While the term Simulated Life Game (SLG) has been widely used in Chinese-speaking gaming circles to label strategy games like Civilization and Age of Empire, the definition for Last Odyssey-like games has become increasingly blurry over the years.
This is why we want to introduce a more distinct concept—The 5⚔️. The term "4X" for general strategy games, or 5⚔️ for Last Odyssey, describes the core gameplay activities that players typically engage in. These "X's" are: Explore, Expand, Exploit, Exterminate and Exchange. This description has remained unchanged and now defines a distinct sub-genre of strategy computer games.
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Exploration of the game environment is a key component of any 4X game. In Last Odyssey, commanders freely explore the Continent of Middangeard, which is divided into 10 zones across three Circles—Inner, Middle, and Outer. Each zone has its own distinct characteristics and is accessed through Passes that control entry as time progresses.
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Expansion in the 4X genre has traditionally taken several forms. In Last Odyssey, players expand by building various alliance structures and developing economic power within their alliance, while extending their territories of influence across the Continent of Middangeard both politically and economically. This expansion increases the alliance's economy and generates wealth—resources that players need for military upkeep and diplomatic actions.
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Exploitation ranges from explicit to abstract forms. In Last Odyssey, commanders can gather resources in the Continent of Middangeard and clear forests to expand their Kingdom's capacity. This expansion allows for training more troops and constructing additional economic and military buildings. Players must strategically use their discovered resources to achieve victory conditions.
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Combat is a fundamental part of any 4X game, though its implementation varies. Some 4X games take a hands-off approach, where combat resolves automatically based on numerical advantages or unit statistics. In Last Odyssey, as an MMORTS, combat and elimination of rivals are central gameplay elements—emphasizing that only the strongest survive.
While traditional strategy games typically stop at four "X's", Last Odyssey introduces a revolutionary fifth element: Exchange. This feature transforms the gaming experience by creating a vibrant player-driven economy. Unlike conventional games where assets remain locked and centralized, Last Odyssey enables players to freely trade both NFT and in-game assets with each other.
The Exchange system creates a dynamic marketplace where players can: *1. Trade resources, equipment, and collectibles directly with other players