Stellaris review

Stellaris is the strategy pick for sci-fi fans who would rather command a civilization than a single ship. Paradox Development Studio starts every game with a species that has just discovered faster-than-light travel; you send science ships to survey systems, construction ships to build stations, and then decide whether to make alliances or declare wars across a procedurally generated galaxy. The Steam edition now includes the base game, the Utopia expansion, the Synthetic Dawn Story Pack and the Humanoids Species Pack, and Paradox keeps shipping free updates. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux with 4 GB of RAM, and 86% of 76,950 English Steam reviews are positive. Recent reviews are weaker at 64% of 513 in the last 30 days, and the depth of its systems gives it a steep learning curve, so it scores lower on ease of setup.

Who it is for

Strategy fans who want to run a galactic empire

Price

$49.99 one-time purchase on Steam (US store).

Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities. $49.99 Buy on Steam
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Procedurally generated galaxy with alien civilizations to meet
• Science ships survey systems while construction ships build stations
• Base game now includes the Utopia expansion
• Synthetic Dawn Story Pack and Humanoids Species Pack included
• Free updates continue alongside paid expansions

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: 86% of 76,950 English Steam reviews are positive
• Strength: Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
• Strength: Minimum spec asks for 4 GB of RAM
• Weakness: Only 64% of 513 Steam reviews in the last 30 days are positive
• Weakness: You command an empire from a map, not a ship cockpit
• Weakness: Grand strategy systems take many hours to learn

Key facts

• Developer: Paradox Development Studio
• Publisher: Paradox Interactive
• Released on Steam: May 9, 2016
• Minimum RAM: 4 GB
• English Steam reviews: 86% positive of 76,950

Where it ranks

Stellaris is No. 7 in our Best Space Games verdict.