Sins of a Solar Empire

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 317 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 245 out of 317
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 317
  3. Negative: 29 out of 317
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  1. theirrelephants
    May 15, 2016
    9
    Great rts strategy game. Only two downsides: One is that there is no single player campaign and the trailer made me want one, badly.

    The second is that multiplayer games can drag on for very, very long in a large galaxy.

    All the factions are well balanced, the graphics are good, and if you put the AI on insane and let it cheat beyond belief you can even pretend that it's somewhat competent.
  2. INSI
    Mar 30, 2016
    8
    4X mixed with RTS hell yeah count me in.
    IMHO one of the best strategy games ever made. Great variety especially with mods and expansions. It just works.
  3. mcfry
    Feb 2, 2015
    9
    Yes, Sins is a simple and effective addition to the everyday gaming menu. If you have ever built something in a game and moved around units, then you can use this interface with ease. The space atmosphere is mostly provided by sound, since this game's graphics get uninteressant when played from a distant perspective (and that is most of the time). What really matters here is the gameplay,Yes, Sins is a simple and effective addition to the everyday gaming menu. If you have ever built something in a game and moved around units, then you can use this interface with ease. The space atmosphere is mostly provided by sound, since this game's graphics get uninteressant when played from a distant perspective (and that is most of the time). What really matters here is the gameplay, and it is solid.

    With add-ons there is some more variety to the course of the game and the types of winning. The AI is smart, and quick actions are crucial in advanced difficulty levels. While micro-managing large battles from a closer view is fun and nice to watch, it could cost victory because of delayed expansion.

    Solid gameplay, good atmosphere. Typical 8. Space bonus: 9.    … Expand
  4. alanmacd
    Nov 18, 2014
    9
    Sinfully addictive! One of the best tactical games I've ever played. You can feel the clock ticking as you plan your moves, knowing the enemy might strike at any time. And the battles! Epic. Massive space fleets duking it out while you pull the strings...very satisfying.
  5. Jaz
    Feb 24, 2013
    9
    A great RTS game. Could spend hours happily managing my empire. And that's a key point. This game is fun. Very streamlined. A real time sink but an adorable one.
  6. ChunkySaurus
    Aug 12, 2012
    8
    An excellent 4X type game. You really get the sense of massive ships blasting each other apart. Games take a very long time to play out, but if you enjoy the genre this won't matter. The graphics are decent, I really enjoy the multiple independent guns on the capitol ships.

