The best games with the 4x mechanism 2023
Looking for a really good game with 4x mechanism? Then we have just the thing for you: The list with the best 4X games 2023.
What are 4X (mechanism) games?
In this list you will find games, expansions, promos, etc. that use a 4X mechanism in gameplay, not just in pictures or the theme.
4X games are a growing family of games connected by 4 categories of gameplay, all of which are crucial elements of the game:
- eXplore
Exploring the map with units, revealing the terrain of the area or something significant hidden in the area. What is uncovered will affect the game now and/or later. - eXpand
Expand the size of your territory by claiming areas on the map. Gaining or losing territory will affect the game. - eXploit
Exploit the occupied territories by improving them, gaining some/or using the territory to increase your units and/or power. These 3 things (improve, gain, and use) can happen in any order. - eXterminate
Eliminate other players with units (which can also be lost) from the game. It does not have to be very likely that a player can be eliminated from the game - only possible.
If it is impossible to eliminate a player from the game, but everything else (including combat) is like a 4X, the game is called a 3.5X.
The four Xs do not have to happen separately or one after the other.... they can be combined and happen at the same time. However, in a 4X game, all four Xs will enter.
Since all territories will eventually be claimed, attacking and/or eliminating the presence of a rival may be the only way to achieve further expansion.
List with the best games 2023, with 4x mechanism:
Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy
Nominated for 2 awards and won 2.
🔥 Deal: 5% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Eclipse: Second Dawn for the Galaxy- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 - 200 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
🔥 Great price!118€ at.de
Rise of Tribes
- 2 - 4 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Rise of Tribes
Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition- 3 - 6 Players
- 240 - 480 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
👍 Good price!118€ at.de
Video reviews for Twilight Imperium: Fourth Edition
Clash of Cultures: Monumental Edition
- 2 - 4 Players
- 180 - 240 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
👍 Good price!115€ at.de
Barony
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Easy to learn
Video reviews for Barony
Star Trek: Ascendancy
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Star Trek: Ascendancy- 3 Players
- 180 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy
Nominated for 17 awards and won 7.
🔥 Deal: 5% cheaper than the best Geizhals deal, likely for a short time only!
More details for Eclipse: New Dawn for the Galaxy- 2 - 6 Players
- 60 - 180 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
🔥 Great price!118€ at.de
Tiny Epic Kingdoms
Nominated for 1 award and won 1.
More details for Tiny Epic Kingdoms- 2 - 5 Players
- 30 - 45 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Easy to learn
Forbidden Stars
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Forbidden Stars- 2 - 4 Players
- 120 - 180 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Video reviews for Forbidden Stars
Empires: Age of Discovery
- 2 - 6 Players
- 50 - 150 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Space Empires 4X
Nominated for 2 awards and won 1.
More details for Space Empires 4X- 1 - 4 Players
- 60 - 240 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Conquest of Paradise
- 1 - 4 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Easy to learn
March of the Ants
- 1 - 5 Players
- 60 - 90 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Heroes of Land, Air & Sea
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Heroes of Land, Air & Sea- 1 - 4 Players
- 120 - 180 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Dominant Species
Nominated for 8 awards and won 3.
More details for Dominant Species- 2 - 6 Players
- 120 - 240 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Civilization: A New Dawn
Nominated for 3 awards.
More details for Civilization: A New Dawn- 2 - 4 Players
- 60 - 120 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!40€ at.de
Video reviews for Civilization: A New Dawn
Clash of Cultures
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Clash of Cultures- 2 - 4 Players
- 180 - 240 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
👍 Good price!115€ at.de
Imperial Stars II
- 1 - 2 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Runewars
Nominated for 5 awards.
More details for Runewars- 2 - 4 Players
- 180 - 240 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Galaxy Command
- 1 - 4 Players
- 10 - 45 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Easy to learn
Empires of the Void II
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Empires of the Void II- 2 - 5 Players
- 90 - 180 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Dice Settlers
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Dice Settlers- 1 - 4 Players
- 45 - 60 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Video reviews for Dice Settlers
Horizons
- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 - 75 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Sid Meier's Civilization: The Board Game
Nominated for 7 awards and won 1.
More details for Sid Meier's Civilization: The Board Game- 2 - 4 Players
- 120 - 240 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Hard to learn
Impulse
- 2 - 6 Players
- 30 - 60 Minutes
- 13+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Master of the Galaxy
- 2 - 4 Players
- 45 - 120 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Alien Artifacts
Nominated for 2 awards.
More details for Alien Artifacts- 2 - 5 Players
- 60 Minutes
- 10+ years old
- Medium difficulty
👍 Good price!11€ at.de
Video reviews for Alien Artifacts
New Dawn
- 2 - 4 Players
- 90 - 120 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Galactic Emperor
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Galactic Emperor- 3 - 6 Players
- 90 Minutes
- 12+ years old
- Medium difficulty
Exodus: Proxima Centauri
Nominated for 1 award.
More details for Exodus: Proxima Centauri- 2 - 6 Players
- 180 Minutes
- 14+ years old
- Hard to learn
Didn't find the game you were looking for?
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