will this game be better than all 4x games out there? is this considered a Grand Strategy game? Sorry I am new to this genre.

[GnomeSlayer]

Thank you

[TheCollector]

"better" is the wrong word. "different" is a better description.

But if you are new to this genre, why didn't you buy Civ 5 or 6 or a similar Civ game in the recent sale? You would have got so much more content for less money.

(Imho) This game is probably most appealing for players who already played most/all the 4X-Civ-games out there and who look for some new (different) approach to the theme.

I would recommend to check out some of the various recent youtube videos on Millennia and judge by yourself if you would like to play this type of game.

[The Doctor]

Originally posted by GnomeSlayer:

Thank you

I doubt there is any consensus about what is the best 4X game among us here and even though I'm looking forward to this game, I'll need to play at least two or three sessions through to the end before I could make that judgement for myself.

While it might become like a grand strategy game towards the very end when all the factions' national borders are determined and alliances form, it's really a 4X game and not a Grand Strategy game itself. But it does mix genres up a little bit because it has production chains which a lot of 4X games I play don't.

[CDuque]

If you are new to the genre, I would recommend you to start with CIV 6 as the other also said. It's simply the best in the genre and also the most accessible. On top of that, you can find it on the web for only 2.8€ (I just checked and no, I didn't forget any 0)

Having said that, Millenia is also a good game to start with. But it's more of an acquired taste, and I think you can really enjoy it if you are fan of the genre.

[GnomeSlayer]

Originally posted by TheCollector:

"better" is the wrong word. "different" is a better description.

But if you are new to this genre, why didn't you buy Civ 5 or 6 or a similar Civ game in the recent sale? You would have got so much more content for less money.

(Imho) This game is probably most appealing for players who already played most/all the 4X-Civ-games out there and who look for some new (different) approach to the theme.

I would recommend to check out some of the various recent youtube videos on Millennia and judge by yourself if you would like to play this type of game.

Thank you - I appreciate it your comment.

[GnomeSlayer]

Originally posted by Ch3m:

If you are new to the genre, I would recommend you to start with CIV 6 as the other also said. It's simply the best in the genre and also the most accessible. On top of that, you can find it on the web for only 2.8€ (I just checked and no, I didn't forget any 0)

Having said that, Millenia is also a good game to start with. But it's more of an acquired taste, and I think you can really enjoy it if you are fan of the genre.

Thank you

[Blackadar]

Probably not and that's no insult to this game. But 4X games are tricky to get right and there tend to be many more mediocre efforts than outstanding ones. Civ IV gets my vote for the best 4X game ever and I doubt this will hit anywhere close to that mark.

But that doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to it. There seems to be some real inventive ideas in Millennia (I've watched some of the longer videos) and it has some potential to be the first real historical based 4x to challenge Civ since maybe Call to Power.

[Limz]

Originally posted by Blackadar:

Probably not and that's no insult to this game. But 4X games are tricky to get right and there tend to be many more mediocre efforts than outstanding ones. Civ IV gets my vote for the best 4X game ever and I doubt this will hit anywhere close to that mark.

But that doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to it. There seems to be some real inventive ideas in Millennia (I've watched some of the longer videos) and it has some potential to be the first real historical based 4x to challenge Civ since maybe Call to Power.

Civ 4 was great because of mods. I would say Fall from Heaven is better than Civ 4 but eh.

[ollj]

it is easy to make a more balanced game than civ6, and civ5.
it is easy to make a more detailed game than battle for polytopia.
reaching the quality of engless-legends or humankind is VERY hard tho.
and trying out as many novel things as Alpha-ventauri while suceeding a lot (unike "call o powers" and civ5, that fail more at novelty than succeeding, but till being worth SOME time playing ) is something that deserves respect.

[Lord Funk]

Originally posted by GnomeSlayer:

will this game be better than all 4x games out there? is this considered a Grand Strategy game? Sorry I am new to this genre.

Thank you

Since you are new to the genre I think it fun to make an indepth presentation of it for you, if you are interested? If not, no need to read all this. :)

I think it's awesome with every new person interested in getting into this genre and it's sub-genres.

