Free 4X Games on Steam
Steam currently has 743 4X games available to download and play. Explore our list of the best free games ranked by popularity and ratings. Data for this list is calculated from reviews and player counts reported directly by Steam and will be updated in real-time. Free 4X game rankings were last updated on 7/15/2025.
Looking for more? Explore other lists such as:
- Best 4x games on Steam
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- Free Steam games
- Most played Steam games
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1. Fantasy General II
The fantasy wargaming classic is back! Lead powerful heroes and mighty armies into battle in this critically acclaimed turn-based strategy milestone. Level up and train your units and guide them through a gripping story campaign to decide the fate of a world on the brink of destruction.
Fantasy General II holds the #1 spot for "best free 4X game on Steam" with a Player Score of 78. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 1,378 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,128 positive reviews and 250 negative reviews — making it "Very Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Fantasy General II on the Steam Deck.
| Steam Price | $29.99 |
| Release Date | 9/5/2019 |
| Developer | Owned by Gravity |
| Publisher | Slitherine Ltd. |
| Steam App Id | 1025440 |
2. Cividle
CivIdle is an idle/incremental game that allows you to lead your own civilization through thousands of years from ancient times to the modern era. Expand your territory, explore a vast tech tree, build various wonders, and trade with global players: empire must grow and numbers must go up!
Cividle has achieved a Player Score of 72, placing it in the #2 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 653 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 492 positive reviews and 161 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Linux systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Cividle on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 2/16/2024 |
| Franchise | Fish Pond Studio |
| Developers | |
| Publisher | Fish Pond Studio |
| Steam App Id | 2181940 |
3. Infinity Kingdom
Conquer the city, discover the Infinity! Infinity Kingdom is a cartoon-style mmo strategy game. As a resourceful lord, you must defend the land of Norheim against the evil gnomes while protecting yourself from other invading players!
Infinity Kingdom has achieved a Player Score of 60, placing it in the #3 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 777 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 474 positive reviews and 303 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on both Windows and Mac systems. Valve has also verified it as playable on the Steam Deck and will run well.
| Release Date | 7/2/2021 |
| Developer | YOUZU (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. |
| Publisher | YOUZU (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. |
| Steam App Id | 1573360 |
4. War Planet Online: Global Conquest
Build your army, dominate your region and lead your alliance to conquer the globe!
War Planet Online: Global Conquest has achieved a Player Score of 62, placing it in the #4 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 917 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 582 positive reviews and 335 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play War Planet Online: Global Conquest on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
5. Pixel Starships
Pixel Starships is an FTL-style online sci-fi strategy builder and management game with a competitive PVP tournament. Set in the retro galaxy, your role is to explore space, meet aliens, and develop your ship, crew and AI. The game contains deep strategic and 4x elements. PSS is community-driven.
Pixel Starships has achieved a Player Score of 71, placing it in the #5 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,755 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 2,024 positive reviews and 731 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It 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.
6. Nova: Space Armada
An exceptional sci-fi strategy game based on space adventure as its core.
Nova: Space Armada has achieved a Player Score of 49, placing it in the #6 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 120 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 59 positive reviews and 61 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is possible to play Nova: Space Armada on the Steam Deck (though some functionality may be limited).
| Release Date | 10/22/2024 |
| Developer | STONE3 PTE. LTD. |
| Publisher | STONE3 PTE. LTD. |
| Steam App Id | 1108270 |
7. State of Survival
Survive the Zombies War in this RPG game of Apocalypse and Survival
State of Survival has achieved a Player Score of 56, placing it in the #7 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 416 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 237 positive reviews and 179 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run State of Survival on the Steam Deck.
| Release Date | 8/2/2023 |
| Developer | FunPlus International AG |
| Publisher | FunPlus International AG |
| Steam App Id | 2485460 |
8. Hades' Star
A unique space strategy game where thousands of players participate in one shared galaxy.
Hades' Star has achieved a Player Score of 71, placing it in the #8 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 2,586 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 1,881 positive reviews and 705 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It 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.
| Release Date | 2/27/2019 |
| Developer | Parallel Space Inc |
| Publisher | Parallel Space Inc |
| Steam App Id | 755800 |
9. Nova Empire
Build up a Space Empire and establish control of the Galaxy and the Universe! Nova Empire is a multiplayer space game in which the aim is to build your empire and conquer the galaxy in epic space battles against your rivals with other allies worldwide!
Nova Empire has achieved a Player Score of 54, placing it in the #9 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 256 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 140 positive reviews and 116 negative reviews — making it "Mixed" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, there is no confirmed information regarding Steam Deck support for this game.
| Release Date | 5/26/2022 |
| Developer | Gamebear Tech |
| Publisher | Gamebear Tech |
| Steam App Id | 1962770 |
10. Gunship Battle Total Warfare
In a post-apocalyptic world submerged by the sea, the wake of the enemy is apparent at every turn. From turning the tides of naval warfare to dominating the skies in break-neck aerial combat, every decision you make will change the outcome of the battle.
Gunship Battle Total Warfare has achieved a Player Score of 71, placing it in the #10 spot for the best free 4X games. Its score was calculated by analyzing a total of 135 reviews on Steam. This breaks down to a total of 105 positive reviews and 30 negative reviews — making it "Mostly Positive" on Steam.
It can be played and ran on Windows systems. At the moment, it is not possible to play or run Gunship Battle Total Warfare on the Steam Deck.
More Free 4X Games
Explore even more rankings for the 70 best free 4X games available on Steam.
| Image | Name | Actions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,129 | 9/5/2019 | 78 | $29.99 | Steam Charts | |
| 275 | 2/16/2024 | 72 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 274 | 7/2/2021 | 60 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 207 | 12/19/2017 | 62 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 173 | 5/23/2023 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 161 | 10/22/2024 | 49 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 155 | 8/2/2023 | 56 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 151 | 2/27/2019 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 74 | 5/26/2022 | 54 | Free | Steam Charts | |
| 56 | 1/15/2025 | 71 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 39 | 4/6/2022 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 14 | 9/21/2023 | 54 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 13 | 8/12/2019 | 61 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 12 | 9/20/2023 | 47 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 7 | 8/8/2017 | 76 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6 | 7/26/2018 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 6 | 5/29/2024 | 55 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5 | 4/5/2022 | 58 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5 | ??? | 77 | Free | Steam Charts | |
 | 5 | 1/11/2017 | 63 | Free | Steam Charts |
Soures & References
Steambase has best-in-class data powered directly by Steam, our data partners, and in-house experts. Player counts 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. (2025, July 15). Steam Store. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 15). Fantasy General II on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 16). Cividle on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 15). Infinity Kingdom on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 26). War Planet Online: Global Conquest on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 11). Pixel Starships on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 10). Nova: Space Armada on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 13). State of Survival on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 16). Hades' Star on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, June 20). Nova Empire on Steam. Steam Store.
- Valve Corporation. (2025, July 11). Gunship Battle Total Warfare on Steam. Steam Store.