WE ARE CRITICAL MOVES

A Strategy Gaming Podcast

About Critical Moves

Critical Moves is a strategy games podcast that takes RTS, 4X, and tactics seriously. Most gaming podcasts treat strategy games as an afterthought. We don’t. Every week we cover real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, 4X empire builders, indie experiments, and overlooked classics with long-form analysis and no wasted time.

This isn’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 without the marketing filter, getting into the mechanics and design choices that actually shape the games.

If you want a RTS podcast, a 4X podcast, or a place for smarter conversations about tactics and strategy gaming, this is it. Critical Moves is made for players who think about systems, mechanics, and design—not just surface impressions.

New episodes every Friday.

LATEST EPISODE

Heroes of Might and Magic: OE or Endless Legend 2 (Ep.52)

Our strategy gaming veterans dive deep into two major fantasy strategy releases, examining Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era’s return to its classic roots and Endless Legend 2’s innovative approach to 4X gaming, while exploring how both titles represent different philosophies within the broader strategy genre and whether they signal the emergence of a new character-focused strategy subgenre. LISTEN: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode provides comprehensive reviews of two significant fantasy strategy releases from Hooded Horse: the Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Steam Next Fest demo and Endless Legend 2’s full launch. Jack experiences Heroes for the first time while Adam brings his extensive Polish gaming perspective to a franchise that holds legendary status in Eastern Europe. The hosts explore how Heroes modernizes its classic formula while staying faithful to the beloved third instalment, then examine Endless Legend 2’s...

Support Critical Moves on Patreon and get early access to episodes plus behind-the-scenes content that puts you right in the room with us.

For $5 a month, you'll get episodes 48 hours early, episode previews with covers and thumbnails, access to our Discord community's private patron channel, and all the behind-the-scenes updates.

Your support keeps us diving deep into strategy games every week.

patreon.com/CriticalMoves

Latest Episode Show Notes

Steam NextFest Special (Ep.51)

RTS Is Quietly Having a Comeback (Ep.50)

The Future of Total War (Ep.49)

Asymmetry: The Secret Ingredient in Strategy Games (Ep.48)

Double Vision: The True State of 4X (Ep.47)

Our strategy gaming hosts team up with 4X experts from eXplorminate to correct misconceptions and explore the complex world of 4X gaming, covering everything from genre definitions and the innovation crisis to multiplayer potential and the future of explore-expand-exploit-exterminate gameplay. LISTEN LINK: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode features a collaborative discussion between Critical Moves hosts and eXplorminate podcast experts Drexy and Ricky, addressing previous misconceptions about 4X games while examining the genre’s current challenges and future potential. The conversation covers fundamental 4X definitions, the blurred lines between 4X and grand strategy games,...

Beyond All Reason – Behind the Scenes of BAR (Ep.46)

Our strategy gaming veterans finally tackle the game they mention every episode, joined by Beyond All Reason’s community manager PtaQ and game designer Tim to explore how passionate volunteers built one of the most ambitious community-driven RTS projects ever attempted, transforming a Total Annihilation mod into a standalone epic-scale strategy experience. LISTEN LINK: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode provides an unprecedented look inside Beyond All Reason’s development process, featuring detailed discussions with the game’s community manager and lead designer about managing 60,000 Discord members, coordinating volunteer contributors across multiple disciplines, and the...

When Developers Quit, Players Keep Games Alive (Ep.45)

Our strategy gaming veterans dive into the passionate communities that refuse to let classic strategy titles fade away, exploring how dedicated fans transform abandoned games through mods, custom servers, and total engine recreations that sometimes surpass the original developer’s vision. LISTEN LINK: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode examines the complex relationship between developers and communities when official support ends, featuring discussions of legendary community projects from Age of Empires 2’s multiple revival cycles to the complete engine recreation powering Beyond All Reason. The hosts explore what distinguishes truly abandoned games from simply...

Does Dawn of War 4 Have What It Takes? (Ep.44)

Our strategy gaming veterans react to the surprise announcement of Dawn of War 4, examining King Art Games’ ambitious takeover from Relic Entertainment and analysing what the return to Dawn of War’s classic formula means for RTS fans and Warhammer 40K enthusiasts alike. LISTEN LINK: https://criticalmovespodcast.com/listen This episode captures the genuine excitement surrounding one of the most anticipated RTS announcements in years. Al and Joe dissect the Dawn of War 4 reveal trailer, discuss the strategic decision to move development from Relic to Iron Harvest creators King Art Games, and...

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