A month has passed since our last issue. We've seen the return of the beloved 4X games for the first time in over a decade, Ubisoft's signature franchise taking a new (yet old) direction, and to top it all off, the biggest leak of pre-release game information in the history of this medium. At this rate, we're going to need a bigger magazine.

This month we explore the vast universe of Sins of a Solar Empire 2. Mixing real-time strategy with 4X empire building, this ambitious sequel simulates everything from the orbits of planets to the individual guns of warships. We went behind the scenes to talk to the developers about interstellar piracy, galactic trade routes, spaceship combat tactics, and more. And to get you in the strategy mood, we also introduce you to some of our favorite 4X games you can play right now.

But galactic isn't enough. In this issue, we checked out more than just "Sins". Previews include "Assassin's Creed Mirage," a stealth sequel that returns to the series' roots; "Broken Roads," a post-apocalyptic RPG that might rival Disco Elysium; a brutal RTS ready to breathe new life into the genre The Great War: Western Front," and more.

And of course, thanks to what may be the biggest leak in gaming history, we get our first look at "Grand Theft Auto 6" as Rockstar is hacked to reveal the full story of what happened. We then delved deeper into what the footage could tell us about the game's setting, main characters, and mechanics.

The Expert Hardware section investigates what you can do with the power of your PC outside of gaming. We also test six wireless earbuds with the best sound quality and noise-canceling features that are portable and convenient.

Issue 376 is out now and available on all digital devices from the App Store (opens in new tab) and Zinio (opens in new tab). It can also be ordered directly from Magazines Direct (opens in new tab) or by purchasing a subscription (opens in new tab).