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Did you know that Critical Moves has a Patreon? Strategy gaming deserves a podcast that goes deep - breaking down mechanics, analysing design choices, and debating the best (and worst) moves in the genre. That’s exactly what we do at Critical Moves Podcast. If you enjoy interviews with...

There are one or two other strategy gaming podcasts out there. eXplorminate and Three Moves Ahead are the obvious examples. eXplorminate focuses primarily on 4X games, covering deep dives into strategy mechanics, developer interviews, and discussions on the state of the genre. Three Moves Ahead...

Alright, folks, let’s talk strategy – not just in games, but in growing Critical Moves. We put a lot of time into the podcast, and we know some of you enjoy the discussions, the deep dives, and the occasional rant. If you want to see Critical Moves keep going strong (and maybe even expand), the...

From the war-torn battlefields of Ultramar, a new call to arms emerges. Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 3 has been announced, and if the previous two entries in the series are anything to go by, expect blood, bolters, and the relentless wrath of the Emperor’s chosen...

Sanctuary: Shattered Sun is real-time strategy on a grand scale, introducing never before seen mechanics such as earth-cracking superweapons and dynamic, map altering weather control. Freeze the ocean—and then drive your army over it, right into the heart of your enemy’s base! This fight for...

Classic RTS action meets modern production and performance in Tempest Rising. Inspired by RTS greats of the 90s and 2000s, Tempest Rising is a classic, base-building real time strategy game set in a modern day alternative history war scenario. It features 3 unique factions, each with its own...

RTS is making a comeback, and for the first time in years, we’ve actually got a solid lineup of upcoming games that could push the genre forward. Some are sticking to classic formulas, while others are experimenting with new mechanics. Which one has your attention? Tempest Rising – A love...

Everyone knows Cities: Skylines and SimCity, but there are plenty of great city-building and management games that don’t get nearly enough attention. Some lean into deep mechanics, others try new ideas that break the usual city-builder mold. Which lesser-known game deserves more recognition...

Not all city builders are about crafting the perfect utopia - some just want to see how long you can last before everything collapses. Managing food, resources, weather, and unpredictable disasters is just as important as expanding. Which survival-focused settlement game do you think does it...

Sometimes, everything just works. The roads flow smoothly, traffic isn’t a nightmare, the economy is thriving, and for once, your citizens aren’t rioting, starving, or drowning in pollution. What’s the most perfect city or settlement you’ve ever built? A massive, fully optimized metropolis in...

Some city builders let you create a sprawling metropolis with ease. Others make you fight for every brick, every meal, every miserable citizen just trying to survive another day. Whether it’s brutal survival mechanics, punishing logistics, or just the slow, painful realization that you’ve doomed...

City builders have come a long way, from the early days of SimCity to the detailed, sprawling metropolises of Cities: Skylines. Some focus on deep simulation, others on economy and trade, and some just throw you into survival mode and see if you can keep everyone from starving. So, what’s the...

Grand strategy and 4X games usually go one of two ways: slow, deliberate turn-based gameplay or real-time chaos with a pause button to keep things from spiralling out of control. Both have their strengths - and both have their frustrations. Turn-Based (Civilization, Old World, Master of Orion)...

Deep strategy games walk a fine line between complexity and fun. Some nail it, giving you an intricate but rewarding experience. Others just turn into a tedious slog, buried in bad mechanics or design choices that ruin the long game. What’s the worst mistake a grand strategy or 4X game can...

Every grand strategy and 4X game is about taking something small and turning it into something unstoppable - whether through diplomacy, war, or just sheer stubbornness. But some campaigns stick with you forever. Did you unite the world in Crusader Kings, turning a minor dynasty into an...

4X games have defined deep strategy for decades, giving players massive worlds (or galaxies) to explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate. Some lean into grand storytelling, others focus on pure mechanics - but which one stands above the rest? Master of Orion II – The foundation of space 4X...

Grand strategy games already demand patience, planning, and a high tolerance for menus, but some take it to another level. Whether it’s managing an entire economy, fine-tuning military logistics, or keeping an empire from collapsing under its own weight, some of these games feel more like...

Hit chance percentages in turn-based games are one of the biggest love-it-or-hate-it mechanics out there. Some players thrive on the chaos, where a lucky shot can turn the tide (or a missed 95% chance makes them want to uninstall). Others prefer pure strategy - no randomness, just decisions and...

Some turn-based games don’t just challenge you - they actively hate you. Every bad move sticks, every mistake snowballs, and sometimes even playing perfectly isn't enough. These are the games that don’t care about your feelings. Which one punished you the most? XCOM and its infamous 95% miss...

Not all turn-based strategy games are about blasting aliens or fighting dragons. Some go all-in on military realism, where logistics matter as much as firepower and a single bad decision can ruin an entire campaign. If you’ve ever agonized over whether to push forward or dig in, you know exactly...