The Best 4X Strategy Games Are Here, In 2025
Having covered other popular types of strategy games, I’m finishing my 2025 list of “The 10 Best Strategy Games To Play In 2025” with 4X strategy games. These games-where you Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate-have been a key part of PC gaming for years. Whether you want to build a galactic empire or create a brand-new fantasy world, these games offer incredibly deep and complex strategic options.
As a huge fan of 4X strategy games, I can tell you 2025 is an amazing time to be playing! There are so many new games popping up, plus the classics are getting even better. What I love most is that these games really let *you* shape the story – it’s so addictive, you’ll always be wanting ‘one more turn’! I’ve put together my list of the 10 best 4X games you can play right now, and I’m really excited to share it. Of course, it’s just my opinion, so I’d love to hear what *you* think – let me know in the comments what your favorites are!
10 – Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War
If you’re a 4X strategy gamer who lives for conquest, *Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War* is a standout title. It’s a relentlessly combat-focused game that prioritizes military strategy over diplomacy and trade, all within the dark and gritty world of the 41st Millennium. Featuring over a dozen faithful factions and consistently updated content, it keeps the intense warfare exciting for strategy fans. Simply put, if you prefer battling to building empires, this game is for you – and it’s often available at a great price!
9 – Sins of a Solar Empire II
Sins of a Solar Empire II could easily be called the best real-time strategy game of 2024. What truly sets it apart, though, is how unique it is as a strategy game overall, and players love it for that. It blends the long-term planning of 4X strategy with fast-paced, real-time tactical combat, creating massive galactic battles. What’s really innovative is the way planets and moons move in realistic orbits, constantly changing the battlefield and making every encounter exciting and unpredictable. Released in full in 2024, and enhanced with a major update in 2025 adding new planets and smarter AI, Sins II offers a complete, refined experience that successfully combines the grand scope of 4X games with the satisfying, tactical gameplay of an RTS.
If you enjoy real-time strategy games but haven’t tried 4X games yet, I strongly recommend Sins of a Solar Empire II. It’s a great way to get into the 4X genre, as it successfully combines elements of both types of games without compromising either one.
8 – Zephon
The team behind the popular game Warhammer 40,000: Gladius recently released Zephon, a new 4X strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic world. Released in 2025, Zephon shares the intense combat of Relics of War, but replaces aliens with a chilling narrative inspired by Lovecraftian horror and rebellious artificial intelligence. A recent expansion, “The Twisted & The Hollow,” has added even more depth and replay value, making it a great choice for strategy fans who enjoy a strong, immersive story. Unlike Gladius, Zephon also features diplomacy. I’ve included it on this list because of its distinctive setting and how it changes the gameplay – you’re not just battling other groups, but also fighting against a hostile environment while trying to reclaim Earth.
Read More
- Trail’s End Quest (Shakra’s Location) In Silksong
- Jujutsu Kaisen: Gege Confirms Yuji Itadori’s New Role in JJK Modulo
- PS Plus Monthly Games for October 2025 Wish List
- Pinstress Location (Fatal Resolve Quest) In Silksong
- Arkheron Preview: Ability-Based Looter Brawler Sets PVP Triumph in its Sights
- Top 8 UFC 5 Perks Every Fighter Should Use
- How to Beat Act 2 in Silksong (Progression Guide)
- Far Fields Secret Area Route Guide In Silksong
- The Unwritten Rules of Dying Light: The Beast Explained
- Heart of The Wild (Hunter’s Heart) In Silksong
2025-09-21 16:43