The conversation starts with the Paradox beast that is Victoria 3. Tim and Adam have clearly lost dozens of hours to it already, while Joe shares his obsession with playing smaller, underdog nations. There’s plenty of banter about Japan, Belgium, Haiti, Ethiopia and about how these nations let you impose your own stories and challenges. The group agrees: the real hook isn’t conquest. It’s the numbers. Big numbers. Going up. That’s the drug. They talk multiplayer, historical quirks, and the...
WE ARE CRITICAL MOVES
A Strategy Gaming Podcast
Welcome back to Critical Moves. This is Episode 30, and we’re doing something inevitable, talking Warhammer. Specifically, Warhammer strategy games. Al’s in the host seat this week, joined by Joe for a rare one-on-one episode that digs into Games Workshop’s long, weird relationship with the strategy genre. The episode kicks off with Al admitting the Warhammer Skulls showcase has been on his radar more than usual this year. Partly because it’s always a mixed bag, and partly because the Warhammer...
In this episode of Critical Moves, the crew look at what happens when popular franchises take a shot at the strategy genre. Jack hosts, joined by Tim and Adam, for a wide-ranging discussion on games like Halo Wars, Battle for Middle-earth, Minecraft Legends, and Dune: Spice Wars. From cult classics to tactical misfires, it’s a conversation that covers the good, the bad, and the copyright. Jack opens with a reminder of Episode 5’s wishlist of franchises we wanted to see...
Welcome back to the Critical Moves Podcast. This week’s episode is a change of pace. We’re not covering one big topic, announcement, or interview. Instead, we’re doing something a little more relaxed: talking about the strategy games we’ve been playing lately. From grand campaign builders to multiplayer RTS brawls, the team shares what’s been keeping us busy and what’s fallen flat. Jack joins us for his first full episode as a regular host, and we’re glad to have him. So,...
It’s May the Fourth, and we’re celebrating the only way that makes sense—by talking about the newly announced Star Wars strategy game: Star Wars Zero Company. In Episode 27 of Critical Moves, Al is joined by Joe and Nuno to break down everything we know about the game, plus a little history on Star Wars strategy games in general. Expect praise, pessimism, some EA-flavoured rage, and the phrase “space wizards” used unironically. The Ghosts of Strategy Past Before getting into...
It took six people and twenty-six episodes, but Critical Moves finally turned the mic around. This episode isn’t about a theme or a debate—it’s about questions from the community. Al is joined by Nuno, Joe, Tim, Adam, and newcomer Jack for a sprawling, chaotic, and strangely wholesome chat where they look back on the podcast so far and answer everything you’ve been asking. There are moments of reflection, plenty of sarcasm, and at least one relationship-threatening moment involving a microphone,...
With the release of Tempest Rising just around the corner, Tim and Al sat down with Brandon Casteel, the game’s lead designer, to talk about the past, present, and future of this throwback real-time strategy title. Are We in an RTS Revival?Brandon pushes back on the idea of an RTS revival. While the genre has had flurries of attention, it tends to be cyclical. He points out that multiple indie developers and publishers are keeping the genre alive, like MicroProse...
Which side are you on? Turn-based or real-time? In Episode 24 of Critical Moves, Al, Nuno, and Tim try (and mostly fail) to take sides in the ongoing debate between strategy game formats. There’s plenty of banter, some solid history, and a few digs at Civilization 7 along the way, but it turns out that, shockingly, they all enjoy both. RTS vs. Turn-Based: Is It Really a Debate? Tim makes a solid case for real-time strategy being more reactive and...
In Episode 23 of Critical Moves, Al, Nuno, and Tim unpack Broken Arrow, a large-scale real-time tactics game that blurs the lines between milsim ambition and arcade execution. Based on hands-on time with the preview build, the team breaks down where the game shines, where it fumbles, and whether it’s shaping up to be something genuinely special – or just another middle-of-the-road tactics game with a flashy coat of paint. There’s a running debate throughout the episode about what Broken...
In Episode 21 of Critical Moves, Al and Nuno sit down with Dr. Luke Hughes, lead designer of Burden of Command, a tactical leadership RPG set during World War II. The conversation explores the game’s long development history, its focus on player-driven storytelling, and how it blends psychology, history, and strategy into a distinct tactical experience. Leadership Under Fire Burden of Command puts you in the boots of a captain in the 7th Infantry Regiment – the “Cottonbalers” – starting...
