What to play next
2026 · PC
24 games that share what Heart of the Machine does well: 4X, isometric and strategy. Each one shows critic and player scores, how long it takes to beat, and the cheapest way to play it today.
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24 picks · prices checked daily 2025 · PC
4X, grand strategy
Critics – unknown
Players 92% Steam
To beat – unknown $14.99 was $29.99Historical low
Best PC price · Steam
2018 · PC · PS · Xbox
Colony sim, city building
Players 78% Steam
To beat – unknown $9.89 was $29.99−67%
Best PC price · GOG
2024 · PC
4X, grand strategy
Critics – unknown
Players 81% Steam
To beat – unknown $14.99 was $29.99−50%
Best PC price · Steam
2022 · PC
Colony sim, city building
Players 94% Steam
To beat – unknown $23.99 was $29.99Historical low
Best PC price · Steam
2025 · PC
4X, alternate history
Players 86% Steam
To beat – unknown $17.49 was $34.99Historical low
Best PC price · Steam
2020 · PC
Colony sim, city building
Critics – unknown
Players 57% Steam
To beat – unknown $16.99 was $19.99−15%
Best PC price · Fanatical
2019 · PC
City building, economy
Critics – unknown
Players 74% Steam
To beat – unknown $7.49 was $29.99−75%
Best PC price · GOG
2024 · PC
4X, grand strategy
Critics – unknown
Players 94% Steam
To beat – unknown $8.99 was $29.99−70%
Best PC price · Steam
2014 · PC
4X, grand strategy
Players 71% Steam
To beat – unknown $2.39 was $29.99−92%
Best PC price · Fanatical
2021 · PC
4X, economy
Critics – unknown
Players 92% Steam
To beat – unknown $6.79 was $16.99Historical low
Best PC price · Steam
2020 · PC · Switch
City building, resource management
Players 97% Steam
To beat ~72h IGDB $35
Best PC price · GOG · $0.49/hr
2024 · PC
4X, grand strategy
Players 91% Steam
To beat ~79h IGDB $9.99 was $39.99−75%
Best PC price · Steam · $0.13/hr
2024 · PC
4X, grand strategy
Critics – unknown
Players 82% Steam
To beat – unknown $15.99 was $39.99Historical low
Best PC price · Steam
2021 · PC
Colony sim, city building
Critics – unknown
Players 72% Steam
To beat – unknown $3.99 was $19.99−80%
Best PC price · Steam
2017 · PC · PS · Xbox
4X, colony sim
Critics – unknown
Players 93% Steam
To beat ~40h IGDB $9.99 was $19.99−50%
Best PC price · Steam · $0.25/hr
2021 · PC · PS · Xbox
Colony sim, city building
Players 76% Steam
To beat ~15h IGDB $1.99 was $24.99Historical low
Best PC price · GOG · $0.13/hr
2026 · PC
4X, grand strategy
Critics – unknown
Players 90% Steam
To beat – unknown $29.99 was $39.99−25%
Best PC price · Steam
2025 · PC
4X, grand strategy
Players 88% Steam
To beat – unknown $8.99 was $29.99Historical low
Best PC price · Steam
2018 · PC
Colony sim, city building
Players 97% Steam
To beat – unknown $27.99 was $34.99−20%
Best PC price · GOG
2026 · PC
Colony sim, city building
Players 96% Steam
To beat ~31h IGDB $24.49 was $34.99−30%
Best PC price · Steam · $0.79/hr
2024 · PC · Xbox
Diplomacy, 4X
Critics – unknown
Players 84% Steam
To beat ~10h IGDB $25.99 was $39.99−35%
Best PC price · Nuuvem · $2.60/hr
2017 · PC · PS · Xbox
Colony sim, city building
Players 71% Steam
To beat – unknown $2.99 was $29.99−90%
Best PC price · Steam
2023 · PC · PS · Xbox · Switch
4X, resource management
Players 88% Steam
To beat ~2h IGDB $7.99 was $19.99−60%
Best PC price · Steam · $4/hr
2021 · PC · PS · Xbox
4X, grand strategy
Critics 79 IGDB
Players 68% Steam
To beat ~46h IGDB $12.49 was $49.99−75%
Best PC price · Steam · $0.27/hr
Popular lists Game Pass catalog checked Oct 7, 2026. PS Plus lists checked Oct 7, 2026.
Data from IGDB (game data), IsThereAnyDeal (prices), OpenCritic (critic scores), Steam (player reviews), Metacritic (critic scores), Xbox Game Pass (catalog), PlayStation Plus (catalog), App Store (iPhone and iPad prices).About and sources · Privacy
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