Best 4X Games on Steam (for Mac OS)

Steam currently has 877 4X games, but not all of them are able to be played on Mac. Explore our list of the best picks ranked by Player Score. Our Player Score rankings are calculated directly from reviews left on the Steam store and will be updated in real-time as more players leave their feedback. 4X game rankings were last updated on 5/1/2026.

Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:

1. Sid Meier's Civilization® V

Create, discover, and download new player-created maps, scenarios, interfaces, and more!

Sid Meier's Civilization® V banner

Sid Meier's Civilization® V holds the #1 spot for "best Mac OS 4X game on Steam" with a Player Score of 94. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 209,353 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 200,113 positive reviews and 9,240 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $7.49 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Sid Meier's Civilization® V on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $7.49
Release Date 9/23/2010
Franchise Civilization Franchise
Developers
Publishers
Steam App Id 8930

2. Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition

Spanning the most turbulent era in Western history, your quest for territory and power takes you through Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and even onto the shores of the New World.

Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition banner

Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition has achieved a Player Score of 94, placing it in the #2 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 35,751 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 34,188 positive reviews and 1,563 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

3. Airships: Conquer the Skies

Construct mighty steampunk airships and fly them into battle, waging war and conquering the skies!

Airships: Conquer the Skies banner

Airships: Conquer the Skies has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #3 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 6,466 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 6,203 positive reviews and 263 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Airships: Conquer the Skies on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $24.99
Release Date 8/16/2018
Franchise David Stark
Developer David Stark
Publisher David Stark
Steam App Id 342560

4. Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

Sid Meier's Civilization IV®: Beyond the Sword is the second expansion pack for Civilization IV - the 2005 PC Game of the Year that has become a worldwide hit.

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword banner

Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword has achieved a Player Score of 93, placing it in the #4 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,956 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,768 positive reviews and 188 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $5.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $5.99
Release Date 7/24/2007
Franchise Civilization Franchise
Developer Firaxis Games
Publisher 2K
Steam App Id 8800

5. Songs of Syx

Songs of Syx is a fantasy city-builder with vast battles simulating thousands of citizens and soldiers. Start off as a small village and build, scheme, and fight your way towards a mighty empire. The mechanics are deep and true to life, where tiny events can spiral into the collapse of kingdoms. 

Songs of Syx banner

Songs of Syx has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 8,118 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 7,725 positive reviews and 393 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $24.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Songs of Syx on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $24.99
Release Date 9/21/2020
Developer Gamatron AB
Publisher Gamatron AB
Steam App Id 1162750

6. Empires of the Undergrowth

Command swarms of warriors at an unprecedented scale of warfare in this blend of RTS and base-building. Lead ant colonies against the many fearsome threats of the insect world, while building intricate nests, developing pheromone-based tactics, and evolving to meet growing dangers.

Empires of the Undergrowth banner

Empires of the Undergrowth has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 17,755 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 16,768 positive reviews and 987 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Empires of the Undergrowth on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $29.99
Release Date 6/7/2024
Franchise Hooded Horse
Developer Slug Disco
Publishers
Steam App Id 463530

7. Master of Orion 2

Forge an empire in a universe where population growth is stripping away planetary resources. Colonize unknown planets and trade with other races for their knowledge.

Master of Orion 2 banner

Master of Orion 2 has achieved a Player Score of 92, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,705 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,645 positive reviews and 60 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $5.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Master of Orion 2 on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $5.99
Release Date 2/25/2016
Franchise Wargaming Group Ltd.
Developer SimTex
Publisher Wargaming Labs
Steam App Id 410980

8. The Battle of Polytopia

Welcome to the unique, turn-based strategy game set in the strange, flat world of the Square. Lead one of 16 distinct civilizations to victory by expanding your empire, researching technologies, and ultimately become ruler of the world! Play in single-player or multiplayer mode for up to 16 players.

The Battle of Polytopia banner

The Battle of Polytopia has achieved a Player Score of 91, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,799 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,447 positive reviews and 352 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $14.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.

Steam Price $14.99
Release Date 8/4/2020
Developer Midjiwan AB
Publisher Midjiwan AB
Steam App Id 874390

9. Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic)

The New World lies before you with all its peril, promise and infinite possibility. Your colonists anxiously follow you to shore. The treasures of an entire continent await you.

Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic) banner

Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic) has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #9 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,117 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,072 positive reviews and 45 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $1.39 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic) on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $1.39
Release Date 10/9/2014
Developer MicroProse Software, Inc
Publishers
Steam App Id 327400

10. Nova Roma

The glory of Rome is at your fingertips in this city-building game where you must appease the gods, enact laws, and develop complex supply chains to meet the needs of your citizens.

Nova Roma banner

Nova Roma has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,720 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,633 positive reviews and 87 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $29.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Nova Roma on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $29.99
Release Date 3/26/2026
Franchise Lion Shield Studios
Developer Lion Shield
Publisher Hooded Horse
Steam App Id 2426530

More 4X Mac Games on Steam

Explore even more rankings for the 10 best 4X games available on Steam.

ImageName
Actions
Sid Meier's Civilization® V steam charts
9,545
9/23/2010
94
$7.49
Steam Charts
Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition steam charts
1,844
11/15/2006
94
$24.99
Steam Charts
Airships: Conquer the Skies steam charts
65
8/16/2018
93
$24.99
Steam Charts
Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword steam charts
1,013
7/24/2007
93
$5.99
Steam Charts
Songs of Syx steam charts
552
9/21/2020
92
$24.99
Steam Charts
Empires of the Undergrowth steam charts
490
6/7/2024
92
$29.99
Steam Charts
Master of Orion 2 steam charts
203
2/25/2016
92
$5.99
Steam Charts
The Battle of Polytopia steam charts
137
8/4/2020
91
$14.99
Steam Charts
Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic) steam charts
166
10/9/2014
90
$1.39
Steam Charts
Nova Roma steam charts
284
3/26/2026
90
$29.99
Steam Charts

Soures & References

Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Reviews and rankings are enriched, analyzed, and updated in real-time to ensure we surface the most up-to-date insights. Learn more about the Steambase approach to data collection and our review methodology.

  • Valve Corporation. (2026, May 1). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, May 1). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, April 30). Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, May 10). Airships: Conquer the Skies on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, April 30). Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, May 9). Songs of Syx on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, May 4). Empires of the Undergrowth on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, April 2). Master of Orion 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, May 8). The Battle of Polytopia on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, April 19). Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic) on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2026, May 10). Nova Roma on Steam. Steam Store.

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