ZEPHON is a 4X strategy game set in a post-apocalyptic earth with raiders, rogue AI, and Aliens fighting for power over the ashes of civilization. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

ZEPHON Review Overview

What is ZEPHON?

ZEPHON is a gritty, post-apocalyptic 4X strategy game set on a ravaged Earth, left in ruins after a devastating alien invasion. Humanity, already weakened and unable to defend itself due to an AI uprising that turned its own defenses against it, now clings to survival in a broken world, depending on raids or small enclaves of survivors to get by.

But a new era is dawning. As remnants of human civilization pick up the pieces, a leader must rise. Among visionary artificers, hardened soldiers, aristocrats, and speakers of the alien Voice, one will step forward to lead Earth into an age of renewal. Yet, this rebirth won’t necessarily be a return to what was lost—it may be the forging of an entirely new future for an entirely different people.

ZEPHON features:
　⚫︎　8 playable leaders with unique abilities, units, and playstyles
　⚫︎　13 unlockable game mutators
　⚫︎　Dedicated introductory scenario for new players
　⚫︎　Fully customizable pre-game settings and sliders
　⚫︎　Full-voice acting for leaders, units, scenarios, and cinematics
　⚫︎　1-16 player online or vs. AI multiplayer options

For more gameplay details, read everything we know about ZEPHON's gameplay and story.

Steam

Wishlist Only

ZEPHON Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Robust Gameplay Foundations Good Playstyle Variety Despite its Tiny Roster	Confusing, But Salvageable Lore

ZEPHON Overall Score - 72/100

ZEPHON’s post-apocalyptic world delivers on its promises, offering a solid and enjoyable experience with strong mechanics, striking visuals, and engaging themes. The audio is serviceable, if unremarkable, but overall, there's no faulting this game for being above-average. While it doesn’t revolutionize the 4X genre, ZEPHON remains a worthy addition, standing resilient in the shadow of more iconic titles without casting its own.

It may be set in the aftermath of an apocalypse, but ZEPHON certainly isn’t the end of Civilization.

ZEPHON Story - 7/10

Much of ZEPHON's storytelling strength comes from its unique, comprehensive approach to the post-apocalypse genre. The game weaves together elements from classic scenarios—drawing on everything from Independence Day to Mad Max—to create a richly layered, end-of-the-world experience. While the execution may not be flawless beyond this initial concept, it has promise. The individual leaders are distinctive and engaging, bringing their own personalities and backstories, which add depth to the game’s ambitious world.

ZEPHON Gameplay - 8/10

ZEPHON's gameplay mechanics are robust and skillfully crafted, providing a solid foundation that distinguishes it within the 4X genre. It captures just enough of that Civilization feel to harness the appeal of the classic without coming across as a simple clone. The game’s faster progression and its emphasis on combat-focused strategy create a unique, dynamic experience you can only expect from a world suffering 4 apocalypses at the same time.

ZEPHON Visuals - 8/10

ZEPHON’s visual presentation is striking, artfully blending diverse apocalyptic aesthetics into a cohesive and captivating style. The overworld map is stunning, drawing players into the devastated landscape, while the leader portraits and cinematic images are even more impressive, adding depth to the game’s atmosphere. Though it may lack some of Civilization’s animated personality and high-end cinematic polish, and the UI feels somewhat plain, ZEPHON’s visuals more than match its ambitious scale

ZEPHON Audio - 6/10

ZEPHON’s soundscape is serviceable but not particularly memorable, with a few standout elements like well-delivered voice lines from units and leaders, as well as an undeniably catchy main theme on the menu screen. Unfortunately, these highlights aren’t enough to elevate the overall audio experience, which remains only slightly above average.

ZEPHON Value for Money - 7/10

While ZEPHON's official price is still under wraps, I’d peg its value around $25-30. It doesn't justify a full AAA price tag—not without the prestige or extensive roster to support it—but within that range, it’s a solid buy. Its appeal only dips slightly due to the looming release of Civilization VII, which might push ZEPHON aside sooner rather than later.

ZEPHON Review: Solid Post-Apocalypse, But Not the End of "Civilization"

Let’s be real—now is possibly the toughest time to release a new 4X game. With Civilization VI winding down and Civilization VII on the horizon, any 4X title caught between these behemoths risks fading into obscurity—unless it can either ride the Civ wave or remix it with a unique twist. Fortunately for ZEPHON, it manages to do a bit of both.

