Sword of the Stars

 PC
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 73 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 73
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 73
  3. Negative: 15 out of 73
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  1. ClayB.
    Dec 21, 2006
    5
    The game is SLOW, im running a p4 D 3.0 gz and it talks to long to do battls unless you let th computer do it for you... its ok the video is about whast you would fing in a win95 space game, the AI is a solw pig.
  2. DominickM.
    Aug 29, 2006
    7
    Didn't bother with the demo, just outright bought the game. Played for about 2 hours last night, and a lot of the criticisms you've seen posted by others are true: the tutorial lacks depth, the interface could be sharper, and the tactical combat is essentially broken. However, even with all that, the game still ends up fun. I have been a 4x space strategy buff for 10 years or so Didn't bother with the demo, just outright bought the game. Played for about 2 hours last night, and a lot of the criticisms you've seen posted by others are true: the tutorial lacks depth, the interface could be sharper, and the tactical combat is essentially broken. However, even with all that, the game still ends up fun. I have been a 4x space strategy buff for 10 years or so now. I've got to say that my personal favorite remains Space Empires II, but that was years ago. Recently, Galactic Civ 2 did a good job, but I wasn't a fan of the way they handled the star map. And it too suffered from poor interface (far worse, i believe, then this game). For now, I would rate this at a 7, but that may go up or down slightly after I play it more extensively. I'd have to say that a lot of the people here have been unnecessarily rough on the game after playing a limited demo.… Expand
  3. JeffM.
    Sep 25, 2006
    7
    Solid and enjoyable. Designed to get you into the action and stay there. If you want involved empire management, move along. If you want merciless galactic conquest, go no further.
  4. hcookie
    Nov 2, 2011
    7
    Sword of the Stars, is in essence the closes thing to Master of Orion. Recently got the whole collection for 5 bucks off steam. Apart from the great gameplay, I have some gripes. Large Galaxies are difficult and unwieldy due to the Interface design. Also, the promised 'Real Time Strategy' doesn't exist. All combat is decided based on the techs you bring to the fight. The game gets somewhatSword of the Stars, is in essence the closes thing to Master of Orion. Recently got the whole collection for 5 bucks off steam. Apart from the great gameplay, I have some gripes. Large Galaxies are difficult and unwieldy due to the Interface design. Also, the promised 'Real Time Strategy' doesn't exist. All combat is decided based on the techs you bring to the fight. The game gets somewhat streamlined in Multiplayer when everybody has to rush a couple of beginning tech just to level the playing field. One of the best features of SOTs as it's called is the random tech that's generated each created game. While the Tech cores are a given for each race, random tech branches each game, changes your tech strategy and eventually your 'fleet design' strategy and formation.

    A very decent offering by Kerebos.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
  1. IGN
    77
    I love the slick, high-tech look of the interface. A little more functionality would be nice, of course, but the game looks much more futuristic and advanced than any other space empire game on the market.
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  2. PC Zone UK
    83
    In much the same way that "Total War" proved that the war game could be stunning to look at, accessible and fun, SOTS is almost as impressive in its own low-budget way. [Oct 2006, p.76]
    Read full review
  3. Game Informer
    75
    Even with a well-balanced multiplayer experience, I can't say that Sword of the Stars is incredibly ambitious, but it's definitely an entertaining and accessible way to extend your galactic influence. [Sept. 2006, p.99]
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