The 10 Best Grand-Strategy and 4X Games To Wishlist In 2025 – Steam 4X Fest 2025

Steam 4X Festival Is Now Live! 4X Games To Wishlist In 2025!

Moving forward, let’s delve into the 10 most eagerly awaited games from the grand-strategy and 4X genres that are destined to be fantastic additions to your gaming library. These titles have been handpicked as they are set to make a significant impact in their respective categories, making them must-haves for your wishlist. I’ll be providing an overview of each game along with highlighting their unique features. Feel free to suggest any other games you believe should also be included, and I will gladly incorporate them into this article! I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

10 – Fall of an Empire

As a history enthusiast and strategy game lover, it’s fascinating to see how 4X games have evolved, transitioning from epic, multi-millennia historical operas to focusing on specific eras and locations in history. For those seeking a fresh challenge, Fall of an Empire offers a unique twist on the traditional grand strategy genre with its “inverse 4X” gameplay. Instead of creating an empire, you step into the shoes of a ruler presiding over a vast yet crumbling one, with the objective to stall its impending downfall for as long as possible.

The Roman-inspired aesthetic isn’t just eye candy; it immerses you in a rich historical context that adds depth and authenticity to the gameplay experience. Set for release in Q1 2026, this indie title promises to be an intriguing and tense offering that dares to try something new, which, as far as I’m concerned, is always worth celebrating. And let me tell you, the “one more turn” concept can become quite addictive with its rogue-lite elements of survival and prolonging your rule for as long as possible.

9 – Imperial Ambitions

In current times, there’s a scarcity of games that delve into the Age of Sail and Age of Expansion, themes that were once very popular. Unfortunately, these themes seem to have been relegated to the annals of history. However, there’s some good news – Imperial Ambitions is on its way! This turn-based 4X game is a much-anticipated successor to classics like Imperialism and Colonization, with a scheduled release in 2025.

Imperial Ambitions immerses you in the Age of Discovery, offering a rich economic simulation, political intrigue, and a distinctive agent system. You’ll oversee a complex, class-based society, using merchants and spies to extend your influence. This makes it an appealing choice for strategy enthusiasts who appreciate historical grandeur, particularly those who favor diplomacy and economic conflict.

The theme of Imperial Ambitions piques my interest significantly. So, I’m eagerly looking forward to embarking on this voyage and setting foot in new colonies!

8 – Fragile Existence

Developed by Hooded Horse, the highly anticipated game, “Fragile Existence,” set for release in 2025, blends the genres of sci-fi, survival strategy, and 4X elements to present a unique take on space exploration. Players assume command of humanity’s last fleet as they traverse the cosmos in search of a new home following Earth’s destruction. Along the way, they must confront terrifying cosmic threats while managing resources for survival. The game boasts an impressive feature: effortlessly transitioning from a top-down orbital view to a ground-level perspective for resource gathering and combat, a feature seldom seen in other games. Preliminary footage suggests that Fragile Existence has already mastered this innovative aspect.

7 – Folk Emerging

Recently discovered a game called Folk Emerging that caught my interest quickly. Unlike many other 4X games, this one eschews the global perspective in favor of a detailed depiction of a specific historical era – the Stone Age. Instead of city-building, you’ll be managing a nomadic tribe, focusing on tribe management, character simulations, cultural nuances, and ecosystem interactions. The combat system is innovative as well, moving away from grid-based battles to an autobattler format. Essentially, Folk Emerging can be considered a “Pre-Civilization” 4X experience! Now, let’s avoid any more puns!

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2025-08-13 18:01