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. 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.
  2. Andrew
    Oct 6, 2008
    10
    To Start off this game is by no means a short game, or a game that is meant to use a quick rush. You must be thoughtful and tactical to accomplish what you want in this game and with the three different races there is enough differences to make you use a different strategy while still keeping the game balanced. Another Plus is that this game is that you can play an epic space game on aTo Start off this game is by no means a short game, or a game that is meant to use a quick rush. You must be thoughtful and tactical to accomplish what you want in this game and with the three different races there is enough differences to make you use a different strategy while still keeping the game balanced. Another Plus is that this game is that you can play an epic space game on a budget. I am playing this game below specs and it still runs smooth on medium, so there are no requirements like crysis to play a cool game. It is a very deep game making you choose where you put you defensive structures, because you can only have so many on any planet. The best part of all is that you can design your own star systems to play using galaxy forge and that it is that you can mod the game. The only downside i can possibly see is that the game is TOO epic, but me liking massive long drawn out wars of survival in space while staying un-dumb downed and not to complex. I love this game and if you like epic drawn out space battles for the survival of your people and see epic space battles close up then this is your game. and Long Live the Unity.… Expand
  3. WilliamL.
    Feb 4, 2008
    10
    Excellent hybrid of the 4X and RTS genres. Great fun for anyone from a seasoned RTS or 4X veteran to a newcomer to either or both genres. Absolutely worth playing if you're at all interested in it.
  4. [Anonymous]
    Feb 4, 2008
    10
    This game is absolutely amazing, I have played the beta which has about half of what the final product has and it has kept me busy for months.
  5. AllanH.
    Feb 7, 2008
    10
    One of the best games I have played in a very long time. Space RTS with more of a focus on the Tactical side than the strategy side. Add to this elements of the 4X genre and Ironclad have made themselves a winner. Don't expect to see the typical "zerg" type rushes in this game. Its all about tactics, strategies and also careful and cunning planing. With the inclusion of a MP save One of the best games I have played in a very long time. Space RTS with more of a focus on the Tactical side than the strategy side. Add to this elements of the 4X genre and Ironclad have made themselves a winner. Don't expect to see the typical "zerg" type rushes in this game. Its all about tactics, strategies and also careful and cunning planing. With the inclusion of a MP save this will make playing those epic games possible.… Expand
  6. 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.
  7. AnonymousMC
    Feb 20, 2008
    10
    Calling this game revolutionary would be an understatement.

    Stardock brought real time strategy into the 4x Genre. A task that most people would have deemed impossible. And they pulled it off and did so with retaining most of the complexity while merging it with the fluent natural gameplay of real time games. One can only be astonished.
  8. CP
    Feb 5, 2008
    10
    A spectacular game that produces incredible gameplay with minimal system specs. An excellent game worthy of any strategy/RTS fans hard earned credits/tiberium/what have you.
  9. LiamM.
    Feb 5, 2008
    10
    Great advancement of the 4x Genre and the RTS genre; the game has some growing to do but Ironclad appear to be willing to do that with this game.
  10. JonathanW.
    Feb 7, 2008
    10
    A little bit of a learning curve is involved, but once you get past that you'll be rewarded with an excellent RTS/turn-based 4X hybrid. The scaling system like that used in 'Supreme Commander' is well suited here, and makes a potentially cumbersome game work great! Definitely worth the time and money.
  11. JohnN.
    Sep 27, 2008
    10
    This game is the perfect mix between Galactic Civ and Homeworld. Its slower pacing (compared to recent RTS games) and more thoughtful gameplay make for a renewed, fresh experience. It is also surprisingly scalable and will work on almost any machine, even slow laptops which struggle with playing Solitaire. The depth of this epic creation will most likely keep you and your friends awake This game is the perfect mix between Galactic Civ and Homeworld. Its slower pacing (compared to recent RTS games) and more thoughtful gameplay make for a renewed, fresh experience. It is also surprisingly scalable and will work on almost any machine, even slow laptops which struggle with playing Solitaire. The depth of this epic creation will most likely keep you and your friends awake deep into the night... And if that wasn't enough, Stardock and Ironclad are supporting this game like I've never seen before! Oh and, this game is just about DRM free, which is a real treat. Makes for a change in this "security"-ridden modern world.… Expand
  12. 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
  13. 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
  14. ChrisB.
    Feb 12, 2008
    10
    A massively epic game in the same vein of Supreme Commander and Homeworld. 100's of planets to colonize, easy interface, and plenty of action when ships enter combat. If you like seeing tons of space craft blowing up everything, intelligent strategy and lots of fun, get this game.
  15. DanielP.
    Feb 15, 2008
    10
    An excellent empire builder of epic scale.
