Year | Game | Developer | Setting | Platform | Notes |
1983 | Reach for the Stars[4] | SSG | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, WIN, APPII, MAC, C64, AMI | Remade in 2000 under the same name.[5] |
1984 | Imperium Galactum | SSI | Sci-fi (Space) | APPII, ATR, C64 | |
1984 | Incunabula | Avalon Hill | Historical | DOS | |
1985 | Strategic Conquest | Peter Merrill, Delta Tao | Historical | APPII, MAC | |
1987 | Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 | Thinking Machine Associates | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS | |
1987 | Xconq | Stan Shebs, others | n/a | CROSS | |
1988 | Reach for the Stars: The Conquest of the Galaxy - Third Edition | SSG | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, C64, APPII, AMI, MAC, PC98 | Third & last edition. Updated to 16-bit computers. |
1988 | Stellar Crusade[6] | SSI | Sci-fi (Space) | ST, DOS, AMI | |
1990 | Imperium | Intelligent Games | Sci-fi (Space) | ST, DOS, AMI | |
1990 | Spaceward Ho![7] | Delta Tao | Sci-fi (Space) | MAC, WIN, AMI | |
1991 | Armada 2525[8] | Interstel | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS | |
1991 | Civilization[9] | MicroProse | Historical | DOS, WIN, MAC, AMI, ST, SNES, PS1, SAT | First title in the series. |
1992 | Pax Imperia | Changeling Software | Sci-fi (Space) | Apple Macintosh | First title in the series. |
1992 | VGA Planets[10] | Tim Wisseman | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS | |
1993 | Master of Orion[11] | Simtex | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, MAC | First title in the series. First game to use the term "4X". |
1993 | Space Empires | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | First title in the series. |
1994 | Colonization[1] | MicroProse | Historical | AMI, DOS, WIN, MAC | |
1994 | K240[12] | Gremlin Graphics | Sci-fi (Space) | AMI | |
1994 | Master of Magic[13] | Simtex | Fantasy | DOS | |
1994 | Reunion | Digital Reality | Sci-fi (Space) | AMI, DOS | |
1995 | Ascendancy[14] | The Logic Factory | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, WIN, IPAD (iOS) | |
1995 | Space Empires II | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Space Empires. |
1995 | Stars![15] | Jeff Johnson and Jeff McBride | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
1996 | Civilization II[16] | MicroProse | Historical | MAC, PS1, WIN | Sequel to Civilization. |
1996 | Destiny: World Domination from Stone Age to Space Age | Dagger Interactive | Historical | WIN | |
1996 | Emperor of the Fading Suns[17] | Holistic | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | |
1996 | Freeciv[18] | Freeciv team | Historical | MULTIPLATFORM | Civilization clone. |
1996 | Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares[11] | Simtex | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS, WIN, MAC | Sequel to Master of Orion. |
1997 | Fragile Allegiance[19] | Gremlin | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN9X, DOS | |
1997 | Imperialism[20] | Frog City | Historical | MAC, WIN | |
1997 | Imperium Galactica[1] | Digital Reality | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS | First title in the series. |
1997 | Into the Void | Adrenalin Entertainment | Sci-fi (Space) | DOS | |
1997 | Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain | Heliotrope Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, MAC | Sequel to Pax Imperia. |
1997 | Space Empires III | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Space Empires II. |
1998 | Star Wars: Rebellion[3] | Coolhand | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
1999 | Age of Wonders | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | First title in the series. |
1999 | Civilization II: Test of Time | MicroProse | Historical, Fantasy or Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | Remake of Civilization II. |
1999 | Civilization: Call to Power[1] | Activision | Historical and Sci-fi (Planet) | BEOS, LIN, MAC, WIN | Spin-off of Civilization. |
1999 | Imperialism II: Age of Exploration[3] | Frog City | Historical | OSX, WIN | Sequel to Imperialism. |
1999 | Malkari | iMagic | Sci-fi | WIN | [21] |
1999 | Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri[3] | Firaxis | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN, LIN, MAC | Pseudo-sequel to Civilization. |
1999 | Star Trek: Birth of the Federation[22] | MicroProse | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2000 | Call to Power II | Activision | Historical and Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | Sequel to Civilization: Call to Power. |
2000 | Imperium Galactica II: Alliances[23] | Digital Reality | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Imperium Galactica. |
2000 | Reach for the Stars (2000) | SSG | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Remake of 1988 DOS version with weird visuals. |
2000 | Space Empires IV[24] | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Space Empires III. |
2001 | Civilization III[9] | Firaxis | Historical | WIN, MAC | Sequel to Civilization II. |
2002 | Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | Sequel to Age of Wonders. |
2002 | Dominions: Priests, Prophets and Pretenders | Illwinter Game Design | Fantasy | WIN, LIN, OSX | Turn based. |
