17 Games Like Master of Orion
Our collection of games like Master of Orion (MoO) offers other space based games that use turn based mechanics and offer vast galaxies of 4X gameplay.
Master of Orion was one of the original turn based strategy games and was a game of galactic proportions choosing to use a space setting for its 4X style of gameplay. The Master of Orion franchise has spawned a number of games since its initial 1993 release with primarily the same mechanics between games that has players focusing on the management of their space empire. This sees players managing the individual colonies, selecting research advancements, constructing ships, creating alliances with alien races and if required making tactical combat decisions.
All of these mechanics offer a wealth of depth and strategic opportunity with the galactic backdrop that gives you large control over your spacefaring race. From the deep economic control over your colonies to maximise production of resources that you'll use to trade, construct and fight to the galaxy structure itself that has hundreds of planets to claim. Ultimately it is your victory condition you'll be striving for which allows players to chase an aggressive, research or diplomatic end.
The games like Master of Orion below offer more turn based strategy games with a focus on games set in space that offer a huge amount of depth for players to conquer with 4X mechanics.
Endless Legend
Taking everything that they learned from their pervious 4X space strategy game (Endless Space) Amplitude Studios revisits the genre with a fantasy twist this time to create Endless Legend. Challenging players to dominate the fantasy game world known as Auriga you’ll command over a dozen factions to a number of varied game win conditions. With a standard core gameplay loop of exploration, founding of new cities, researching technology and ending the game through diplomatic or aggressive mea...[Read Review]
Alpha Centauri
Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri is a sci-fi 4X turn based strategy game with plenty of depth to explore that is often considered to be one of the titans in this genre of strategic titles. Released back in 1999 the game shifts the theme of the Civilization franchise into science fiction with a setup that sees seven different ideologies fighting for control of the Alpha Centauri planet of Chiron. In addition to the base game players have a single expansion pack available (Sid Meier’s Alien Crossfire) w...[Read Review]
Freeciv
Freeciv is a turned based strategy game based on the original Civilization title that seeks to capture a similar level of strategic challenge with a free to play experience. Continuing to be actively developed Freeciv continues to expand it’s features, fix bugs and grow in community size with each update. The game is also operated as a completely open source model which allows all elements to be altered by players and the community as they see fit. Freeciv supports both single player and m...[Read Review]
Galactic Civilizations II
Galactic Civilizations II is the second game in a series of 4X space strategy games developed by Stardock. The game is a turn based experience and was released in early 2006. The game saw two expansion packs released in subsequent years titled Dark Avatar and Twilight of the Amor. The setting in Galactic Civilizations II is the same as the previous game with players and several other alien species fighting for control over the galaxy. This race for control started after one of the youngest space...[Read Review]
Galactic Civilizations
Galactic Civilizations is a space themed strategy game that launched in 2003 with several sequels that built on the turn based strategy foundations of this original release. In 2004 an expansion pack to the core of Galactic Civilizations titled Altarian Prophecy was also released which added 2 new races to the game along with the addition of a campaign to provide players additional strategy choices and content. Galactic Civilizations is set in a distant future soon after humans discover the powe...[Read Review]
Space Empires V
Space Empires V was released in 2006 and was developed by Malfador Machinations. The game offers a 4X turn based experience that is very similar to that of the Civilization series. The game builds on many of the gameplay elements, races and technologies from the previous games in the series (such as Space Empires IV). Space Empires V is not simply an upgraded version of its predecessor though with many gameplay improvements altering the game in drastic (but positive) ways. The biggest feature is...[Read Review]
Galactic Civilizations III
Marking number three in the franchise Galactic Civilizations III once again returns to space with a premium 4X turn based strategy game offering that builds further on the marks of its predecessors. Launched in 2015 for Windows this Galactic Civilizations edition allows for near endless variations as you mix and match game settings to create your intended challenge. Galactic Civilizations III embarks on a story a decade after the war against the Dread Lords with their allies mostly being extermi...[Read Review]
Space Empires IV
