Stellaris
Overview
Stellaris is a grand strategy game developed and published by Paradox Interactive. The game, which was first released on May 9, 2016, is set in space, with players controlling a species in the early stages of interstellar space navigation, just after the invention of faster-than-light (FTL) spaceship technology. The gameplay revolves around space exploration, managing an empire, diplomacy, and space warfare with other spacefaring civilizations.
Gameplay
Stellaris is a real-time strategy game set in space, beginning in the year 2200. Players take control of a species in the early stages of interstellar space exploration, right after the breakthrough of faster-than-light (FTL) travel technology, ready to claim a place as one of "the species of the stars". Depending on several factors, such as the ethics of the civilization and the player's desires, the ultimate goal of the empire can range from galactic conquest, hoarding of resources and technological supremacy, to peaceful coexistence with or absolute destruction of all other sentient life.
Exploration
Exploration in Stellaris is a key aspect of the game. Players can explore and discover a vast array of star systems, each with their own unique celestial bodies, resources, and anomalies. Anomalies are special events that can occur while exploring celestial bodies, and can result in various outcomes based on the choices made by the player. These outcomes can range from scientific breakthroughs to encounters with powerful entities or ancient civilizations.
Empire Management
Managing an empire in Stellaris involves a variety of tasks, including managing the economy, population, and military. The economy is primarily based on the production and consumption of resources, such as energy credits, minerals, food, and advanced resources like rare crystals, exotic gases, and volatile motes. Population management involves ensuring the happiness and productivity of the empire's citizens, as well as managing migration, growth, and the potential for rebellion. Military management involves the construction and maintenance of a fleet of starships, as well as the defense and expansion of the empire's territory.
Diplomacy and Warfare
Diplomacy in Stellaris is complex and involves interactions with other spacefaring civilizations, as well as non-player entities such as fallen empires, marauder empires, and the galactic community. Diplomatic actions can include trade agreements, alliances, and declarations of war. Warfare in Stellaris involves space battles between fleets of starships, as well as ground invasions of planets. The outcome of wars can result in the annexation of territory, the vassalization of defeated empires, or the liberation of planets.
Development
Stellaris was developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. The game was announced at Gamescom in August 2015, and was released on May 9, 2016. Stellaris was built on the Clausewitz Engine, which has been used for several other Paradox Interactive games. The game has been praised for its deep, complex gameplay and its dynamic, emergent storytelling.
Reception
Stellaris received generally positive reviews upon its release, with critics praising its deep, complex gameplay, detailed universe, and dynamic, emergent storytelling. However, some critics felt that the mid-to-late game could become stagnant, and that the AI could be improved. Since its release, Stellaris has received several major updates and expansions, which have been generally well-received and have addressed many of the criticisms of the initial release.