    The big drawback is that there is no single player campaign.
  7. Discord
    May 19, 2012
    9
    An excellent strategy game, with great amounts of variety, especially in the upcoming Rebellion expansion. Controls take a little bit to get the hang of, but after that it's fun as can be. Only drawback is the lack of a single-player campaign, but I believe that's being worked on in the Rebellion expansion as well. The other two expansions, Entrenchment and Diplomacy, add differentAn excellent strategy game, with great amounts of variety, especially in the upcoming Rebellion expansion. Controls take a little bit to get the hang of, but after that it's fun as can be. Only drawback is the lack of a single-player campaign, but I believe that's being worked on in the Rebellion expansion as well. The other two expansions, Entrenchment and Diplomacy, add different technologies and structures while still building on the backstory to the game itself. In place of single-player campaigns, it has multiple scenarios in varying sizes. Without a doubt a fun strategy game.… Expand
  8. BillyIdol
    Apr 19, 2012
    9
    An awesome game.
    To be there, controlling your empire, building your ships, and aniquilating the enemy, it's just priceless.
    It's a shame there's no campaign in the game, but maybe for Sins of a Solar Empire 2.
  9. superecnate
    Feb 6, 2012
    10
    How is it possible not to like this game?! Well, maybe multiplayer junkies. Epic space battles, uber campaings (sure they are technicly skirmish games, just get over it!). Who doesn't like an uber battles between multi-hundred ship super-fleets?! This game lives up to its discription. EPIC!!!
  10. Thaltom
    Dec 20, 2011
    10
    Single player game play will consist of skirmishes. You will be leading one of three possible races: TEC, Advent, or Vasari; all with their own well fleshed-out bonuses and tech trees. These tech trees are separated into Combat, Civilian, Defense, and Diplomacy if you have all three expansions; or Combat and Civilian if you have none. Your armada will include ships to fulfill every nicheSingle player game play will consist of skirmishes. You will be leading one of three possible races: TEC, Advent, or Vasari; all with their own well fleshed-out bonuses and tech trees. These tech trees are separated into Combat, Civilian, Defense, and Diplomacy if you have all three expansions; or Combat and Civilian if you have none. Your armada will include ships to fulfill every niche of combat. For anyone who looks for a game's ability to involve strategy and timing: this is your game. I'm not usually one to comment on visuals in a game but SoaSE has them in spades. Space feels massive and beautiful, like it should feel. There is a silly implemented achievement system designed to test your abilities (e.g. beating four or more Hard AIs at once and for winning a map without researching ANYTHING in the combat tree). Really I can't say enough good stuff about this game. Will be a permanent fixture in my gaming library.… Expand
  11. LordMandalore
    Nov 23, 2011
    10
    The amount of depth, strategy, and amour of stuff you can do in this game is mind boggling. While the story is limited and there is no campaign, Sins offers endless hours of galactic warfare, and getting the Trinity version deepens the experience further. There is also a large modding community and an upcoming expansion on the way!
  12. Xblade_Power
    Nov 18, 2011
    10
    On of the best all time RTS games of all time, well designed, epic scale, graphics decent for an RTS, runs well on most PC's, been playing it for 3 years now and still enjoying it.
  13. AustinGray1
    Nov 16, 2011
    10
    this is my fav game ever!!! so much fun me and 3 of my friends make maps and them play on them for hours this is our third year of having it. in in our load menus we have one game that we are still playing that has 350 hours played on it best game ever if u like strategy games then get this and pre order rebellion support stardock and ironclad! so they make more of these amazing games
  14. thebrock
    Oct 28, 2011
    9
    Another extremely addictive game, not sure which one is more addictive sins of a solar empire or galactic civilizatoions. Anyway that doesnt matter because this is a cracking game which all strategy game fans must try. FANTASTIC.
  15. Heavymetal4life
    Oct 6, 2011
    10
    The people who gave this game a Red review clearly do not understand the Gamer looking for a game like this where you can spend countless hours making a solar system yours to control an fighting other powers to be for domination or other means of diplomacy, The Game has no DRM an you do not need to be connected to the internet to play it last time I checked, So some people are clearlyThe people who gave this game a Red review clearly do not understand the Gamer looking for a game like this where you can spend countless hours making a solar system yours to control an fighting other powers to be for domination or other means of diplomacy, The Game has no DRM an you do not need to be connected to the internet to play it last time I checked, So some people are clearly talking out their butt, and need to stop reviewing games just to show they are simple minded an only thing a review matters their opinion. I can put days into large system map game play, countless HOURS! Yes it is a strategy Space game, upgrade tech trees build ships an capital ships your ships upgrade via kill / battle experience. I find the game even more intriguing when you play it on cinematic view an rid yourself of the excess lines an grids. Clearly the 22 negative reviews are people who like they said want to play Master of orion or Starcraft, So simply go do that a game does not just get 130+ positive reviews for no reason. Stop reflecting your hate for a game cause you just do not like countless endless hours of strategy based games, Who cares about a campaign the game is made for mass domination an expansion. Not some cheesy linear story that certain people MUST have in order to allow a game to be something. An TBH, If you want to say starcraft is great cause of its campaign, your simply how shall I say.... Blind.… Expand
  16. Delta_Assault
    Sep 22, 2011
    9
    This game kicks ass. It's pretty much a combination of Homeworld 2 and any regular 4X space empire game. You could also see it as a space version of Supreme Commander, it's goddamn epic. Like, battles with fleets of over 200 ships.

    Plus, there's absolutely no DRM, if you know what I mean. While I describe it as Supreme Commander in Space, Sins has a much better UI. Supreme Commander    This game kicks ass. It's pretty much a combination of Homeworld 2 and any regular 4X space empire game. You could also see it as a space version of Supreme Commander, it's goddamn epic. Like, battles with fleets of over 200 ships.

    Plus, there's absolutely no DRM, if you know what I mean. While I describe it as Supreme Commander in Space, Sins has a much better UI. Supreme Commander wasn't all that great IMO because the pacing was slow as hell and you had to individually upgrade all the tiny little resource poiints which really got annoying. You also do a lot of teching in Sins but it's all very easy and intuitive, without feeling like a chore.

    The only thing this game lacks is a singleplayer campaign with a storyline, but the open sandbox levels do an adequate job.    … Expand
  17. BLACKFIREw
    Apr 22, 2011
    10
    Amazing game. I'm still coming back to it after four years, and it still feels fresh. I honestly prefer it over Starcraft 1 or 2. The main reason is being that it seems easier to perform amazing intricate strategies, and there seems to be more of them, too. There is a lot of depth that exists in this gem, including many research areas, artifacts to give you an edge, leveling up capitalAmazing game. I'm still coming back to it after four years, and it still feels fresh. I honestly prefer it over Starcraft 1 or 2. The main reason is being that it seems easier to perform amazing intricate strategies, and there seems to be more of them, too. There is a lot of depth that exists in this gem, including many research areas, artifacts to give you an edge, leveling up capital ships, and establishing trade with other factions. There are more factors that play into a successful game, but it would take long to list them. The great User Interface enables the aforementioned ease of performing satisfying strategies that can result in the downfall of the enemy's homeworld, major defense center, or his/her fleet. The graphics are still pretty to look at even after four years, and are scheduled to get an improvement in an upcoming expansion pack titled Rebellion. Watching your plan unfold in beautifully rendered battles consisting of hundreds of frigates is a sight to behold. This is literally the best RTS I've ever played.

