2025 is almost over, and now we’re looking at what’s set to arrive in 2026, including the hottest upcoming 4X games.
Though several developers, both veterans and up-and-coming, are putting their own twists on the enduring 4X formula of the classics like Civilization and Age of Wonders, we’re still getting traditional celebrations of 4X games as they were a few decades ago. The reality is there’s room for all of them, as the rather niche community formed around the subgenre is passionate and always willing to embrace new titles… as long as they have something meaty enough to offer.
Atre: Dominance Wars
Atre: Dominance Wars is going huge (even by the subgenre’s standards) with an explosive and captivating mix of hardcore 4X systems, RTS elements, and deep fantasy lore. It’s paying clear homage to the old classics while creating a rich world of its own, and Ironward has been iterating on the game and polishing after several playtests versus rushing ahead with a half-baked early access build. In fact, it’s looking like the game will be launching straight into 1.0 when it arrives in 2026.
The basic mix of magic-powered warfare is enticing enough, but ‘god game’ elements have been thrown in for even richer clashes of empires and mythical heroes. On top of a massive single-player story campaign, players will be able to set up both co-op and versus online games that we suspect will be lasting hours. There’s even a map/campaign editor planned. Color us impressed.
Release window: 2026
Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era
Imagine our surprise when it was announced earlier this year that Hooded Horse would be teaming up with Ubisoft to work on a new Heroes of Might and Magic that’s bringing (or trying to bring) the franchise back to its satisfactory and colorful 4X plus RPG roots. So far, Olden Era looks spectacular.
We still don’t know how the whole thing will come together, but there’s a demo available on Steam at the time of writing, plus the promise by developer Unfrozen of welcoming both veterans and newcomers alike with familiar mechanics while breaking new (ancient) ground with a prequel to the original games. A non-linear campaign, skirmishes vs. AI, and online play are confirmed to be included at launch, and the art style is looking lovely. We’re hoping for the best.
Release window: 2026
Heart of Muriet
Heart of Muriet seems to be taking the 4X subgenre in a new direction with a mix of 4X elements and large-scale warfare that plays out like a traditional RTS. We’re no strangers to such experiments, but the focus on settlements that are developed in real time versus entire empires or regions should keep give it a more restrained and unique scope.
Also interesting is the decision to go neither realistic nor cartoony with the visuals, instead choosing voxel graphics that are both colorful and easy to read when war breaks out. Developer Matthias Schindler is teasing procedural level generation and a focus on single-player content, though it seems players will be able to create custom maps and share them via Steam Workshop too. With “easy unit control” and quick management (plus the ability to stop time), the focus appears to be on welcoming all types of players, and that’s definitely something we need more of in the strategy game space.
Release window: 2026
Ascendance
Ascendance is blending RTS and 4X systems, but on a grand strategy scale and in outer space. It’s also sacrificing flashiness for clean and straight-to-the-point visuals and UI across the board. Sure, things could change a lot between now and the end of its early access run (which hasn’t even started yet), but we think developer Torchdrive is on its way to create a different breed of 4X game here.
Despite the planned focus on accessibility, the idea is to make Ascendance a deeply complex game of simulations within simulations. From ship combat to entire galaxies to economy and politics systems, it’s all envisioned to support more variables than you can think of. It might be a while before this one comes together, but we’re liking how it all sounds.
Release window: 2026
Liegecraft
Liegecraft is more traditional in its approach to building a 4X sandbox set in medieval times, but the deeper systems built around vassals, lords, nobles, and whatnot could give it a very focused hook versus larger historical 4X games. In any case, it’s launching into early access, so things could change a lot based on player feedback.
In many ways, developer For Chaos seems to be aiming for the Game of Thrones crowd with this one, as social elements and political alliances (and backstabbing) appear to be at the center of the package. Once you pay attention to turn-based battles and the conquest and development of territories, it all looks more familiar, but we’re interested in those deeper, almost RPG-ish aspects and character relationships first and foremost.
Release window: 2026
Pixel Domain
Pixel Domain’s Steam page isn’t saying a whole lot, so we’re just dying to learn specifics about this one, but the screens alone and basic premise of mixing 4X, grand strategy, and card game elements made us quickly add it to this list. It looks special and unlike anything else we’ve come across while looking for 2026’s hottest planned 4X releases.
Developer Minmaxdog is promising a minimalistic approach to all those genres blended together which goes beyond the fun pixelated presentation. The goal is to either conquer the entire island or build a giant wonder, so there’s a bit of classical RTS philosophy in there for sure, too. Offline games versus AI, hotseat multiplayer, and online matches will all be supported when it launches into early access.
Release window: 2026
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