StarDrive 2

 PC
User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 105 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 105
  3. Negative: 38 out of 105

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  1. Vasot
    Apr 9, 2015
    9
    If you like Civilization style TBS games, but always wanted similar style empire building, but in space with amazing ship to ship combat. I highly recommend this game for anyone looking for a galactic empire building game featuring that "just one more turn" itch that some of the great 4x games of the past have offered. This is definitely a game that can keep you up late at night,If you like Civilization style TBS games, but always wanted similar style empire building, but in space with amazing ship to ship combat. I highly recommend this game for anyone looking for a galactic empire building game featuring that "just one more turn" itch that some of the great 4x games of the past have offered. This is definitely a game that can keep you up late at night, constantly clicking end turn just to see what lies ahead in the development and struggles of the star nation you've spent hours carefully building.
    Right from the start, you'll be faced with interesting events, encounters, and anomalies that will drive you to spread your chosen species farther out amongst the stars. You'll research interesting technologies, some of them unique to your species and others totally random in nature. You'll find valuable resources to claim through colonization and exploration. You'll design and build your own starships to conquer your enemies and protect all you've gained. You'll engage in diplomacy and espionage with/against a variety of interesting and unique alien species all with their own agendas. You'll meet minor species to either befriend, enslave, or exterminate.
    The combination of turn-based empire management with real-time space combat helps to break up the pace of the game into enjoyable yet distinct pieces. Being able to see a newly researched weapon help your ships blaze a path of destruction across an enemy fleet in real-time combat helps to tie the entire game together and makes it feel like every decision you've made matters. The ship designing and customization are definitely high points of Stardrive 2. The space combat is visually impressive and always fun to play. The ground combat is turn-based, with an X-Com Enemy Unknown feel to it, which I've come to really enjoy as an entirely separate mini-game within Stardrive 2.    … Expand
  2. Djatwork
    Apr 13, 2015
    8
    Being that 4x games are by far my favourite genre, i have to say SD2 did a good job.
    Yes there where some problems at launch but the developer is actively fixing the minor bugs and participating on numerous forums to get info. This is also a big + to me.
    Keep in mind that this game also has the ease of Modding built into it, this is a great achievement if you ask me, you do not need a    Being that 4x games are by far my favourite genre, i have to say SD2 did a good job.
    Yes there where some problems at launch but the developer is actively fixing the minor bugs and participating on numerous forums to get info. This is also a big + to me.
    Keep in mind that this game also has the ease of Modding built into it, this is a great achievement if you ask me, you do not need a lot of knowledge to mod the game. Besides the dev is actively helping you with mods and trouble shooting.

    Back to the game.
    The game definitely fits in the ranks together with MoO2, Imperium Galactica, etc. It went back to the roots of 4X and how 4x games should be. Yes it could use a bit more fixes and tweaks and maybe some more content but this is also a personal feeling, is it ever enough?    … Expand
  3. KiwiTracker
    Apr 15, 2015
    8
    This game is a lot of fun! If you are in to 4x games, definitely check this one out! It is what space combat games should have been for the past few years, and coming from such a small development team; kudos.

    The best part about this game is the level of customization. You can name any planets, units, race, etc. You can customize the loudest of your fleets (down to the ship!) or land    This game is a lot of fun! If you are in to 4x games, definitely check this one out! It is what space combat games should have been for the past few years, and coming from such a small development team; kudos.

    The best part about this game is the level of customization. You can name any planets, units, race, etc. You can customize the loudest of your fleets (down to the ship!) or land units (down to their individual equipment!.) This aspect alone makes for massive replay value.

    The factions are fun, distinct, and interesting, and the story line is 100% yours to dictate.

    The learning curve isn't too steep and the AI is challenging.

    The graphics are (meh) but nothing to complain about and the game overall is rather quiet. Meaning not a lot of voice acting (well pretty much none) and no unique sounds for the races.

    Overall a solid game, good combat, and lots of replayability.    … Expand
  4. norvil-khee
    May 1, 2015
    9
    First of all: I played Stardrive 1, and yes I was disappointed in how it got "abandoned" by its creator after a few patches.