    --PROS--
    - Great graphics
    - Great UI
    - Amazing depth

    --CONS--
    - Very long matches    … Expand
  18. vXxo0oxXv
    Jan 24, 2011
    9
    No amount of words could possibly describe how epic this game is. Play it. Get the torrent if you want. You will end up buying it. A truly spectacular creation.
  19. BrunoT.
    Jan 26, 2010
    9
    Best space RTS ever... score only 9 because of single core and 32 bits limitation... so big scale game can lead to slowdown or out of memory on the biggest map... anyway, it remain a top game
  20. WillC.
    Jan 17, 2010
    10
    Definately worth your time, and well deserving of it's place at 157th on the best PC games of all time. The games can be slowed right down to allow time for strategic planning, or sped up so that you could play a real quick game on your wit and instinct. The races are relatively well balanced (although still seems to revolve around a basic rock/paper/scissors idea) and the developers Definately worth your time, and well deserving of it's place at 157th on the best PC games of all time. The games can be slowed right down to allow time for strategic planning, or sped up so that you could play a real quick game on your wit and instinct. The races are relatively well balanced (although still seems to revolve around a basic rock/paper/scissors idea) and the developers have added features that make the game's many fight scenes almost like a cinematic out of a sci-fi film. The AI is very advanced (especially in the later patches) and capable of follwing orders and summing up tactical situations, but also a little cowardly and all too prone to making as many friends as possible and leading a massive group attack on your empire. Nasty. (you can lock the teams so they can't, but...) All in all, the only part lacking in this game is a campaign - but get a couple friends hooked and boot up a LAN game, and suddenly a game that may only have lasted an hour or 2 against the AI could last weeks. Just because of how predictable human nature is(n't).… Expand
  21. KevinR
    Sep 1, 2009
    10
    This is one of the greatest Strategy games of all time. The 4X combo of RTS battles along with civ building make this game utterly addicting, and at the same time fulfilling.
  22. ScottD
    Aug 1, 2009
    10
    Hmmmm, There seem to be people complaining aboiut the lenght of time it takes to complete a match, im currently on and off with a save (on fast game speed) that has lasted 11 hours, it is on the largest map possible with the most amount of players possible it is a free for all. only 2 A.I.s have been vanquished. it is the most fun ive ever had in the space genere, homeworld games are too Hmmmm, There seem to be people complaining aboiut the lenght of time it takes to complete a match, im currently on and off with a save (on fast game speed) that has lasted 11 hours, it is on the largest map possible with the most amount of players possible it is a free for all. only 2 A.I.s have been vanquished. it is the most fun ive ever had in the space genere, homeworld games are too short and you cant get enough capital ships, master of orion 3 takes too long o get the really big ships, but this one allows you to get them from the start!! GENIUS. the reason i gabe this game a 10 is because, quite simply, it is the best space RTS and also the bes space 4X game.… Expand
  23. Alex
    Jul 14, 2009
    8
    It takes a bit of time to learn the game but once you ve understood the game mechanics and broken diplomacy system the AI is definitely no match. I guess it s great on multi though.
  24. [anonymous]
    Jun 16, 2009
    10
    This is certainly one of the best strategy games since homeworld 2. The only downside of the game is the lack of campaign but if you love space and huge battles ( and have a couple hours free time) you should not miss this one
  25. CJCook
    Mar 4, 2009
    9
    So simply and deep you'll wonder why all the other mass RTS are such crap. Applies all the goods from other game types like it and strips the ridiculous complexity out to make for smooth, fast and deep empire building game play.
  26. Andrew
    Jan 12, 2009
    8
    Interesting hybrid between the well-worn RTS and 4X game formats. Sins reminds me of Lucas Arts's visionary but flawed "Star Wars:Rebellion" of 1998, which was too far ahead of its time. I've played a lot RTS and 4X games and I'd say Sins FEELS a lot like a 4X game than an RTS game due to its scale and pace but its really an RTS on a larger scale and slowed down. Sins doesn
  27. BarisK
    Jan 10, 2009
    10
    A perfect game. It's just like those games that stay installed on your computer for years, and whenever you're bored with what you're playing, you can just engage in a breath-taking space battle or two.
  28. SamR
    Dec 30, 2008
    9
    This game is a strategy fan's dream; it compiles grand strategy, riveting combat and massive scale. With games stretching into tens of hours, it's simple, yet varied strategy dynamics and unit-to-universe zoom it's a winner in every asteroid field. Not too mention, it's very pretty graphics that manage not to compromise performance (admittedly running it on a hefty This game is a strategy fan's dream; it compiles grand strategy, riveting combat and massive scale. With games stretching into tens of hours, it's simple, yet varied strategy dynamics and unit-to-universe zoom it's a winner in every asteroid field. Not too mention, it's very pretty graphics that manage not to compromise performance (admittedly running it on a hefty machine) to boot!… Expand
