Stars in Shadow
Ashdar Games · 2017 · Strategy, 4X, Indie, Turn-Based Strategy, Space
PC
Mostly Positive78% · 73075Metacritic
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About Stars in Shadow
Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4X science fiction strategy game. Explore the stars, settle distant worlds, and build an interstellar empire. Recover ancient technologies and negotiate with alien leaders. Created by a pair of passionate strategy gamers, Stars in Shadow features streamlined empire management, sophisticated turn-based tactical combat, and detailed world building.
FEATURES
- Epic Scope:
Starting at the dawn of interstellar travel, progress through four eras of technological advancement. Discover the science of planetary terraforming, upgrade your infantry battalions to battle mechs, and grow your fleet from a squadron of destroyers to an armada of planet-destroying Dread Stars. - Varied Factions:
7 Playable factions comprising six alien races. Each faction has different research strengths and technology options. Forming alliances, conquering neighboring species, or discovering ancient artifacts may open up additional avenues of research. Choose your race wisely as it impacts which worlds will suit you, what trades or alliances may be offered, and whether or not your neighbors are inclined to trust you. - Stylized Setting:
A distinctive comic-book art style and an original, detailed universe backstory draw you into an immersive game world. Interact with a unique cast of alien characters, make friends and influence people, or crush your enemies and see them driven before you. - Focused High-Level Strategy:
Build a vast and varied empire, taking advantage of the unique traits offered by different alien populations and the worlds they inhabit. Experiments on a slave population might diminish your popularity in the Galactic Council. A streamlined resource and planetary improvement model keeps the game moving even when your empire grows large. - Deep Turn-Based Tactical Combat:
Face off against your opponents in complex 2D turn-based tactical battles. Counter your enemy’s missile barrage using point defense or interceptors, then close to energy weapon range! Stars in Shadow’s tactical engine includes several features rarely seen in turn based games. Multi-ship commands keep even large fleet battles fast-paced, and smart unit behaviors allow tight control with minimal micromanagement. Auto-resolve battles that are a foregone conclusion, while retaining the ability to replay any engagement to see exactly what happened.
DLC & expansions
🎁 Complete the collection
Base game + 1 of 1 DLC at today's best prices.
$2.08
to own everything
What Steam players say
Recent verbatim reviews from Steam — separate from playze.io community reviews below.
Did you love Master of Orion 2? So did the devs, and this game is a love letter to it. I even dare say it's better, with a simplified and improved planet development system that hits the just right balance.2 found this helpful
Played this game a lot, it's simple in some aspects, but the one more turn, one more game feel is real. Nice thing to play when you played too much of Master of Orion 2 and wish for something different, but of the kind.1 found this helpful
TL/DR: There's nothing particularly bad about the game, but also nothing outstanding, nothing to immerse and captivate you. So there's little reason to buy it. Yeah, the art may be pretty, but it's not enough of a selling point. Long story: This is basically a 2-man team's attempt to make their own Master of Orion-style game. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to the legacy. While there are some good ideas, their implementation is rather lackluster, and they simply get lost amidst the other parts of the game. Which are either rudimentary, unfinished, or even disappointing. Let's get through them one by one: 1. The UI is very hard to use. No overviews, no central management menus, basically, there's always a click or three too many to get anything done. 2. The colony building logic is a gateway to micromanagement hell. 3. The population management system is so rudimentary, it doesn't even qualify as a placeholder. 4. The research screen is very confusing, there should be at least a search or a sorting function. 5. The ship design is severly limited by the "hardpoint" system. 6. The tactical combat, which was supposed to be the main focus of the game, feels like a stub of a feature…1 found this helpful
It's not terrible I'd even sat the turn based combat is well done and the art is pretty good didn't run into any bugs. But the whole game just feels shallow and maybe a bit under baked. The tech tree is pretty bare and generic the races mostly have pretty minor variations and there's just not all that much interesting to run into as you explore the maps. Bask to Playing the original Sword of the Stars for me.1 found this helpful
Production values and UI / UX a little too low for the game to be really enjoyable.
so far it plays nice and easy! I would definitly play this in multiplayer! Where games like stellaris feel like a buggy mess where everything is a chore this game feels nice and easy to understand and play. In about 30 minutes i understand everything i need to. I am gone post this comment now in the hope that i dont forget to play more.
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