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Critical Moves - Strategy Gaming

Critical Moves Podcast
Stellaris
Strategy Games
Total War
Real-Time Strategy
Paradox Interactive
Civilization VII
RTS Games
Grand Strategy
Game Development
Civilization
Beyond All Reason
Victoria 3
Game Design
4X Games
Company Of Heroes
World War II
Tempest Rising
Dawn Of War
Steam Next Fest
Indie Games

Critical Moves is a strategy games podcast that takes RTS, 4X, and tactics seriously. Most gaming podcasts don’t even bother with strategy games. We do. Each week we cover real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, 4X empire builders and indie experiments, plus shining a new light on old classics.

These aren't quick reviews or recycled talking points. It’s sharp criticism and honest discussion about ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes90Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureVideo Games

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Artwork for Critical Moves

Latest Episodes

Al, Drexy, and Joe tackle a question hitting every strategy gamer's wallet: is modern gaming too expensive? From the RAM price surge and the Steam Machine's launch price to Civ 7's $70 tag and Football Manager delisting its own back catalogue, the pa... more

YouTube

Drexy hosts this week, joined by Adam and an early-rising Joe (5am and counting). The trio raid each other's Steam libraries for a "Pile of Shame" challenge, picking games none of them have played and forcing each other to give them a proper go (2-5 ... more

YouTube

It's Steam Summer Sale time, and the Critical Moves crew has recommendations. Al, Jack, and Drexy each bring one game they'd recommend to listeners and one they're taking the plunge on themselves this sale. From alien plant invasions to pirate city b... more

YouTube

Adam, Jack, and Drexy run through the strategy and tactics releases worth watching in 2026 — from Star Wars Zero Company to Stronghold 4, a pirate city builder from the Tropico team, two suspiciously similar space 4X games, and a medieval combat game... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Peter Perafilozof
Creator of the YouTube channel Perafilozof
Episode: RTS Games: Is There a Future? With Perafilozof (Ep.74)
Dr. Ben Angell
Game design researcher and writer, prior guest on the show
Independent / Academic
Episode: The Innovation Problem in Strategy Games | Dr. Ben Angell Returns (Ep.73)
Thomas Vandenberg
Creator and original pioneer behind the game Kingdom
Raw Fury
Episode: Thomas van den Berg on Kingdom's Design Philosophy and the Flash Game Era (Ep.56)
Chris McElligott-Park
CEO of Arcen Games
Arcen Games
Episode: Chris McElligott-Park on Game Design, Narrative, and Arcen’s Origins (Ep.42)
Joe Beard
Host of the Example of Play YouTube channel, focused on tutorial videos for strategy games.
Example of Play
Episode: Strategy Games Are Terrible at Teaching You Anything (Ep.37)
Brandon Casteel
Lead Game Designer for Tempest Rising
3D Realms
Episode: Why Tempest Rising Could Be the RTS to Watch in 2025 (Ep. 25)
Dr. Luke Hughes
Main developer of Burden of Command
Game Developer
Episode: Can You Lead? Luke Hughes on the Emotional Weight of Burden of Command (Ep 22)

Hosts

Tim
Host and recurring co-host on Critical Moves Podcast; frequent contributor to strategy-focused discussions.
Jack
Host with focus on strategy analysis, game design critique, and community storytelling.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 40 ratings
  • Best new pod

    Probably the best video game podcast around. Deserve a bigger audience

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cookbook author 21
    United States6 months ago
  • Enjoy the Strategy chatter

    Thanks for doing these podcasts. I enjoy listening to a podcast with a focus on Strategy games.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SeanM7765
    United States6 months ago
  • Always enjoyable & thoughtful

    Look forward to the episodes whether or not they cover games that I am currently playing. Always enjoyable with thoughtful and intelligent commentary.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Racing Willow
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Great and chill podcast!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    dumbwrench
    2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Consistently insightful with strong industry critique; very engaging.
Nice focus on mechanics and design; great for fans of RTS and 4X.
Shows depth and thoughtful analysis of strategy games.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Space Tales: The RTS You Didn't Know You Needed | Interview with Saigon Dragon Studios (Ep.83)
Q: What is Space Tales as an RTS, and what makes it stand out?
Space Tales is an RTS inspired by StarCraft, with a strong emphasis on a separate faction-per-planet experience—each faction is almost a new gameplay loop, requiring players to customize their army as they move from planet to planet, plus the ability to capture monsters for use in combat.
Space 4X: Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate (Ep.69)
Q: What are the new games to look out for in the space 4X genre?
Games like Stellar Reach and CV Revival promise to combine traditional 4X mechanics with character-driven narratives and dynamic, living galaxies.
Space 4X: Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate (Ep.69)
Q: What do you think makes Master of Orion a standout game among other 4X titles?
Master of Orion set the foundation for many elements in the genre, such as deep colony management and tactical turn-based ship combat, distinguishing it from earlier games.
Terra Invicta: The Long War From The Shadows (Ep.65)
Q: Is any of it scripted?
It starts out pretty scripted, but player actions can delay or trigger events on different timelines.
Terra Invicta: The Long War From The Shadows (Ep.65)
Q: How does the influence work in the game?
You have a council with agents that you can use to influence nations slowly, depending on your faction's dynamics.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Moves

What is Critical Moves about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp focus on strategy gaming spanning real-time strategy, turn-based tactics, and 4X empire builders. Episodes routinely scrutinize game design decisions, from macro systems to micro mechanics, and include deep dives into mechanics, DLC models, and industry practices, often featuring interviews with developers or industry voices. The show blends rigorous analysis with practical takeaways for players and aspiring creators, and tends to emphasize nuanced discussions around learning curves, accessibility, and the balance between innovation and tradition in strategy titles. A notable strength is the ability to translate complex design concepts into actionable insights for both seasoned fans and newcomers, while maintaining a candid, opinion... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Critical Moves?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Critical Moves:

1. eXplorminate
2. Single Malt Strategy
3. Three Moves Ahead
4. MTGGoldfish Podcast
5. Space Game Junkie Podcast

How many episodes of Critical Moves are there?

Critical Moves launched 2 years ago and published 90 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Critical Moves?

Recent guests on Critical Moves include:

1. Peter Perafilozof
2. Dr. Ben Angell
3. Thomas Vandenberg
4. Chris McElligott-Park
5. Joe Beard
6. Brandon Casteel
7. Dr. Luke Hughes

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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