We're throwing you a curveball this week. Al, Jack, and Joe share the games they'd recommend to strategy gamers who want to step outside their comfort zone — covering classics, hidden gems, and a few surprises. Plus: is there strategy in almost every game? And how do you pronounce Stellaris?

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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.

Al is joined by Adam and Jack to dig into the world of downloadable content — what makes a great DLC, what makes a cynical one, and how the industry has shifted from the era of the standalone expansion pack to today's drip-fed content model. From Stellaris and Hearts of Iron to Civilisation 7's ongoing struggles, the trio unpacks Paradox's DLC machine, Firaxis's existential crisis, and why Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance might be the gold standard nobody talks about anymore. Plus: City Skylines takes a late hit, Adam drops a hot take, and the beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder defence gets its moment in court.

https://criticalmovespodcast.com/winning-over-the-heart-of-the-machine/

More from Critical Moves Podcast:

Web: https://criticalmovespodcast.com

Forum: https://criticalmovesforum.com

Newsletter: https://criticalmoves.beehiiv.com

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Is the RTS genre dying, or is it on the verge of a real breakthrough? Tim and Al are joined by Perafilozof, one of YouTube's most dedicated RTS content creators, to dig into the state of real-time strategy gaming, what's holding it back, and what could push it forward. They cover the funding problem facing indie RTS developers, the tension between single player and multiplayer, the role of big IPs in reviving the genre, and why the audience's nostalgia might be part of the problem. Peter also shares his watchlist of upcoming RTS titles and gives his opinion on some of the most anticipated games in development.