Genre, category, sub-genre, sub-category
4X is just like a collection title, or collective name for "explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate" which is pretty broad. Millennia, along with games like Old World. Civ series and Humankind are first in a sub category called "turn based strategy" games. Then within that category into what is often refered to as "historical" 4X games, but still also in the "turn based" category. You can have "turn based tactical" games too. Just "turn based strategy" games too and I guess 4X "RTS", or "Real Time Strategy", as well. Of course also non "historical" 4X games. Like set in a fantasy setting, or sci-fi setting etc.

Also read "historical" as a very lose term. These types of games are not reenacting storming the beaches at Normandie with exact timetable and exact historically accurate units and compositions, nor "The Battle Of Waterloo".

One big differenciating factor between strategy games is "Real Time Stategy/RTS" vs "Turn Based Strategy". Like the names suggests, one category uses the classic turn based method/system, like in board games, where a player makes their turn then leave over to the next in line. RTS is that everything happens simultanous in real time. All opponents move and do things at the same time, in real time.

Then actually within Turn Based Strategy" there is also an in between category, "simultaneous turns" which is a form of real time within turn based games. It still ahs "turns" but each main turn is carried out simultaneous by all players. Some games only use that as an option for multiplayer, some use it in single-player too. It can lead to some annoying things. If you move your units fast during a turn they can get to a tile, but if you wait a bit that tile might be blocked since then the opponent has made their move with that unit, even if it's in like a turn based system. It can also confuse the AI and end up having units walk in a loop back and forth, or even freeze the AI opponent from continue and make their next move. Almost like "it does not compute". Humankind had that happen some in the beginning, but their AI has gotten better at handeling it.

Still I prefer pure turn based if that is an option. It is a true and tested methond that just works best in most cases.

I know all that might sound confusing and it is, like many things when getting into something new, after a while it just becomes second nature. Most don't even care about all the labels and sub-categories, which is labeled as what etc and just find a game they like. The differences between "real time/RTS" vs "turn based" is probaly the biggest factor to chose between in strategy games. Also maybe the "historical" vs "fantasy" and "sci-fi" sub-genres. I still see some getting disappointed in a game like this, Humankind, Old World etc coming from RTS games and thinking it will be like that.

Best or even Better is very subjective
Like others have said "best" or even "better" is pointless to ask others for. It is way too subjective. The biggest financial success is most likely the Civ franchise (although I have no access to anyone finances of course). It's been going on since the late 80's/early 90's and had a lot of time to establish itself within the counciousness of people.

Civilization series - The WoW of 4X games?
Civilization VI (6) is the latest in that series. It's the only turn based 4X game many people know about. Civ 6 has been the game in the series which has had the longest time before a new Civ game is released. It used to be like 4-5 years inbetween Civ games. Now it's been 8 years and still no Civ 7 has been released. So it's no wonder that it has ranked up probably the most hours played of all 4X games and probably all Civ games too. Although Civ 5 from 2010 (on a good day) still have around half the number of players as Civ 6 do. Hard to say about Civ 4, since it was before steam and many play it outside of steam statistics. It seems to still be bpretty popular too though. Especially with tons of mods.

In a way you could say Civ franchise is the WoW of turn based 4X games. What I mean with that is, it's the game people who don't even play this type of games have still heard of. Just like almost everyone have heard of WoW even if they have never played an MMO RPG. That does not necessarily make it the best, but definetly the most well known and successful in that sense.

Millennia
To me Millennia seems to be doing enough in different ways to give it it's own "flavour" if you like. It will at least give me an alternative to the games is resembles the most, "Civ series", "Old World" and "Humankind". It seems it will be a nice addition in that niche so that I can play it when wanting a pause from the others. Yes, some have complained about the combat pop-up window. I agree it is not the prettiest art-style when you watch units fight on there. However the rest of the art-style is just fine. The map, the cities, outpost and units moving around on it etc.

No it does not appear to be grand strategy per se, but it does have some grand strategy mechanics, or delve deeper into some mechanics than other non grand strategy 4X games do (like for example it's industry set-up with refining raw materials, setting up resouces chains between various regions/cities etc), but that could be said about Old World too and Humankind too, or Endless Space 2.

