Deal | Perfect for a lunch break: Accessible 4X strategy game now under $5 on Steam

As we've noticed time and time again, 4X strategy games are hugely popular with our readers. However, titles like Civilization and Stellaris are notorious time sinks. If you're looking for the classic 4X experience in a more bite-sized format, Ozymandias might be just what you're after. The game from The Secret Games Company is currently back on Steam with a 70% discount, bringing the price down to around $4.50 from $15. According to SteamDB, this matches its all-time lowest price.

Ozymandias takes players back to the Bronze Age, where civilizations such as Babylon, Mycenae, and early Chinese kingdoms compete for territory and influence. On historical hex-based maps, players found cities, raise armies, and expand their empires in classic 4X fashion. There are 52 civilizations to choose from, each with unique starting positions and bonuses. However, Ozymandias significantly streamlines the traditional 4X formula. Instead of juggling complex technology trees, diplomacy, trade, and large armies, the game focuses on just four resources: Food, Knowledge, Wealth, and Power.

On the map, players only move armies and fleets, while battles are resolved automatically based on each side's power rating. Ozymandias also eliminates the traditional endgame grind. Instead of spending ages wiping defeated opponents off the map, players earn Crowns by achieving objectives such as building a large empire, fielding a powerful army, or developing prosperous cities. Once the required number of Crowns has been collected, the match ends – often after just 30 minutes. If you're looking for a 4X game you can finish during your lunch break, this is a great fit. Conveniently, Ozymandias is also playable on the Steam Deck.

The concept has been well received on Steam, where 87% of roughly 1,650 user reviews are positive. Players particularly praise the short match length, accessible gameplay, and the surprising amount of strategic depth despite the streamlined mechanics. Some reviewers would have liked to see a diplomacy system, while others felt the different civilizations could have been more distinct. For a quick strategy game, however, these shortcomings are easy to overlook.

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