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...
WE ARE CRITICAL MOVES
A Strategy Gaming Podcast
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....
Strategy gaming meets good vibes once again on the Critical Moves Podcast, and this episode brings some heavy-hitting discussions for fans of deep, immersive gameplay. Episode 13 is all about exploring the future of Stellaris with its massive 4.0 Phoenix update while diving into the best deals and hidden gems from the Steam RTS Fest. If you’re a fan of grand strategy, real-time strategy, or just looking for your next deep, tactical experience, this episode is a must-listen. We discuss...
For more than a decade, Paradox Interactive has been a dominant force in the grand strategy genre, crafting intricate, deeply immersive games that have captivated millions. However, with recent challenges, including game cancellations and declining financials in 2024, is the once-unshakable titan of strategy gaming beginning to falter? In this episode of the Critical Moves Podcast, Al, Nuno, and Tim take a deep dive into what makes Paradox’s titles unique, their strengths and weaknesses, and whether the company’s reliance on...
The Critical Moves Podcast crew takes a deep dive into Stellaris, the Paradox grand strategy title that has captivated sci-fi and strategy gamers for years. In this episode, Joe, Al, and Tim break down their experiences with the game, exploring the mechanics, mods, expansions, and shortcomings that define Stellaris today. With thousands of hours between them, the hosts offer both a veteran perspective and a fresh critique of where the game excels and where it falls short. Stellaris is a...
Strategy games have long been known for their deep mechanics and tactical gameplay, but what role does storytelling play in this genre? In this episode of Critical Moves, we dive into the impact of narrative in strategy games and whether a strong story enhances or distracts from the experience. Al, Nuno, and Timothy discuss their earliest memories of being captivated by a strategy game’s story and debate how storytelling has evolved over the years. The conversation begins with early experiences,...
2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for strategy gaming, with a wealth of exciting titles on the horizon. In this episode of Critical Moves, hosts Al, Nuno, and Joe dive deep into the strategy games they’re most excited about in the coming year. From large-scale real-time strategy battles to immersive colony simulators and innovative turn-based tactics, this discussion covers a wide spectrum of upcoming releases that fans of the genre won’t want to miss. The episode kicks...
Strategy games offer players control over entire nations, armies, and even civilizations, raising critical questions about morality, ethics, and historical accuracy. In this episode of the Critical Moves Podcast, Al, Nuno, and Timothy tackle the controversial subject of morality in war and strategy games. From playing as the Axis powers in World War II simulations to making life-or-death decisions in Frostpunk, the conversation dives deep into the responsibility of game developers, the impact of historical settings on gameplay, and whether...
The strategy gaming landscape in 2024 has been packed with an incredible variety of releases, from turn-based tactical gems to large-scale real-time strategy experiences. In this episode of the Critical Moves Podcast, Al, Nuno, and Tim break down their picks for the best strategy games of the year, discussing what makes each title stand out and how they contribute to the genre. Whether you’re a fan of grand strategy, classic RTS, or tactical squad-based combat, there’s something in this episode...
Strategy games are more than just a genre—they are a way of thinking, planning, and overcoming challenges. In this episode of Critical Moves, we explore the strategy games that defined our gaming journeys. From our first encounters with strategic gameplay to the titles that cemented our love for the genre, and finally, the latest experiences that continue to captivate us, this discussion highlights the evolution of strategy gaming and why it remains one of the most compelling genres today. If...
What if some of your favourite franchises were transformed into deep, tactical experiences? In this episode of Critical Moves, Al is joined by Joe and Nuno to discuss the intellectual properties they believe would make exceptional strategy games. From sci-fi book series to fantasy epics and classic literature, they break down the mechanics, narrative possibilities, and unique gameplay elements that could bring these franchises to life in the strategy genre. The episode kicks off with Joe introducing the Bobiverse series,...
The latest episode of Critical Moves is an all-out discussion on Total War, one of the most iconic strategy game franchises ever created. Hosted by Al, alongside Nuno, Joe, and Tim, the team dissects the franchise’s history, its revolutionary moments, and where things may have gone wrong for Creative Assembly. Whether you’re a fan of Rome: Total War, Medieval II: Total War, or Total War: Warhammer, this episode has something for every strategy gamer. The conversation starts with a heated...
In this episode of the Critical Moves Podcast, hosts Joe, Tim, and Shane tackle one of the most debated aspects of strategy gaming: the balance between fun and realism. Can a strategy game be both historically accurate and enjoyable to play? Or does one inevitably come at the expense of the other? The trio dives into games that lean heavily into historical authenticity, those that take creative liberties for the sake of entertainment, and the fine line developers must walk...
The real-time strategy genre has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Once a dominant force in PC gaming, RTS games went through a decline, overshadowed by other genres like first-person shooters and MOBAs. But now, we are witnessing a resurgence—a rebirth that has rekindled the excitement of strategy gamers worldwide. In this episode of Critical Moves, hosts Tim, Nuno, Al, and Joe dive deep into the RTS Renaissance, reflecting on the golden age of the genre, its decline,...
This has been a journey. After three months of planning, recording, and learning the ropes, we’re proud to finally launch Critical Moves. There’s a lot of work behind this, and the entire team has put in the hours to make it happen. Every bit of effort has been worth it, and we couldn’t be happier with the result. So if you’re a strategy game fan, dive in – give it a listen, subscribe, and let us know what you think....
Argh! Today I sat down to do some editing of a couple of episodes that have been recording and just need to be finalised. The editing process on Critical Moves has been amended somewhat from the initial plan when we brought on Brian as Sound Engineer. Essentially, editing a podcast is a lot of work. Most people say that it takes about four hours to edit one hour of audio. We needed to streamline the process as asking Brian to...
It’s getting exciting now, and very, very, real. On 1st November we’re going live with our first episode of Critical Moves. With ten days to go now seems as good as any for a quick update. We have, so far, recorded four episodes. That’s enough for the first month! Because we’re new to this and flying by the seat of our pants we have recorded out of sync. Episodes 1, 2, 6 and 8 are in the bag, with 3,...
We have, as of the time of posting this, two episodes recorded. Our plan was to give us a head start by getting six episodes recorded in October and sent to the editor for polishing. We were supposed to record on Friday but someone couldn’t make it and then again last night, Sunday, but we had a last minute cancellation. This… is… frustrating. I know life happens sometimes, sure I do, and this is not to apportion blame, far from...