4X games

[KvickFlygarn87]

Are there any good free 4X games out there? I love the concept, but I'm not willing to pay for games just yet.

[MC.STEEL]

If you dont mind old Graphics, there are galactic civilization and master of Orion.As well as the civilization series for planet based,tru-history type of setting (civ 5 is modern mind you).

There is also Sins of a solar empire but that is RTS in space so i do not know if its relevant.

Also there is endless space that is an up to date,modern 4x.

One less known 4X I would like to showcase is Stardrive:

It is almost a homage to earlier space based 4X and is not half bad (for a beta atleast).

It has a badly designed planetary invasion mechanic and a bit of stability issues and its made by one guy (minus the diplomacy screen art i think)

Oops i just notice you want free. I cant think of any,You could allways try a demo or ask a friend that has one and try it.

Edited April 30, 2014 by MC.STEEL

[Godot]

If you like games like Dwarf fortress (i.e. highly complex games with minimal graphics content)

you might like to look at Aurora:

http://aurora2.pentarch.org/index.php

Here a review that shows what Aurora is all about:

http://www.pcworld.com/article/243397/aurora_an_intense_game_of_intergalactic_exploration_and_expansion.html

Edited April 30, 2014 by Godot

[XiXLLAMAXiX]

I would recommend Neptune's Pride http://triton.ironhelmet.com/

The game is "real time" but it takes several hours to days for ships to go from star to star, so you have to log in periodically to make sure that you're not being backstabbed. Makes for truly epic conflict as by the end of the first week you're really invested in your empire.

If you are interested in Sins of a Solar empire, I can arrange for you to get a copy of the original game (no expansions) so you can get a feel for it, I would of course ask that if you like it, you purchase a copy to support the developers.

Alternatively, for the exact opposite of Neptune's Pride's absurdly long game, there is 10 Minute Space Strategy. http://www.desura.com/games/10-min-space-strategy.

[Vanamonde]

Master of Orion 1 & 2 are great games, but stay away from MOO3. It is, no exaggeration, the worst game design I have encountered in 23 years of playing this these. Absolutely godawful.

[Godot]

Master of Orion 1 & 2 are great games, but stay away from MOO3. It is, no exaggeration, the worst game design I have encountered in 23 years of playing this these. Absolutely godawful.

MoO3 it is not a so bad game anymore, after the last patches, which included a fix for the notorious PD bug.

But I agree that it has a learning cliff that has to be mastered before one can enjoy the game (also it might not be somethign for people who definitel need to micromanage everything)

(Nonetheless, fact is, of course, that MoO2 is the far greater game compared to MoO3)

[KvickFlygarn87]

If you are interested in Sins of a Solar empire, I can arrange for you to get a copy of the original game (no expansions) so you can get a feel for it, I would of course ask that if you like it, you purchase a copy to support the developers.

I would absolutely love that! I just took a quick peek at it, looks super neat!

[air805ronin]

I would absolutely love that! I just took a quick peek at it, looks super neat!

I love Sins of a Solar Empire quite a bit, though playing the computer can get a little repetitive it usually shines when you play friends.

You generally start viewing star systems in a way that various planets become chokepoints and you station fleets there. Once you get into expansions you can build huge Death Star-esque space stations, or in the lastest expansions huge titan ships.

[KvickFlygarn87]

Anything else?