Summary
The scale, complexity, and amount of information involved in 4X strategy games means that they are often confined to PCs, rarely making their way to home consoles. Control schemes and pages of data are more suited to mouse and keyboard, but some 4X games have found their footing with controllers and TV screens, transitioning very effectively for those seeking convenience.
The PlayStation 5 has built up a strong library of 4X games, mostlyplayable through backwards compatibility, but certainly giving players an enjoyable conquering experience from the comfort of their sofas. Here are some of thebest 4X strategy games available on the PS5, ranked based on their overall quality and popularity.
A difficult game to find comparison,Thea: The Awakeningcombines elements from several genres, and it is backwards compatible on the PlayStation 5. Part 4X and part RPG witha collectible card game being thrown in, gameplay is generally addictive, seeing players settle their village, then explore, craft, and conduct actions like combat via a card-based mini-game.
Set in a fantasy world inspired by Slavic folklore and controlling a deity, there is a lot of micromanagement involved when helping the villagers survive in this post-apocalyptic world. Reviews of the game have generally been positive, but there have been some caveats, with one referring to how it doesn’t have any particular strengths due to its gameplay variety, which is slightly divisive.
Boasting over one million different civilization patterns for players to potentially develop,Humankindiscertainly ambitious in scope. Starting in the Nomadic era, players choose a civilization type based on real societies from human history and continue to choose these styles for each of the six major eras experienced throughout the game.
The only victory condition is the player’s Fame score, which can be increased by achieving feats like triumph in combat, building world wonders, trading, and advancing technology. Settled cities claim entire regions and can be built up over time. The need to change the culture of the chosen civilization while advancing through eras is seen as realistic and refreshing, allowing more freedom in playstyles.
As far as 4X games go,Northgardis very fast-paced due to being much smaller in scale. Nevertheless, it’s an enjoyable experience, both in terms of its story campaign and standard games, where players compete with up to five AI or human-controlled clans.
The real-time strategy aspect really adds to the urgency, withthe player’s Viking clantrying to settle the different regions of the map and exploit their natural resources before rival clans, at times engaging in combat to gain an advantage. Playable through backwards compatibility, the performance is generally an improvement on the PS4 version, and players can enjoyNorthgardboth in single-player and multiplayer on their PS5s.
Console ports ofStellarishave generally been plagued by lag and other issues, but on the PlayStation 5, it runs very well, and the transition to a gamepad is surprisingly effective, considering the game’s complexity. Playerstake control of a civilizationcapable of faster than light travel, trying to colonize parts of the galaxy before rival empires have a chance to take over.
As is common in 4X games, players can choose how they will interact with other races, whether they should be diplomatic, form trading partnerships, or attempt to conquer them through warfare. The various in-game crises, especially towards the end, will test the mettle of all the empires, so finding ways to handle them is vital for success.
Diverging from previous entries,Sid Meier’sCivilization 7introduces a slightly different system for leader selection. Previously, players were tethered to a civilization, but now, they may choose a leader and civilization combination freely. However, some are more compatible together than others, and these will change between each era in the revamped age system.
Reducing the title to only three ages has been a divisive choice, but it does simplify the game, and crisis events add anew twist to theCivexperience. A full release for Sony’s fifth home console was made available on day one, running very well by most accounts, and it will surely improve as more updates and expansions see the light of day.
There aren’t any remarkable differences between the PS4 port and the PS5 backwards-compatible version ofAge of Wonders: Planetfall, but both provide a very enjoyable turn-based sci-fi journey. Set in the distant future, players come up against rival factions to assert their dominion over the planet and uncover the mystery of the collapsed Space Union.
Each faction, from cyborg-zombies to dinosaur-riding Amazon women, has its strengths and weaknesses for players to exploit, with victory being possible through diplomacy, military conquest, or the development of doomsday technology. Combat is turn-based and allows units to make three moves per turn, with the new grazing mechanic even causing missed shots to have some impact.
Featuring twenty official factions and the ability for players to fully create and customize their own,Age of Wonders 4takes place in an engaging high-fantasy universe.There are some story missions to build up the setting, but they aren’t too invasive, and the narrative largely falls to the player, who can create their own story as they advance.
There are plenty of ways to gain a tactical advantage against opponents, both militarily and diplomatically, and a plethora of magical abilities to discover. The morale system also adds some spice to proceedings when engaging in small-scale skirmishes with monsters or a full-blown siege on an enemy city, so combat always feels fresh, taking surprising turns.
Offering improved graphics when played through backwards compatibility,Sid Meier’sCivilization 6is a classic and very accessible 4X strategy game for newcomers to the genre. Starting as a small tribe in the ancient era, players will gradually develop their civilization into a world power under the guidance of a historical leader, who has a certain bonustowards one of the victory typesand their own unique units.
New to this game is that districts must be built outside the city center, within its outer boundaries, and they gain bonuses depending on terrain. A marked improvement onCivilization 5, this is the preferred title in the series for many players and ranks among the best games ever made.
