The Hardest 4X Strategy Games

4X games are part of the strategy genre and are similar to the grand strategy subgenre, with a few caveats. The 4 X's in question stand for explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate, which gives players a general idea of what they should be doing to win in these games. However, these games also have a reputation for being more difficult and complicated than other strategy games, largely because of the volume of information players have to manage as they complete their tasks.

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By  Sid Natividad

There are some 4X games that are fairly simple and some that are extremely difficult, even for long-time fans of the genre. So, players seeking a real challenge to sink their teeth into within the 4X genre should look no further.

7 Humankind

GameFAQs Difficulty - Tough

Humankind is a fairly simple game once players break into it, but for newcomers, it's a challenging game to get the hang of. Rather than choosing one civilization and sticking with it across the six-game ages, players must choose a different civilization type as they progress into each age, meaning they won't get to spend much time with their original play style before having to change it. With so much change over the course of the game, players can quickly become overwhelmed, making this game a difficult entry-level 4X game.

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By  Cameron Scott Cook

Humankind may not present too much challenge for veterans of the 4X genre despite the difficulty score due to following the conventions of the genre closely, but for newcomers, it will be a massive challenge to understand all of the mechanics of the game. The fame system can also be a confusing aspect, making it hard to win on the first try.

6 Stellaris

GameFAQs Difficulty - Just Right/Tough

Stellaris is a 4X game that even looks complicated, especially on the player's first try. There is a lot of information needed to succeed in the game, which can make the UI seem cluttered before players understand how it works. More than that, understanding how the game works and what players need to do to get a win will take a long time, even for players who have explored the 4X genre before. Players may not get that cooperation with neighbors is key to winning the game at first, which is one of the more unique aspects of the game that adds a challenge.

Stellaris is an extremely complex game, even within the 4X genre, but players should not be scared off by that. There is a steep learning curve that makes the game very difficult for a while, but as players learn the game and play more, at least some of the difficulty will fall off, and players will become more successful in the game.

5 Civilization 6

GameFAQs Difficulty - Just Right/Tough

Civilization 6 is another game that becomes more difficult as players get more information to manage and more things to do in the game. While the base game itself follows the Civilization formula fairly neatly, as more DLCs are added, there are more and more differences from that which makes the game a lot more difficult. For example, the Gathering Storm expansion practically forces players to get used to a new play style, even if they're already so used to the typical style of playing 4X games.

The difficulty in Civilization 6 ramps up a lot as players add DLC, but even in the base game, the harder difficulty levels will provide players with a challenge. There are options for everyone, including complete newbies, but even then, the game can be challenging to learn at first, especially with so many paths to victory.

4 Distant Worlds 2

GameFAQs Difficulty - Unavailable

• Platforms: Windows
• Developer: Code Force
• Release Date: 2022-03-10

Distant Worlds 2 is a galactic 4X game that requires players to have excellent management and relationship-building skills to be able to succeed. Players seeking the easiest possible experience can just check the full automation settings, but for players seeking the real challenge, the manual mode is extremely difficult to manage. There are so many aspects to control and manage over the course of a game that it can be hard just to keep up with everything, never mind actually winning the game. The player can create a huge empire if they choose, or they can keep it small, but either way, it's not very manageable.

Distant Worlds 2 can either be an easy ride or a hard challenge, depending on the player and how they choose to approach the game. The fully manual mode is a difficult experience even for veterans of the genre, which can become frustrating or thoroughly enjoyable.

3 Endless Space 2

GameFAQs Difficulty - Just Right/Tough

Endless Space 2 is another galactic 4X game that ramps up in difficulty as players expand their empires. The AI is also very sharp, especially in the early game, which leaves players at a huge disadvantage for the rest of the game if they don't focus everything on catching up to them. There are several different difficulty levels, ramping all the way up to endless, which many players struggle to even make a few turns on. The difficulty is in keeping up with everyone else, not necessarily even beating them.

Endless Space 2 can be challenging for all players, especially as they select harder difficulty levels. Learning the game can be challenging enough on its own without even considering the fact that the AI usually leaps ahead of the player within the first few turns. Endless Space 2 is not for the faint of heart.

2 Dominions 6

GameFAQs Difficulty - Unavailable

• Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac
• Developer: Illwinter Game Design
• Release Date: 2024-01-17

Dominions 6 is one of the hardest 4X games for players to try out, mostly because of the sheer volume of things to learn as players start out. Pair that with an unusual premise for players to wrap their heads around, and the game difficulty already seems almost insurmountable before players even start playing the game. That includes a bunch of challenges, as managing the empire players are building must be balanced with the faith of the citizens, or else the player will lose.

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By  Musaab

Dominions 6 is a deeply complicated and difficult 4X game, even for players who have experienced a lot of 4X games. There is so much squeezed into the game, and so much to manage as players must expand, and the game is challenging even at its easiest difficulty. The concept itself is also unfamiliar within the genre, adding another layer of difficulty.

1 Star Ruler 2

GameFAQs Difficulty - Tough

• Platforms: Windows. Linux
• Developer: Blind Mind Studios, Glacicle
• Release Date: 2015-03-27

Finally, Star Ruler 2 is the most difficult 4X game available for players today. The AI usually leaps ahead of the player, even on the normal difficulty setting, which makes it an uphill battle to win. There is so much to learn, even just getting into the game in the first place. If players aren't engaged in the supply chain mechanics that rule space, there is almost no way to secure a victory. Trading with other planets is also challenging because they only produce natural resources, so there is limited availability, unlike in other 4X games.

Star Ruler 2 takes the idea of a classic 19th-century 4X game and puts it in space, which is an enjoyable concept. However, it is not without challenges. Managing all of the resources on the planet while still trying to be diplomatic and even build up an army gives the player so much to do that the difficulty level is simply through the roof.

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