The big 4X thread (also unofficial patches + mods, also questions about these)

[Borelli]

Ag

I remember a ground-based, 4X, fantasy game, from the post-3D era (so probably last 20 years), where units looked relatively 'old school fantasy' (i.e. like Ultima's artwork below) as opposed to modern MTG/WoW 'glowing veins n spikes' artwork.

Anyone know what I might be thinking of?

Was it Disciples?

Disciples looks quite interesting, but I remember the engine was polygonal/3D models rather than sprites.

From what I remember, the monsters were quite old school, so maybe Dragons, Minotaurs, Lizardmen, Beastmen....

EDIT: Maybe I'm just thinking of Fallen Enchantress.

Age of wonders?

 

[Louis_Cypher]

Ag

I remember a ground-based, 4X, fantasy game, from the post-3D era (so probably last 20 years), where units looked relatively 'old school fantasy' (i.e. like Ultima's artwork below) as opposed to modern MTG/WoW 'glowing veins n spikes' artwork.

Anyone know what I might be thinking of?

Was it Disciples?

Disciples looks quite interesting, but I remember the engine was polygonal/3D models rather than sprites.

From what I remember, the monsters were quite old school, so maybe Dragons, Minotaurs, Lizardmen, Beastmen....

EDIT: Maybe I'm just thinking of Fallen Enchantress.

Age of wonders?

That's a good call - I don't think it was that, as Age of Wonders wasn't out yet, but I might give that a go - looks good.

 

[Oreshnik Missile]

Ag

I remember a ground-based, 4X, fantasy game, from the post-3D era (so probably last 20 years), where units looked relatively 'old school fantasy' (i.e. like Ultima's artwork below) as opposed to modern MTG/WoW 'glowing veins n spikes' artwork.

Anyone know what I might be thinking of?

Was it Disciples?

Disciples looks quite interesting, but I remember the engine was polygonal/3D models rather than sprites.

From what I remember, the monsters were quite old school, so maybe Dragons, Minotaurs, Lizardmen, Beastmen....

EDIT: Maybe I'm just thinking of Fallen Enchantress.

Age of wonders?

That's a good call - I don't think it was that, as Age of Wonders wasn't out yet, but I might give that a go - looks good.

Lords of Magic?

 

[Zewp]

Yeah, sounds like Lords of Magic. I played the hell out of it as a kid. 4X overworld, real time battles.

 

[Gibson]

Which universe should I conquer next?

I haven't played a Space strategy for some time now (4-5- years at least) - so where do we stand atm? what's the go-to game to be a space emperor?

Stellaris? Galciv4? Endless Space 2? DW2?

last one I played was Stellaris, but after 4-5 years I should think the game is not recognizable to me anymore.

Turn-based or paradox-time-slider is a non issue for me.

No SMAC-clones like planetfall etc. I want to rule the galaxy, not a planet.

 

[GuiltyofBeingTrite]

Stellaris is worth some playthroughs if you have most of the DLC. absolute best parts of the game are the first 40-50 years, end game feels the same often. If you manage to get on the Galactic Council you can do some really great stuff as you consolidate power.

 

[Gostak]

Which universe should I conquer next?

I haven't played a Space strategy for some time now (4-5- years at least) - so where do we stand atm? what's the go-to game to be a space emperor?

Stellaris? Galciv4? Endless Space 2? DW2?

last one I played was Stellaris, but after 4-5 years I should think the game is not recognizable to me anymore.

Turn-based or paradox-time-slider is a non issue for me.

No SMAC-clones like planetfall etc. I want to rule the galaxy, not a planet.

Try Star Dynasties for a change.
It's a Galaxy in ruins and just some small installations on otherwise hostile planets.
But planets, hence system(s) -> galaxy. :D

If you have the time to spare: Emperor of the Fading Suns.
It's got it in its name!

https://rpgcodex.net/forums/threads/indie-strategy-games-post-em-if-you-find-em.10401/post-8662841
is also recommended.

Of course if you want a truely hard time you might wanna go for Remnants of the Precursor likely the Fusion version with more AI choices.
But I am not too big a fan (yet anyway?).
Mostly because I never got to play till Stargate tech I guess and maybe went with too small "maps"/ setups.
And yes, it's super hard, and while the AI mostly does not cheat, it does in parts ...