Endless Space

 PC
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 566 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 345 out of 566
  2. Mixed: 151 out of 566
  3. Negative: 70 out of 566

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  1. kazi
    Jul 6, 2012
    8
    A great game, but there is a lack of depth when you reach high-level play. It's still a lot of fun though, I suggest purchasing it.

    This game is easy to learn, and easy to master. Don't get me wrong, it's amazingly fun to play. Even if you've never played a 4X game before, I can guarantee you will like this game. Nevertheless, once you grasp the basic mechanics, Endless space is not    A great game, but there is a lack of depth when you reach high-level play. It's still a lot of fun though, I suggest purchasing it.

    This game is easy to learn, and easy to master. Don't get me wrong, it's amazingly fun to play. Even if you've never played a 4X game before, I can guarantee you will like this game. Nevertheless, once you grasp the basic mechanics, Endless space is not quite as deep as it seems. Combat/ship design is rather rock/paper/scissors-ish. Upon colonizing a new system, I will always build the same improvements over and over again. Diplomacy is rather simple. There are very few ways to play this game, but somehow it's still very enjoyable. The GUI is amazing, and tooltips make the game very approachable. The game is actually quite beautiful. Whenever I start a game, it is very difficult to stop playing.

    This game is both enjoyable and addictive, although is very simple gameplay-wise. If you buy it, you won't regret it. Just don't expect deep strategies or tactics. You will use the same strategy EVERY TIME.    … Expand
  2. clayesterling
    Jul 5, 2012
    9
    Space turn-based strategy.

    It hasn't been out long at this point but I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. It feels very clean and crisp (bug free - though I know the forums have reported at least one substantial bug). Yesterday I couldn't help but fall into a '1-more-turn' trap, similar to Civ of old. I found myself up until 4AM the day until I finally passed out at the keyboard. The    Space turn-based strategy.

