Stellaris

 PC
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 984 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 742 out of 984
  2. Mixed: 133 out of 984
  3. Negative: 109 out of 984

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  1. socokid
    Aug 11, 2016
    10
    I've only started playing it a few days ago, after the latest large patch. If there were bugs, etc... on first release, they definitely do not seem to be there now. I've played 62 hours, no crashes, lags, etc... Runs great. *shrugs*

    It's an immense, extremely fun, complex but playable classic space RTS. Gaining resources, researching tech, building/designing ships and destroying others.    I've only started playing it a few days ago, after the latest large patch. If there were bugs, etc... on first release, they definitely do not seem to be there now. I've played 62 hours, no crashes, lags, etc... Runs great. *shrugs*

    It's an immense, extremely fun, complex but playable classic space RTS. Gaining resources, researching tech, building/designing ships and destroying others. Throw in exploration, surveying planets, etc...

    It is amazing this game isn't more popular than it is... And some of these bad reviews are so wrong, and I mean flat out untrue, that I either question whether they have actually played the game, or if the first two large updates were just that drastic (never played it when it came out a few months ago).

    On my second play-through, still having a blast, worth every penny IMO.    … Expand
  2. djnicey
    May 9, 2016
    10
    I've only played 7 hours so far but this game is better than I expected from watching the pre-release streams. Its a GOTY contender for sure so far. The game is easy to learn and gives you plenty of choices right from the start of the game, so will have lots of re-playability. The graphics are really well done and the orchestral music is superb and really relaxing.

    Its the kind of game    I've only played 7 hours so far but this game is better than I expected from watching the pre-release streams. Its a GOTY contender for sure so far. The game is easy to learn and gives you plenty of choices right from the start of the game, so will have lots of re-playability. The graphics are really well done and the orchestral music is superb and really relaxing.

    Its the kind of game where you say "just 5 more minutes" then look at the clock and see that an hour has gone by and you want just another 5 minutes before you quit and that turns into an hour too.    … Expand
  3. mindw0rk
    May 9, 2016
    10
    I didnt play other Paradox games, but I did play plenty of 4x space games. And since Galactic Civ 2 I couldnt find the one I would enjoy. CG3 was just boring copypaste of previous, other 4x space games were either too primited and copypaste or overcomplicated like Distant Worlds. This is the first game in a loong time that feels fresh, intuitive and very indepth at the same time. I likeI didnt play other Paradox games, but I did play plenty of 4x space games. And since Galactic Civ 2 I couldnt find the one I would enjoy. CG3 was just boring copypaste of previous, other 4x space games were either too primited and copypaste or overcomplicated like Distant Worlds. This is the first game in a loong time that feels fresh, intuitive and very indepth at the same time. I like almost everything in it except maybe font which is too small for me. But thats minor complain. Hats off to Paradox and I hope to see many DLC's for this fantastic franchise.… Expand
  4. jpnole
    May 13, 2016
    10
    Just a quick 10 to balance out any sub 7 scores given by the trolls. Absolutely fantastic game and top 3 contender for GOTY. Only thing that comes close is Sins.
  5. Ekras
    May 9, 2016
    10
    WOW - What a game! THIS is what GOTY material looks like folks. I just wish there was an "11" score I could save for when the DLC starts coming out - not that it's needed since there is already so much to do!
  6. Combiner
    Nov 15, 2020
    10
    One of the best space games for me, with so many detail. I actually never finished any run (I have around 200 hours in it) because every run is different and you want to play it again and again.
  7. clayesterling
    Nov 26, 2018
    10
    Best space strategy game available hands down. More accurately it's a simulation game like other Paradox titles. Lots of tweaking and adjusting small variables, seeing how it plays out, trying to predict what will happen and prepare for the worst. Lots of long term planning required.
  8. DMT
    May 30, 2016
    10
    Just wait until the 3 main free content & fix patches are done... Then we have greatness. Right now we have all the ingredients, just need more of them which we know are coming.
  9. Jcourtney
    May 9, 2016
    10
    This game is only going to get better with years worth of expansions and full total conversion mods. 4x + Grand Strategy = Beast mode.

