Rob Zacny

Three Moves Ahead 643: 2025 Catch-Up Len, Nerium, and Mike kick back to highlight some of our favorite strategy and non-strategy games of 2025 that didn't make it to a full episode. There were how many Roman city-builders this year? And yes, sports management games do count as strategy. Even that one. Games discussed: Nova Roma Look Outside Lisa the Painful Total War Warhammer: Tides of Torment Skin Deep Ambrosia Sky Demonschool Phantom Brigade Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Crusader Kings 3: All Under Heaven Mount & Blade 2: War Sails Cities Skylines 2 Victoria 3: Iberian Twilight Death Howl Heroes of Might & Magic: The Olden Era The Case of the Golden Idol Enigma Trilogy Nova Roma Look Outside Lisa the Painful Total War Warhammer: Tides of Torment Skin Deep Ambrosia Sky Demonschool Phantom Brigade Eriksholm: The Stolen Dream Crusader Kings 3: All Under Heaven Mount & Blade 2: War Sails Cities Skylines 2 Victoria 3: Iberian Twilight Death Howl Heroes of Might & Magic: The Olden Era The Case of the Golden Idol Enigma Trilogy Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 642: Anno 117: Pax Romana Len and Jon are joined by But Why Tho?'s Kate Sánchez and CGMagazine's Dayna Eileen to build Rome in a day with Anno 117: Pax Romana. We discuss the series history and our jumping-on points with it, what's different about this one, and how it serves as an interesting lens through which to view the height of the Imperial Era. Anno 117: Pax Romana, Anno 1800, Anno 2205, Anno 2070 Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 641: Europa Universalis 5 Len, Rowan, and Jon are at last granted the liberty to speak on their experiences with Europa Universalis 5, Paradox's latest and most ambitious grand strategy game. Is it actually good? Is it even possible to evaluate it in a that straightforward of a way at this point? And why has it turned Rowan into The Joker? Europa Universalis 5 Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 640: Endless Legend 2 & Friends Len and Mike are joined by Ruth Cassidy and Sin Vega to give some early impressions of Endless Legend 2's Early Access launch, as well as a whole bunch of other stuff we've been playing, in this chill variety chat. Endless Legend 2, Zephon, Feastopia, The Alters, Against the Storm, Hades 2, The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily, Town to City, Rise of the White Sun, Tempest Rising, Victoria 3, Silent Hill f, Super Robot Wars Y Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 639: The Past and Future Dawn of War Len, Ian, and Fraser are placed onto the battlefield from strategic reserves to talk about the past and future of Dawn of War. The past: the recent Dawn of War: Definitive Edition and how well it holds up for a 20-plus-year-old game. The future: Dawn of War 4, which Len and Fraser both got some hands-on time with. Dawn of War, Dawn of War 2, Dawn of War 3, Dawn of War 4, Company of Heroes Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 638: Timberborn Timberborn is one of those Early Access games that we missed covering at its original launch, and we're not sure when it's going to be actually done... so what better time to talk about it than now, honestly? Len, Ian, Mike, and Sin sink their oversized incisors into the beaver city builder to discuss its ecological themes, potential for hydrological urbanism, and where it's at in its development journey. Timberborn Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 637: Stormgate: Ashes of Earth Interview With Stormgate leaving Early Access alongside the release of its first full single-player campaign, Ashes of Earth, Len chatted with Frost Giant's Top Tims, Tim Morten and Tim Campbell, about what has changed in the last year and what this new chapter means for the RTS. Check out this wild custom map made without triggers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSjGR4HGuiU Stormgate, Warcraft 3, Warcraft 2, Dune 2, Command and Conquer: Generals 2, Starcraft 2 Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 636: Civil War Midlife Crisis Aftermath's Riley MacLeod has developed a sudden interest in the American Civil War, and we've assembled a 3MA all-star team featuring Rob Zacny, Rowan Kaiser, Len Hafer, and Luke Plunkett to walk him through this difficult and confusing time. We use Ultimate General: Civil War as a launching pad to discuss the conflict itself, the games based on it, as well as the tricky elements of adapting it for an entertainment product through the wonder-filled eyes of a strategy newbie. Inspired by the article, "Bad News, I’m A 43-Year-Old Man And I’ve Recently Taken An Interest In The Civil War," https://aftermath.site/civil-war-middle-age Ultimate General: Civil War, Hearts of Iron IV, Panzer Corps, Panzer General, Panzer General 2, Grand Tactician: The Civil War, Total War: Napoleon Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 635: Three Moves Ahead 635 - The Strategy Games of Steam Next Fest 2025 Len, Mike Williams, and Dominic Tarason run down the most exciting and interesting strategy and tactics games (and a couple from outside our usual wheelhouse) of Steam Next Fest 2025. From squat mechs to Italian vampires, there's a little something for everyone. Dice Gambit, Jail Dice: Roll to Break, Absalum, FBC: Firebreak, Nightmare Frontier, Grit and Valor - 1949, Blue Prince, Mecharashi, Mars Attracts Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 634: 9 Kings Len, Mike Williams, Luke, and Jon roll out the red carpet for 9 Kings, a tile placement base defense game with roguelite elements. It's hard to describe, honestly. But trust us: it's worth a look. 9 Kings, Balatro Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 633: Even More EU5 It's Three Moves Ahead Original Flavor as Len, Fraser, and Jon gather for a second panel discussion on the press hands-on for Europa Universalis 5. We discuss how this game made us feel like absolute fools, argue about whether or not Greenland is a good starter nation, and discuss who has the most Troy Energy. Europa Universalis 5 Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 632: We Played Europa Universalis 5! (No CB Megacast 11 Preview) This is a free preview of this month's Patreon episode. Check out the extended version at Patreon.com/3ma! Len, Lambert, and Lorris have gotten some hands-on time with the Actually Really Announced game Europa Universalis 5! We discuss our impressions, our praises, our gripes, and even some of our most precious wishes. Europa Universalis 5 Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 631: Cataclismo Len is joined by special guest Casey Explosion to talk about Cataclismo, a horde defense RTS with a unique, LEGO-like base building mechanic. We touch on the aesthetics, the tactics, and the story, as well as Casey's latest indie recommendations for 3MA listeners. Casey's Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/caseyexplosion Casey's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyExplosion Casey's Steam Curator Page: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28340174-Casey-Explosion/ Cataclismo Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 630: Two Point Museum Len, Mike, and Luke dust off their Indy hats and take a close look at Two Point Museum. We discuss how it's such a great fit for the formula Two Point Studios built over their previous two games, how you make a museum game without presenting a tacit endorsement of grave robbing, and why crime never pays. Two Point Museum, Two Point Hospital, Two Point Campus, Planet Coaster 2 Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes

Three Moves Ahead 629: RTS Shoutcasting and Stormgate 0.3.0 with BeoMulf This week, Len sits down with Philip "BeoMulf" Mulford, a professional RTS esports caster. We discuss how you get that gig, how you develop the skills for it, and how it compares to traditional sportscasting. We also dig in a bit to the recent 0.3.0 patch for Stormgate and how the first big graphical refresh, automated control groups, and fully rebindable hotkeys change the experience. NOTE: We found out after the show was recorded that Philip will be on the main stream for the CHOC tournament on Sunday. You can find out more at https://playstormgate.com/news/stormgate-for-choc-charity-tournament Listen on the Episode Page Listen on Soundcloud Listen in iTunes