Endless Space 2's exit from Early Access is a few days away and to gear up for release, developer Amplitude Studios has been putting out videos to highlight the game's 4X core (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate). Today we're looking at the second of those, showing off the varied ways in which different species can spread their influence.

Endless Legend, a very good 4X strategy game for the PC, got a new expansion last week. It's a good time.

I reviewed the original Endless Space back in 2012, and found it a pretty snappy little 4X game, albeit one with a distinct lack of personality. From what I've played so far of Endless Space 2, we won't be suffering through that again.

Remember how there were a few big 4X games coming out this year? We've already had Stellaris early on, and the Master of Orion reboot launched just last month. But there's one title on the horizon that's still in the works. It's Endless Space 2, and it's looking a bit great.

Being an indie dev is great and all, but imagine a company like SEGA rolling up one day in its giant fun bus and making the following gleeful inquiry: "Hey, we think you're a bit of alright, want to come aboard?" Seems to have worked out OK for Creative Assembly and hopefully so too for the freshly SEGA'd Amplitude Studios.

Hayley took the limelight earlier this week and when he returns from self-inflicted baby duties, Mark will join in the fun. But in the interim, let's take a break from the open-world RPGs, the torturous punishment of Dark Souls and venture in the weird world of games in 2016 that I'm excited for.

XCOM 2 isn't coming out until 2016. Rising Tide didn't revitalise Civilization: Beyond Earth. Endless Space 2 isn't out until next year. Master Of Orion isn't playable yet either and Galactic Civilizations 3 ... there's something not quite there. What on earth is a 4X fan to do?

One option is to hit up Endless Legend, the fantasy-themed 4X from Amplitude Studios. And if you're looking for something meaty to dive into over the holiday break, the game just got a massive update.

I've played a lot of Civilization, and I've played a fair amount of Endless Legend (for a relatively recent game). And I'm ready to make the call. I just like the latter better.

People with iPads, here's your new "what should I play on my next aeroplane flight/long car ride?" game. It's part roguelike. It's part tower defence. It was born on PC. It survived its port to tablets. It requires brains and reflexes. And it's also really good.