Many 4X games seem to focus more on one, or a few mechanic/systems, like a deep dive into those, than some other mechanics. I guess to set themselves apart from other games in the genre. Like Humankinds combat is really more advanced than most other similar games (civ, old world etc). Civ 6 religion, or rather it's religious units is more advanced then Humankinds. Non of that necessarily means better, or that's its to everyone liking. Some might dislike Humankinds combat. Others might dislike Civ 6 religious units, but that's usually the way it is. Varuius games focus more on some aspects even within a genre of games.

My personal very subjective opinion on Civ 6 and other "similar" games
As for "best" well in my personal very subjective opinion Civ 6 is not very good at all. I liked all the previous Civ games though, so the Civ series I still hold very high, just not Civ 6 (as a game within that series). I prefer almost any other turn based 4X game over Civ 6. Well within the so called "historical" genre of these types of games.

Like others have said Civ 6 is probably the easiest way to get into turn based 4X games, though but I would say Humankind (although it takes some time learning it's mechanichs, especially it's combat which excells over others) is better than Civ 6. Humankind is without a doubt also the most pretty to look at. It's graphics is likely levels above what most turn based "historical" 4X games have.

An interlude about art-style and graphics
Although I must add that in these types of games, the playerbase/community often think art-style or graphics is the least important part. It's all about the systems and mechanics. How the game plays that is important to what seem to be the majority. Of course again a personal opinion which people are entitled to. Just as people are entitled to think art-style/graphics is very important in these types of games. I'm somewhere in the middle on that. If I didn't care at all about art-style and graphics I might as well play purely text based games. However as long as the art-style/graphics are good enough to immerse me then it's fine. Millennias are definetly fine enough. In single-player RPG's and in games like MMO RPG's and such I do care about art-style and graphics a lot more. There it is even more important for immersion in my opinion.

Note that, I don't necessarily mean the latest technical evolution of graphics. The choice of art-style is more important to me.

I do not like huge cleaver looking swords that almost no one could lift irl or even swing, Maces that looks like disco balls, and hammer that looks like waaay oversized anvil hammers which again almost no one could lift or use effectively in combat. Still I see like tiny skinny teenage looking girl characters running around swinging them like there was no tomorrow, in a medieval setting and wearing almost no armour. I'm not prude, not all, but that just looks silly to me. Each thing has it's place and I just don't think it fits. Nor do I like knights running around in a medieval setting looking like they wear futuristic Iron Man suits. I like a more low fantasy style. Kind of like in the LoTR movies, or the old Excalibur movie, even the Game Of Thrones series, although some armour in that looked a bit silly, but a lot looked ok too. So yes, art-style is importan to me in those type of games. Besides games, the look in movies like "Outlaw King" and "The King" I like alot. It's not all 100% realistic looking. Of course you need to overdo some things, take some artistic liberties for cinematic and dramatic purposes and values, but they still look very nice and good enough to immerse me. Movies like the latest "Dungeons And Dragons" movie I can't stand. I shut it off after like 20-30 min and have never picked it up again.

Back to turn based "historical" 4X games
Actually if wanting to get into the turn based "historical" 4X game genre you could as well go for Civ 5, rather than Civ 6. You could probably get the base game and all it's DLC's much cheaper during some sale, so either is about an as easy way to get into this genre.

Old World is also a very respected game. It has many elements of grand strategy and set within the ancient world only. You do not advance to the modern eras. It does take some time to learn and get into. There are tons of decisions to consider in almost every turn with events popping up. Kids being born into your family, family members passing on, kids growing up and what studies/paths they should chose, someones trying to poision you etc, the list could go on. Although someone wrote that you can turn that down a bit, so it doesn't become overwhelming and lead to decision fatigue. Especially if not used to it. That sounds good to me. I never noticed such an option wehn I played (in early days of the game in early access), but if it's there, that's awesome.

A new upcoming 4X game, but seems it won't be "turn based"
There is also the upcoming "Ara: History Untold". However I don't think it will actually be a turn based 4X game. It looks to become a 4X game but with RTS/real time combat with some kind of pause feature. I could be wrong, since it is not out yet, but that is what I have read somewhere. For me personally that is a big "no no"". Any form of RTS is not really my cup of tea. I can play RTS at times. I played "Dune II" (one of the earliest rts, but not the first), "Dune 2000", "Warcraft", "Warcraft II", the first "Command And Conquer" and "Age Of Empires" back in the days, but only periodically and only for shorter periods before I got tired of each one of them.