2002 | Starships Unlimited[25] | Apezone | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2003 | Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | Sequel to Age of Wonders II: The Wizard's Throne. |
2003 | Dominions II: The Ascension Wars | Illwinter Game Design | Fantasy | WIN, LIN, OSX | Turn based. Sequel to Dominions: Priests, Prophets and Pretenders. |
2003 | FreeCol | The Freecol Team | Historical | WIN, OSX, LIN | Colonization clone. |
2003 | Galactic Civilizations | Stardock | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn based. First title in the series. |
2003 | Master of Orion III[26] | Quicksilver | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX | Sequel to Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares. |
2004 | Anacreon: Imperial Conquest in the Far Future | George Moromisato | Sci-fi | WIN | Remake of Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021. |
2004 | Aurora[27] | Steve Walmsley | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Freeware. |
2004 | FreeOrion[28] | Various developers | Sci-fi (Space) | LIN | Initial release date. |
2005 | Civilization IV[16] | Firaxis | Historical | WINNT, OSX | Sequel to Civilization III. |
2006 | C-evo[29] | Steffen Gerlach | Historical | WIN | Civilization clone. |
2006 | Dominions 3: The Awakening | Illwinter Game Design | Fantasy | WIN, OSX, LIN | Turn based. Sequel to Dominions II: The Ascension Wars. |
2006 | Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords[13] | Stardock | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn based. Sequel to Galactic Civilizations. |
2006 | Space Empires V[30] | Malfador | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Sequel to Space Empires IV. |
2006 | Sword of the Stars[31] | Kerberos | Sci-fi (Space) | WINNT | Turn-based with real-time combat. |
2007 | Armageddon Empires | Cryptic Comet | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | Turn-based. |
2007 | Lost Empire[32] | Pollux Gamelabs | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. |
2008 | Civilization IV: Colonization | Firaxis | Historical | WIN | |
2008 | Civilization Revolution | Firaxis | Historical | PS3, DS, X360 | |
2008 | Lost Empire: Immortals[33] | Pollux Gamelabs | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. |
2008 | Shattered Suns[34] | Clear Crown | Sci-fi (Space) | PC | Real-time. |
2008 | Sins of a Solar Empire[13] | Ironclad | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-time. |
2009 | AI War: Fleet Command[35] | Arcen Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Hybrid RTS/tower defense/4X game.[35] |
2010 | Armada 2526[8] | Ntronium Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2010 | Civilization V[13] | Firaxis | Historical | WIN, OSX, LIN | Sequel to Civilization IV. |
2010 | Distant Worlds[36] | Code Force | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-time. |
2010 | Elemental: War of Magic[37] | Stardock | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based strategy with a fantasy theme, combining role-playing elements. |
2010 | Neptune's Pride[38] | Iron Helmet Games | Sci-fi (Space) | BROW | Real-time. |
2010 | Star Ruler[39] | Blind Mind Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-time. |
2011 | Sword of the Stars II: The Lords of Winter[31] | Kerberos | Sci-fi (Space) | WINNT | Turn-based with Real-time combat. Sequel to Sword of the Stars. |
2012 | Elemental: Fallen Enchantress[40] | Stardock | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based strategy with a fantasy theme, combining role-playing elements. |
2012 | Endless Space[41] | Amplitude Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX | Turn-based. |
2012 | Legends of Pegasus[42] | Novacore Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. |
2012 | Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion[3] | Ironclad | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-Time. Expansion to Sins of a Solar Empire. |
2012 | Warlock: Master of the Arcane[13] | 1C:Ino-Co Plus | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based. Derived from the Majesty universe. |
2013 | Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension[43] | Illwinter Game Design | Fantasy | WIN, OSX, LIN | Turn based. Sequel to Dominions 3: The Awakening. |
2013 | Eador: Masters of the Broken World[44] | Snowbird Games | Fantasy | WIN | |
2013 | Fallen Enchantress: Legendary Heroes[3] | Stardock | Fantasy | WIN, OSX, LIN | |
2013 | Lords of the Black Sun[45] | Arkavi Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. |
2013 | Pandora: First Contact[46] | Proxy Studios | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN, OSX, LIN | Turn-based planetary colonization and conquest, borrowing heavily from Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. |
2013 | StarDrive[47] | Zer0sum Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Real-time. |
2014 | Age of Wonders III[18] | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | Sequel to Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic. |
2014 | Civilization Revolution 2 | Firaxis | Historical | IOS, AND, VITA | Turn-based. Sequel to Civilization Revolution. |
