We Love It's Guide to…
Lead a new spacefaring civilization in turn-based 4X: explore the galaxy, develop worlds, build fleets, and pursue varied victories.
Released 19 Oct 2023
Design Custom Starships
Create Alien Civilizations
Explore Space Anomalies
Take command of a civilization that has just achieved faster-than-light travel in Galactic Civilizations IV, the newest entry in the award-winning space 4X strategy game series. Explore the galaxy, colonize worlds, shape cultures, make alliances, fight wars and pioneer new technologies.
Developed by Stardock Entertainment · Published by Stardock Entertainment








You lead a civilization newly capable of faster-than-light travel, guiding its growth across a galaxy of rival civilizations. Each turn, you decide how to explore, expand, develop your empire, and respond to changing opportunities and conflicts.
Send ships to explore space and investigate anomalies for resources and artifacts, then claim planets and build up their economies. Planetary districts and adjacency bonuses shape development, while the Core World and Colony system lets you concentrate management on a smaller number of worlds or develop more colonies directly. Research unlocks further technologies and options.
Meet other civilizations through diplomacy, trade, alliances, and war. Design ships by choosing their components and loadouts, and assemble fleets for exploration or combat. Pursue different routes to victory, including military conquest, cultural influence, diplomacy, or prestige challenges.
Players who enjoy the game often point to its space 4X empire-building, the freedom to customize civilizations and ships, and the different approaches available across campaigns. Planet development and the turn-based pace also appeal to some players, while experiences vary, with others criticizing the interface, AI, and game pacing.
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Steam Deck | Unsupported |
| Achievements | 86 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 13 listed on Steam |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Content notices |
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| AI disclosure | This game used AI to help quickly iterate through designs for some UI elements using our own artwork as a baseline. AI is also used to help translate the game; and is used for the AlienGPT custom species system using player inputs. |
| AI disclosure categories |
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| Website | Official website |