    This game will really be good once the talented mod makers get their hands on it. They'll expand this game out and add more depth to the content.
  10. PeppyPanda
    May 12, 2016
    10
    Stellaris is an extremely in depth strategy games that takes elements from other paradox interactive games and a little from Endless Space and combines them all together to create a wonderful expierence.
  11. Henrywiddas
    May 10, 2016
    10
    i'm still only 15 years in, i named a science officer after a colleague for a laugh and he is now bidding to be the next president of the united nations of earth lol

    loving the music and vibe of this game so far :)
  12. Helmenkalastaja
    Jan 27, 2018
    10
    After palying several 4X games i do like this the most. There is still some things that are way to simple, for example diplomacy. Graphics looks good to me and the fleet battles is great. Goes with the same style as all other paradox games.
  13. Telkanes
    May 10, 2016
    10
    Well there goes the Mortgage, I think I should be able to play this until I get evicted....My god it shows what real dedication into a genre can do, as for the IGN review? quicker that site goes under the better.
  14. shaund91
    May 9, 2016
    10
    just what you would imagine from a Paradox game, great 4x in a space setting this time which is a good departure from their typical historical settings. They know 4x in and out
  15. wushu
    May 11, 2016
    10
    A fantastic space strategy game, one of the best. True it may have streamlined much mechanics and receives criticism for that but that's what mods are for - which are embraced by the devs, Paradox who have a long standing tradition of post release support and community but I think have taken it to another level on this one. One negative is the lack of options as far as system and guiA fantastic space strategy game, one of the best. True it may have streamlined much mechanics and receives criticism for that but that's what mods are for - which are embraced by the devs, Paradox who have a long standing tradition of post release support and community but I think have taken it to another level on this one. One negative is the lack of options as far as system and gui settings, which hopefully and assuredly will be addressed in a patch by the company which is not an EA or Actiblizzard and actually care about the customers. So in that regard and also in terms of gameplay and a surprisingly bugfree release (how often do we get to say that with AAA releases these days?) I give the game a perfect score.

    10/10, would be enslaved to the master race that is Stellaris again and again.    … Expand
  16. mackoff
    Nov 2, 2016
    10
    Absolutely awesome game for a real fans of deep and rich strategy. This game will rock your socks off!

    Great system of management and tons of possibilities. Everything packed in very user friendly UI. Best played in a bunch of colleagues when you cooperate, trade, plan and compete for your final glory. This game is complete even now but Paradox will develop it for years bringing    Absolutely awesome game for a real fans of deep and rich strategy. This game will rock your socks off!

    Great system of management and tons of possibilities. Everything packed in very user friendly UI.

    Best played in a bunch of colleagues when you cooperate, trade, plan and compete for your final glory.

    This game is complete even now but Paradox will develop it for years bringing us a lot of fun and discover.

    Best strategy game i played so far in 2016, strongly recomended!    … Expand
  17. Erlioth
    May 9, 2016
    10
    Im going to die playing this game. Here i go! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
  18. Robobob
    Oct 31, 2018
    10
    Best 4x space strategy game of all time at this writing. I used to give that title to the very dated Masters of Orion 2 but this game now takes the title. It has so much depth it is ridiculous and I can see how it might be intimidating to some. However I loved that I was learning more and more the further I played. Even though I rarely do it anymore, it's fun to zoom in completely toBest 4x space strategy game of all time at this writing. I used to give that title to the very dated Masters of Orion 2 but this game now takes the title. It has so much depth it is ridiculous and I can see how it might be intimidating to some. However I loved that I was learning more and more the further I played. Even though I rarely do it anymore, it's fun to zoom in completely to see the beauty of the planets of space battles. No complaints about this game. It's worth the learning curve.… Expand
  19. Darizuka
    May 13, 2016
    10
    In the face of a Robotic Incursion, hellbent on conquering, pacifying and enslaving sentient mortal organic beings.. Several civilizations cast away their differences to fight in Union to put an end to the Robotic Uprising...
    And not long after, would blow eachother to kingdom come.

    10/10 for Realistic accuracy.
  20. RiccD
    May 10, 2016
    10
    Amazin game. Runs very smooth. Plays like a 4x in the beginning and switches over to a grand strategy game in mid/late game.

    No crashes or serious bugs so far on day 1 (for me) Would strongly recommend if you like the genre(s)
  21. ariefbud
    May 9, 2016
    10
    This game is great and has good potential. I am sure paradox will support this game for years to come. Just like Crusader Kings 2 and Europa Universalis 4.
    And just ignore IGN they suck.
  22. Malten
    May 12, 2016
    10
    This game is so good. It really gives you a feeling of running an interstellar empire with gameplay that includes managing the ethos and expectations of your subjects, administrative sectors and more. There is always something interesting to do, with random events, planet development, empire management and ongoing politics.

    The game is incredibly well presented. Everything is gorgeous    This game is so good. It really gives you a feeling of running an interstellar empire with gameplay that includes managing the ethos and expectations of your subjects, administrative sectors and more. There is always something interesting to do, with random events, planet development, empire management and ongoing politics.