Space Empires IV is part of the popular and long running 4X space strategy genre which has players attempting to achieve galactic conquest through turn based gameplay that utilises 4X fundamental gameplay. With a galaxy at your fingertips it’s an expansive game experience in line with the past titles that focuses on the explore, expand, exploit and exterminate framework of 4X. Space Empires IV (and the other games in the series) are often compared to the popular Civilization franchise with...[Read Review]
Sword of the Stars
Sword of the Stars belongs to the 4X space genre and features four different races (six with expansions) for players to use in their quest for galactic domination. The game shares similarities with the Total War series in that it blends turn based gameplay with tactical real time space combat. Since its release the game has received three expansion packs along with a number of free updates which add new races, technology and ship components for players to use. Just like in other space strategy e...[Read Review]
Endless Space 2
Revisiting the wide darkness of space yet again with a turn based strategy game is Endless Space 2 that offers the same science fiction setting of the original while expanding on the universe and strategy options. Released in 2017 for Windows and Mac it’s been five years since the first Endless Space 4X strategy title with the sequel seeking to offer similar addicting one more turn gameplay and self describes itself as a “strategic space opera”. Endless Space 2 takes place in a...[Read Review]
Civilization V
The Civilization series has always been at the pinnacle of the 4X game genre and Civilization V is no exception to this rule expanding on the solid foundations set in previous games in the franchise while tweaking things as necessary to deliver some fresh strategy at the same time. Expanded with two expansion packs (Gods & Kings and Brave New World) that added additional civilizations to control and game mechanics Civilization V includes all the core aspects of a 4X strategy game. In Civiliz...[Read Review]
Endless Space
Endless Space is a science fiction 4X turn based strategy game that was released for Windows and Mac in 2012. The game was developed by Amplitude Studios and has drawn comparison to the Civilization series, Space Empires, Master of Orion and Alpha Centauri. Endless Space is packed full of content with 9 different civilizations that each offer their own unique playstyle. The civilizations available to the player vary dramatically based on military power, scientific capabilities, diplomatic resolv...[Read Review]
Sins of a Solar Empire
Sins of a Solar Empire is a sci-fi strategy game with 4X elements that will have you conquering a large universe with military force, economic power or diplomatic negotiations. With elements of real time strategy also present the game seeks to combine the two well known strategy niches of RTS and 4X gameplay into a single challenge. Sins of a Solar Empire is set in the distant future and has you at the head of a space exploring race that are looking to expand their empire deeper into the stars t...[Read Review]
Call of War
Bringing your strategy game experience deep into the second World War players will need to master the tactical Risk inspired gameplay of Call of War if they wish to find victory in the clash of Allies and Axis. Similar to the game that came after it from the same developer (Conflict of Nations) you’ll be taking control of vast units, clashing against dozens of players and customisation your nation through technological enhancements. The result is a multiple approach to victory that lets you craf...[Read Review]
Warlock: Master of the Arcane
Warlock: Master of the Arcane is a turn based game with some core similarities to the popular Civilization series albeit with a fantasy theme instead. Released in early 2012 by Paradox Interactive the game has since been expanded with a number of downloadable content pieces that build on the race and unit foundations of the core game to add additional strategy variety. Set in the same universe as the Majesty series of games from Paradox Interactive known as Ardania which features all manner of f...[Read Review]
Conflict of Nations
Earth is the backdrop of your campaign in Conflict of Nations a free to play game with deep strategy and conquest which builds on the developer’s past experience in this genre. Officially referred to as Conflict of Nations: World War 3 as one may expect from the name the focus is on the modern warfare of the current day with players having access to a wide range of modern units to control the land, sea and skies over your opponents. This is in stark contrast the previous title from the developer...[Read Review]
AtWar
If you love the Risk board game and wanted a browser based game like Risk then AtWar has come to the rescue with it’s take on the strategy game. Allowing you to play against others on a wide range of maps be prepared to put your strategic mind to the test as you compete within the community for tactical war prestige. The strengths of the AtWar formula start before even making a strategic decision with accessibility and the control over the settings of each game providing the foundation for...[Read Review]