Critical Moves is a strategy games podcast that takes RTS, 4X, and tactics seriously. Most gaming podcasts don’t even bother with strategy games. We do. Each week we cover real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, 4X empire builders and indie experiments, plus shining a new light on old classics.
These aren'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 and key industry figures, getting into the mechanics and design choices that shape the games we love.
We're an RTS podcast, a 4X podcast, a place for smarter conversations about tactics and strategy gaming. Critical Moves is made for players who think about systems, mechanics, and design.
New episodes every Friday.
https://criticalmovespodcast.com (https://criticalmovespodcast.com)
The Democratisation of Strategy Game Development (Ep.103)
Anyone can now build and release a strategy game, but is that good for the genre? Al is joined by Jack, Adam and Drexy to debate whether free engines, asset packs and crowdfunding are producing the next Manor Lords or just a flood of forgettable releases. Along the way they ask what “indie” actually means, why Civ clones keep flopping while a ten person studio can thrive on a million sales, how publishers and fandoms shape what gets seen, and whether discovery is down to developers, press or streamers. Join the discussion on our Discord at the link in the description.
More from Critical Moves Podcast:
Web: https://criticalmovespodcast.com (https://criticalmovespodcast.com)
Forum: https://criticalmovesforum.com (https://criticalmovesforum.com)
Newsletter: https://criticalmoves.beehiiv.com (https://criticalmoves.beehiiv.com)
Spotify: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/spotify (https://criticalmovespodcast.com/spotify)
Apple: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/apple (https://criticalmovespodcast.com/apple)
Amazon: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/amazon (https://criticalmovespodcast.com/amazon)
Discord: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/discord (https://criticalmovespodcast.com/discord)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/criticalmovespodcast (https://www.facebook.com/criticalmovespodcast)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CriticalMoves_ (https://twitter.com/CriticalMoves_)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalmovespodcast (https://www.instagram.com/criticalmovespodcast)
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CriticalMoves (https://www.reddit.com/r/CriticalMoves)
Critical Moves examines strategy games through weekly Friday episodes and Monday news updates. Six hosts across multiple continents analyze recent releases, forgotten classics, and industry developments without the typical podcast theatrics. We cover real-time strategy, 4X civilization builders, turn-based tactics, and hybrid games that blur genre boundaries.
9 Oct 2026
Distant Worlds 2 and Shadows Rising with Elliot Gibbs (Ep.102)
Drexy is joined by Dastactic to talk to Elliot Gibbs of Code Force, the designer and programmer of Distant Worlds. They cover how the series began as a side project, the thinking behind its detailed resource and logistics simulation, and the rocky launch and long road of Distant Worlds 2. The conversation then turns to the Shadows Rising expansion, including shadow ports, Lone Pirate play, cockpit mode, smuggling and the new trade system, before a look at the Securan and Naxxilian factions planned next.
2 Oct 2026
Imperium: Reviving Ascendancy (Ep.101)
Al and Drexy talk to Dan, solo developer of Imperium, a spiritual successor to the 1995 cult classic Ascendancy. They cover the game's modular ship design, hybrid real-time/turn-based combat, 21 alien species, a rebuilt diplomacy system, and an honest look at how AI tools made a six-and-a-half-month solo passion project possible.
More from Critical Moves Podcast:
Web: https://criticalmovespodcast.com (https://criticalmovespodcast.com)
Forum: https://criticalmovesforum.com (https://criticalmovesforum.com)
Newsletter: https://criticalmoves.beehiiv.com (https://criticalmoves.beehiiv.com)
Spotify: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/spotify (https://criticalmovespodcast.com/spotify)
Apple: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/apple (https://criticalmovespodcast.com/apple)
Amazon: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/amazon (https://criticalmovespodcast.com/amazon)
Discord: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/discord (https://criticalmovespodcast.com/discord)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/criticalmovespodcast (https://www.facebook.com/criticalmovespodcast)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CriticalMoves_ (https://twitter.com/CriticalMoves_)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalmovespodcast (https://www.instagram.com/criticalmovespodcast)
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/CriticalMoves (https://www.reddit.com/r/CriticalMoves)
Critical Moves examines strategy games through weekly Friday episodes and the occasional video essay. Six hosts across multiple continents analyze recent releases, forgotten classics, and industry developments without the typical podcast theatrics. We cover real-time strategy, 4X civilization builders, turn-based tactics, and hybrid games that blur genre boundaries.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
11 ratings
Contact Critical Moves Podcast
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