Turn based strategy games, but maybe not exactly 4X
Not exactly a 4X game either, but definetly turn based strategy is one of my favourite series, "Heroes of Might and Magic" a.k.a. "HoMM". I played HoMM II like crazy back in the days. HoMM III and IV as well. IV is not so well liked by the community. It was also after HoMM 4 that 3DO went bust and sometime later Ubisoft aquired the rights to the franchise it seems. The following HoMM games after that has never quite reached the status of HoMM 3. The "Heroes Of Might And Magic" series grew out of the RPG series called only "Might And Magic".

A new game in exactly the same style as HoMM 3 is "Songs Of Conquest", by a very small studio named "Lavapotion" and published by what seems to be a small publisher named "Coffee Stain". I know very little to nothing about them. "Songs Of Conquest" is made in the same old art-style as HoMM 3. It's available both on Steam, but also on GoG. I prefer to play it using my GoG version. Totally "offline" and no online client needed. I can have the install files on my external hardrive and even if the company goes bust I can still install and play it in the future on any a new PC (if the o/s supports it). Not needing to worry about any 3rd party clients and launchers like Steam, Epic etc either. It's a really great little game. I can highly recommed it to people who likes the HoMM series. In particular HoMM 3.

I have even thought if replaying it now on Steam (using the steam version), since they have added Steam achievements. We'll see. Not sure yet if I have all the time for that. Not really sure if achievements are that important for me. I have often played my games offline anyway, even on Steam and not gotten all achievements in the games I have here.

Turn based 4X games, but not "historical"
There are many other turn based 4X titles too of course. Especially if not sticking to the strictly "historical" genre. "Endless Legend" from the studio which made "Humankind" is very much liked by many. So is "Endless Space" 1 and 2 (again same studio as humankind). For me I find Endless Space series to be more like grand strategy and eat up your entire life if you try to get into it. I got burned out pretty fast trying Endless Space 2. There is the "Warlock" games "Warlock: Master Of The Arcane" and "Warlock II: The Exiled" from Paradox (I didn't even know they were paradox games until recently). They are in a fantasy setting. "Also Age Of Wonders" series. I have only played 1-3. Those were made before Paradox time. I have heard a lot of good things about "Age of Wonder 4", the latest in that series from Paradox, but I haven't bought it myself, yet. Oh and the "King's Bounty" series of games. Plenty of other games too.

Turn Based Tactical games
Then there is turn based tactical games like "XCom", "Mutant Year Zero", one of the "Warhammer 40K" games (I can't remember which one it is), the very recently released "Classified: France '44", which seems to be very well recieved. It's like XCom style but set during WWII (and no aliens as far as I know). Then the upcoming "Crown Wars: The Black Prince" which is XCom like but set in a medieval world. Plenty of others too.

Not to mention turn based RPG's like "Wartales", but that's a bit too far from the 4X genre. Still an awesome game though.

A Smorgasbord
So many too chose from if talking about turn based 4X games and even more if talking turnbased strategy. So hard to recommend one over all the others that will suit someone elses taste.

A friend just called and were going out a group of us to have some coffe, sandwiches and pastries. Hmmm, maybe a lactos free latte today and some pastries with vanilla cream or whipped cream on. Possibly some warmed up baguette with cream cheese or half melted camembert cheese. Maybe a tosca cinnamon bun. Or a ginger bread tasting muffin, if they still have those now after Chrismas is over? We'll see what's on offer. I gotta get ready to go out.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I'm sure others with me are happy to guide and help you get into this genre.

[Gruener_Egon]

Actually Ara is turn based, and the battles are autoplaying if you are in the same region :)

[F.U.D.F.]

Originally posted by Lord Funk:

Originally posted by GnomeSlayer:

will this game be better than all 4x games out there? is this considered a Grand Strategy game? Sorry I am new to this genre.

Thank you

Since you are new to the genre I think it fun to make an indepth presentation of it for you, if you are interested? If not, no need to read all this. :)

I think it's awesome with every new person interested in getting into this genre and it's sub-genres.