    It hasn't been out long at this point but I'm thoroughly enjoying it so far. It feels very clean and crisp (bug free - though I know the forums have reported at least one substantial bug). Yesterday I couldn't help but fall into a '1-more-turn' trap, similar to Civ of old. I found myself up until 4AM the day until I finally passed out at the keyboard. The planet/system improvements are well done, the technology trees are massive and interesting, the hero experience system is rewarding and fun. I really enjoy getting a new technology for weapon/armor upgrades and then retrofitting my fleet. The combat system leaves a little to be desired. You can select Auto or Manual whenever a battle is initiated. Auto - the computer sims the fight. Manual - You select 3 different actions that play out in order (some actions counter other actions, but overall this feels pretty random). This is minimal though, and can still be fun when you guess the right counter actions to your enemies actions. I recommend this one if you're in the mood for some turn-based strategy fun.    … Expand
  3. HARALD
    Jul 5, 2012
    10
    4x space strategy game for people who love strategy. This is the best sci fy 4x game since master of orion 2. For me find the combat a tad bit poorer then moo2 but this game deserves to be named in the same sentence. I played this game from alpha to beta and now as a release, and I have enjoyed playing the game from day one. The feeling that each game is unique makes you feel that you are4x space strategy game for people who love strategy. This is the best sci fy 4x game since master of orion 2. For me find the combat a tad bit poorer then moo2 but this game deserves to be named in the same sentence. I played this game from alpha to beta and now as a release, and I have enjoyed playing the game from day one. The feeling that each game is unique makes you feel that you are playing a new game eache time you play. The different races gives the game also different flavor which for makes hours and hours of fun. As if that was not enough to make you buy this game ill add something more. The game is working stabile and has very few bugs, and you don… Expand
  4. Flatroy
    May 19, 2014
    9
    This game like Civilization 4 in space. Beautiful graphic, good game play; at first glance difficult, but not really, with the constructor of ships, and with lots of technologies and capabilities to win...
  5. 7_12
    Jul 8, 2012
    8
    This game has a great interface which makes it very accessible, clear-looking and easy to play. Good graphics and design choices also add to it's charm. There's plenty of room for strategic and tactical thinking in this game. On the downside, I would mention the lack of personality in terms of in-game lore and flavour stuff like videos or even text. This doesn't help one get attached toThis game has a great interface which makes it very accessible, clear-looking and easy to play. Good graphics and design choices also add to it's charm. There's plenty of room for strategic and tactical thinking in this game. On the downside, I would mention the lack of personality in terms of in-game lore and flavour stuff like videos or even text. This doesn't help one get attached to the game universe. Minus for this and minus for rock-paper-scissors too fast-paced combat. Still, one has to remember Amplitude Studios is not a major developer and this is their first project. Considering this, and their approach to the game's development and interaction with fans and feedback, I can only applaud and praise them.… Expand
  6. TotalBiscuitXXX
    Jul 7, 2012
    8
    Surprising refreshment of the genre in what was a slow previous year for 4x games. Pros
    * A smart game. Non-cumbersome user interface. * Visually attractive solar system & seemless graphics. * Fairly unique to the genre battle system. * Wide range of game options. Disadvantages * Diplomacy is a slight pushover (i need to look this up as its likely my perception or difficulty settings or    Surprising refreshment of the genre in what was a slow previous year for 4x games. Pros
    * A smart game. Non-cumbersome user interface. * Visually attractive solar system & seemless graphics. * Fairly unique to the genre battle system. * Wide range of game options. Disadvantages * Diplomacy is a slight pushover (i need to look this up as its likely my perception or difficulty settings or settings in general) * Spammy fleets (i think i'll get used to its style) >>>>>>> *!* When I say disadvantages its just something that springs to mind, as I know amplitude will change, as they are puring 1000x of themselves into this game. *!*    … Expand
  7. Sigmar2408
    Jul 6, 2012
    9
    There has been a lot talked about the disappearance of the 4X-genre especially in round based space games. The genre-kings on which most people would agree were Ascendancy and Master of Orion 2 back in 1995 and '96 and a lot of "heirs to the throne" showed up afterwards. But as most of these follow-ups like the Galactic Civilization Series, Imperium Galactica or Sins of a Solar Empire wereThere has been a lot talked about the disappearance of the 4X-genre especially in round based space games. The genre-kings on which most people would agree were Ascendancy and Master of Orion 2 back in 1995 and '96 and a lot of "heirs to the throne" showed up afterwards. But as most of these follow-ups like the Galactic Civilization Series, Imperium Galactica or Sins of a Solar Empire were great games of their own, nothing feels more like a "true" descendant to especially Master of Orion 2 as Endless Space. Of course, different aspects as the interface or the space battles added with action cards can't be count towards the classic points that made the genre so addictive, but they are both great new introductions to a new game feeling in the genre. Endless Space has a lot of things it does quite good and some things that could be made slightly better as well. Starting with the negative points, the AI has its flaws every now and then (although just according to some weird tactics, to that the player sometimes just has to adapt to), the micro-managing in fleet structure could be optimized and some translation fixes are still to be done.
