10) A.I War: Fleet Command

AI War: Fleet Command 8.0 Trailer

If you are looking for a smart, unique, and strategic game, this one is for you. If you can look past the jarring visuals and steep learning curve, you'll find an extremely interesting game.

Unlike most other games, you start this game where a typical 4x game has ended, and you lost. Humanity made an artificial intelligence which revolted and wiped out most life from the galaxy, not just humans, but other races as well. The few pockets of resistance that survived are too insignificant for the A.I who has turned it's gaze onto other galaxies.

You play as the last remnants of the human race. From the beginning the game makes it clear that you have no chance against the A.I. The only way to survive is to stay under the radar. Your task is simple, kill the A.I and retake the galaxy by playing mind games with the A.I so that you can stand against it's might, easy right?

Yes, Those are all ships.

9) Imperium Galactica 2

Official Imperium Galactica 2 Launch Trailer

One of the most ambitious 4x games of the of the 90s, Imperium Galactica 2 offers you an experience that is unique even today.Unlike most 4x games, you can actually visit the surface of the planets and build cities or invade rival colonies and destroy them in fully fleshed 3D ground combat.The combat/galaxy map is also in full 3D, and even though the game is old, the combat visuals still hold up to this day, that combined with the amazing Bafta awarded soundtrack it is worth a try.

Base building, ground combat, a rare treat.

8) Galactic Civilizations 2

Galactic Civilizations 2 gameplay

Galciv 2 is considered a classic 4x game with exceptional A.I and loads of content. Did you ever want to build a ship that looks like a pyramid or a floating temple? Thanks to the detailed ship customization, you can make truly unique ships.

Unlike other turn-based 4x games here, everything is on one huge map, no instanced solar system/planets. This gives the player the feeling of an open galaxy even though it's 2D.

The combat itself is automatic and the ships will make choices based on how you built them, but they are fully 3D. You can customize a race or pick one of the premade ones with traditional roles like the industry focused race, or the science aliens.

The awkward moment when you realize, you don't know which star is yours.

7) Endless Space

Endless Space trailer

So you want a 4X game with great visuals, fun gameplay and interesting sci-fi concepts but also something that's simple and clean? Endless Space is the game for you then.

The game offers highly unique and different races, like the Horatio who are a faction of clones, or the Harmony, a primordial flock of sentient crystals.

The combat, while not as interactive as some other 4X games, is a treat to the eyes, huge intricate alien ships floating through space, firing volleys at each other. Each battling side has a set of cards that they can use to alter the battle.

If you want to get into the space 4x genre, be sure to pick this one up.

You don't need funcionality if you look badass.

6) Dominions 4: Thrones of Ascension

Dominions 4 gameplay trailer

Giant monolithic gods, underwater cannibal races, armies of mages and monsters clashing, a fantasy fan's wet dream.

If you ever wanted to play as a god, you are in the right place, while the game has a really steep learning curve and basic U.I, if you get past the rough rockhard cover, you find a soft delicious stuffing.

The game allows you to customize a unique god and choose a fantasy race to lead. Each race has a different theme and associated mechanics, but far the most interesting part of the game is the level at which you can manage your empire/armies. The battle is played out real-time, but you have to plan out the movements of your soldiers(or weird monsters) in advance.

If you are the type of person that can put up with rough games to find the rare gems, take a look at this one.

Better start conquering soon.

5) Sword of the Stars 1

Sword of the Stars Complete Collection Release Trailer

One of the most all around solid space 4X game on the market right now. The game to pick up if you want to have a good, simple space 4x experience where every aspect of the game is good.

Each race has a different FTL travel method, making them feel unique. The ship customization allows for sneaky tactics like bio-ships with the ability to virus bomb a planet, or destroyers disguised as trade ships.

Playing this game is a lot like eating a really good sandwich, you always find something new in it to enjoy.

One of the many interesting random events.

4) Space Empires 4

Space Empires 4 Let's play video

An old classic, only play it if you can tolerate clunky U.I. A great bridge between the more hardcore titles and a classic 4x game. Some features are surprisingly complex, like the different resources or customization, while others are more of the same ordinary 4x, like the tactical combat, or diplomacy.

While the combat is top-down view and looks basic with arcade-like sounds, thanks to the amazingly detailed ship building, has a surprising amount of depth with different sub systems and weapons.

Lots of buttons to press and get confused by.

3) Europa Universalis 4

Europa Universalis IV - Video Developer Diary: Exploration

The creme of the crop when it comes to realistic 4x games. If you ever wanted to play as a historical country in the context of actual history, play this. Just pick any nation on the face of the earth, make some goals and try to survive the coming centuries.

You begin the game at the start of the renaissance and play until the early 1800s as you wage wars, plot schemes and colonize and exploit the new world. There is nothing more fun than making some small change in the political landscape of the world and seeing what kind of alternate history will happen.

Uniting the North American native tribes and repelling the European nations, rebuilding Rome and disbanding the Papacy, you can do all of this and more in this history simulator.

Seems legit.

2) Distant Worlds:Universe

Distant Worlds trailer

While it may look like this is another low-budget 4x game, riding the high waves of the genre, this is far from the truth. Distant Worlds offer, in many cases the ultimate space 4x experience right now.

At the start of the game, you pick a starting galaxy, where you can even change the age of the races there which can affect a great many things gameplay wise. An old galaxy with many small races starting out, scavenging the carcass of precursor empires, or a young, lively place full of powerful nations, your choice.

The most interesting part of the game is the economics wich will leave you wanting for similar mechanics once you got back to other games. Every celestial body has a chance of producing a resource (out of the many present in the game, like a LOT), each does something different.

Every ship has an inventory which they use to haul goods across the galaxy working for different trading companies, making the universe a place that feels alive, and where even small choices change the game in ways you cannot foresee. Highly recommended.

It is a big universe out there.