We had well over a thousand responses to our two “Game of the Decade” polls and the results are in! The top three of which were such runaway winners that the gap between 3rd and 4th made it difficult to really determine 4th and 5th without a second runoff vote.
But the second survey has cleared things up pretty dramatically, so I now present to you the Top 5 4X games of the past decade, as voted by 4X fans from eXplorminate, r/4Xgaming, and other forums.
Honorable Mention: Age of Wonders 3
Personally speaking, I thought Age of Wonders 3 would rank in the Top Five, and is likely there for many 4X game fans, but it didn’t quite make it here, technically taking “sixth place”. However, Age of Wonders 3 (AoW3) will be fondly remembered for its fantastic tactical combat and colorful art style.
Furthermore, AoW3 received two of the best expansions any 4X game has ever had and the game still holds up very well nearly six years after its release. Those looking for a fantasy 4X game with stellar tactical combat should look no further.
Number 5: Endless Space 2
While it’s still rough in places, Endless Space 2 is a very good looking entry into space 4X and is unmatched in lore building and faction asymmetry. Some of its gameplay mechanics aren’t explained very well, as we noted in our review, and that hasn’t changed much, unfortunately, but it has depth in its gameplay that few other 4X games do.
The writing is excellent; the factions are superb, and the aesthetics are head and shoulders above nearly every other entry. However, it’s the polarizing ship and ground combat and poorly explained features that likely kept it from ranking higher in our poll.
Number 4: Civilization 5
It’s not terribly surprising that Civilization 5 had almost triple the number of votes that Civilization 6 had. Not only did Civilization 5 have the benefit of two very good expansions that improved the game rather dramatically, but it also benefited from not having the drama surrounding its aesthetic direction that Civilization 6 endured.
In many respects, Civilization 5 feels like the culmination of the best of the 4 iterations before it, without adding drastically new and possibly confusing or micro-heavy game mechanics (like some claim that Civilization 6 did). Thus, the popularity of the 5th entry is easy to understand.
Number 3: Distant Worlds: Universe
Distant Worlds: Universe (DW:U) is no surprise. It’s one of the deepest, grandest, and most innovative 4X games of all time. It also has one of the highest barriers to entry out of any 4X game of all time, too.
Despite its rather simple, some say “ugly”, aesthetic, there is a lot of gameplay in DW:U. You’re also given the opportunity to scale how much or how little you want to personally attend to, with a lot of gameplay systems that are given the option to automate or manually control.
In addition, the automated civilian sector of the space simulation gives the universe of Distant Worlds a feeling of being very much alive and occupied in a way few other 4X games manage.
DW:U is a fan favorite for good reason. It overcame a clunky user interface and mediocre presentation with superb gameplay and a living, breathing universe that has yet to be matched.
Number 2: Endless Legend
Considered by many to be one of the most innovative and engaging terrestrial 4X games of all time, Endless Legend takes the number two spot despite its often-maligned combat system (Editors note: I, for one, actually really liked Legend’s combat).
What Legend did right was that it introduced regions, uniquely asymmetric factions, deep story and lore for the world and its inhabitants, an interesting winter weather system, a thoughtful take on minor factions and the research tree, and much more.
While the pacing can feel a bit slow at times, there’s no doubt that Endless Legend feels like a game that takes place on a planet uniquely its own. The topography is gorgeous, if not a little too busy, and the map features add a sense of life that few strategy games achieve.
Endless Legend’s effects on the genre are already being felt and we look forward to seeing how it helps shape the next generation of 4X games, too.
Number 1: Stellaris
I won’t beat around the bush: I know Stellaris’ placement is going to raise some eyebrows (remember: YOU voted for these games). Stellaris appears to have a “Love it or hate it” following, with many vocal players on both sides of the aisle. However, there are clearly a lot of people that play and enjoy the game, despite the drama surrounding its many iterations and overhauls.
Objectively, I can say that Stellaris has a grand scale and a role-playing element that few, if any, other strategy or 4X games can provide. And while the performance and AI issues seem to have to come to a recent head in Paradox’s communities, it’s very clear that Stellaris has a rabid fanbase and a very dedicated community.
I’m 100% sure of the fact that the community got one thing particularly right: Stellaris is a force of nature in the 4X genre and I’m certain that future iterations of it will further spotlight our favorite genre and the more people that are brought to 4X, the better.
And I am really excited for Federations…
An End of an Era
It’s eye-opening to consider where the genre was at the beginning of this decade and where it is now. Ten years ago, you would have thought that 4X was dead or only belonged to the Civilization series. However, Civilization now has serious competition in the form of Stellaris, Endless Legend, Distant Worlds, and many more fantastic 4X games. Hell, these polls are a testament to that.
Where do you see us in another ten years? Where do you want to see improvements to the genre? Let us know below what you think is the most important take away from this decade and what you’d like to see in the next.
