Release Date: May 9, 2016
A real-time space strategy with RPG elements developed by Paradox Interactive – the creators of such renowned series as Europa Universalis or Crusader Kings. The game is played in a procedurally generated interstellar space, where your job is to build a galactic empire. A the beginning of the game you choose one of the 7 playable races that differ in appearance, skills, and ethics.
Stellaris is a space-based real-time strategy (with an active pause option), developed by Paradox Development Studio, creators of the Europa Universalis series and the critically acclaimed Crusader Kings series, among others. Stellaris belongs to the grand strategy (4X) sub-genre, and it emphasizes the exploration of the the vastness of the galaxy and the creation of a powerful interplanetary empire.
The gameplay of Stellaris starts with choosing your own race. The developers have created several pre-made nations, but if players are not happy with them, there is a special creator that allows customization of the appearance and characteristics of the player's representatives. Furthermore, the editor allows players to select various parameters such as the home planet, the empire's system civics, authority and ethics and the first ruler.. We can also determine the origin of our race. There are a dozen options available, such as post-apocalypse (leading a civilization that survived annihilation) or doomsday (inhabiting an unstable planet that will explode in the future). It's interesting to note that the pool of empires we create is also used by the computer-controlled opponents. Therefore, it's possible to meet our previous empire during the second or third game.
Players can conquer the huge procedurally generated galaxy map and build their galactic empire. They can develop technologies from three main streams, which are society, engineering, or physics, and influence the game on different levels. In addition, players have access to various edicts that can achieve specific effects across the empire and individual planets.
However, conquest alone cannot sustain the empire. Its internal affairs should also be taken care of. Food supplies, science, reforms, trade, and mineral extraction must also be managed simultaneously.. The most critical aspect is energy.. Sufficient energy credits guarantee the operation of all buildings and ships in the empire.. The game also features ship-building. A special tool allows players to design their own fully functional spacecraft: different modules can be adjusted to obtain the desired parameters. As research on armaments progresses, construction options expand.
During gameplay, players can encounter other civilizations with varying attitudes toward their race and the internal political situation. Stellaris features an extensive diplomacy system allowing players to establish a wide range of contacts such as research agreements, migration agreements, military alliances, vassalization, federation, and an extensive system of wars based on casus belli and claims.
The game's exploration and storyline rely on the anomaly system. Research ships explore neighboring systems, increasing knowledge of the galaxy. Anomalies can offer both benefits and drawbacks. It's impossible to explore all anomalies in a single playthrough, which contributes to the game's high replayability.
In the later stages of the game, the so-called "mechanics of the crisis" begin. All the empires in the galaxy are put to the test against a powerful threat. Crises often drastically alter the political situation on the map, resulting in the destruction of many nations.
The world in Stellaris is procedurally generated, resulting in a vast number of visually diverse solar systems built based on our understanding and ideas about the cosmos. During gameplay, players will visit systems with red dwarfs, pulsars, and even black holes. Combined with detailed graphics, the game's overall production is impressive.
Platforms:
PC Windows May 9, 2016
PlayStation 4 February 26, 2019
Xbox One February 26, 2019
PlayStation 5 November 6, 2025
Xbox Series X/S November 6, 2025
Developer: Paradox Development Studio
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Similar Games:
3GAMES
A space strategy series launched in 2016. The series Stellaris was created by the Paradox Development Studio team, a company specializing in the strategy game genre, with a portfolio that includes such brands as Europa Universalis, Hearts of Iron, Victoria and Crusader Kings.
Stellaris Review – Paradox conquers outer space
The long-awaited Stellaris has taken over the universe… and Steam. Devs from Paradox have created an amazing space 4X game. And despite some shortcomings, it’s hard not to get hooked on it.
Last update: May 30, 2016
The following, unofficial guide for the game Stellaris from Paradox Interactive contains every necessary information concerning management and growth of a galactic empire.
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Today, Microsoft has prepared five titles for subscribers to the cheaper versions of Xbox Game Pass. Three of them have been added to Xbox Game Pass Essential, and two to Xbox Game Pass Premium.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
December 3, 2025
An inexorable end and growing paranoia - these are the challenges players of Stellaris: Shadows of the Shroud will face as they choose a new apocalyptic origin.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
September 22, 2025
Are you troubled by frequent desync issues in Stellaris 4.0 BioGenesis? You are not the only one. Here you will find some potential workarounds.
How to
Aleksander Kartasinski
May 6, 2025
Stellaris will soon receive a lot of new content. Paradox revealed details of Season 9.
video games
Maciej Gaffke
March 25, 2025
Stellaris developers have listened to players annoyed by too frequent updates. The developers are also asking fans which features of the game are „sacred” and which need changes.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
November 8, 2024
The Stellaris: Cosmic Storms DLC and the free 3.13 „Vela” update are now available for Paradox's space strategy.
video games
Jacob Blazewicz
September 11, 2024
The director of Stellaris: The Machine Age responded to players' concerns about the use of artificial intelligence. He pointed out that no AI-generated graphics or texts made it into the game, but it will include the voices of actors who gave their consent.
video games
Martin Bukowski
May 13, 2024
Today is the release of The Machine Age DLC for the space strategy game Stellaris. To mark the occasion, Paradox released a new trailer for the ninth expansion.
