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PODCAST

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames

Critical Moves Podcast

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

leisure video games

All Episodes

47:58

When RTS Was King: The Best Real-time Strategy Games...

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/06/20

When did the best RTS games get made and why have we seen nothing like them since?Let's take a look back at the golden age of real-time strategy. From peak base-building to iconic faction design, we talk about what made this era so good, the games that defined it, and the influence they still have today.Whether you grew up on it or missed it entirely, this is a look at RTS when it was fast, focused, and everywhere.

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92:05

Building Worlds with Game Dev Tatsu – Sanctuary,...

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/06/13

What does it take to build a strategy game that stands out in a crowded genre? Game developer Tatsu (Sanctuary: Shattered Sun, ZeroSpace, Ablight) joins us to break down the craft behind deep, immersive RTS experiences. From indie passion projects to ambitious sci-fi warfare, we explore how worldbuilding, player agency, and innovative mechanics shape the future of strategy games. This is a no-fluff conversation on design risks, lessons from development hell, and why games like ZeroSpace are pushing

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50:16

The Greatest WW2 Strategy Games Ever Made (Ep 32)

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/06/06

What’s the greatest World War II strategy game ever made and why do we keep coming back to this war?On the anniversary of D-Day, Nuno walks through the best WW2 strategy games ever made. It’s a sharp look at what these games get right, where they fall short, and how they handle the weight of real history. From high-level operations to close-quarters tactics, we talk realism, pacing, decision-making, and why this setting still produces some of the best strategy design out there. Expect hard opinions

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36:11

Ep.31: These Games Will Ruin Your Life

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/05/30

In Episode 31 of Critical Moves, we talk about the strategy games that consume your time, mess with your sleep, and leave you wondering where the last six hours went. These are the ones that hook you hard and don’t let go.We ask:What makes some strategy games so relentlessly addictive?Is it the systems, the pacing, the constant sense of progress or all of it at once?Can a game still be great if it completely wrecks your schedule?No titles here. You’ll have to listen to find out which ones we’re

en

50:08

Ep.30: What’s Hot, What’s Not. The Warhammer Strategy...

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/05/23

In Episode 30 of Critical Moves, we use the Warhammer Skulls event as a reason to focus on Warhammer strategy games. The universe has been adapted into real-time and turn-based formats for decades, with results ranging from excellent to forgettable.We ask:Which Warhammer strategy games are still worth your time?What makes this setting so suited to strategy gameplay?Where have developers struggled to make it work?We cover games across both Warhammer Fantasy and 40K, and discuss why the franchise

en

37:16

Ep.29: A Shift in Strategy

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/05/16

In Episode 29 of Critical Moves, we look at what happens when well-known franchises switch genres and step into strategy. Games like Halo Wars, Minecraft Legends, and Gears Tactics show how action-heavy series can be reimagined with tactical or strategic gameplay and not always successfully.We ask:What did these games do well?What didn’t work?Which other games have made the jump, and how did they handle it?It’s a look at the risks and rewards of moving into strategy, and what these games reveal

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45:56

Ep.28: Currently Playing - Space Bureaucracy and...

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/05/09

In Episode 28 of Critical Moves, we take a break from themes and deep dives to talk about what we’re actually playing right now. From sprawling sci-fi micromanagement to chaotic mech-powered destruction, it’s a mix of old favourites, recent updates, and a few new obsessions.We talk about:Why these games are holding our attention.What’s keeping the gameplay fresh (or not).How they stack up against what we’ve played before.It’s a more casual episode, but packed with thoughts on mechanics, design, and

en

37:54

Ep.27: The Star Wars Strategy Game You’ve Been...

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/05/02

In Episode 27 of Critical Moves, we dig into the upcoming Star Wars: Zero Company—a strategy game set during the Clone Wars that promises to finally give fans the tactical Star Wars experience they've been craving.Key topics include:• What sets Zero Company apart from previous Star Wars strategy titles.•Early details on gameplay, mechanics, and story structure based on previews and official reveals.•Why this game has the potential to become a standout in both Star Wars and strategy gaming circles.If

en

55:23

Ep.26: The One Where Everyone Talks Over Each Other

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/04/25

In Episode 26 of Critical Moves, we hand the mic to the community. It’s a full Q&A episode, packed with your questions; serious, strange, and everything in between.We answer:Strategy-related questions about our favourite games, mechanics, and design choices.Behind-the-scenes stuff about the podcast, the team, and how we put each episode together.A few curveballs that have absolutely nothing to do with strategy games—but we answered them anyway.It’s unscripted, unfiltered, and very much a

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73:57

Ep.25: Why Tempest Rising Could Be the RTS to Watch...

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/04/18

In Episode 25 of Critical Moves, we sit down with Brandon Casteel, lead game designer on Tempest Rising, the upcoming RTS that channels the spirit of Command & Conquer with a modern twist.Topics covered include:The design goals behind Tempest Rising and its connection to classic RTS mechanics.How the team approached base-building, unit design, and multiplayer balance.The challenges of modernizing a nostalgic formula without losing what made it great.Brandon gives us an inside look at

en

49:11

Ep.23: Broken Arrow - The Best Military RTS of 2025?

