Rate top gamesStars in Shadow
About
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.
System requirements for PC
Minimum:
- OS: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
- Processor: Intel Core 2.6 GHz or equivalent
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 4000 Series or better
- Storage: 3 GB available space
- Additional Notes: Stars in Shadow requires the OpenGL framebuffer extension. This extension is present on almost all graphics drivers released after 2010, but laptops made before 2010 with vendor-locked graphics drivers may not be able to run the game.
Recommended:
- OS: Windows 7,8,10
- Processor: Intel Core Duo 3.0 GHz or equivalent
- Memory: 8 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce 400 Series or better, 1 GB RAM
- Storage: 3 GB available space
Stars in Shadow reviews and comments
Translated by
Microsoft from Deutsch
Microsoft from Deutsch
Early Access Review The Original is back, finally!
Classic, completely turn-based 4X strategy with tactical, also turn-based Battles. Detailed Planet-building, rudimentary Diplomacy, several undercut. Species with prots and Cons, extensive Research, custom ship and Base construction. Getting within Ranges, no StarLanes.
According to my Gut Feeling, Stars in Shadow currently corresponds to ~ 85% of The second Master of Orion of 1996 and is also about as much Fun (felt 77-84 rating atm With me). That brings it closer to the Original than any other Title that tried it. Like Master of Orion By Wargaming or Star Drive II Cons: There seems to be no exclusive Research and Shipbuilding could have been made a little clearer. Thus, it is not immediately clear in all Components which Slot of the Spacecraft they can be placed in and in which ones cannot. You have to click on them first, then the right Slots are held. This could easily be solved with untersch. Background colors of the Items. At this Stage, there are no custom Breeds. Unfortunately, I do not know whether these are still planned in the Course of the Early Accesses. Currently, the Game is only available on ENG and it doesn't look like there will be a multiplayer part. But Is just Speculation from me. There is none at the moment.
Pros: Planets have limited Slots (but they can be expanded). Unlike in the Original, there are no Egg legends wool milk sauce planis here, but highly specialized. Bases, just like Ships, can also be desgined and upgraded/rebuilt, nor did that exist 20 Years ago. There are Also production Loops, making the (very high) micromanagement part more comfortable. Still, managing great Starry empires is just for someone who wants to get himself in. I mostly play in Winz galaxies. In Addition, the Balancing seems to me to be better balanced than with the Original. Rocket Cruisers initially had far too many Advantages there. That is no longer the case.
Neutral: The art style and the retro synthi Duodles Are a Matter of Taste. I find both very charming. The micromanagement part is high to very high.
Meta: Judging by the fact that the Game was the longest Time over a 1-Man project and even now afaik only 2 People are working On it, it's quite amazing how mature it is and how well it captures the Spirit of the 20-year-old role model. At the same time, it is also shameful for huge Companies that failed to do so. I am fundamentally sympathetic to this, but it must not play a Role in the Standings.
---------------------Bottom line: Suitable for: For MoO2 veterans and for those who have always wanted to play the legendary Game, but the 20 Years under their belt or techn. problems made a Dash through the Bill. Generally suited to all Micro-management-savvy lap Strategists.
Not suitable for: Fans of Real-time as the entire Game is turn based. Fans of 3D, as the Game is complete in 2D. Fans of Tutorials as there are atm none and streamlined games. Here you have to take care of a lot of Details yourself. Who doesn't like that: Fingers off. Those who like that will love Stars in Shadow.
Rating currently: 77-84, Worth a buy.