Genre, category, sub-genre, sub-category
4X is just like a collection title, or collective name for "explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate" which is pretty broad. Millennia, along with games like Old World. Civ series and Humankind are first in a sub category called "turn based strategy" games. Then within that category into what is often refered to as "historical" 4X games, but still also in the "turn based" category. You can have "turn based tactical" games too. Just "turn based strategy" games too and I guess 4X "RTS", or "Real Time Strategy", as well. Of course also non "historical" 4X games. Like set in a fantasy setting, or sci-fi setting etc.

Also read "historical" as a very lose term. These types of games are not reenacting storming the beaches at Normandie with exact timetable and exact historically accurate units and compositions, nor "The Battle Of Waterloo".

One big differenciating factor between strategy games is "Real Time Stategy/RTS" vs "Turn Based Strategy". Like the names suggests, one category uses the classic turn based method/system, like in board games, where a player makes their turn then leave over to the next in line. RTS is that everything happens simultanous in real time. All opponents move and do things at the same time, in real time.

Then actually within Turn Based Strategy" there is also an in between category, "simultaneous turns" which is a form of real time within turn based games. It still ahs "turns" but each main turn is carried out simultaneous by all players. Some games only use that as an option for multiplayer, some use it in single-player too. It can lead to some annoying things. If you move your units fast during a turn they can get to a tile, but if you wait a bit that tile might be blocked since then the opponent has made their move with that unit, even if it's in like a turn based system. It can also confuse the AI and end up having units walk in a loop back and forth, or even freeze the AI opponent from continue and make their next move. Almost like "it does not compute". Humankind had that happen some in the beginning, but their AI has gotten better at handeling it.

Still I prefer pure turn based if that is an option. It is a true and tested methond that just works best in most cases.

I know all that might sound confusing and it is, like many things when getting into something new, after a while it just becomes second nature. Most don't even care about all the labels and sub-categories, which is labeled as what etc and just find a game they like. The differences between "real time/RTS" vs "turn based" is probaly the biggest factor to chose between in strategy games. Also maybe the "historical" vs "fantasy" and "sci-fi" sub-genres. I still see some getting disappointed in a game like this, Humankind, Old World etc coming from RTS games and thinking it will be like that.

Best or even Better is very subjective
Like others have said "best" or even "better" is pointless to ask others for. It is way too subjective. The biggest financial success is most likely the Civ franchise (although I have no access to anyone finances of course). It's been going on since the late 80's/early 90's and had a lot of time to establish itself within the counciousness of people.

Civilization series - The WoW of 4X games?
Civilization VI (6) is the latest in that series. It's the only turn based 4X game many people know about. Civ 6 has been the game in the series which has had the longest time before a new Civ game is released. It used to be like 4-5 years inbetween Civ games. Now it's been 8 years and still no Civ 7 has been released. So it's no wonder that it has ranked up probably the most hours played of all 4X games and probably all Civ games too. Although Civ 5 from 2010 (on a good day) still have around half the number of players as Civ 6 do. Hard to say about Civ 4, since it was before steam and many play it outside of steam statistics. It seems to still be bpretty popular too though. Especially with tons of mods.

In a way you could say Civ franchise is the WoW of turn based 4X games. What I mean with that is, it's the game people who don't even play this type of games have still heard of. Just like almost everyone have heard of WoW even if they have never played an MMO RPG. That does not necessarily make it the best, but definetly the most well known and successful in that sense.

Millennia
To me Millennia seems to be doing enough in different ways to give it it's own "flavour" if you like. It will at least give me an alternative to the games is resembles the most, "Civ series", "Old World" and "Humankind". It seems it will be a nice addition in that niche so that I can play it when wanting a pause from the others. Yes, some have complained about the combat pop-up window. I agree it is not the prettiest art-style when you watch units fight on there. However the rest of the art-style is just fine. The map, the cities, outpost and units moving around on it etc.

No it does not appear to be grand strategy per se, but it does have some grand strategy mechanics, or delve deeper into some mechanics than other non grand strategy 4X games do (like for example it's industry set-up with refining raw materials, setting up resouces chains between various regions/cities etc), but that could be said about Old World too and Humankind too, or Endless Space 2.

