You've got Civilization 7, Stellaris, Age of Empires 2, and Manor Lords - in one sense, the 4X and strategy game world is livelier than ever. But some of those names may also feel a little familiar by now. If you've put hours into Firaxis' tentpole series and exhausted some of Paradox's other mainstays, Age of Wonders 4 is the ideal, less-exposed alternative. The ratings are big (we gave it 9/10) and the gameplay is a mix of traditional expansion, extermination, exploration, and exploitation with smaller-scale tactical combat. If you've never given AoW 4 a shot, now is definitely the time. Archon Prophecy, the new Age of Wonders 4 DLC, has a release date, and brings dozens of new features to one of strategy genre's greatest sleeper hits.
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After a giant update, Paradox 4X game Age of Wonders 4 is free to play right now