Distant Worlds: Universe

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. PCGamesN
    Jun 27, 2014
    90
    An exceedingly complex, infinitely rewarding space strategy game. It’s made me more excited about the genre than any other game of its kind since Galactic Civilizations II.
  2. Gamer.no
    Jun 18, 2014
    90
    An already great game returns as one of the best space strategy games ever made.
  3. Digitally Downloaded
    Jun 17, 2014
    90
    Distant Worlds: Universe is a corker. But make no mistake: while it’s not as forbidding as some Grand Strategy games, patience and a degree of head-scratching will be required. But it’s worth the effort. It’s enormous, complex and – above all – fun.
  5. GameWatcher
    Jun 12, 2014
    90
    It's a challenging and complex game packed with features that allows you to choose just how you want to play it, while accommodating a wide variety of play-styles and strategies.
  6. IGN Italia
    Jun 2, 2014
    79
    A one-of-a-kind 4X, Distant Worlds blends epic scale and macromanagement. The Universe release doesn't bring a lot of new content, but is a nice wrap-up nonetheless.
  7. Eurogamer
    Jun 30, 2014
    70
    While Distant Worlds may be a paragon of its style, I can only recommend it to a select few: those with beefy computers and plenty of time to really dig into the meat of this stunningly elegant and impressively wide-ranging bit of software.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 81 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 104
  3. Negative: 15 out of 104
  1. Animorganimate
    May 23, 2014
    10
    Distant Worlds has ruined me for other space-based 4X-strategy games, which is a genre I love more than any other. I try to go back to GalCivDistant Worlds has ruined me for other space-based 4X-strategy games, which is a genre I love more than any other. I try to go back to GalCiv and MoO once in a while, but nothing matches the scale and minute level of control that Distant Worlds offers. I'll be playing this for years to come.… Full Review »
  2. Icemania
    Jun 20, 2014
    9
    A couple of years ago I found this game by pure chance. After many years of playing almost every Space 4X I was desperate to find somethingA couple of years ago I found this game by pure chance. After many years of playing almost every Space 4X I was desperate to find something better and luckily I found it ... Distant Worlds is best in class and it's since become my most played game. It's a huge relief to see it on Steam because it's ready for Prime Time.

    A couple of key things to keep in mind before you purchase:

    1. This is a massive game and it will take some patience to get over the initial learning curve. You can choose what to automate and what to control, so start with manual control in one or two of your favourite areas only (e.g. for me it was research and fleets) and build from there.

    2. Once over the learning curve hump, if you like this type of game, you'll probably be hooked. In time you will find more layers of the onion to peel away. My game strategies were still evolving 100's of hours later.

    3. It's a real time game but you can pause to make it feel somewhat like a turn based game and to help keep your massive empires under control. As a result don't be put off by real time if you prefer turn based games.

    4. The graphics are average. If this is your primary driver this probably isn't your game. But if you want plenty of massive battles you'll get them.

    5. There is a massive array of setup options and as a result the game has significant longevity.

    6. The Universe release has greatly expanded mod capability. I don't play with many mods but Distant Worlds has some good ones.

    7. The Developer has a long track record of providing support and patches. This game will continue to improve ...

    If this sounds like your type of game then I recommend it highly.    … Full Review »
  3. franklymydear
    May 27, 2014
    10
    Distant Worlds is the best 4x available today. It's combination of depth and accessibility is unmatched in this genre.

    How, you might ask,    Distant Worlds is the best 4x available today. It's combination of depth and accessibility is unmatched in this genre.

    How, you might ask, does it accomplish this feat? Variable micromanagement. If you want to nurture your colonies from day one, to design every strut and gravatic beam weapon on your ships, and ensure that the right espionage agent ends up on a mission to steal operations maps from your dreaded enemy, you can. On the other hand, if you want the AI to deal with all the micromanagement and to instead cruise around the galaxy in your prototype hyperdrive rocket, look at the ruins of ancient civilizations and run from giant space lobsters, you can do that instead. You can even combine the two -- more or less -- and tool around in the rocket while occasionally changing tax rates, build orders, and spy/diplomatic targets.

    Unlike most 4x games, DW is built on the back of a fairly intricate economic simulator. But wait - simulator - does that mean I can't control it??? Not directly. The civilian economy, all those little freightors, gas mining ships, and tourist vessels... that is almost entirely out of your hands. You can set up your military/industrial base to encourage good civilian use, but the civies decide for themselves whether they want to pick up a load of Cason gas and move it to where you need fuel for your next military campaign.

    DW:U brings better pathing, improved AI, and expanded mod capabilities to an already great game.

    Cons: The game resolution is set to your desktop resolution because it runs in a borderless window. Consequently, the font can be small and hard to read. If this is a problem for you, one solution is to lower your desktop resolution before launching the game.    … Full Review »
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