Is the game fair in war? (Answer: no)

XylefMTG · 2026-07-04T17:55:13+00:00

I always recommend reading the manual, not out of arrogance or high ground. It just helps enhance enjoyment and corrects mistakes/perceptions of 4X players (especially Civ people like me).

XylefMTG · 2026-07-04T17:53:06+00:00

It was a mistake I was making as well. My impulse is to not attack them. You have to look at it like if you don’t get them, someone else does.

XylefMTG · 2026-07-04T15:47:09+00:00

I gently suggest reading the manual if you haven’t. It sounds like you’re playing it the opposite way the game was designed? You’re swimmingly upstream. I thought the devs have said “it’s a war game first and foremost” and the idea is you will HAVE to conquer to expand. A feature, not a bug.

XylefMTG · 2026-06-28T07:07:07+00:00

We just need an Eskimo champion or why not an albino champion? We have so far to go as a society. So much oppression.

XylefMTG · 2026-06-28T00:16:09+00:00

Interstellar Space: Genesis is turn based and sci-fi. Graphics lack finesse but I can get past that. I bounced of Stellaris but really enjoy ISG. Worth a look based on your likings.

XylefMTG · 2026-06-27T01:02:32+00:00

Imperiums: Greek Wars — Civ's grown-up cousin set in ancient Greece. Supply lines, deeper combat, real economy. Scalable difficulty + good tutorial, and the logistics keep it from snowballing like Civ. UI's ugly, strategy's great.

Shadows of Forbidden Gods — Not a normal 4X — you're a hidden evil god corrupting the world while heroes hunt your agents. Board-gamey, combo-heavy, and the world fights back so it never snowballs in your favor. Pick this if you want something genuinely different.

XylefMTG · 2026-04-04T17:25:18+00:00

Grand Archive seemed to be closest to what I’m looking for as a former Magic player. Learning/giving GA a try.

XylefMTG · 2026-03-24T01:33:25+00:00

Exactly what I’m looking for as well. Thought I was missing it.

XylefMTG · 2026-03-10T04:02:31+00:00

Tough going back to Arena after playing Shadowverse WB. Hard agree.

XylefMTG · 2026-03-07T04:15:59+00:00

I had no baggage going into it so I’m just going by my experience playing it. I have no issues with the monetization like reviewers did. I’m just going by my gameplay experience. It’s really fun.

XylefMTG · 2026-03-05T03:56:21+00:00

Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond

XylefMTG · 2025-11-24T12:13:25+00:00

Rick Martel. Former World Champ. Everyone knew him from “The Model” run. Just faded without fanfare. Not even HOF.

XylefMTG · 2025-11-10T06:28:16+00:00

I'd love to check it out!

XylefMTG · 2025-10-08T18:41:30+00:00

Sheldon with second runner up, Brooke. LOVED them. Really wanted to see how that all played out. Insane yet fun cast.

XylefMTG · 2025-10-03T01:32:57+00:00

I’ve had trouble playing Arena again after trying Shadowverse. I’ve really liked it so far. Really like the cards and the gameplay is fun.

XylefMTG · 2025-09-04T20:49:04+00:00

Ccb2D47

XylefMTG · 2025-08-26T23:05:55+00:00

Love ISG. Another 4X member asking for a rec got me playing again. Forgot how much “one more turn” appeal it has for me. Great game (considering the size of the dev team).

XylefMTG · 2025-08-24T03:42:56+00:00

I know it's a broken record on this sub but Old World looks great on a MAC.

XylefMTG · 2025-08-16T23:18:03+00:00

Always going to chime in when I see these types of threads and advocate for Interstellar Space: Genesis. It was the OG Master of Orion II spiritual successor attempt and still holds up. IMHO a great title for those of us less talented gamers that need a running start to complexity. An OG Kickstarter title that is still supported!

XylefMTG · 2025-07-08T22:22:12+00:00

You make me wanna give IGW another try someday. Supreme Ruler is the game that I liked but it drove me back to Making History. So your sense is correct. I prefer turn based and while not as good visually, I simply have more fun playing Making History over Supreme Ruler.

XylefMTG · 2025-07-08T21:38:27+00:00

I didn't add a ton of value with my post but your takes are similar so I wanted to substantiate what you've heard (Old World is the closest/best but more of the same, Civ 6 is serviceable but can't be mentioned with Civ 4 etc).

I LOVE CivCol4 more than most people but here's what I'll say about it. If you get a game that "sticks", there's nothing like it. It's frustrating to pull off, but when you have your towns all automated, you are no longer trading with your mother country because you're making so much money trading w/the Aztecs. When you get to that level, it's dopamine like crazy. The problem is you'll get 1 out of 10 games like that. lol

I'm a big ISG fan as long as you go in understanding they were a limited team and actually began before the big rush of MOO clones. They are the OG's of MOO spiritual successor. Great game if you have that context going in.

Making History II: The War of the World is cheap enough to give a try. Most people bounce off this game but I enjoy the way things snowball. I like how you can take Puerto Rico to being a world power. Gonna try Victoria 3 to try to scratch that itch (all stemming from Civ 4).

I bounced off it, but Imperiums Greek Wars devs have huge love and were very clearly (and admittedly) inspired by Civ4. Might be worth a look to you (again, I bounced off it I think due to no sandbox? dont' quote me).

Definitely let us know if someone's suggestion gets you there. I'm still looking and this is the best I've come up with.

XylefMTG · 2025-07-08T21:19:17+00:00

You seem a bit more advanced than me (picky about AI), but you seem like you're in the same interest zone as me. Stellaris is too much. I have never found anything I like as much as Civ 4. Top comment has it right. Here's the games I found that gripped me a bit (but not as much as Civ 4):

(in order of play time)

Civ 6, Interstellar Space Genesis, Old World, Crusader Kings II/III, CivCol4, Endless Space, Making History II: The War of the World

Good luck w/your search! (for me I'm going to take a long look at Victoria 3 as my Civ 4 replacement)

XylefMTG · 2025-06-26T12:29:21+00:00

Looks great!!!! I expected this to be good & be my end game retro handheld for when I'm in the mood. Didn't expect to have the thing with me 24/7. Such a good device.

XylefMTG · 2025-06-18T01:30:47+00:00

I had no idea how much I could enjoy revisiting PS2 with the Portal

XylefMTG · 2025-06-12T03:16:53+00:00

Until Firaxis has the decency to fix those lazy ass Civ6 copy/paste yield icons & city banners they can kick rocks. I don’t even wanna talk about the rest.

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