Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25

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  1. BlackEscaflowne
    Mar 9, 2011
    9
    SOTS, together with the two expansion packs, turned out to be a fantastic 4X game.

    While the original SOTS felt a bit incomplete, the massive improvements included in the collection turned it into this reviewers favorite 4X. Make no mistake, this is not an easy game to master - there are a LOT of tricks to playing it - but it offers more diversity in tactics and strategy than any other.    SOTS, together with the two expansion packs, turned out to be a fantastic 4X game.

    While the original SOTS felt a bit incomplete, the massive improvements included in the collection turned it into this reviewers favorite 4X.

    Make no mistake, this is not an easy game to master - there are a LOT of tricks to playing it - but it offers more diversity in tactics and strategy than any other. The sheer options one has and the number of strategies and counter-strategies is intimidating.

    It is clear that a lot of love and care was put into this product and it shows. While it still has a few kinks and flaws (like some blurry textures, engine that is not fully optimized), the things it does offer (re-playability, truly unique races and play-styles, customization, etc..) do make them trivial in comparison.

    A definite must buy for any 4X fan.    … Expand
  2. Beaver
    Jun 16, 2011
    9
    Amazing game, amazing depth with all the expansions. A bit of a learning curve, but what 4X game doesn't have them? It's not MOO2 but it's the next best thing, and I have a feeling they may just get it right with SOTS 2. I love the way they differentiate the races, it's their best idea, and I hope they expand on it. Make sure you try every race!
  3. tech-noir
    Jan 18, 2012
    5
    For a game this complex, the brief tutorial texts and videos don't do very much at all. The developer's recommend that you read the manual in order to learn about the game, which also doesn't help you learn it. The game does not offer any campaign mode. There are some scenarios, but the majority of your game play will come from the custom game mode. Once you become more familiar with whatFor a game this complex, the brief tutorial texts and videos don't do very much at all. The developer's recommend that you read the manual in order to learn about the game, which also doesn't help you learn it. The game does not offer any campaign mode. There are some scenarios, but the majority of your game play will come from the custom game mode. Once you become more familiar with what you have to do to succeed, Sword of the Stars becomes addictive, no matter what the settings you have chosen. There are so many technologies to research, and so many modifications to make to your ships. This is an incredibly difficult game. It takes many, many tries to understand even the basics of the game. Perhaps I don't have the right strategy, but I am far from winning anything in this game. There are some very serious bugs. The End Turn button often breaks, and does not allow you to end your turn. The only way to continue playing is to quit to the main menu and reload an auto save. In addition, the news ticker often glitches, not allowing you to scroll it, or flickering the news in a way you can not read it. Sometimes, even if you click the auto-resolve battles button, the game takes you into battle micromanagement, which is a really serious problem. The artwork looks amateurish at best, reminiscent of children's cartoons from the 1980s. The voice acting is poor, with forced accents and distortions for every race. These voices often bombard the player with repetitive mutterings in what feels like a constant barrage of voice sounds. Thankfully, you can mute them. No matter what I try, or what strategy I implement, I am never successful. It's like nothing ever works. I've read guides, the wiki, forums, and asked for advice. Nothing worked for me, or helped me be more successful. The game is quite unintuitive and the learning curve seems inappropriate, badly thought out, and impossible for me to go through. Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection seems like an okay game, with its share of problems, and a learning curve that is not for the faint of heart. This game is too complicated for its own good. Other classic 4X games were never this complicated and unfriendly. Games like Sid Meier's Civilization, Master of Orion, and Master of Magic were extremely straightforward and enjoyable from the very beginning. Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection is not a good 4X game.… Expand
  4. LongTom
    Nov 5, 2011
    10
    My absolute favorite game. Multiplayer simultaneous turn-based strategic play, extensive randomized tech trees, six races which each play significantly differently, diplomacy, trading, spying, fantastic real-time fleet combat...and great AI for single-player games.
  5. GodEmperorTitus
    Jan 2, 2012
    10
    A brilliant game on all accounts. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys real time space combat and turn based galactic warfare. The expansions added new races and new scenarios. Bear in mind that it is quite complicated and can have a lot going on but features a lot of diversity. Undoubtedly my favorite game.
  6. GM_Pax
    Jan 20, 2012
    10
    Very complex game, with a steep learnign curve ... I've been strongly challenged by the game, yet I keep going back, because with every loss I learn a new lesson, and improve my ability to play the game.

    I especially like how each race has it's own, specific way of moving around the map. I also like how the "tech tree" works - not every technology is guaranteed to be available to you in    Very complex game, with a steep learnign curve ... I've been strongly challenged by the game, yet I keep going back, because with every loss I learn a new lesson, and improve my ability to play the game.

    I especially like how each race has it's own, specific way of moving around the map.

    I also like how the "tech tree" works - not every technology is guaranteed to be available to you in every game. So each game is an act of discovery! And, you can't beeline for "key" technologies, because you might never HAVE those technologies ...!

    Definitely worth the low price on sellers like Steam.    … Expand
  7. ibitato
    Sep 12, 2013
    9
    SOTS Complete Collection is what the game should be in the release date.
    They learned from mistakes and added some nice content.
    The game is a complex (and some times too random) 4X strategy game that will test your patience, since it's not an easy game to learn and the space battles are not that straight forward. If you take too long to level technology, you'll end up with    SOTS Complete Collection is what the game should be in the release date.
    They learned from mistakes and added some nice content.
    The game is a complex (and some times too random) 4X strategy game
    that will test your patience, since it's not an easy game to learn and the space battles are not
    that straight forward.
    If you take too long to level technology, you'll end up with super-powerful enemies compared to you รง
    no matter what. This will happen a lot in the first gameplays and can be frustrating
    it's no casual strategy game.
    There are other space based 4X strategy games, but this one is really O.K.
    Master of Orion II for example, it's much more easier to understand and play.
    If you like these types of games I highly recommend Space Empires IV Deluxe    … Expand
  8. zanzibar196
    Aug 30, 2015
    10
    The absolute gold standard which all modern 4x space games should be compared to. Falling in the same category as noteable classics such as Master of Orion 2, you simply can't do better as far as originality and pure story telling goes!