  16. Bob
    Feb 19, 2008
    10
    looks amazing, has the tactical zoom of Supreme commander, where you can zoom onto a single unit all the way out to the galaxy map. also looks like and moves like homeworld. dont expect quick games as the scale of the game is huge. Personally I found it a bit complicated to start of with but by the 5th game i began to understand how the economy works. no campaign but a very rewarding looks amazing, has the tactical zoom of Supreme commander, where you can zoom onto a single unit all the way out to the galaxy map. also looks like and moves like homeworld. dont expect quick games as the scale of the game is huge. Personally I found it a bit complicated to start of with but by the 5th game i began to understand how the economy works. no campaign but a very rewarding single and multiplayer skirmish game.… Expand
  17. JakeP.
    Feb 4, 2008
    10
    Great fun, lots to do, lots to master, just the kind of RTS I want!
  18. DennisW.
    Feb 6, 2008
    10
    The best space strategy game I've played for years. It combines space battles as seen in Homeworld with classic planet/empire building frm turn based strategy games - but in real time. Ironclad did an amazing job integrating the two genres into a new one and making it easily accessible, giving you total control and good overview over everything at all times. This is my game of the year!
  19. GrantL.
    Feb 9, 2008
    10
    Just awesome. Need I say more?
  20. mobius
    Mar 13, 2008
    10
    Awsome game. think of a game that the tactical zoom of supreme commander the visuals of homeworld 2 and the Gameplay of Galctic Civ 2, what you will have is Sins of a solar empire. a word of warning if you go online expect your battles to last anywhere between 2 hours and 6 hours. this game is killing my social life. DAM YOU STARDOCK FOR RELEASING SUCH AN ADDICTIVE GAME.
  21. StephenM
    Mar 14, 2008
    10
    This game will set new standards for galactic warfare/strategy games. In the old games you either got too much economy, or too much military. Even though some people criticise the fact that there is no single player campaign the AI is quite challenging and it makes good single player, however the multiplayer is out of this world (literally.) however the only problem would be that there is This game will set new standards for galactic warfare/strategy games. In the old games you either got too much economy, or too much military. Even though some people criticise the fact that there is no single player campaign the AI is quite challenging and it makes good single player, however the multiplayer is out of this world (literally.) however the only problem would be that there is no real variety between the 3 different factions.… Expand
  22. JDizzlebizzle
    Mar 4, 2008
    10
    Seriously disreguard rizaks comment, hes a talentless idiot. Overcomplicated? You sound weak minded and stupid, like a southerner trying to learn vocabulary. This game is a revolution in PC gaming, period. If you play PC games, its a must have. This game, is why PC dominates Console.
  23. Senn
    Mar 4, 2008
    10
    In a world that seems to be slowly slipping into two gaming camps (MMO and console), Sins is a shining example of what PC gaming should be. The fact that the graphics scaled better than anything else currently out there while still looking good means that just about anybody who wants this game can run out and get it without dropping two grand on a new rig (Crysis, I'm looking at In a world that seems to be slowly slipping into two gaming camps (MMO and console), Sins is a shining example of what PC gaming should be. The fact that the graphics scaled better than anything else currently out there while still looking good means that just about anybody who wants this game can run out and get it without dropping two grand on a new rig (Crysis, I'm looking at you!). But where SOASE really shows its colors is in the actual gameplay. Don't be surprised to look at the clock and think "WOW! Do I REALLY have to go to work in an hour?" Hats off to Stardock and Ironclad for doing something truly innovative.… Expand
  24. Autre31415
    Jul 30, 2008
    10
    A great strategy game with an easy to learn interface and features that make it very addictive, even to casual players like myself. Don't believe the comments about "Overly complicated UI" It's very simple, build your ships and defense, increase the size of your empire, and research ways to make things easier, pair up with an empire and destroy your enemy. I love the combination A great strategy game with an easy to learn interface and features that make it very addictive, even to casual players like myself. Don't believe the comments about "Overly complicated UI" It's very simple, build your ships and defense, increase the size of your empire, and research ways to make things easier, pair up with an empire and destroy your enemy. I love the combination of tactics and the fact that no two games will play out the same way.… Expand
  25. [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
  26. TerranS.
    Feb 11, 2008
    10
    Does an excellent job of taking the scale of TBS space conquest games and transferring that to real-time. The result is a game that starts slow but past the start provides a compelling experience that utterly immerses the player and also calls for complex strategies (and even tactics). While Supreme Commander, like Sins, put forth a compelling "new" concept and direction for RTS games, Does an excellent job of taking the scale of TBS space conquest games and transferring that to real-time. The result is a game that starts slow but past the start provides a compelling experience that utterly immerses the player and also calls for complex strategies (and even tactics). While Supreme Commander, like Sins, put forth a compelling "new" concept and direction for RTS games, its execution was lacking- it simply did not do the design justice. Sins is different. It follows through with its promises and executes them exceedingly well. Where it falters, it is more easily forgiven for it falters rarely and just does so many things right.… Expand
  27. 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
  28. 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
  29. 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.
  30. 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
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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.
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  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.
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