    However, after having played this title lots of hours, I can at least confirm it gets very close to the Moo2 experience back in the 90s. Also I have only encountered one bug so far (naming ships sometimes broken, that is). The UI is not as bad as some people say.    First of all: I played Stardrive 1, and yes I was disappointed in how it got "abandoned" by its creator after a few patches.

    However, after having played this title lots of hours, I can at least confirm it gets very close to the Moo2 experience back in the 90s. Also I have only encountered one bug so far (naming ships sometimes broken, that is).
    The UI is not as bad as some people say. Issueing orders for ships, switching from star map to planet view, redistributing workers and back to star map all works very smoothly. Ship design UI is understandable and easy. Only thing I am missing is detailed tech info when I am researching new ship modules for example.

    Updates and patches come in nineteen to the dozen and all in all it seems the dev has learned from previous mistakes. I keep my hopes up that he will stay focused on this one rather than thinkning about Stardrive 3 already :]

    I would give a 7. But as 7 is disappointingly yellow'ish and to counter some of the ridiculously low scores here, I'll go for a 9.

    TLDR: you loved moo2? play this one.    … Expand
  5. Durandle
    Apr 10, 2015
    9
    All round good game. I like the combat and the ship design most. Not a fan of how insanely aggressive the AI is, but that can be tweaked or worked with, since the StarDrive mod community is fairly active.
  6. FireStorm1010
    Apr 13, 2015
    9
    Simply put , for me, SD2 is the game i was waiting for each time the new 4 x games disspointed. Its imho a very good game, below in points:
    1-The AI is hard and fun . Again let me stress how great this is , to have a good AI , in todays times when 4x games are usually released with broken AIs.
    2-The galaxy is colourful and alive. You got events, heroes, mini quests, space monsters.Also    Simply put , for me, SD2 is the game i was waiting for each time the new 4 x games disspointed. Its imho a very good game, below in points:
    1-The AI is hard and fun . Again let me stress how great this is , to have a good AI , in todays times when 4x games are usually released with broken AIs.
    2-The galaxy is colourful and alive. You got events, heroes, mini quests, space monsters.Also there is alot fo humour.
    3- The ship designing is one of the best in any 4x games ever. It got a bit simplified compared to SD1, but its still miles ahead of anything out there.
    3-Real time combats are fun and pretty..
    4- Contrary to some of the reviews i read here, it was rock solid on my computer and overal fairly polished. I didnt have 1 crash in my 25 hours so far, some minor bugs. It also run smootly but i got a rather good rig, I7 and gf 970gtx, there are some posts on forums about big battles lag, so it might be a problem if you got a slow computer.
    5- The tech tree is much bigger then in SD1 and got nice, inventive stuff. New stuff usually isnt just bigger and better but also some different abilities.
    6- The graphics and music are great.
    7- The UI imho is for the most part very intuitive. Some of it is abit annoying for me.
    8--The diplomacy is imho very transparent with a great tolerance system. Simply put thanks to tolerance you cant just do to many deals at once with a new or unfriendly race. You got to build the trust overtime.

    On the minus side for me:
    1- Some stuff need balancing badly.
    2- Some people complain its very war/combat oriented which imho it is. But Its how i like it:)

    So again ,imho its a great 4x game.    … Expand
  7. Noctifer
    Apr 10, 2015
    10
    Really enjoy this game, it feels like there is finally a 4x game that followed in the footsteps of MOO, while still thinking outside the box. UI is clean and easy, complexity is in the choices not the interface. The races feel both unique and clear. Ship design is very fun, combat is good enough. Ground combat is ok, an added bonus the dev threw in that's not as polished but fun andReally enjoy this game, it feels like there is finally a 4x game that followed in the footsteps of MOO, while still thinking outside the box. UI is clean and easy, complexity is in the choices not the interface. The races feel both unique and clear. Ship design is very fun, combat is good enough. Ground combat is ok, an added bonus the dev threw in that's not as polished but fun and optional. Some reviewers with bad scores seem upset by a previous game (which I liked in spite of the bugs), this is not that game (so wish they'd leave their reviews for that one in that game's area), this is nice, polished, and so far (6 hours in) bug free.… Expand
  8. edda
    Apr 13, 2015
    10
    Good value. Been playing constantly since release and I have only run into one bug which was fixed about the same time as I ran into it. Which I did not realize until I reloaded the game the day after release. I never closed out on day 1.