Many 4X games seem to focus more on one, or a few mechanic/systems, like a deep dive into those, than some other mechanics. I guess to set themselves apart from other games in the genre. Like Humankinds combat is really more advanced than most other similar games (civ, old world etc). Civ 6 religion, or rather it's religious units is more advanced then Humankinds. Non of that necessarily means better, or that's its to everyone liking. Some might dislike Humankinds combat. Others might dislike Civ 6 religious units, but that's usually the way it is. Varuius games focus more on some aspects even within a genre of games.

My personal very subjective opinion on Civ 6 and other "similar" games
As for "best" well in my personal very subjective opinion Civ 6 is not very good at all. I liked all the previous Civ games though, so the Civ series I still hold very high, just not Civ 6 (as a game within that series). I prefer almost any other turn based 4X game over Civ 6. Well within the so called "historical" genre of these types of games.

Like others have said Civ 6 is probably the easiest way to get into turn based 4X games, though but I would say Humankind (although it takes some time learning it's mechanichs, especially it's combat which excells over others) is better than Civ 6. Humankind is without a doubt also the most pretty to look at. It's graphics is likely levels above what most turn based "historical" 4X games have.

An interlude about art-style and graphics
Although I must add that in these types of games, the playerbase/community often think art-style or graphics is the least important part. It's all about the systems and mechanics. How the game plays that is important to what seem to be the majority. Of course again a personal opinion which people are entitled to. Just as people are entitled to think art-style/graphics is very important in these types of games. I'm somewhere in the middle on that. If I didn't care at all about art-style and graphics I might as well play purely text based games. However as long as the art-style/graphics are good enough to immerse me then it's fine. Millennias are definetly fine enough. In single-player RPG's and in games like MMO RPG's and such I do care about art-style and graphics a lot more. There it is even more important for immersion in my opinion.

Note that, I don't necessarily mean the latest technical evolution of graphics. The choice of art-style is more important to me.

I do not like huge cleaver looking swords that almost no one could lift irl or even swing, Maces that looks like disco balls, and hammer that looks like waaay oversized anvil hammers which again almost no one could lift or use effectively in combat. Still I see like tiny skinny teenage looking girl characters running around swinging them like there was no tomorrow, in a medieval setting and wearing almost no armour. I'm not prude, not all, but that just looks silly to me. Each thing has it's place and I just don't think it fits. Nor do I like knights running around in a medieval setting looking like they wear futuristic Iron Man suits. I like a more low fantasy style. Kind of like in the LoTR movies, or the old Excalibur movie, even the Game Of Thrones series, although some armour in that looked a bit silly, but a lot looked ok too. So yes, art-style is importan to me in those type of games. Besides games, the look in movies like "Outlaw King" and "The King" I like alot. It's not all 100% realistic looking. Of course you need to overdo some things, take some artistic liberties for cinematic and dramatic purposes and values, but they still look very nice and good enough to immerse me. Movies like the latest "Dungeons And Dragons" movie I can't stand. I shut it off after like 20-30 min and have never picked it up again.

Back to turn based "historical" 4X games
Actually if wanting to get into the turn based "historical" 4X game genre you could as well go for Civ 5, rather than Civ 6. You could probably get the base game and all it's DLC's much cheaper during some sale, so either is about an as easy way to get into this genre.

Old World is also a very respected game. It has many elements of grand strategy and set within the ancient world only. You do not advance to the modern eras. It does take some time to learn and get into. There are tons of decisions to consider in almost every turn with events popping up. Kids being born into your family, family members passing on, kids growing up and what studies/paths they should chose, someones trying to poision you etc, the list could go on. Although someone wrote that you can turn that down a bit, so it doesn't become overwhelming and lead to decision fatigue. Especially if not used to it. That sounds good to me. I never noticed such an option wehn I played (in early days of the game in early access), but if it's there, that's awesome.

A new upcoming 4X game, but seems it won't be "turn based"
There is also the upcoming "Ara: History Untold". However I don't think it will actually be a turn based 4X game. It looks to become a 4X game but with RTS/real time combat with some kind of pause feature. I could be wrong, since it is not out yet, but that is what I have read somewhere. For me personally that is a big "no no"". Any form of RTS is not really my cup of tea. I can play RTS at times. I played "Dune II" (one of the earliest rts, but not the first), "Dune 2000", "Warcraft", "Warcraft II", the first "Command And Conquer" and "Age Of Empires" back in the days, but only periodically and only for shorter periods before I got tired of each one of them.