2014 | Distant Worlds: Universe[3] | Code Force | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2014 | Endless Legend[3] | Amplitude Studios | Fantasy | WIN, OSX | Endless Legend is a 4X turn-based fantasy strategy game by the creators of Endless Space and Dungeon of the Endless. |
2014 | Horizon[48] | L3O | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game with MOO2 like tactical combat and story missions. |
2014 | Sid Meier's Civilization: Beyond Earth[44] | Firaxis | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN, LIN | Turn-based. |
2014 | Sorcerer King[49] | Stardock | Fantasy | WIN | |
2014 | Star Ruler 2[44] | Blind Mind Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX, LIN | Real-time. Sequel to Star Ruler. |
2014 | Star Traders: 4X Empires[50] | Trese Brothers | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | |
2014 | Warlock II: The Exiled[44] | 1C:Ino-Co Plus | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based. Sequel to Warlock: Master of the Arcane. |
2015 | Galactic Civilizations III[3] | Stardock | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. Sequel to Galactic Civilizations II: Dread Lords. |
2015 | Galactic Inheritors[51] | Argonauts Interactive | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game. |
2015 | Hegemony III: Clash of the Ancients[52] | Longbow Games | Historical | WIN | Real-time with pause strategy game. |
2015 | Predestination[53] | Brain and Nerd Ltd | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game. |
2015 | Sid Meier's Starships[54] | Firaxis Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based space strategy game. |
2015 | StarDrive 2[55] | Zer0sum Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. Sequel to StarDrive. |
2015 | Worlds of Magic[56] | Wastelands Interactive | Fantasy | MULTIPLATFORM | |
2016 | Civilization VI[3] | Firaxis Games | Historical | WIN, OSX, LIN, PS4, X360, NX | Sequel to Civilization V. |
2016 | Falling Stars: War of Empires[57] | Riveted Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based online digital tabletop game. |
2016 | Feudalism | IV Productions, Imagimotion Srl | Historical | WIN | Turn-based. |
2016 | Master of Orion Conquer the Stars[3] | NGD Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX, LIN | Turn-based. Reboot of the Master of Orion series. |
2016 | Stellaris[3] | Paradox Interactive | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX, LIN, PS4 | Real-time space grand strategy game. |
2016 | The Battle of Polytopia | Midjiwan AB | Historical | WIN, OSX, LIN, NX, IOS, AND | Turn-based. |
2017 | Dominions 5: Warriors of the Faith[3] | Illwinter Game Design | Fantasy | WIN, OSX, LIN | Turn based. Sequel to Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension. |
2017 | Endless Space 2[3] | Amplitude Studios | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN, OSX | Endless Space 2 is a turn-based strategy, science fiction 4X game. It is the sequel to the Endless Space. |
2017 | Oriental Empires[3] | Iceberg Interactive | Historical | WIN | Turn-based. |
2017 | Stars in Shadow[58] | Ashdar Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based strategy in the vein of Master of Orion 2. |
2017 | Thea: The Awakening[59] | MuHa Games | Fantasy | WIN, XOne, PS4, NX | Turn-based strategy game. |
2018 | Aggressors: Ancient Rome[3] | Kubat Software | Historical | WIN | 4X turn-based strategy game with tactical elements. |
2018 | Space Tyrant[60] | Blue Wizard Digital | Space | WIN | Streamlined 4X game. |
2018 | Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War[3] | Proxy Studios | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN, OSX, LIN | Takes place in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. |
2019 | Age of Wonders: Planetfall[3] | Triumph Studios | Space | WIN, PS4, XONE | Turn-based. |
2019 | Interstellar Space: Genesis[61] | Praxis Games | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based strategy in the vein of Master of Orion 2 and Stellaris. |
2019 | Thea 2: The Shattering[3] | MuHa Games | Fantasy | WIN, XONE, NX | Turn-based strategy. |
2020 | Imperiums: Greek Wars[62] | Kube Games | Historical | WIN | Hybrid 4X/grand strategy turn-based game with mythological twist.[62] |
2020 | Pax Nova | GreyWolf Entertainment | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. |
2020 | Shadow Empire[36] | Matrix Games | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | 4X Turn-based strategy on a far-future, post-apocalyptic world. |
2021 | Humankind[63] | Amplitude Studios | Historical | WIN, OSX, Stadia | 4X turn-based strategy game. |
2021 | Old World[18] | Mohawk Games | Historical | WIN, OSX, LIN | |
2022 | Distant Worlds 2[64] | CodeForce | Space | WIN | Real time with pause.[64] |
2022 | Dune: Spice Wars | Shiro Games | Sci-fi (Planet) | WIN | Real time with pause. |
2022 | Galactic Civilizations IV | Stardock | Sci-fi (Space) | WIN | Turn-based. Sequel to Galactic Civilizations III. |
2022 | Master of Magic | MuHa Games | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based. Remake of the original Master of Magic. |
2023 | Age of Wonders 4 | Triumph | Fantasy | WIN | Turn-based. Sequel to Age of Wonders III. |
2024 | Millennia | C Prompt Games | Historical | WIN | |
2024 | Ara: History Untold | Oxide Games | Historical | WIN | 4X turn-based strategy game. |