    Some moo2 features are missing, not a fan of the ground combat. But otherwise I am more than happy. It improves on moo2 in some areas. The AI is    Good value. Been playing constantly since release and I have only run into one bug which was fixed about the same time as I ran into it. Which I did not realize until I reloaded the game the day after release. I never closed out on day 1.

    Some moo2 features are missing, not a fan of the ground combat. But otherwise I am more than happy. It improves on moo2 in some areas. The AI is about as aggressive as I remember moo2 being if you are weak. AI is weak tech wise.

    Diplomacy, interface and AI is better than Moo2. Ship combat on hard is still a bit easy. Your custom designs combined with human tactics will over whelm even 3 to 1 odds. Which makes the highly aggressive AI essential in stopping you from smashing each race in turn too early in the game. Yes I know this contradicts other reviews but this is how both my recent games have panned out. I do still have to avoid some of the master fleets but everything else is usually easy prey if you get your designs right.    … Expand
  9. abonka
    May 1, 2015
    10
    A sweet game that I have been waiting on for a long time.
    Not alla features are there yet, but the developer is working 24/7 to implement those that the community wishes for.
    So on some months I think the game will be absolutely perfect, with a lot of different end game options and ways to conquer the stars! The high scores is based on the developers high ambitions and good respons to    A sweet game that I have been waiting on for a long time.
    Not alla features are there yet, but the developer is working 24/7 to implement those that the community wishes for.
    So on some months I think the game will be absolutely perfect, with a lot of different end game options and ways to conquer the stars!

    The high scores is based on the developers high ambitions and good respons to the players!    … Expand
  10. StrategyAddict
    Apr 13, 2015
    9
    I'm giving StarDrive 2 eight points, because it shines in many aspects and we've not had a 4X-Game that shiny for a long time. The ninth point is given, because of the many zero point reviews just because of release version crashes. I find those unjustified, since it's pretty normal for any game to become more stable after some patches.

    One point remains missing because SD2 sadly does    I'm giving StarDrive 2 eight points, because it shines in many aspects and we've not had a 4X-Game that shiny for a long time. The ninth point is given, because of the many zero point reviews just because of release version crashes. I find those unjustified, since it's pretty normal for any game to become more stable after some patches.

    One point remains missing because SD2 sadly does not support multiplayer, which is undoubtedly it's biggest flaw.

    StarDrive 2 probably has the nicest graphics of all comparable games. I would even go so far and say, that it's our new leader of the competition for single player.

    Comparing SD 2 with Sins of a Solar Empire, you can say it has much more depth in planet development and ground combat. Compared with Endless Space, it has much nicer space battles.

    A special innovation might be that it combines XCom-Like tactic ground battles with space based 4X. Overall, I think it's a very round experience, combining aspects of many games in a polished package. So, I'm very glad, we have this addition to the genre.    … Expand
  11. TyPin
    Apr 14, 2015
    8
    As an old MoO2 Veteran I have long waited for such a game. I always said, just take MoO2 and overhaul the graphics and you got yourself and new well selling product. Well... and here it is^^

    I often tell myself, let's play for an hour... and I end up playing 3 hours without even realizing. If you have played and liked MoO2, you will like this game too. It plays very much the same. But    As an old MoO2 Veteran I have long waited for such a game. I always said, just take MoO2 and overhaul the graphics and you got yourself and new well selling product. Well... and here it is^^

    I often tell myself, let's play for an hour... and I end up playing 3 hours without even realizing. If you have played and liked MoO2, you will like this game too. It plays very much the same. But is improved in several areas.

    The Ship Designing is very interesting and offers a huge variety of ways to customize your ships and fleets. Battles don't seem very tactical in the beginning, but I have won several hugely outnumbered battles after the 3rd try or so by changing and adapting the positioning and behavior of my ships. So tactics do indeed play a significant role. Ground combat though is horrible in this game. I let the AI fight the battles out. I do not wanna be bothered with that horrid part of the game.