In this episode of Critical Moves, hosts Joe, Adam, and Tim take a deep dive into the world of strategy gaming, offering a variety of alternatives to Civilization 7. Whether you’re drawn to city-building, grand strategy, or turn-based empire management, there’s something here for every type of strategy enthusiast. Here’s a breakdown of the games discussed and why they might be worth your time. City-Building Alternatives For players who love the city-building aspect of Civilization, the hosts recommend several standout titles. Cities: Skylines is a...
In episode 20 of Critical Moves, Al, Nuno, and Tim dive into the long-standing debate: is single-player or multiplayer more important in strategy games? The discussion covers everything from commercial success, player preferences, and game longevity to the role of toxicity in online communities. Single Player: The Commercial Powerhouse? Al and Nuno argue that single-player experiences remain the backbone of strategy gaming. Data suggests that a majority of players – estimated at over 80% – prefer single-player content, and casual...
Why Critical Moves is Getting a Community Forum The Critical Moves Podcast has sparked a lot of great discussions, but once an episode ends, the conversation often disappears into the void. Social media posts get buried, Discord is too fast-moving, and there’s no real space for long-form discussion. That’s where a community forum comes in. A forum keeps conversations organized, searchable, and ongoing. Instead of discussions vanishing into a feed, they stay accessible. Whether it’s breaking down an episode, debating...
The latest episode of the Critical Moves podcast sees Al, Nuno, and new team member Adam diving into the strategy games showcased during Steam’s Next Fest. With a mix of curiosity and cautious optimism, the team tested out a selection of indie titles, from tactical war games to quirky management sims. Not all games hit the mark, but the episode offers a candid look at what strategy fans can expect from these upcoming releases. One of the standout titles discussed...
In Episode 18 of the Critical Moves podcast, Al and Joe dig into the latest release in the legendary 4X strategy series, Civilization 7. With Al on the fence and Joe having already played the game, the discussion offers a brutally honest take on the game’s strengths and weaknesses. What unfolds is a candid, and at times scathing, review of a game that many fans had high hopes for. The episode starts off light with Al and Joe discussing the...
With a view to getting Critical Moves in front of more people, I’ve started creating short clips from our episodes which are released on our social media channels. YouTube shorts, Facebook and Instagram Reels, TikTok. Here’s an example: You’ll find all out socials in the sidebar on the left. It would be really helpful, and really lovely if anyone reading this would head over to our social media channels and please the algorithm gods by liking, commenting and sharing the...
The Legacy of Civilization: Why This 4X Strategy Franchise Still Dominates The Civilization series is more than just a staple of 4X strategy gaming – it’s the genre’s defining titan. While Civilization 7 may be the latest in the franchise, our episode takes a step back to look at the series as a whole, its impact on the industry, and the moments that have kept players addicted for decades. Al, Tim, and Joe dive into the history of Sid Meier’s...
Real-time strategy games once dominated the gaming landscape, defining entire eras of PC gaming with classics like Command & Conquer, StarCraft, and Warcraft 3. But in 2024, AAA developers seem to have all but abandoned the genre. Why? And is there a path back for big-budget RTS games? In this episode of Critical Moves, Tim and Al dive deep into the decline of AAA RTS development, analyse failed releases like Homeworld 3 and Age of Empires 4, and explore why...
The strategy gaming genre has long been associated with complexity, deep decision-making, and lengthy learning curves. But does it have to be that way? In this episode of the Critical Moves Podcast, Al, Nuno, and Joe tackle a common misconception: that strategy games are too difficult for new players. The discussion covers accessible entry points into the genre, the increasing complexity of modern strategy games, and whether simplifying gameplay makes a game better or worse. The episode also touches on...
The latest episode of Critical Moves Podcast dives deep into the essence of strategy in RTS and grand strategy games. Hosts Al, Nuno, and Tim engage in a lively discussion on different playstyles, including the infamous turtling strategy, aggressive rush tactics, and the importance of adaptation in both single-player and multiplayer experiences. This episode explores how strategic approaches evolve across different games and why understanding mechanics like economy management, unit composition, and map control can make or break a match....