    After all, the game as it was still in alpha and beta status looked polished and more finished even before release than some games don't do after months. When you watch the forum, you see a lot of ideas developer's take from the community, you have votes about new game features and permanent communication about problems or things that could be added into the game.
    The strength of the game is its motivational curve (with that well-known "just one more round"-feeling), the replayability with 8 races and the option for development of your own race as well, the perfect systems- and colony management, a great UI with its possibilitiy to have a complete overview of what's going on just one mouse-click away, a tech-tree with lots of different ways to play the race the way you want (through warfare, technological superiority, extremely fast expansion or just economical dominance) and so on...
    So after all Endless Space is just a classic (nonetheless modern), fun and deep game for all you 4x-nerds out there...and all others who just enjoy well designed games!    … Expand
  8. yourwhitenoise
    Jul 6, 2012
    9
    Endless Space harkens back to classic 4x strategy games such as Master of Orion and the Civ series. In many ways, it is a love letter to 4x fans--its development was directly influenced by them! From start to finish, it is obvious the game was crafted with a lot of love both by the devs and the community. Is it the greatest 4x game ever made? Not yet. If its initial development was anyEndless Space harkens back to classic 4x strategy games such as Master of Orion and the Civ series. In many ways, it is a love letter to 4x fans--its development was directly influenced by them! From start to finish, it is obvious the game was crafted with a lot of love both by the devs and the community. Is it the greatest 4x game ever made? Not yet. If its initial development was any indication, however, it has a bright future of content additions ahead of it.… Expand
  9. kgsodie
    Jul 10, 2012
    9
    This is a great game, make no mistake. It is not perfect, as very few games are, but it gets many, many things right. First, the bad: I've been a strategy board gamer since the Avalon Hill days and the combat system in Endless Space just isn't quite Gold Standard. In a complex game, the combat needs to be lively. It doesn't need to be complex, but there should be a greater degree ofThis is a great game, make no mistake. It is not perfect, as very few games are, but it gets many, many things right. First, the bad: I've been a strategy board gamer since the Avalon Hill days and the combat system in Endless Space just isn't quite Gold Standard. In a complex game, the combat needs to be lively. It doesn't need to be complex, but there should be a greater degree of strategy and tactics than long/medium/short range battle selections between 2 individual fleets. I understand the desire to simplify, but this goes too far. It's not as horrible as other reviews state, it's simply, well, too simple. To be fair, this isn't a straight war-game, it's much more an empire building game for which the designers elected to go with simplified combat. Fair enough, doesn't break the game by any stretch. I do wish you could speed up the combat results, once the cards are selected. A choice between the provided full-auto and full-manual selections. As good as the intuitive interface is (more on that later) some things are missing. Browsing through the wiki clears most questions up, and I hope elements so of the wiki make it into the game. It's nice to peruse the tech tree and see a tech that opens up a class of ship, but it would be even nicer to know what the class of ship is before you research the tech. And now the good: Addicting gameplay. Intuitive interface that is just the right way to do it. Pop-up help everywhere, links to what is going on in the game pop-up as event happen, etc. Replayability is excellent - try the different races, experiment with different victory conditions, try different galaxy sizes and civ mixes. It just goes on and on. Knowing what to research and in what order, how to improve a star system, which ships to build and how to outfit them - these are all decisions you can tailor to your specific play style. Lots of different builds work, and very few decisions you make are game-enders. Some players may not like this, as they may prefer a 'perfect' order for things, but I think it is a strength. The 'perfect' order is for you to decide, out in the endless space.… Expand
  10. Tridus
    Aug 15, 2012
    8
    I wouldn't give this game a 10, but I understand why some people are. The 4X genre is starved for good games, and most recent entrants have been half-baked buggy disasters. Endless Space is polished and plays well. Gameplay wise, Endless Space is really a game about two phases of play. The early game is great. Exploration is tricky. Some planets are hard to colonize. Keeping people happyI wouldn't give this game a 10, but I understand why some people are. The 4X genre is starved for good games, and most recent entrants have been half-baked buggy disasters. Endless Space is polished and plays well. Gameplay wise, Endless Space is really a game about two phases of play. The early game is great. Exploration is tricky. Some planets are hard to colonize. Keeping people happy on a budget matters. You don't want to lose ships. Leaders are highly valuable. In the late game a lot of that changes, however. Colonization is cheap. It's dirt easy to keep everyone happy. Resources flow freely, even at low tax rates. Production rates get so high on good systems that fleet spam becomes a huge problem. Ship design at that point also becomes about glass cannons or guessing games between which weapon he's using right now, and picking the right defense for it.

