Deal | Free on Steam for a limited time: “The most epic sci-fi strategy game ever”
Released by Paradox Interactive in 2016, Stellaris begins with a fledgling civilization taking its first steps into space. Whether you play as a mechanical hive mind, a devout alien swarm or peaceful explorers, you choose who you are and what your empire stands for. Early on, you define your species – be it humanoid, insectoid or reptilian – and select an ideology such as spiritualism, militarism or pacifism. From there, no two games unfold the same way. You’ll encounter strange alien races, uncover ancient ruins, fight over scarce resources or get caught in galactic wars. Your empire might fracture from within or face a threat that could wipe out the entire galaxy – Stellaris is full of surprises, with each playthrough telling a story of its own.
Stellaris blends the core mechanics of 4X strategy with the depth and flexibility of grand strategy games. It follows the familiar 4X loop – explore, expand, exploit, conquer – while using real-time gameplay and the open-ended design typical of Paradox titles. Set on a procedurally generated galaxy map filled with hundreds of star systems, the early game focuses on exploration, colonizing new planets and establishing contact with other civilizations. Research, resource management and careful expansion are key to building a lasting empire.
At the same time, managing your own empire is a constant balancing act. Diplomacy plays a major role, with alliances, trade deals, rivalries and espionage all shaping the balance of power across the galaxy. If negotiations aren’t your style, you can turn to brute force – customizable ships and large-scale fleet battles offer a more direct path to dominance. Throughout the game, unexpected events keep things unpredictable, from galactic crises and AI uprisings to interdimensional invasions and internal rebellions.
Reviews: A deep strategic story generator – but lacking in presentation
The editorial team at the German gaming magazine GameStar praised Stellaris above all for its rich narrative depth and imaginative sandbox gameplay. They described it as a true “story generator,” constantly crafting unique sci-fi experiences through player choices and dynamic event chains. WebGamers went a step further, calling Stellaris “the most epic science fiction strategy game of all time.”
GameStar, on the other hand, is critical of the game's technical performance, especially in the late game. As galaxies grow larger, Stellaris slows down noticeably, and managing vast empires can become increasingly tedious. Extensive micromanagement and countless details turn the endgame into a real test of patience. In addition, much of the game’s experience takes place in the player's imagination rather than on the screen. Stellaris remains visually restrained and minimalistic in its presentation. For a deeper look, GameStar has produced the following video, which is available with English subtitles:
GameStar awarded Stellaris a solid 82 out of 100. The response on other platforms is similarly positive: critics on Metacritic gave it a Metascore of 78, while players rated it 8.0. On Steam, the game has received over 125,000 reviews, averaging a strong 87% approval rating.
Free weekend on Steam, followed by 75% off
As part of a limited-time promotion, Stellaris is free to play until May 12. Once the free period ends, the game – which usually costs around $40 – will be available at a 75% discount until May 19, bringing the price down to roughly $10. Such deep discounts aren't unusual, though. According to SteamDB, Stellaris was last offered at this price during the City Builder Fest in March.
Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.
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