If you haven’t tried Millennia yet, the Paradox-published 4X game that puts a smart spin on the genre, it’s now temporarily free to try. Historically, it’s struggled a little on Steam, attracting a devout but modest player base and – across its lifetime – mixed reviews. But Millennia is mounting a comeback. Recent responses are a lot more enthusiastic and the new DLC turns Millennia into a strategy game version of Fallout, complete with nukes and wastelands. Civilization 7 is still months away. At the same time, you may be looking for a new game to break up your Stellaris and Cities Skylines 2 sessions. If you’ve avoided Millennia so far, now’s the time to give it a shot.
A 4X game with some historical pretences, Millennia has an inventive twist. Yes, you can advance through the recognizable real-world eras like the Stone Age, Renaissance, Industrial Revolution, and so on, but certain actions can also trigger volatile periods of alternate history. If you put everything into your tech tree and advance too rapidly, you might find yourself in the Age of the Robot Overlords.
In the new Atomic Ambitions DLC, which adds nuclear weapons, a new resource in the form of uranium, and the DEFCON system, if you lose your nerve and hit the big red button, you might condemn the world to the Age of the Wasteland. Alternatively, a functional nuclear policy may herald the sci-fi-inflected Age of the Atom.
Developed by C Prompt Games, recent Steam reviews for Millennia are ‘very positive.’ In our own Millennia review, Alex McHugh calls it “a solid entry into the historical 4X pantheon that offers something new away from the Civilization formula.”
And now, for a short time, the base game is completely free to try. You can play Millennia for the low price of absolutely nothing until November 18. After that, if you decide you want to keep going, it’s on sale until November 26, meaning you can get it half price at $19.99 / £17.49. All you need to do is go here.
Another strategy game contender, Ara History Untold has also just gotten a huge update. There’s also word on the latest leader for Civilization 7.
Check out some of the best grand strategy games, or maybe the best RTS games if you want something more rapid fire.
You can also follow us on Google News for daily PC games news, reviews, and guides, or grab our PCGN deals tracker to net yourself some bargains.