    That said, those are balance issues and the core game here is fun. It needs some tweaks to become "great", but is already "good" today.    … Expand
  11. jmc8888
    Aug 5, 2012
    10
    There are different types of 4x games. Some are turn based. Many where you control the ships in combat. All of this is great. But haven't you ever wanted to build your empire and ships, and watch the battles instead of feverishly clicking around with your mouse? There has to be a game that eventually comes out like that right?

    Well now there has. Endless Space is a cinematic 4x    There are different types of 4x games. Some are turn based. Many where you control the ships in combat. All of this is great. But haven't you ever wanted to build your empire and ships, and watch the battles instead of feverishly clicking around with your mouse? There has to be a game that eventually comes out like that right?

    Well now there has. Endless Space is a cinematic 4x empire builder. The ship customization is pretty good as you get to choose what type of weapons, defenses, etc that you earlier researched to put on your ship (classes also researched). Also fleet size can be upgraded. So you start off with small ships with a few weapons, and can end up with lots of ships and more weapons (or a ton of crappy weapons if you want to see a venerable light show). The angles of the cinematic battles is pretty good. They could of botched this badly, but they did it quite well. Could be a little better, but still does well. They could patch in more cinematic screens or make it better for a sequel. But for now, it is quite fun to watch. Needs a little more variety, but they can add on to this later.

    This is a new type of 4x, and the point is, as it's patched and/or the series progresses, this new sub-genre will get better. I like variety in my 4x games. I don't want them all being clones of each other. This accomplishes that, and lays the ground work for a branch of the 4x genre.

    The upgrade tree is vast. Don't grow too fast in the game empire wise. There are techs to upgrade to mitigate the 'empire expansion' disapproval factor. You don't need to colonize everything first. Get the bigger solar systems with five planets, and/or the ones with extreme resources. I think this is a great game. A fresh and needed look at the 4x genre. Seriously I've been waiting for a cinematic space battler for a looooooonnnnnggg time. Finally one is out there. Buy it and enjoy a new sub-genre. You'll have your Sins. You'll have your Galactic Civ. You'll have your other. Now you'll also have your cinematic 4x in Endless Space.    … Expand
  12. Exclave
    Jul 26, 2012
    8
    This is a pretty good 4X game. I can't wait for the mods to come alive with custom races and technologies. There are certainly areas that could use a bit of polishing, but compared to many other, this is a diamond in space... A slightly discolored diamond, but a diamond non-the-less.
  13. Fritzworth
    Aug 14, 2012
    8
    As a long-time (decades) 4x game player, I was very impressed with the quality of ES when it was still in its alpha version. Its main flaw (common in 4x games) is lack of a compelling narrative to carry you through to the endgame. Still, I've put in over 200 hours on this game (thank you, Steam, for reminding me) since first downloading the alpha version, I am particularly impressed byAs a long-time (decades) 4x game player, I was very impressed with the quality of ES when it was still in its alpha version. Its main flaw (common in 4x games) is lack of a compelling narrative to carry you through to the endgame. Still, I've put in over 200 hours on this game (thank you, Steam, for reminding me) since first downloading the alpha version, I am particularly impressed by the clean, smooth, consistent user interface. And while some have criticized the combat system, I rather enjoy it, and I find it has subtleties and balancing aspects that casual reviewers overlook. A fun game -- and that's what games are all about, isn't it? ..fritz..… Expand
  14. danbolivar
    Aug 15, 2012
    9
    Honestly the people whom are complaining about this game, simply haven't grasped it's intricacy.
    This is what MOO should have always been.
    There's one reviewer who said battles are «pot luck» yeah sure, if you don't do them manually! With the right number of properly armed ships, a well trained Hero and well selected card tactics one can take out far greater fleets 10    Honestly the people whom are complaining about this game, simply haven't grasped it's intricacy.
    This is what MOO should have always been.

    There's one reviewer who said battles are «pot luck» yeah sure, if you don't do them manually!
    With the right number of properly armed ships, a well trained Hero and well selected card tactics one can take out far greater fleets 10 times as powerful as the one you take up against them___this isn't a pot luck formula, it takes wit and strategy. This game has the incorporated mechanics to grant you the right tools to use strategy.

