Best 4X Games on Steam (for Mac OS)

Steam currently has 637 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 11/18/2024.

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 95. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 200,513 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 192,635 positive reviews and 7,878 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $29.99 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 $29.99
Release Date 9/21/2010
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 32,127 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 30,760 positive reviews and 1,367 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. 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 #3 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,363 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,207 positive reviews and 156 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $9.99 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 $9.99
Release Date 7/24/2007
Franchise Civilization Franchise
Developer Firaxis Games
Publisher 2K
Steam App Id 8800

4. 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 #4 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 5,668 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 5,445 positive reviews and 223 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

5. 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 91, placing it in the #5 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,476 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,427 positive reviews and 49 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

6. 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 90, placing it in the #6 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 4,830 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 4,532 positive reviews and 298 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $7.49 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 $7.49
Release Date 8/4/2020
Developer Midjiwan AB
Publisher Midjiwan AB
Steam App Id 874390

7. Crusader Kings III

Love, fight, scheme, and claim greatness. Determine your noble house’s legacy in the sprawling grand strategy of Crusader Kings III. Death is only the beginning as you guide your dynasty’s bloodline in the rich and larger-than-life simulation of the Middle Ages.

Crusader Kings III banner

Crusader Kings III has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #7 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 117,358 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 107,287 positive reviews and 10,071 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $49.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Crusader Kings III on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $49.99
Release Date 9/1/2020
Franchise Paradox Interactive - Official
Developer Paradox Development Studio
Publisher Paradox Interactive
Steam App Id 1158310

8. Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith

In Dominions 5 you take control of a powerful being that rules a nation and aspires to godhood. The type of Pretender Gods can vary from magically powerful arch mages to huge titans or large monuments. Dominions is a deep 4x turn based strategy game with a very large variety of spells and units.

Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith banner

Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith has achieved a Player Score of 90, placing it in the #8 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,126 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,008 positive reviews and 118 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $39.99 to play and can be played and ran on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $39.99
Release Date 11/27/2017
Developer Illwinter Game Design
Publisher Illwinter Game Design
Steam App Id 722060

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 928 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 888 positive reviews and 40 negative reviews — making it "Overwhelmingly Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $6.99 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 Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic) on the Steam Deck.

Steam Price $6.99
Release Date 10/9/2014
Developer MicroProse Software, Inc
Publishers
Steam App Id 327400

10. Sid Meier's Civilization® IV

With over 6 million units sold and unprecedented critical acclaim from fans and press around the world, Sid Meier's Civilization is recognized as one of the greatest PC game franchises of all-time. Now, Sid Meier and Firaxis Games will take this incredibly fun and addictive game to new heights by adding new ways to play and win, new...

Sid Meier's Civilization® IV banner

Sid Meier's Civilization® IV has achieved a Player Score of 89, placing it in the #10 spot for the best Mac OS 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 3,206 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,980 positive reviews and 226 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.

It is priced at $19.99 to play and can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Sid Meier's Civilization® IV on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).

Steam Price $19.99
Release Date 10/25/2006
Franchise Civilization Franchise
Developer Firaxis Games
Publisher 2K
Steam App Id 3900

More 4X Mac Games on Steam

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

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. (2024, November 18). Steam Store. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Sid Meier's Civilization® V on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 18). Total War: MEDIEVAL II – Definitive Edition on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 5). Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 4). Airships: Conquer the Skies on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 7). Master of Orion 2 on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 28). The Battle of Polytopia on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 9). Crusader Kings III on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, November 21). Dominions 5 - Warriors of the Faith on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 9). Sid Meier's Colonization (Classic) on Steam. Steam Store.
  • Valve Corporation. (2024, December 5). Sid Meier's Civilization® IV on Steam. Steam Store.

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