Turn based strategy games, but maybe not exactly 4X
Not exactly a 4X game either, but definetly turn based strategy is one of my favourite series, "Heroes of Might and Magic" a.k.a. "HoMM". I played HoMM II like crazy back in the days. HoMM III and IV as well. IV is not so well liked by the community. It was also after HoMM 4 that 3DO went bust and sometime later Ubisoft aquired the rights to the franchise it seems. The following HoMM games after that has never quite reached the status of HoMM 3. The "Heroes Of Might And Magic" series grew out of the RPG series called only "Might And Magic".

A new game in exactly the same style as HoMM 3 is "Songs Of Conquest", by a very small studio named "Lavapotion" and published by what seems to be a small publisher named "Coffee Stain". I know very little to nothing about them. "Songs Of Conquest" is made in the same old art-style as HoMM 3. It's available both on Steam, but also on GoG. I prefer to play it using my GoG version. Totally "offline" and no online client needed. I can have the install files on my external hardrive and even if the company goes bust I can still install and play it in the future on any a new PC (if the o/s supports it). Not needing to worry about any 3rd party clients and launchers like Steam, Epic etc either. It's a really great little game. I can highly recommed it to people who likes the HoMM series. In particular HoMM 3.

I have even thought if replaying it now on Steam (using the steam version), since they have added Steam achievements. We'll see. Not sure yet if I have all the time for that. Not really sure if achievements are that important for me. I have often played my games offline anyway, even on Steam and not gotten all achievements in the games I have here.

Turn based 4X games, but not "historical"
There are many other turn based 4X titles too of course. Especially if not sticking to the strictly "historical" genre. "Endless Legend" from the studio which made "Humankind" is very much liked by many. So is "Endless Space" 1 and 2 (again same studio as humankind). For me I find Endless Space series to be more like grand strategy and eat up your entire life if you try to get into it. I got burned out pretty fast trying Endless Space 2. There is the "Warlock" games "Warlock: Master Of The Arcane" and "Warlock II: The Exiled" from Paradox (I didn't even know they were paradox games until recently). They are in a fantasy setting. "Also Age Of Wonders" series. I have only played 1-3. Those were made before Paradox time. I have heard a lot of good things about "Age of Wonder 4", the latest in that series from Paradox, but I haven't bought it myself, yet. Oh and the "King's Bounty" series of games. Plenty of other games too.

Turn Based Tactical games
Then there is turn based tactical games like "XCom", "Mutant Year Zero", one of the "Warhammer 40K" games (I can't remember which one it is), the very recently released "Classified: France '44", which seems to be very well recieved. It's like XCom style but set during WWII (and no aliens as far as I know). Then the upcoming "Crown Wars: The Black Prince" which is XCom like but set in a medieval world. Plenty of others too.

Not to mention turn based RPG's like "Wartales", but that's a bit too far from the 4X genre. Still an awesome game though.

A Smorgasbord
So many too chose from if talking about turn based 4X games and even more if talking turnbased strategy. So hard to recommend one over all the others that will suit someone elses taste.

A friend just called and were going out a group of us to have some coffe, sandwiches and pastries. Hmmm, maybe a lactos free latte today and some pastries with vanilla cream or whipped cream on. Possibly some warmed up baguette with cream cheese or half melted camembert cheese. Maybe a tosca cinnamon bun. Or a ginger bread tasting muffin, if they still have those now after Chrismas is over? We'll see what's on offer. I gotta get ready to go out.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I'm sure others with me are happy to guide and help you get into this genre.

Bro buzzed off coffee and nicotine vape lmao. I still read every word gus-freng.jpg

[Lord Funk]

Originally posted by Klarsen Hedges:

Bro buzzed off coffee and nicotine vape lmao. I still read every word gus-freng.jpg

That was too early actually for the daily dose of coffee. Not even had a cigar at that time. However here I am back home after very long late day and evening out and can't seem to sleep after coffee, food and a cigar. "Vape"? Never heard of it (or denying that I know what it is), sounds like blasphemy to me. Give me a good cigar and you can keep your vape stuff.

