

Fantasy-based strategy game where you can pick 1 out of 8 factions that will greatly depend on your ruling capabilities. This game is so awesome that you will even freeze to death if not careful enough. 

The game’s replayability is off the charts thanks to the game’s constantly randomly-generating world. You can also create your own world!

7. Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War

1 planet, 4 factions, limited resources. That can’t be good news - pick your favorite faction and participate in an epic, gruesome war, where you’ll build cities, discover new tech that will help you with the extermination of the opposite factions. Expand your territory and eventually become a dreadful power that will strike horror into others!

6. Galactic Civilizations III

Another goddamn 4X that takes place in the middle of literally nowhere, aka in space. In this lovely game, you’ll have to create and take care of your civilization, conquer alien lands and be a complete poo-poo head to everyone that you encounter. 

The game also lets you customize your ship, gather resources, and find new tech that improves the state of your cute empire. The game is currently on sale on Steam - worth the price!

5. Rebuild 3: Gangs of Deadsville

A certain city got completely obliterated into oblivion. Shortage of food, infrastructure, and citizens will be the challenges that you’ll have to face. Try to befriend other factions or combat them, make alliances with useful citizens to rebuild your city - each citizen has their own stats and they’re useful in their own way. Pave the way for progress and create a brighter future for the citizens of your utopian city!

4. Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith

Apparently, this game lets you know that you’re a god. But you’re a very crappy god if you can’t take care of your opponents in less than a second, but then, the game wouldn’t be as fun! It’s up to you whether you want to be a good God or a bad Good. The game’s end goal is to obliterate other “pretender” Gods and become a powerhouse of a civilization. Plenty of strategies, plenty of fun!

3. Warlock - Master of the Arcane

This one is a bit different from the previously mentioned 4X games, in this game you’ll take the role of a powerful mage, a warlock to be precise, where you’ll be able to win by completely crushing your opponent, perhaps via diplomacy or your magical abilities. 

The game offers large-scale battles on open fields, so put your faith into whatever you believe in and become a magical superpower!

2. AI War 2

One of the most unique RTS’s out there - you’re purposefully put in a losing situation and your job is to expand your empire by covert means, in such a way that the AI doesn’t detect and eliminate you. With many factions to pick, tech to discover and acquire, countless maps to choose from, you can be sure that you won’t run out of things to do in this game. The AI in this game will make you feel like a hunted rat!

1. Star Ruler

Hands-down, one of the best Sci-Fi X4’s out there. The game will take you out to the deep space where you’ll fight for survival all the time. Discover futuristic tech such as new weapons, defensive shields that will protect your ship, and other parts that will benefit your spaceship. 

Create your own race, get familiar with the interface, and spend countless hours on this difficult game. For a game from 2010, it has a pretty challenging AI - due to the game’s steep learning curve, you don’t have to worry about getting bored. Try this OG game out!

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