Stellaris
Rating Summary
Based on 40 critic reviews
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Top Critic
Stellaris is the Paradox grand strategy game you need to play.
Top Critic
The early game promises an instant strategy classic, but Stellaris is unable to maintain that pace.
Top Critic
Stellaris is filled with good ideas, and it's not difficult to see the outline of a great space strategy game where those ideas could come together. But beyond the early game, it's only compelling in bits and pieces – it turns into a largely uneventful slog after that. Paradox has developed a reputation of major upgrades to their games for years after launch, and Stellaris is going to need all that love and more to reach its potential.
Top Critic
A disappointingly flawed grand strategy game, which for every good idea seems to have another that works actively against it.
Top Critic
A series of small tasks makes Stellaris easy to jump into, but hard to put down without completing that "one last thing"
Top Critic
Stellaris isn't astounding yet, but in time, it may just get there
Top Critic
Stellaris gives you the stars as your playground, proving that Paradox capably translates some of their strategy game prowess into space.
Top Critic
A fantastic space strategy game let down by some plodding sections.
Top Critic
It's good that, in a game about space, I've never felt limited, because there shouldn't be limits. While this almost feels like "Sim Universe" at times, the core difference is in something for which to strive and active threats beyond your own mishandling of resources and the occasional fire to put out. There's a whole universe out there, and I can't wait to play through Stellaris as many times as it takes to experience the whole thing.
Top Critic
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.