    I LOVE IT!    … Expand
  15. greywolf00
    Jul 28, 2013
    8
    Best space 4X game I've played since GalCiv 2. My only major complaint is the AI, it's terrible. Even on normal difficulty the AI gets artificial boosts to make them "competitive" with the player. The combat system is different, basically rock paper scissors. Everything counters 1 other card (resulting in a boost), and is countered by one. I was pleasantly surprised to see the AI seems toBest space 4X game I've played since GalCiv 2. My only major complaint is the AI, it's terrible. Even on normal difficulty the AI gets artificial boosts to make them "competitive" with the player. The combat system is different, basically rock paper scissors. Everything counters 1 other card (resulting in a boost), and is countered by one. I was pleasantly surprised to see the AI seems to learn from the system and adapts its strat around your habits.… Expand
  16. KongMinZi
    Mar 6, 2013
    9
    I think this game is perfect choice who want to pursue realistic SF. For example, 'Sin Of Solar Empire' and 'Galactic Civilizations' are not realitstic SF 4X games but RTS that mix some 4X. This game is not warfare game. This is real 4X game and you need some skills of diplomacy and management. I hope that 'Sins Of Solar Empire' learn this game and next one maintain balance.
  17. iThirst
    Dec 13, 2013
    10
    Do you like composing your own unique race, building vast empires, playing the complex game of politics, and waging war with obscenely customizable fleets of ships? I know I do, and Endless Space pushes all those buttons just right.

    There are so many options that the game can seem intimidating at first, but the UI is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate while the game comes in    Do you like composing your own unique race, building vast empires, playing the complex game of politics, and waging war with obscenely customizable fleets of ships? I know I do, and Endless Space pushes all those buttons just right.

    There are so many options that the game can seem intimidating at first, but the UI is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate while the game comes in varied difficulty from granny mode to juggernaut levels of play. You're not going to understand the whole game at a glance, so if you're looking for something no more mentally challenging than an FPS, this is not the game for you. However, once you do grasp it, it provides you with the tools to play the game in new and creative ways every single time.

    Since its original creation this game has been updated and expanded(mostly free of charge) into something far superior to the original product. Critics rightly pointed out the flawed combat, semi-bland universe, and wildly unbalanced starting situations in multiplayer. However, every single one of these problems has been thoroughly handled by the devs at Amplitude. The universe is still not top of the line in terms of interesting story-telling, but the combat has been fleshed out to an absurd level and the unfair luck of the early game has been almost entirely eliminated.

    In short, if you like 4X strategy games, get this one. It's currently the most solid one on the market due to the horribly botched coding of Civ 5. If you don't like them, don't bother, this game is 4X to the core with nothing particularly unusual to offer a player who doesn't care for the genre.    … Expand
  18. capitalship
    Jul 6, 2012
    10
    Start by saying i've been playing these 4x games for a very long time. I have to give this game what it deserves, a solid hard earned 10. This is certainly one of the better ones to come around in a long while. Super smooth interface, very nice graphics, the planets and ship models are just gorgeous. One of a kind cinematic combat that let's you select tactical cards to really impact theStart by saying i've been playing these 4x games for a very long time. I have to give this game what it deserves, a solid hard earned 10. This is certainly one of the better ones to come around in a long while. Super smooth interface, very nice graphics, the planets and ship models are just gorgeous. One of a kind cinematic combat that let's you select tactical cards to really impact the battle. The most bug free game released in a don't even know how long, they even beat Blizzard on this. Depth and more depth, tech tree is amazing so many techs. Each start is so very different and random thanks to the large amount of options and fully random galaxies. You never know what you will find in the systems, some worlds have artifacts, luxuries, ruins, asteroid belts. Systems can have 1 or up to 6 planets. Straight forward ship design makes it easy to get in and create a ship. The AI has been a strong and worth opponent. Multiplayer is really well done, the best 4x turn based strategy space game with multiplayer. Hey one can actually finish a game pretty fast and no long waiting for others to finish turn. Easy to learn and hard to master. Could be a good contender for game of the year. Best advice... BUY IT!… Expand
  19. SemperFidelis9a
    Jul 22, 2012
    8
    Generally speaking the game is very soundly constructed. The space battles are beautiful to watch, and there is enough strategy there for some meaty games. It contains the elements of system control and choke points that I loved about Sins of a Solar Empire without the simplistic "Build a carrier fleet and gg" mechanic. Furthermore, the ability to design your own ships and the strategyGenerally speaking the game is very soundly constructed. The space battles are beautiful to watch, and there is enough strategy there for some meaty games. It contains the elements of system control and choke points that I loved about Sins of a Solar Empire without the simplistic "Build a carrier fleet and gg" mechanic. Furthermore, the ability to design your own ships and the strategy of picking which tech to research and when is pretty engaging. Additionally, the various races that you can play as, not counting the ones you can design yourself, all yield additional replay value as they all have their own unique quirks and strategies that you have to deal with. Overall, there is a lot of good stuff there for several playthroughs, plus after that you can take it online to match yourself up against other players or people that you know.