    The empire management is pretty much the same as in MoO2 and feels okay. Even if the UI looks different. However, I sometimes wish, as I also did playing MoO2, to have my buildings categorized as to find easier, what I wanna build, instead of scrolling through a huge list of build options. Unlike MoO2, your freighters (which also serve as troop transporters) are existent in the game world and can be attacked. A concept I really love.

    In research you pick one out of up to 3 technologies on a certain level in a certain tech category. The others, once your pick has been researched, can not be researched any more and you continue on the next level. A concept well known to MoO2 players. It makes you need to pick well and flush out your strategies in advance. Do you wanna focus on a certain aspect in your empire and your fleets? Or do you wanna go a more balance approach. Both is possible and you always can trade or steal other technologies, which you missed. If you don't like to be forced to choose, then pick the "creative" trait in the race design and you will have access to all technologies.

    Diplomacy has a very interesting system with tolerance as a kind of diplomatic recourse, which allows or limits diplomatic actions. Other than that, it is the same as in other games. But it feels very good and the AI has so far never surprised me in its behavior.

    There are many more features in the game and over all it is a well balanced out game, that takes the feeling of MoO2 and presents it very beautifully. I had read some reviews and comments complaining about over aggressive AI and impossible to win battles due to hugely superior AI armies. Personally I can not confirm that. Some AI races are indeed very aggressive, but this fits well within their race design and should be expected.

    The game has but still some bugs and suffers from inconsistent UI button placement, that makes maneuvering through the UI a bit hard at times. You also easily overlook that a planet has nothing to build or that you run out of money. The AI makes stupid decisions sometimes and needs an overhaul in tactical combat too imho.

    So in the end, although I really really love this game, a 10/10 would be too much. Certain bugs, AI issues and UI problems accumulate and can sometimes really break the feel of the game. So I'd rate it but with a solid 8/10. It is a very good game with even more potential once the bug/UI/AI issues as well as the horrible ground combat are fixed.    … Expand
  12. Remrrg
    Apr 28, 2015
    8
    OK I will make this short and sweet

    Pros + Space battles are fun to watch and control! + Diplomacy is good + customizing your ships! + Visuals are amazing (for some parts kind of iffy) + planets are highly detailed and it has a Galactic Civil feel. + Ground battles are intresting + Music is good! Cons - Minor bugs. i had a funny glitch where I could control the invaders.    OK I will make this short and sweet

    Pros

    + Space battles are fun to watch and control!
    + Diplomacy is good
    + customizing your ships!
    + Visuals are amazing (for some parts kind of iffy)
    + planets are highly detailed and it has a Galactic Civil feel.
    + Ground battles are intresting
    + Music is good!

    Cons

    - Minor bugs. i had a funny glitch where I could control the invaders.
    - has a low end Xcom feel (ground battle.) it would be better if they added a cover system.
    - the models are not that detailed for the races but its good enough

    So in conclusion, this game is fun as hell and has tons of replayability but it has a minor set backs.

    So therefore i would give it a 8/10 for its ground battle.    … Expand
  13. staka
    Apr 26, 2015
    10
    there will be some review that user are complaining about AI and diplomacy but developer are patching constantly and they are going to right direction. many of reviewer are already writing what kind of game is this so i don't write about it much.

    i don't know how i can explain, sometimes many of 4x games are feels like i'm reading the number on the paper and full of inorganic data but    there will be some review that user are complaining about AI and diplomacy but developer are patching constantly and they are going to right direction. many of reviewer are already writing what kind of game is this so i don't write about it much.