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/04/04

In Episode 23 of Critical Moves, we dig into Broken Arrow, the modern military RTS that’s been turning heads with its mix of realism and large-scale tactical gameplay.Key topics include:First impressions of the gameplay, interface, and overall design.How Broken Arrow compares to other modern military RTS titles.What the game gets right—and where it might need more work.Whether you’re a fan of real-world military hardware or just looking for a solid new RTS, this episode breaks down what Broken Arrow

en

100:38

Ep.22: Burden of Command Interview With Luke Hughes

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/03/28

In Episode 22 of Critical Moves, we’re joined by a very special guest—Dr. Luke Hughes, the lead developer of Burden of Command, a Leadership RPG launching April 8th on Steam.We sit down with Luke to discuss:The unique mechanics of Burden of CommandThe challenges of remaining authentic but accessibleBalancing realism, fun and respect in a historical titleThe inspirations behind Burden of CommandBurden of Command launches on 8th of April. Find it on Steam here:

en

46:40

Ep.21: Civ VII Sucks, So Play These Instead

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/03/21

In Episode 21 of Critical Moves, we skip the Civilization VII complaints (we covered that in Episode 18) and get straight to the good stuff—better alternatives. If Civ VII isn’t cutting it for you, we’ve got a list of strategy games that deliver a stronger, more satisfying experience.Key topics include:4X games that improve on the Civilization formula.Grand strategy games that offer deeper mechanics and more engaging long-term play.Underrated gems that deserve more attention from strategy

en

51:13

Ep.20: Singleplayer vs Multiplayer

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/03/14

In Episode 20 of Critical Moves, we dive into the debate between singleplayer and multiplayer strategy games. We explore what makes each experience unique, why some players prefer one over the other, and how these different approaches shape the strategy genre.Key topics include:The appeal of singleplayer games, from deep narratives to the satisfaction of outsmarting the AI.What draws players to multiplayer strategy, including competition, social interaction, and replayability.The challenges of toxic

en

54:24

Ep.19: The Best and Worst of Steam Next Fest

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/03/07

In Episode 19 of Critical Moves, we share our experiences from Steam Next Fest, focusing on the strategy games that caught our attention. We played a range of demos, from grand strategy to tactical warfare, and we're here to break down what stood out.Games covered include:- Starless Abyss: A FTL inspired roguelite with space combat.- Task Force Admiral: A well-polished indie game which stinks of AAA awesomeness.- Orbi Universo II: A super-complex management-simulation-strategy game.- Roman Triumph:

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38:31

Ep.18: Sid Meier’s Civilization VII

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/02/28

In Episode 18 of Critical Moves, we turn our attention to Civilization 7. With Joe taking the lead on the review and Al asking the tough questions, we break down whether the latest entry in the legendary 4X franchise lives up to expectations.Key topics include:What Civ 7does differently from its predecessors.The gameplay mechanics, AI, and overall balance—what works and what doesn’t.Whether this is the evolution the franchise needed or just more of the same.Does Civilization 7push the 4X genre

en

43:33

Ep.17: Sid Meier’s Civilization: How One Franchise...

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/02/21

In Episode 17 of Critical Moves, we take a deep dive into Sid Meier’s Civilization and its lasting impact on the 4X strategy genre. From its early days to its modern iterations, Civilization has set the standard for explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate gameplay.Key topics include:How Civilization popularized 4X strategy and influenced countless other games.The evolution of the series, from the original Civ to its latest instalment.What makes the Civilization formula so endearing and enduring.We

en

42:41

Ep.16: Why AAA Studios Abandoned RTS

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/02/14

In Episode 16 of Critical Moves, we take a hard look at why major AAA studios have largely stepped away from real-time strategy games. Once a dominant genre, RTS has seen a decline in big-budget releases, leaving indie developers to carry the torch.Key topics include:The shift in the gaming industry that pushed AAA studios away from RTS.Why indie studios are now the driving force behind modern RTS games.We also discuss whether AAA publishers will ever return to the genre and what it would take to

en

46:58

Ep.15: The Best Strategy Games For New Players

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/02/07

In Episode 15 of Critical Moves, we break down the best strategy games for newcomers to the genre. Strategy games can be intimidating, but some titles do a great job of easing players in while still delivering a satisfying challenge.Key topics include:What makes a strategy game approachable for beginners.Our top picks across different subgenres, from RTS to grand strategy.How these games teach core mechanics without overwhelming new players.Whether you're just getting into strategy games or looking

en

49:29

Ep.14: Strategies in Strategy Games (Yes, Really)

Critical Moves Podcast - Strategy Videogames ·

2025/01/31

In Episode 14 of Critical Moves, we get back to basics and talk about actual strategies in strategy games. From defensive turtling to aggressive rushing, we break down different playstyles, their strengths and weaknesses, and where they work best.Key topics include:The eternal debate between turtling and rushing—when to bunker down and when to strike first.How different RTS games encourage or punish certain strategies, with examples from classic and modern titles.The impact of map design, unit

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