    All that said, I knocked two points because the game can get stale after awhile, but I think not anymore so than a regular strategy game. At the end of the day, we all know that we develop our own "pattern" of how to play strategy games. It happens with Civ, Sins, etc. Once you reach that point and figure out what works best for you on each race, you'll pretty much be on auto-pilot for the rest of the game. This is especially true in games against the AI where you can pretty much predict how each one will react on a general strategic level. This concern is somewhat eliminated by playing against real people simply because they can be unpredictable, but that doesn't really mean that your particular playstyle will need to be altered all that significantly.

    So, in the end, it's a well-made, fun game that has a moderate replay value, but after you find your groove its easy to get bored, especially against the computer. I'd recommend finding a playstyle by doing games against the AI, then going online and playing matches against people to help keep things livened up.    … Expand
  20. Nats
    Jul 5, 2012
    9
    I have played loads of 4X space games and I have to say that I love Endless Space. recently this genre has been decaying much like every other niche genre of computer gaming. This game is therefore refreshing to play. The game includes all of the expected 4X features - exploration, combat, diplomacy, trading, finance, research, building and empire, keeping it happy. But it also includesI have played loads of 4X space games and I have to say that I love Endless Space. recently this genre has been decaying much like every other niche genre of computer gaming. This game is therefore refreshing to play. The game includes all of the expected 4X features - exploration, combat, diplomacy, trading, finance, research, building and empire, keeping it happy. But it also includes other things such as locating artifacts, surveying moons, obtaining luxury resources etc. Espionage in the only thing missing and that has been promised for the future. The difference between this game and most others of its type, is its simplistic on the surface which makes it very easy to get into but its got loads of depth. You can control colonies with a couple of clicks, you play turns in seconds, and you take an overview of your growing empire.

    You control battles by playing tactics cards which represent orders from the fleet admiral. The combat is therefore mainly observed and got out of the way quickly so you can continue playing the strategy part of the game. At the moment the combat is nice to watch but it could perhaps do with some more control being made available. Also Enemies are known to spam fleets later in the game and there is a limit to the size of fleets so you get a lot of fleets with few ships thrown at you later. This could do with changing. It isn't very bad but it could do with looking at.

    Another thing that sets this game out from its competition is it is beautiful to play. Graphics are really crisp and colourful. It looks like its been made by a large developer not a small Indie one.

    Having played many games like this I have to say this is one of the best and only going to get better. The game is mostly a cross between Masters of Orion 2 and Civilization. It is highly recommended for being very accessible, easy to pick up and difficult to put down, it has hidden strategic depth, and it has beautiful graphics.    … Expand
  21. Thoto79
    Sep 6, 2012
    9
    A great 4x game that just keeps on getting better! The game is allready polished but it is still constantly tweeked and patched by Amplitude Studios. They will also release 3 free add ons witch you can read more about at the Amplitude Studios home pages before Christmas.
    This is the typically "just one more click" game that will keep you up all night. Deep and streamlined at the same time    A great 4x game that just keeps on getting better! The game is allready polished but it is still constantly tweeked and patched by Amplitude Studios. They will also release 3 free add ons witch you can read more about at the Amplitude Studios home pages before Christmas.
    This is the typically "just one more click" game that will keep you up all night. Deep and streamlined at the same time with an exceptional UI, a must buy for turn based strategy games fans!    … Expand
  22. Eviscerador
    Aug 26, 2012
    9
    This is a great game, a blow of fresh air to the decaying turn based strategy game genre.

    I have played most of the old games, MoO, Alpha centauri, Galactic civs, and the first two civs (the historic strategy just don't fit me, i'm more a pew pew lazor guy) and I won't say, this is the heir of MoO, or the heir of SotS, or the heir of GalCiv 2. This is Endless space, a game which will    This is a great game, a blow of fresh air to the decaying turn based strategy game genre.