I hope you enjoyed the full reading. I'm impressed that you did.

[F.U.D.F.]

Originally posted by Lord Funk:

Originally posted by Klarsen Hedges:

Bro buzzed off coffee and nicotine vape lmao. I still read every word gus-freng.jpg

That was too early actually for the daily dose of coffee. Not even had a cigar at that time. However here I am back home after very long late day and evening out and can't seem to sleep after coffee, food and a cigar. "Vape"? Never heard of it (or denying that I know what it is), sounds like blasphemy to me. Give me a good cigar and you can keep your vape stuff.

I hope you enjoyed the full reading. I'm impressed that you did.

Not like some random journalist is any more qualified than the knowledgeable steam forums lurker. In fact you're more credible.

[Lord Funk]

Originally posted by Klarsen Hedges:

Originally posted by Lord Funk:

That was too early actually for the daily dose of coffee. Not even had a cigar at that time. However here I am back home after very long late day and evening out and can't seem to sleep after coffee, food and a cigar. "Vape"? Never heard of it (or denying that I know what it is), sounds like blasphemy to me. Give me a good cigar and you can keep your vape stuff.

I hope you enjoyed the full reading. I'm impressed that you did.

Not like some random journalist is any more qualified than the knowledgeable steam forums lurker. In fact you're more credible.

That was very kind. I tip my cap to you.

Yeah I'm not bribed or paid by any gaming company to write. Which can be seen as both a good thing, but also a sad thing maybe. Wasting my time for what? lol

I have even been part in testing quite a few games over the decades. In Alpha and Beta phases. Not as a paid job, all on a voluntarily basis. I often even bought the games at realease myself even if I could at times be offered a free copy, as a thank you from the developers for testing their games, help to find bugs and give feedback leading up to launch. I collect games I enjoy and want the physical collectors edition when and if available, so I, buy them myself if and when possible. I have not been part in any of that for Millennia though. I have never been sponsored by any gaming compnay either, since I am not an influencer with a YouTube or Twitch channel.

I actually enjoy writing this type of stuff at times. As long as I can write about things that interest me, things I have thought a lot over and most importantly when it suits me. Share my hobbies and interest with others who might enjoy the same, or even challenge my ideas, opinions and thoughts in a constructive and mature way. When I'm in the mood for it. The opposite of having to squeeze out new articles after some schedule. The opposite of a paid job I guess.

It's also partly why I quit being a DJ back in the early 90's (after being one more or less the entire 80's). You often couldn't play the music you liked. You are paid to do a job and satisfy the audience/customers. The way most service minded jobs work. You had to pay yourself for music you didn't even want to own (back then vinyl still ruled, you didn't exactly have the ablity to d/l free music back then or burn cd's in your home or had some usb stick or laptop to put music on). Actually I wouldn't want to play using any of that even if it had been available back then. The physical analog feeling and control you have when mixing, scratching or transforming with vinyl records is superior to any digital form, in my opinion.

I'm happy to see that vinyl has made a really strong comeback. I even see tons of younglings roam in vinyl record stores these days. For some decades there was hardly any such stores to see around here. Now they are coming back. My friend owns one and he's making a small fortune now. Vinyl is in pretty high demand again. My old vinyl collection of around 3000 albums, but mostly 12" (inch) maxi-singles, is quite valuable now, according to him. My Prince vinyl collection too, he says, along with the paisley pattern decorated tambourine Prince threw out and I caught on a concert during his Parade Tour back in '86. Not that I would ever sell that. It's precious to me, but I digress.

It's important to at least have the self insight that most of what we think about things is just subjective. Opinions about games too of course. Music, movies, you name it. My opinions are no better than anyone elses. They're just mine. There is no right or wrong. Just personal taste. Not to make statements claiming to be facts that no one can disagree with, when they are just opinions, which everyone have the right to disagree with. Respect others opinions too, as long as they are not disingenuous or based on spreading false propaganda for whatever reason, or resort to personal attacks since they lack any real arguments.

[killeregon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tw1bKup8P8
this tells you all you wana know ;)