Any other games like this but different?

[Stars-N-Stripes]

I want to like this game but I don't, same with the Civ series. The issue for me is you simply go through a list of buildings to build in each city, there is really no other decision other than what order you build stuff in you and you end up queuing up buildings and tedious. Why can't 4x games limit the number of things you can build and require you to specialize things, are there any game like this where you simply can't accomplish, build, and research everything in the game?

[Kit Fulvas]

anything Paradox basically.

Theres Crusaders Kings, which is a Medieval 4x set as a Ruler of the European areas, and Stellaris, a Sci-fi 4x about space travel,

(AoW4 is Paradox, so you know the brand is familiar with the genre atleast :p)

[Anthreris]

Not a 4X game and still has an optimal build formula, but Stronghold Legends might work. It has factions divided between King Arthur, Siegfried (Frost Faction: they have giants, and witches on flying brooms), Vlad the Impaler (Evil/Demonic Faction). There are some structures that can't be built by other factions like Wheat Farms are only build-able by Arthur's Faction.

Generally though the starts are the same, you have to strategically place your Stockpile, Granary, Woodcutters, and Farms within the build-able area. If your willing to go back further and ignore fantasy there is Stronghold Crusader, or the original Stronghold. However I don't know if there is anything else close with the same depth of customization as AOW4.

[Stars-N-Stripes]

Originally posted by Gman:

Not a 4X game and still has an optimal build formula, but Stronghold Legends might work. It has factions divided between King Arthur, Siegfried (Frost Faction: they have giants, and witches on flying brooms), Vlad the Impaler (Evil/Demonic Faction). There are some structures that can't be built by other factions like Wheat Farms are only build-able by Arthur's Faction.

Generally though the starts are the same, you have to strategically place your Stockpile, Granary, Woodcutters, and Farms within the build-able area. If your willing to go back further and ignore fantasy there is Stronghold Crusader, or the original Stronghold. However I don't know if there is anything else close with the same depth of customization as AOW4.

Thank you

[Steelairship]

I've found that Stellaris plays best when you specialize colonies into whatever resource its best at. Planets with a lot of mineral deposits and mining districts should be designated mining worlds, relic worlds or planets with features that boost research should be designated tech worlds, large planets should be designated urban or forge/factory worlds as those districts are maxxed out to the planet size, etc.

Endless Space 2 encourages specializing systems as each planet type gives specific yields, meaning you will want to build improvements (buildings) in systems where they synergize with the planet types in the system. I.e., build science improvements in systems with a lot of cold planets (which have extra science yields) or dust (money) improvements in systems with a lot of sterile planets (that have extra dust yields). Each improvement will say what type of planet it gives extra resources to (whether its hot/temperate/cold or fertile/neutral/sterile.

Kinda the same with Endless Legend except the yields come from tiles so certain buildings will synergize with certain tiles, so a city built around say forests (which give industry) will benefit from improvements that boost industry from forests.

Also another thing with the Endless games, particularly Endless Legends, is that you do not want to research everything as you only need to research a certain number of techs before the next era of techs are unlocked. Therefore, you will want to prioritize the tech that is most strategic for you, and leave behind techs that won't benefit you.

[Yannir]

Try Planetfall, it should be right about what you're asking. A lot more specialization of settlements.

[Darth Alpharius]

Heroes of Might and Magic Series, Total War Series, The Endless Series, Songs of Conquest, Masters of Orion Series.

Edit: Medieval Kingdom Wars

[~ Fabulous ~]

chaos galaxy 2

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1537910/Chaos_Galaxy_2/?curator_clanid=33633806

[Green Raven]

Total War games often limit the number of buildings you can put in a given city, so you have to decide: do I need a breadbasket, a military recruiting center, or an economic powerhouse in this spot?

[Mordefroy]

Another space 4x with some RTS feature : https://store.steampowered.com/app/1575940/Sins_of_a_Solar_Empire_II/

[Zer0 X]

I think you'd like the warhammer total war series, on the price/dlc heavy side of things but its a very different pacing.

[Stars-N-Stripes]

most of the games listed here still are too much like age of wonders where you each settlement/town you start you simply go through a list of building the same thing over and over. Build a library, build a barracks, build a research lab - rinse repeat. Looking for a game that limits what you can build so each settlement has to be specific - want to play a game where you can't possibly build everything and research everything in one game.

[EverydayJoe]

Warlords II

[TirAsleen]

Originally posted by Stars-N-Stripes:

most of the games listed here still are too much like age of wonders where you each settlement/town you start you simply go through a list of building the same thing over and over. Build a library, build a barracks, build a research lab - rinse repeat. Looking for a game that limits what you can build so each settlement has to be specific - want to play a game where you can't possibly build everything and research everything in one game.

AoW 1 the original.

You only build unique units, not buildings and the game does not hide the fact, that its designed for tactical combat.

[Naked Granny]

Originally posted by Yannir:

Try Planetfall, it should be right about what you're asking. A lot more specialization of settlements.

Planetfall was / is really really good. Oh my god, the setting and flavor of the thing is insane.

[easytarget]

Probably my favorite thread title this week.

These recommendations ignore the title and simply suggest well designed fun games to play:

Spellforce: Conquest of Eo.
AI War 2
Imperiums: Greek Wars
Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients
Massive Chalice
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock
Battletech
Sword of the Stars
Field of Glory: Empires \ Kingdoms w/ FOG2 and FOG:M
Old World
X-Com: UFO Defense (using complete update OpenXcom)
Shogun 2 / Rise of the Samurai / Fall of the Samurai

That should do, likely at least one or two of these you've never heard of or played.