WE ARE CRITICAL MOVES

A Strategy Gaming Podcast

About Critical Moves

Critical Moves is a strategy games podcast that takes RTS, 4X, and tactics seriously. Most gaming podcasts treat strategy games as an afterthought. We don’t. Every week we cover real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, 4X empire builders, indie experiments, and overlooked classics with long-form analysis and no wasted time.

This isn’t quick reviews or recycled talking points. It’s sharp criticism and honest discussion about strategy game design. If a game is shallow or broken, we’ll say so. If it does something clever, we’ll explain why it works. We talk to developers without the marketing filter, getting into the mechanics and design choices that actually shape the games.

If you want a RTS podcast, a 4X podcast, or a place for smarter conversations about tactics and strategy gaming, this is it. Critical Moves is made for players who think about systems, mechanics, and design—not just surface impressions.

New episodes every Friday.

LATEST EPISODE

The Future of Total War (Ep.49)

Our strategy gaming veterans analyze Creative Assembly’s upcoming December announcement for the Total War franchise, debating whether the series needs a new engine, examining the tension between historical and fantasy titles, and predicting which games will define the franchise’s future direction. LISTEN: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode provides comprehensive analysis of Total War’s future, with hosts exploring the franchise’s potential direction following Creative Assembly’s announcement of multiple games coming in December. The discussion examines the divide between historical and fantasy titles, evaluates why games like Three Kingdoms 2 and a World War I title were cancelled, and debates whether franchises like Warhammer 40k or Lord of the Rings could work within Total War’s framework. The hosts analyze engine limitations, discuss the commercial viability of historical versus fantasy settings, and make their predictions for what Creative Assembly will announce while sharing their dream...

Support Critical Moves on Patreon and get early access to episodes plus behind-the-scenes content that puts you right in the room with us.

For $5 a month, you'll get episodes 48 hours early, episode previews with covers and thumbnails, access to our Discord community's private patron channel, and all the behind-the-scenes updates.

Your support keeps us diving deep into strategy games every week.

patreon.com/CriticalMoves

Latest Episode Show Notes

Asymmetry: The Secret Ingredient in Strategy Games (Ep.48)

Double Vision: The True State of 4X (Ep.47)

Beyond All Reason – Behind the Scenes of BAR (Ep.46)

When Developers Quit, Players Keep Games Alive (Ep.45)

Does Dawn of War 4 Have What It Takes? (Ep.44)

Our strategy gaming veterans react to the surprise announcement of Dawn of War 4, examining King Art Games’ ambitious takeover from Relic Entertainment and analysing what the return to Dawn of War’s classic formula means for RTS fans and Warhammer 40K enthusiasts alike. LISTEN LINK: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode captures the genuine excitement surrounding one of the most anticipated RTS announcements in years. Al and Joe dissect the Dawn of War 4 reveal trailer, discuss the strategic decision to move development from Relic to Iron Harvest creators King Art Games, and...

Chris McElligott-Park on AI War, Community, and Running an Indie Studio (Ep.43)

Our strategy gaming veterans continue their in-depth conversation with Arcen Games CEO Chris McElligatt-Park, exploring how narrative emerges from gameplay mechanics, the profound impact of Total Biscuit on indie gaming success, and the evolution from solo development to community-driven game creation. LISTEN LINK: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode concludes the comprehensive interview with Chris McElligatt-Park, diving deep into the philosophical and practical aspects of indie game development. The conversation explores how McElligatt-Park developed AI War’s narrative to support its unique asymmetric gameplay, creating a believable framework where players can feel like Ender...

Chris McElligott-Park on Game Design, Narrative, and Arcen’s Origins (Ep.42)

Our strategy gaming experts sit down with Arcen Games CEO Chris McElligot Park to explore his ground-breaking work on AI War Fleet Command, examining how his revolutionary approach to artificial intelligence design transformed strategy gaming by creating opponents that feel genuinely alien rather than mimicking human players. LISTEN LINK: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode features an in-depth interview with Chris McElligot Park, the visionary developer behind AI War Fleet Command and founder of Arcen Games. The conversation explores his unconventional approach to AI design that abandons traditional human-mimicking opponents in favour of...

The State of 4X Strategy. Can It Be Fixed? (Ep.41)

Our strategy gaming experts examine the current state of 4X gaming following Endless Legend 2’s release, questioning whether the subgenre is trapped in tired formulas or poised for genuine innovation through bold new mechanics and indie developer creativity. LISTEN LINK: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of 4X gaming’s current landscape, exploring the boundaries between 4X and grand strategy while examining recent releases like Endless Legend 2 and the commercial disappointment of Humankind. The hosts discuss innovative mechanics like tidefall systems, debate Stellaris’s continued dominance, and consider whether indie...

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