But before diving into ZEPHON’s core mechanics, it’s worth setting expectations straight. This isn’t Civilization 6.5, nor does it attempt to directly compete with Civilization VI. While it shares the same genre, ZEPHON is an entirely different beast—more tactical, faster-paced, and steeped in thematic grit. Ironically, it’s precisely because ZEPHON doesn’t try to outdo the genre giant that it might be worth your attention… if you’re willing to overlook a few rough edges.

Let’s start with where every 4X game needs to shine: gameplay. ZEPHON is a turn-based 4X strategy game on a hexagonal grid, similar to genre mainstays like Civilization, Humankind, or the recently released Ara: History Untold. Expect the usual genre mechanics—city-settling, hex-based movement, terrain bonuses, research trees, per-turn progression, and diplomacy—because ZEPHON wisely chooses to build on the tried-and-true fundamentals rather than reinvent the wheel.

Where ZEPHON really starts to stand out is in combat and progression, which ultimately drive the game's core experience. In a world devastated by every apocalyptic scenario imaginable, emerging as a superpower means scrapping for every inch of land, every resource, and every sliver of influence—a brutal fight for survival that ZEPHON emphasizes from the start.

The combat system in ZEPHON feels like a blend of classic 4X mechanics and the tactical depth of a tabletop wargame like Warhammer 40,000. Battles are complex and strategic, with features like charges, positioning bonuses, range calculations, diverse unit types, and powerful Hero units to lead the way. The fast-paced, relentless approach means even the most resource-focused or diplomacy-driven players will need a formidable army at some point. This is a game of tooth-and-nail combat, where every move counts and tactical prowess is key.

This combat-centric design is reflected in the game's single win condition: either conquer every enemy on the map or achieve peace among all nations. While the victory conditions may be limited, this doesn’t restrict the range of playstyles available across the diverse roster of leaders. Each leader offers distinct strategies, allowing players to approach conquest or diplomacy with different tactics, keeping the gameplay fresh despite its dichotomous end goals..

As for how the rest of the game goes, ZEPHON sticks to a straightforward gameplay loop: explore the map, collect bonus caches, settle new cities, construct buildings, expand territory, build armies, and then explore further with enhanced power. Unlike traditional historical 4X games, ZEPHON lacks a religious system and feels more like a massive, strategic chess match, where positioning and planning are everything.

Resources and research progress steadily each turn, allowing players to unlock upgrades through research and establish outposts around the map to support long-distance campaigns. While these features are solid, they don’t bring much that’s new to the genre—combat remains the game’s defining strength and primary focus.

With an understanding of ZEPHON’s core gameplay and features, let’s dive into what makes it work—or where it falls short. First and foremost, the combat-focused design and the “every post-apocalypse” setting are what set it apart from its heavyweight competitors in the genre. It’s a fresh, well-executed experience that, most importantly, is just plain fun. The exuberant setting—melding dystopian themes from all corners of the apocalypse spectrum—isn't just a superficial theme but a core element that’s deeply embedded in ZEPHON’s mechanics, visuals, and atmosphere, giving the game an unmistakable personality.

Additionally, while ZEPHON doesn’t reinvent the genre, it succeeds by leaning into its focus without trying to add unnecessary complexity. Almost every aspect of the game feels like an offshoot of familiar 4X mechanics, but its commitment to a specific style and intensity makes it a unique, memorable addition—even if it might feel a bit one-dimensional at times. This is a game that knows what it wants to be, currency industry demands notwithstanding.

Unfortunately, ZEPHON isn’t without its flaws, and there are areas that could benefit from improvement. The most glaring issue is the UI—it detracts from the game’s otherwise impressive visuals with its overly simple black box and white text, breaking the immersion. Additionally, the human units could use more creativity; while the non-human assets are vibrant and memorable, the human designs feel lackluster in comparison.

Then there’s replayability. While ZEPHON offers decent replay value, especially for a standard game, it falls short by 4X standards. With only 8 leaders and 13 mutators, the variety feels limited, making it a prime candidate for future DLC, but a disappointing lineup for a base game.

In the end, ZEPHON defied the odds by launching in a genre where most titles are destined to struggle for relevance. It won’t be picking up any awards, but with its fresh focus and solid execution, it has more than earned its place. It’s a game worth diving into, even if it’s one you may set aside when Civilization VII arrives.

