Stellaris

Stellaris is a space-based real-time strategy (with an active pause option), developed by Paradox Development Studio, creators of the Europa Universalis series and the critically acclaimed Crusader Kings series, among others. Stellaris belongs to the grand strategy (4X) sub-genre, and it emphasizes the exploration of the the vastness of the galaxy and the creation of a powerful interplanetary empire.

Mechanics

The gameplay of Stellaris starts with choosing your own race. The developers have created several pre-made nations, but if players are not happy with them, there is a special creator that allows customization of the appearance and characteristics of the player's representatives. Furthermore, the editor allows players to select various parameters such as the home planet, the empire's system civics, authority and ethics and the first ruler.. We can also determine the origin of our race. There are a dozen options available, such as post-apocalypse (leading a civilization that survived annihilation) or doomsday (inhabiting an unstable planet that will explode in the future). It's interesting to note that the pool of empires we create is also used by the computer-controlled opponents. Therefore, it's possible to meet our previous empire during the second or third game.

Players can conquer the huge procedurally generated galaxy map and build their galactic empire. They can develop technologies from three main streams, which are society, engineering, or physics, and influence the game on different levels. In addition, players have access to various edicts that can achieve specific effects across the empire and individual planets.

However, conquest alone cannot sustain the empire. Its internal affairs should also be taken care of. Food supplies, science, reforms, trade, and mineral extraction must also be managed simultaneously.. The most critical aspect is energy.. Sufficient energy credits guarantee the operation of all buildings and ships in the empire.. The game also features ship-building. A special tool allows players to design their own fully functional spacecraft: different modules can be adjusted to obtain the desired parameters. As research on armaments progresses, construction options expand.

During gameplay, players can encounter other civilizations with varying attitudes toward their race and the internal political situation. Stellaris features an extensive diplomacy system allowing players to establish a wide range of contacts such as research agreements, migration agreements, military alliances, vassalization, federation, and an extensive system of wars based on casus belli and claims.

The game's exploration and storyline rely on the anomaly system. Research ships explore neighboring systems, increasing knowledge of the galaxy. Anomalies can offer both benefits and drawbacks. It's impossible to explore all anomalies in a single playthrough, which contributes to the game's high replayability.

In the later stages of the game, the so-called "mechanics of the crisis" begin. All the empires in the galaxy are put to the test against a powerful threat. Crises often drastically alter the political situation on the map, resulting in the destruction of many nations.

Technical aspects

The world in Stellaris is procedurally generated, resulting in a vast number of visually diverse solar systems built based on our understanding and ideas about the cosmos. During gameplay, players will visit systems with red dwarfs, pulsars, and even black holes. Combined with detailed graphics, the game's overall production is impressive.

Last updated on 19 March 2024