Shadow Empire

 PC
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Strategy Gamer
    Jun 4, 2020
    100
    It's not an especially pretty game - this is kind of 'indie' project that old-timer wargame studios tend to put out. You'll have to get past the aged graphics and masses of UI menus and tiny buttons, but for those that try, a rewarding world of wonder awaits you.
  2. IGN Italia
    Jul 28, 2020
    78
    Terrible interface, micromanagement hell, but also one of the deepest strategy games on the market.
  3. PC Gamer
    Jul 8, 2020
    75
    Ambitious in the extreme, Shadow Empire is a unique sci-fi wargame that's a little lost in its own details.
  5. Quarter to Three
    Jul 5, 2020
    60
    In this situation, my diplomatic standing with a neighboring regime, the loyalty of some of my leaders, my regime’s profile, the units I can use in my army, the stratagem cards I’ll be able to draw, and global bonuses for diplomacy, food income, and combat are all connected. I hope it’s not a spoiler to tell you that a war with Tiefmark — an avoidable war — broke out a few turns later.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 2 out of 9
  1. DurKadenz
    Apr 3, 2021
    10
    The ingredients Wargame, Alpha-Centauri-4X and Crusader Kings mix up to a real unique but graphically also unsavory meal.
  2. harley9699
    Dec 10, 2020
    10
    It's extremely complex, tough to the point of brutal. But, it's a GREAT GAME! Advice: 1) Read the manual (yes, all 350 pages; yes, even inIt's extremely complex, tough to the point of brutal. But, it's a GREAT GAME! Advice: 1) Read the manual (yes, all 350 pages; yes, even in this day and age). 2) Watch some YT videos - done by 'pros'... esp DasTactic's series. 3) Expect to sink Hours into it... just to kind of learn what's going on. :D
    This NOT an entry-level game for 4X, Sci-Fi, and/or wargames. It's not going to hold your hand and tell you every, leetle thing. You learn by (the aforementioned) time (again), trial and error. Once you finally start to get the smallest grasp of things, it's both a Blast and always full of surprises. As a grog: even for me, this is Hard-Core. :) Even if you don't own this on Steam, read the Steam Guides... they'll help.    … Full Review »
  3. Gryfon
    Jul 12, 2023
    9
    The game is best described as a fusion between a wargame and 4X all in very hard sci-fi universe. From 4X's developer took overall concept,The game is best described as a fusion between a wargame and 4X all in very hard sci-fi universe. From 4X's developer took overall concept, from wargames units, order of battle, logistics and more.
    Planet generation deserves special mention. It's very deep but relatively easy to grasp (as long as you check relevant info) and allows immense freedom in what planet you want to play on. Moon? Jungle full of aggressive aliens? Tiny planet with atmosphere dense and oxygen rich enough to populate it all with mega-fauna? Earth-like? Mars 2.0? All of that and more is possible.
    Any thing related to war is immensely deep. You can design tanks, units they appear in, and formations they belong in all while the commanders that lead them must be carefully chosen paying attention if their dozens diffrent statistics work well with the unit. And it's like that for everything - not only tanks but also aircraft, APC's, humble soldiers etc. In it I can find game's only real flaw: it is soo deep and complex that it's extremely hard to get into. I play a lot of hard strategy games but bounced off this game good 5 times before breaking the entry barrier.
    If you like wargames, 4X's and are able to withstand steep learning curve then it is a game for you.    … Full Review »
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