    I have played most of the old games, MoO, Alpha centauri, Galactic civs, and the first two civs (the historic strategy just don't fit me, i'm more a pew pew lazor guy) and I won't say, this is the heir of MoO, or the heir of SotS, or the heir of GalCiv 2.

    This is Endless space, a game which will surely become a classic in its own, thanks to a polished UI, neat graphics, simple balance and complex strategy, and most of all, thanks to a developer who is willing to improve the game and listen to the players. On this weekend, they released a patch to improve the planetary population growth, so it will growth first the best planet, so you can colonize worse ones for the resources and still growing the big one.

    I'm pretty much happy with this game, I bought it in steam for mere 20    … Expand
  23. Allions
    Jul 7, 2012
    9
    Awesome game. Nice graphics and nice gameplay. 1-2 hours are needed to learn well the game mchanics but there is a good tutorial that helps. The game is deep and balanced, works fine and it's very fast. Only a few bugs in this first version but they are not so bad.
  24. chevmech
    Jul 22, 2012
    9
    A beautiful creation. A must have for any 4X fan- ES is a labor of love from 4X FANS at Amp. You can tell that G2G works by this shining end result - more companies should adopt this policy. I am missing only one element in this game- a map editor. Lack of full customization of the galaxy cost you a point; other than that- Bravo, Amp!
  25. shai182
    Jul 16, 2012
    9
    for me it's a good Turn Base game that waste time with excitement and let's me relax while my empire grows, the game has it a few flaws that are barely noticeable and the tech tree is incredible. this is the game for people who love to think and plan ahead!
  26. PadyEos
    Jul 8, 2012
    9
    I came to Endless Space with the feeling this is going to be another GalCiv or Sword of the Stars clone. After actually playing it I can say it's neither. It's less of a x4 than GalCiv, comparing the 2 is quite unfair on both of them, but the best comparison is with Sword of the Stars. Comparing the two the entire Endless Space experience feels more polished and better streamlined. TheI came to Endless Space with the feeling this is going to be another GalCiv or Sword of the Stars clone. After actually playing it I can say it's neither. It's less of a x4 than GalCiv, comparing the 2 is quite unfair on both of them, but the best comparison is with Sword of the Stars. Comparing the two the entire Endless Space experience feels more polished and better streamlined. The tech tree will get some time to get used to and could stand some more streamlining but after a couple hundred turns when you figure out where the stuff you currently need is you will get completely used to it. The variety is somewhat less and the combat is streamlined, for better or for worse, but overall it's the better game, a lot of fun and completely worth the time you put in it.… Expand
  27. Rygar
    Jul 7, 2012
    8
    4x turn based strategy game, very well polished and tested. I haven't seen a single bug yet. It has taken lessons from the legendary games of old (Masters of Orion, Galactic Civs), and incorporated them into it's own style. Highly addictive, and very fun to play. That said, the game does have two minor weaknesses. The game doesn't really have any animations for events, such as4x turn based strategy game, very well polished and tested. I haven't seen a single bug yet. It has taken lessons from the legendary games of old (Masters of Orion, Galactic Civs), and incorporated them into it's own style. Highly addictive, and very fun to play. That said, the game does have two minor weaknesses. The game doesn't really have any animations for events, such as Master's of Orions "Tech researched/stolen", which IMO reduces the excitement. The combat system, while quite innovative, isn't really a good replacement for player controlled combat.