Robust Gameplay Foundations

Many game developers underestimate the value of robust gameplay foundations, often trading core essentials for flashy innovations or the latest trends. ZEPHON doesn’t fall into this trap. Instead, it builds on time-tested mechanics, focusing on delivering a solid, well-rounded experience with a unique thematic edge. The result is a game that may not be revolutionary or buzzworthy, but it is undeniably effective.

Take, for example, ZEPHON’s use of hex-based traversal and combat. While hexagonal grids are certainly nothing new—and might even feel overdone—ZEPHON leverages this system to elevate its combat mechanics. It builds a lattice of interconnected features, including creature classifications, terrain bonuses, and nuanced ability and attack ranges.

These layers work together to give the game a tactical depth that sets it apart, demonstrating how a familiar foundation can be reimagined to deliver something fresh and engaging.

Good Playstyle Variety Despite its Tiny Roster

Though ZEPHON's roster of 8 leaders (9, if you count the one solely for watching AI battles) is admittedly sparse, each leader offers a unique and engaging way to experience the game. There’s the classic army-building focus of the Fallen Soldier and its alien counterpart, the Furtive Tribunal. Then there’s the Honorable Aristocrat, who leverages influence to complete production instantly—if you can manage his high upkeep costs.

For those who enjoy different playstyles, there’s the Practical Romantic, balancing morale and resource-gathering, and the Heartless Artificer, who fields fewer but highly customizable soldiers. Despite the limited selection, the range of playstyles here showcases the game’s creativity and the strength of its foundational mechanics, proving that ZEPHON can offer something compelling for any player.

Confusing, But Salvageable Lore

When every disaster imaginable is unfolding at once, it's no surprise that ZEPHON’s story feels like it's balancing on the edge—grand in ambition, but perhaps weighed down by too many themes to juggle all at once.

To put it plainly, ZEPHON's storytelling doesn’t quite match the strength of its gameplay. Some details are glossed over or left frustratingly vague, unless you’re willing to wade through a dense web of lore. Other elements feel overly familiar, like the raiders with their vaguely Australian accents, coming across as slightly altered clones of Mad Max. Yet, with a bit more polish and focused storytelling, there's hope for ZEPHON’s narrative to rise to its potential.

Is ZEPHON Worth It?

GAME PRICE TBA

[GAME PRICE TBA]

Platform	Price
Steam	Wishlist Only

ZEPHON FAQ

How Many Playable Leaders Are There in ZEPHON?

ZEPHON’s base game includes 8 playable leaders immediately available to all players. They are, in order listed in the game’s leader select screen:

　⚫︎　Emulated Mind
　⚫︎　Fallen Soldier
　⚫︎　Furtive Tribunal
　⚫︎　Heartless Artificer
　⚫︎　Honorable Aristocrat
　⚫︎　Practical Romantic
　⚫︎　Rogue Operative
　⚫︎　Untold Prophet

What Are Some Beginner Tips for ZEPHON?

Choose A Beginner Leader

Some leaders lend themselves to beginners better than others. The Fallen Soldier and Practical Romantic are both great choices, since most of their bonuses are passive, but are still viable for a more experienced player.

Always Keep Making Soldiers

ZEPHON is a game about hex-based tactical combat, first and foremost, and building units should almost always be your priority. Certainly, setting up new facilities, cities, and resource buildings for upkeep and upgrade is important, but if you cannot defend them, then you’ve already lost the game.

Explore With Your Units

Various caches can be found around the map that grants everything from equippable items to resources and new units. Make sure you use your scouting units to pick these up whenever possible, as once they’re gone, they do not respawn.

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ZEPHON Product Information

Title	ZEPHON
Release Date	November 8, 2024
Developer	Proxy Studios
Publisher	Proxy Studios
Supported Platforms	PC (Steam)
Genre	Strategy, Turnbased, Sandbox
Number of Players	Single Player, Online PvP, Online Co-op, Local PvP, Local Co-op
ESRB Rating	N/A
Official Website	ZEPHON Official Website

Aaron Bruce Albert..

A massive fan of roguelikes, turn-based RPGs, and open world adventure games. His gold standard games include The Binding of Isaac, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and Dragon Quest Monsters Joker.