  29. ChristopherP.
    Nov 24, 2008
    9
    The flashiest, most well-presented RTS I've played in a while. It's second-to-none in its gargantuan scale. The best part of it is how beautifully cinematic it is when a big game comes together. It's technically an RTS, but with the scale presented, the battles that take place with enormous fleets of dozens of ships, both big and small, on each side, are freaking gorgeous. The flashiest, most well-presented RTS I've played in a while. It's second-to-none in its gargantuan scale. The best part of it is how beautifully cinematic it is when a big game comes together. It's technically an RTS, but with the scale presented, the battles that take place with enormous fleets of dozens of ships, both big and small, on each side, are freaking gorgeous. They look and sound absolutely fantastic. The ship models are not static 3D images--their parts move, arming, loading, aiming, and firing various weapons in spectacular fashion. Get a few capital ships and a fleet of LRM and flak ships, plus some support ships, and watch the ensuing chaos as you invade a system. Capital ship "abilities" (a lot like Warcraft 3's hero system, even having the ships get "ultimates" at level 6) can be very powerful, and they have the flash to show it. The game also sounds truly wonderful in the heat of things. Mute the drab music and listen to the individual sounds of the ships. From the bassy booms while bombarding planets to the whirring machinery on capital ships to the catastrophically enormous and loud explosions when huge ships explode, it's a serious audio treat that even reminds me of a game presented with the flash of Call of Duty 4, only in a different context, of course. Big fleet battles look and sound like huge space wars and are an absolute joy to watch. (Use that cinematic mode button up top when it's taking place and watch the fun without any icons in the way. Unreal.) There are a couple issues that hinder it a bit. It's a little too complicated and has unnecessarily complex research trees with way too many techs, which I think should have been cut by half. With all the research options, you have to get a lot of largely worthless techs to get to the ultra-costly big ones, which doesn't seem right. Having four or five individual techs with multiple point systems just for mining resources is unnecessary. I'd much rather just have a few big techs that take a long time to research, instead of needing to research a ton of pointless cheap techs first. Also, although you can turn them off, the system of paying mercenary pirates to attack other players doesn't really work, and only consists of a battle of the players to pay them the most money before they attack the target of the highest bidder. It's not really that interesting a feature, and it seems to complicate things a bit too much. The individual planets take some getting used to to manage, and have too many building options for my taste. I would have preferred if tactical and logistics slots were merged so I wouldn't have to spend time balancing each, which takes up too much time and isn't any fun. Also, some of the options, like exploring the planet to find hidden techs and the huge variety of buildings available, just seem to be too complicated for their own good and become excessively difficult to manage. In short, there's just way too much stuff to pay attention to, and it gets tiring. It doesn't help that the brief tutorial only teaches you the basics of commanding units and simple planet functions, but it doesn't go into any detail of how to make it all work, and never says anything about the multitude of late-game mechanics necessary to learn, but only on one's own. But, if you stick with it long enough to learn the necessary nuances, it does get easier and soon becomes fun. It's a great concept by merging the massive scale of big TBS games with RTS gameplay, and for anyone who's intrigued by this kind of thing, it's worth trying. Just keep in mind that it's not easy to learn and has a whole lot of stuff you wish you didn't have to worry about while playing.… Expand
  30. AaronL.
    Nov 17, 2008
    9
    Overall, epic game, but the lack of a campaign is disappointing. It is also a huge time sink, considering a medium sized map can take up to 5 hours of gameplay. Overall, good UI, great graphics and engine, sweet online game play, just add a campaign.
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PC Game of 2008
22
#22 Most Discussed PC Game of 2008
16
#16 Most Shared PC Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 52 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 52
  3. Negative: 0 out of 52
  1. GameDaily
    80
    Sins of a Solar Empire combines the depth of traditional turn-based games like Civilization with the action of real-time strategy (RTS) games like Command & Conquer. The result is a rich and highly detailed game that pleases fans of both types of strategy.
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  2. Game Almighty
    90
    Sins of a Solar Empire makes no apologies for being ambitiously massive and deep.
    Read full review
  3. GamesRadar+
    90
    With most RTS games shifting towards fast action at the expense of real strategy, it would be an unforgivable sin for a strategy fan to pass by this game on the shelf and not pick it up.
    Read full review
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