Stellaris Review Roundup

Stellaris is the latest title from Paradox Interactive, developers of Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis.

Stellaris is yet another devilishly-complex grand strategy game from the experienced development studio, although it forgoes the medieval, historical setting for a sci-fi, galactic-scale arena.

The game promises all the elements of Paradox’s previous grand strategy titles, plus a more accessible tutorial and exciting new setting.

Let’s see how Paradox’s 4X space-strategy epic holds up against critics from around the web.

PCWorld – 4/5

“Stellaris is great. Maybe not Crusader Kings II great yet – give it a few expansions to fill out – but it’s a compelling bit of player-directed science fiction. Freed from the chains of history Paradox has created something creative and bold and inspiring, something that illuminates just how vast and unknowable space is and how tiny our place in it.”

PCGamesN – 9/10

“Europa Universalis, but in space. What a pitch. That is, broadly, what Paradox Development Studio have tried to created with Stellaris, kicking their complex brand of strategy into a future filled with alien leviathans, dictators with tentacles, and plenty of exploding space ships.”

IGN – 6.3/10

“The promising new space strategy game Stellaris has the pedigree to be great. With the experts at Paradox putting their own spin on a classic genre, it seems like a can’t-miss proposition. But it does miss, turning great early-game potential into a slow, dull grind.”

Destructoid – 9/10

“This is a game for anyone who has already enjoyed the grand strategy genre or anyone who has always wanted to. There is a strong sense of accomplishment from starting an empire and guiding it along the path you choose, even if it eventually ends in failure. Stellaris is easy to comprehend and exciting to execute, which is a perfect combination for a genre notoriously difficult to break into.”

PC Gamer – 7/10

“Given Paradox’s history, I hope upcoming patches and expansions can fill in the gaps, and smooth out the omissions and weird quirks of diplomacy. I desperately want the full game to match the promise of its opening. Tweaked in the right way, Stellaris has a chance to become an enduring classic. Right now, it doesn’t meet its full potential.”

PC Invasion – 8/10

“Thoroughly alien in presentation, yet unerringly human in many of its galactic power tousles, Stellaris successfully gene-splices the themes of a 4X game with the mechanics and systems perfected over Paradox’s last couple of grand strategy titles.

The complexity curve, often a bit of a problem for newcomers in prior releases, will be smooth enough for those who’ve played a strategy game or 4X before; while Paradox veterans will be immediately at home with a star-nation sandbox that shows every sign of being another long-term strategic triumph.”

Game Watcher – 9/10

“Stellaris is simply wonderful. If you enjoy grand strategy games then you’ll love this. If you don’t then this could be the one to change your mind. If you’ve been too intimidated to try the genre before now, then here’s your ideal starting point.”