    i don't know how i can explain, sometimes many of 4x games are feels like i'm reading the number on the paper and full of inorganic data but this game makes me feels more emotion and life from the creator. this game is already great play feels but i believe this game can be masterpiece if creator decided to release one or two expansion.    … Expand
  14. vezon
    May 6, 2015
    8
    After reading some bad reviews, I just had to write myself one. In most of those reviews they share opinion's based on lies (facts that are not in the game).
    In a nutshell, this is a Master of Orion II Clone, HD remake or whatever u want to call it (even the devs makes reference about that in-game).
    I just grabbed Orion II again and played it as well to be sure I'm not talking *** like    After reading some bad reviews, I just had to write myself one. In most of those reviews they share opinion's based on lies (facts that are not in the game).
    In a nutshell, this is a Master of Orion II Clone, HD remake or whatever u want to call it (even the devs makes reference about that in-game).
    I just grabbed Orion II again and played it as well to be sure I'm not talking *** like others, relying on 20years old subjective memories.
    The UI + graphics are improved and ok for todays standards.
    The diplomacy way more improved, again ok for todays standards (I like the new tolerance system).
    The AI needs tweaking, but the devs are hard at work with patches.
    The biggest difference is the battle, its a nice realtime battle but also here lays my biggest complain: the control of the battles, no fire on hold, separate gun targets etc. Hope the devs will do a patch for it.
    It's not a 10, but definitely a good remake. If u want to play a Moo Clone again for old time sake and till u wait for GalCiv3 then go for it, or if u never had the opportunity for Orion1,2 and u are a 4X strategy fan, again go for it. For the rest there is nothing new.
    PS. I can't compare it with SD1, only with Orion1,2,3, SpaceEmpireIV, V, GalactivCiv1,2, SoS1,2, Civilization 1-5, and lot more (u get the idea) out of which for me Orion1 is the king.    … Expand
  15. Emphatic
    Apr 17, 2015
    8
    A true successor to MoO2, challenging and thoroughly enjoyable, any true 4x fan will enjoy this series. Builds upon Star drive, this game really comes into its own and stands tall among its peers.
  16. TheOmegaMan
    May 28, 2015
    9
    Review is current per ver 1.1a
    With the latest patch fixing many gameplay and bug issues this is NOW a awesome game with a ton of potential. Best tactical space combat in any 4x game. Combines the best parts of Moo, Moo2, Gal Civ and other 4x games. -1 point for bug/ things need to be patched or fleshed out (occasional Crashes) and fixed but with future mods an patches this game with    Review is current per ver 1.1a
    With the latest patch fixing many gameplay and bug issues this is NOW a awesome game with a ton of potential. Best tactical space combat in any 4x game. Combines the best parts of Moo, Moo2, Gal Civ and other 4x games. -1 point for bug/ things need to be patched or fleshed out (occasional Crashes) and fixed but with future mods an patches this game with last years of fun.    … Expand
  17. Loyal_V
    May 8, 2015
    9
    TLDR: superb and engaging.

    Long version: A month after release and much has been done via patches to address community concerns for diplomacy, weapon balance, tweaks, and AI which is excellent and punished the weak (some people are just bad at 4X). As it stands, the single dev is absorbing and responding to all feedback and incorporating new options.changes regularly. I recommend    TLDR: superb and engaging.

    Long version: A month after release and much has been done via patches to address community concerns for diplomacy, weapon balance, tweaks, and AI which is excellent and punished the weak (some people are just bad at 4X). As it stands, the single dev is absorbing and responding to all feedback and incorporating new options.changes regularly.

    I recommend this because it's the closet thing to a MOO2 successor yet. Clean and intuitive UI, detailed ship design (although not as detailed as SD1), punishing AI which separates the 4X players from the casuals, interesting enemies and ships and many varied galactic map events. Great graphics and effects, the galaxy map is gorgeous. Outside of the sandbox game there is a ship battle arena where you can design ships and fight with them, good for testing things out.

    Mod support with guides from the dev and a helpful community, this is a very enjoyable game and I've personally had no crashes or bugs in 40+ hours.

    I suggest even those who posted negative reviews based upon the release version, and especially those who are sore over SD1 and try to poison SD2, to try the game again now.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Jun 14, 2015
    82
    Close to greatness, needs an end game. Like the original Galactic Council. [June 2015]
  2. Everyeye.it
    May 29, 2015
    70
    If you like 4X strategy, this might be very interesting. It lacks multiplayer, but it makes up for it with many customizing options for single player games. Sometimes it lacks balancing, but the gameplay is still very compelling.
    Read full review
  3. Gamer.nl
    May 17, 2015
    70
    Stardrive 2 is a pretty good turn-based science-fiction RTS. An extensive tutorial takes you away to a fantastic milky way where you are a galactic colonist. At times, this game does not seem to lead anywhere, but with AI that acts up and awesome but difficult battles, Stardrive 2 challenges you and your strategic side to the max.
    Read full review
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