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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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes94Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Video GamesLeisure

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Critical Moves

Latest Episodes

Jack, Adam and Nuno get into strategy simulations and war games: what separates a war game from an RTS or a turn-based strategy title, why so many people love the idea of them but bounce off the reality, and how to find a stepping stone over the barr... more

Tim and Adam step away from the screen this week to talk about strategy on the tabletop. It turns out board gaming and strategy gaming sit right next to each other, and the two get into what the medium does better than a PC ever could.

They make th... more

YouTube

Jack and Drexy are joined by nine2 and FoneE from Enhearten Media, the team behind Sanctuary: Shattered Sun, on the day their Kickstarter and free demo finally go live. This is a proper deep dive: five years of development, the technical architecture... more

YouTube

Marking episode 90 with the only decade fitting for the number, Al is joined by Joe, Adam and Drexy to work through the strategy games of the 1990s and the genres they created. The conversation covers Sierra's city builders including Caesar 3 and Pha... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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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

Jack
Host of Critical Moves Podcast. Frequently shares personal opinions about strategy games and hosts discussions.
Drexy
Co-host and frequent contributor, discussed industry topics and guest appearances.
Joe
Co-host and guest from the strategy gaming community, participates in discussions and interviews.
Adam
Host/guest with recurring involvement in episodes, contributor to discussions.
Tim
Co-host contributing to strategy discussions and episodic debates.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 41 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 States7 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 Kingdom7 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.

Very thoughtful and intelligent commentary on strategy games.
Consistently entertaining and insightful for strategy fans.
Great balance of technical detail and accessible storytelling.
High-quality guests and in-depth design discussions are a hallmark.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#151
United Kingdom/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#244
Australia/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#52
Sweden/Leisure/Video Games
Apple Podcasts
#208
Sweden/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#226
Russia/Leisure/Video Games

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sanctuary Shattered Sun: Kickstarter Live! T5 Titans, Shatter & Freeze (Ep.91)
Q: Why did you choose to ship with a demo and ongoing stretch goals rather than a traditional full launch?
We wanted to prove the engine and gameplay can deliver, give players a tangible sense of progress, and create momentum with a live, expandable roadmap that keeps backers engaged as the game evolves.
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.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Critical Moves

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

Critical Moves regularly explores strategy games with a focus on design, mechanics, and thoughtful critique. Episodes balance developer interviews, industry context, and deep dives into RTS, 4X, and tactics, often featuring guests from indie studios and longstanding strategy communities. The show stands out for its willingness to argue tough points, connect design choices to player experience, and spotlight sustainability and modding as a core part of strategy gaming. Listeners are likely players who value systems, long-term strategy, and nuanced discussion beyond quick reviews, with a tendency to engage with indie development stories and community-driven content.

Potential listeners can expect rigorous conversations about game design, eng... 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. Space Game Junkie Podcast
5. The Game Informer Show

How many episodes of Critical Moves are there?

Critical Moves launched 2 years ago and published 94 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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