7.March of the Ants
March of the Antsuses a theme you don’t find in 4X games very often: ants. That’s not the only way this game sits outside the 4X norm. Games are relatively short at 60 to 90 minutes, plus you can play either alone or with up to five players.
This game takes the basic 4X formula and tweaks it with elements that aren’t entirely unlikeCarcassonne, making it worth picking up even if you’ve amassed a sizable collection.
6.Archipelago
Okay, so this isn’t atrue4X, because it effectively removes one of those elements. Specifically, you’re not exterminating fellow players during a game ofArchipelago.
That said, some people prefer to play cooperatively, especially when playing with people who aren’t necessarily as well-versed in board games as you might be.
Having a game likeArchipelagoaround can be perfect if you’ve got friends who are board game newbies. You can still win the game—you just can’t actually eliminate players.
5.Clash of Cultures
Clash of Cultures: Monumental Editiondefinitely owes a little to theCivilizationfranchise. That said, some players say that this game is more satisfying than the official board game based on the video game. It’s as simple to learn as that game, but might offer more depth.
How long this particular game takes to play varies based on how many players there are and how experienced they are, but expect games to roughly last around an hour per person playing.
4.Tiny Epic Kingdoms
IfTiny Epic Kingdomssounds strangely familiar, it’s probably because there is an entire subcategory ofTiny Epicgames. For example,Tiny Epic Galaxiesmade its way on to our list of the best single-player board games.
This game packs everything there is to love about the 4X genre into a pocket-sized package so you can take it everywhere. Games generally run from 30-45 minutes, so it’s also one of the friendlier games here when it comes to the time commitment.
Related:The best single-player board games
3.Space Empires 4X
If you like the idea and setting ofTwilight Imperiumbut don’t want to take up an entire day with a single game, take a look atSpace Empires 4X. This game will only take you around two hours to play a single game, but still has plenty of depth and complexity.
If you can’t always get a group together, this is also a great one to keep in mind, since it includes a single-player campaign.
Related:The best single-player card games
2.Twilight Imperium (4th Edition)
When I mentioned deeper games compared toCivilization, this is the kind of thing I was talking about. While that game takes roughly an hour, you can expect to spend anywhere from four to eight hours on a single game ofTwilight Imperium.
If you love epic space opera, this is the game for you. Not only is the lore filled with big sci-fi ideas, but the scope of the game is nothing short of grand.
1.Civilization: A New Dawn
If you’re a fan of 4X games on the PC, you’ve at the very least heard of theSid Meier’s Civilizationgames, even if you haven’t played them. As the name implies,Civilization: A New Dawnis a board game take on the video game series of the same name.
Much as there are deeper 4X video games available for hardcore strategy fans, you’ll find deeper board games. That’s part of why this is a great entry, as games only last around an hour and you can get up and running fairly quickly.
Want to Save Money on Board Games?
You may have noticed that some of the games on this list aren’t exactly cheap. It’s not out of the realm of possibility to spend more than $150 on a particularly large-scale board games. For some people, this is just too much.
The good news is you don’t have to spend that much if you don’t have your heart set on a brand-new game. If you want to feed your board gaming habit on a budget:
Read next:The best sites to buy used board games online