    Still, if you like 4x strategy, this game will be worth your money!    … Expand
  28. NewHorizon
    Jul 5, 2012
    9
    A damn fine 4x space game, in the style of MOO and other greats. Crisp interface and Smooth graphics, inventive if simple combat system. Excellent Exploration, Development, and Tech Trees. The Developers are 100% supportive to the community and are as you read this inventing some user input based new feature.
  29. Bear101
    Jul 6, 2012
    10
    If you enjoy turn based 4x strategy games like Civ and Master of Orion 2, this game will appeal to you. It's the best take on this genre in several years. I am not counting Sins of a Solar Empire as that is RTS based and this is turn based. The game is very well done and is a nice first effort by Indie developer Amplitude Studios. The user community is strong and the devs are active inIf you enjoy turn based 4x strategy games like Civ and Master of Orion 2, this game will appeal to you. It's the best take on this genre in several years. I am not counting Sins of a Solar Empire as that is RTS based and this is turn based. The game is very well done and is a nice first effort by Indie developer Amplitude Studios. The user community is strong and the devs are active in soliciting player opinions and incorporating suggestions into the game. System management is strategic and similar to cities in Civilization. However, unlike Civ, systems are made up of several individual planets of different types, each with unique buffs, debuffs, and resources. This makes every system unique and sort of like solving a puzzle to get the best performance out of each system. Combat is fleet level only-you design and build ships, organize into fleets and send into battle. Weapons and defenses are rock, paper, scissors type (missiles, beams, and kinetic). Combat has 3 phases and you pick a strategy card for each phase, which has advantages and disadvantages. Good strategy can allow an inferior force to defeat a superior one. Battles are high level and take only about a minute each to resolve so you will not be making real-time tactical adjustments. If played out manually, battles are displayed cinematically even though the decisions are turn based. It's pretty cool to watch the ships and weapons going at it. There are also heroes who can improve systems (governors) or fleets (admirals). I can't say the game will appeal to everyone because many people are not into this type of game but for those that are, this is one of the best releases in many years.… Expand
  30. Theodotus
    Jul 5, 2012
    10
    For me, this game is something I've waited a long time for.

    Space 4x games are my favorite genre, and I've played a lot of them. Endless Space is the first game since MOO2 that gives me the space 4x experience I've kept searching for. In brief, it makes me feel like I'm actually participating in the development of a spacefaring civilization which is expanding out among the stars.    For me, this game is something I've waited a long time for.

    Space 4x games are my favorite genre, and I've played a lot of them. Endless Space is the first game since MOO2 that gives me the space 4x experience I've kept searching for. In brief, it makes me feel like I'm actually participating in the development of a spacefaring civilization which is expanding out among the stars.

    The first thing that contributes to this is the graphics, which are not only beautiful but which also somehow make me feel like I'm actually present in some galactic map room examining the lay of the land. Connected to that is the design of the star systems -- having multiple planets gives a feeling of realism and enhances suspension of disbelief, and the various planetary anomalies make each system seem sufficiently different and unique that suspension of disbelief is enhanced. Then there is the tech tree, which is not only relatively extensive but which most importantly also provides me with a feeling of "being there," in that the things in the tech tree strike me as areas of research which would actually be pursued by a starfaring civilization. And the descriptions of the various techs and unlocks are well-enough written that they also make me feel like I'm actually involved in a story of future history. Added to that is the backstory, which to me is excellent -- the first I've encountered in a long time that strikes me as something more than a rehash of tired, old sci-fi cliches. As for the race design, it seems to me that there is enough distinction to make them feel different when played. The combat, for me, is good enough. I like the visuals, and the card mechanic allows me to feel like I have some input. Personally, I'm glad it's not more involved than it is -- I don't play these games to feel like a space admiral, I play them to feel like a space emperor. Which means civilization development, not space battles, is my prime focus.

    All in all, I think I'll be playing ES for a long time to come. And I can't put into words how glad that makes me.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

74
#74 Best PC Game of 2012
36
#36 Most Discussed PC Game of 2012
60
#60 Most Shared PC Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 36 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 36
  3. Negative: 1 out of 36
  1. GameOver.gr
    Feb 12, 2013
    70
    What it lacks in storytelling and script it gains in gameplay and in the way it can get awfully addictive.
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  2. Gamer.no
    Oct 27, 2012
    80
    This is a fun and addictive space strategy game. It doesn't quite have the character of Master of Orion 2, but it offers intelligent gameplay, smart opponents and plenty of fun while you build your interplanetary empire. Well worth trying, for both hardcore and casual strategy gamers.
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  3. Pelit (Finland)
    Oct 14, 2012
    83
    Master of Orion still retains its throne, but Endless Space with its enticing atmosphere and fluid gameplay is one of the best 4X games in recent years. [Sept 2012]
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