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Critical Moves - Strategy Gaming

Critical Moves Podcast
Stellaris
Strategy Games
Total War
Real-Time Strategy
Paradox Interactive
Civilization VII
Game Development
Civilization
RTS Games
Grand Strategy
Beyond All Reason
Victoria 3
4X Games
Game Design
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes82Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureVideo Games

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Artwork for Critical Moves

Latest Episodes

Al, Jack, and Joe dig into the Stellaris Season 10 announcement: the Nomads expansion arriving 15 June, the Willpower ethics rework coming Q4, four new scenario packs introducing standalone game modes, and a rebrand of ascension perks to ambitions. T... more

YouTube

Episode 80 is a community-led episode. Al is joined by Adam, Jack and Tim to work through fifteen listener questions submitted via the Critical Moves Discord, covering biggest gaming disappointments, steep learning curves worth the investment, the pe... more

YouTube

Jack is joined by Tim and Joe for a full episode on Victoria 3. They cover how the game has changed since launch, what the Charters of Commerce and subsequent DLC updates have done to the economic and political systems, and whether it now stands as P... more

YouTube

Al is joined by Adam and Joe to dig into the role of villains and evil factions in strategy games. The conversation covers standout bad guy characters including Arthas from Warcraft 3, Kerrigan from StarCraft, and Kane from Command & Conquer, before ... more

YouTube

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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)
Chris McElligott-Park
Founder/lead developer at Arcen Games
Arcen Games
Episode: Heart of the Machine 1.0 — Narrative Strategy, Time Loops & the Future of Arcen Games (Ep.71)
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)
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

4.9 out of 5 stars from 38 ratings
  • Best new pod

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cookbook author 21
    United States4 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 States4 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 Kingdom4 months ago
  • Great and chill podcast!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    dumbwrench
    a year 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 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.
Terra Invicta: The Long War From The Shadows (Ep.65)
Q: Who is this game for? Is it for 4X players, Grand Strategy players, or action-oriented RTS players?
This game is definitely niche, but if you like Grand Strategy and sci-fi, it's likely for you.

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. Meta Abuse
3. Three Moves Ahead
4. Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
5. Brad & Will Made a Tech Pod.

How many episodes of Critical Moves are there?

Critical Moves launched 2 years ago and published 82 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. Chris McElligott-Park
4. Thomas Vandenberg
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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