    The game is incredibly well presented. Everything is gorgeous and the music is fantastic.

    The user interface is a dream to use with mouse over information, right click menus, queuing up orders, and various screens.

    There is strategy in your fleet design and choosing the right technologies to gain an edge over your opponents is important. Then you watch the battle play out. It looks fantastic.

    The technology system is fantastic with random choices each time you finish a tech. There is a lot of depth to the technology system and hard choices to make sometimes on what to research.

    The ability to customise your race and empire in this game is the best I've ever seen. Stellaris is a game where you can really create any kind of space faring empire that you can imagine, from the noble houses and Emperor of Dune to the space faring states of other sci fi settings.    … Expand
  23. Ivan9173
    Dec 9, 2021
    10
    Сначала я долго не мог разобраться в механиках игры, а позже стал абсолютно от неё зависим.
  24. MortumSK
    May 9, 2016
    10
    Awesome game! Must have for all gamers who like smart 4X games and Paradox strategies. Worth it's price and i think there will be a lot of nice hours to play.
  25. Brogam4r
    May 15, 2016
    10
    Awesome game. Just what I wanted, a bit of fresh air in the 4x genre. Its a bit rough on the edges but generally very stable and playable. I am sure treats it the same way it has treated its other titles it will grow into the best game in the genre.
  26. An00b1s
    May 12, 2016
    10
    A great space strategy game. The music and atmosphere are great. Like any Paradox title, give it time to fully flesh out with more content that will come later down the road. Or check out the built in mod support that the game comes with. Early game plays a little slow, but that is so you can get the feel of it. Later game becomes the strategy game folks are craving.
  27. Shane_
    May 9, 2016
    10
    I almost had to give this an 0 out of spite. Paradox has really let me down here. They released a game like this in the first half of the year. Now what? Do I use all of my vacation time in May? Sick days too? Do you guys expect me to just abandon my friends and family? Will my pets be neglected? You can't keep releasing games like this. It's insane. Too much quality, too muchI almost had to give this an 0 out of spite. Paradox has really let me down here. They released a game like this in the first half of the year. Now what? Do I use all of my vacation time in May? Sick days too? Do you guys expect me to just abandon my friends and family? Will my pets be neglected? You can't keep releasing games like this. It's insane. Too much quality, too much replayability, too much fun. This is why cocaine is illegal.

    Paradox needs to rethink their mission, because this approach to game development is ruining lives.    … Expand
  28. Mods789
    May 9, 2016
    10
    Le jeux est excellent, le seul défaut du jeux c'est quand on arrive en milieux de partie c'est assez ... monotone, les dirigeants n'ont aucune personnalité et la partie espionnage est pratiquement inexistante, mais bon le jeux sera mieux avec les maj connaissant Paradox
  29. ayls01
    Dec 19, 2016
    10
    This game is one of the best 4x experiences I tried, this after the patches have greatly improved and expanded content over and over again .
    In clonclusion is a very good buy, and I do not regret anything.
    Cons: a hard learning curve
  30. Fahrenheit88
    May 9, 2016
    10
    Stellaris has everything that a space-games enthusiast seeks: kickass graphics, constantly changing stories and adventures full of pop-culture references, and a well-structured balance between exploration and expansion. From the first minute, this game will leave an ever lasting impression on you, and you will know that whenever you play any future space strategy games in the future, youStellaris has everything that a space-games enthusiast seeks: kickass graphics, constantly changing stories and adventures full of pop-culture references, and a well-structured balance between exploration and expansion. From the first minute, this game will leave an ever lasting impression on you, and you will know that whenever you play any future space strategy games in the future, you will ALWAYS compare them to Stellaris. That is how perfect this game is. It is a must buy for any space strategy fan and should not under any circumstances be missed. Buy it and support Paradox, the new God of Mass Strategy Games!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best PC Game of 2016
23
#23 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
31
#31 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 57
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 57
  3. Negative: 1 out of 57
  1. Games Master UK
    Jul 25, 2016
    90
    A stunning first step into space for strategy's superstars - and a great gateway to their other games. [July 2016, p.76]
  2. CD-Action
    Jul 21, 2016
    85
    It was really hard for me to break away from Stellaris’ grip to write this review. It’s one of those gems you launch in the evening for a moment but quit at dawn. [07/2016, p.50]
  3. Riot Pixels
    Jul 11, 2016
    65
    Stellaris feels like two games of completely different quality. One game offers boring linear stand-offs against a tame AI, the other is an excellent multiplayer platform.
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