video games
Maciej Gaffke
May 8, 2024
Paradox Interactive shared details of the 8th season of the space strategy game Stellaris. Several new features await players, including the Cosmogenesis path, which will include maintaining callous indifference and discovering the secrets of fallen empires.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
April 22, 2024
The Machine Age is the next expansion coming to the popular 4X strategy game Stellaris. According to information provided by Paradox Interactive studio, the DLC is expected to be released in the second quarter of this year.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
March 18, 2024
Top downloads for Stellaris Video Game:
mod Stellaris - Star Trek New Horizon v.0.8.5 - March 18, 2017
trainer Stellaris - v2.3.3 +15 Trainer - July 23, 2019
mod Stellaris - Massive Galaxy v.3.1 - August 31, 2020
mod Stellaris - Star Wars: A Galaxy Divided v.1.5 - January 14, 2018
trainer Stellaris - v2.1.0 +16 Trainer - May 30, 2018
mod Stellaris - Star Wars GCW Shippack v.1.5.1 - May 14, 2017
trainer Stellaris - v3.0.1 +22 Trainer - April 20, 2021
trainer Stellaris - v2.2.7 +14 Trainer - April 16, 2019
mod Stellaris - Halo Universe v.11.0 H.U - February 20, 2017
mod Stellaris - Stellaris Tycoon v.3 - July 29, 2016
System Requirements for Stellaris Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i3-530 2.93 GHz / AMD FX-6350 3.9 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 460 / Radeon HD 5870 or better, 10 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4 GHz / AMD Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 560 Ti or better, 10 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit.
List of Game Expansions for Video Game:
Expansion
November 25, 2025
Strategy
A species expansion pack for the very popular 4X space strategy game from Paradox Development Studio. Stellaris: Infernals brings new origins, a crisis path, a new volcanic planet type, as well as new ethos, ships, and portraits.
Steam
Expansion
September 22, 2025
Strategy
An expansion for the 4X space strategy from Paradox Interactive. Stellaris: Shadows of the Shroud features modifications to the psionic gameplay route and allows to cross the enigmatic Shroud. The DLC introduces new governments, new alliances with patrons and a risk of total annihilation.
Steam
Expansion
May 5, 2025
Strategy
The tenth expansion for the space grand strategy from Paradox Interactive. Stellaris: BioGenesis DLC focuses on the theme of genetics, allowing us for things like creating biological ships or leading a living ecosystem with dispersed consciousness to victory.
Steam
Expansion
October 29, 2024
Strategy
An expansion for the grand strategy game from Paradox Interactive. Stellaris: Grand Archive is a story add-on, allowing to construct the titular archive and to collect cosmic fauna, artifacts and relics. It also introduces new civics, origins and tradition trees.
Steam
Users
Expansion
September 10, 2024
Strategy
An expansion for the popular 4X strategy from Paradox Interactive. Stellaris: Cosmic Storms introduces the titular storms which may appear in 8 different versions. They can influence the world and we can also try to use them to our advantage.
Steam
Users
Expansion
May 7, 2024
Strategy
The ninth large expansion for the grand strategy game made by Paradox Interactive in 2016. Stellaris: The Machine Age has us face new types of threats related to cybernetics and synthetic technologies. The DLC offers new origins, ethos, constructions, techs and crisis paths.
Steam
Expansion
November 16, 2023
Strategy
An expansion to a space real-time strategy game, Stellaris. Stellaris: Astral Planes tasks players with traveling through space-time rifts, finding new, unexplored dimensions.
Steam
Users
Expansion
May 9, 2023
Strategy
An expansion to the space RTS Stellaris. Stellaris: Galactic Paragons expands the empire council and leadership mechanics, introduces new characters with unique backstories and unique events.
Steam
Expansion
March 14, 2023
Strategy
An expansion to the space strategy game Stellaris, developed by Paradox. Stellaris: First Contact focuses on titular first contacts with pre-FTL civilizations, introducing new origins and ethics, an updated observation system and cloaking technology.
Steam
Expansion
May 12, 2022
Strategy
Overlord is an expansion pack for the space strategy game Stellaris. DLC introduces new options for managing galactic power, focusing on the relationship between the rulers of great empires and their vassals.
Steam
Users
Expansion
April 15, 2021
Strategy
The ninth expansion to the space strategy game. Stellaris: Nemesis introduces espionage and adds variety to the final stage of the game, allowing players to either face a massive crisis or threaten the entire galaxy themselves.
Steam
Users
Expansion
March 17, 2020
Strategy
Stellaris: Federations is an expansion to Paradox's in-house strategy for managing space empire. The add-on focuses on the development of diplomacy and title federations.
Steam
Users
Expansion
June 4, 2019
Strategy
The seventh expansion to the Stellaris space strategy, in which we discover the secrets of the ancient races. The main theme of the add-on are civilizations of the Precursors, which we get to know thanks to archaeological excavations.
Steam
Users
Expansion
December 6, 2018
Strategy
Another expansion for Stellaris, the popular 4X space strategy game by Paradox Interactive studio. MegaCorp introduces the ability to play the role of CEO of an interstellar corporation, as well as a number of new mechanics.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
Expansion
May 22, 2018
Strategy
An expansion to a strategy game called Stellaris. The Distant Stars add-on features new scenarios, additional technologies, new planetary systems, and gigantic beings from far reaches of the universe.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
Expansion
February 22, 2018
Strategy
The fourth expansion for the well-received space strategy game by Paradox Interactive. The main feature of the DLC are huge units, including the mighty Colossi that can destroy whole planets. The expansion also adds new bonuses, additional career paths for the more peaceful players, and space pirates.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
Expansion
September 21, 2017
Strategy
Stellaris: Synthetic Down is an expansion to 4X strategy Stellaris from Paradox Development Studio focused on enhancing content of the game with revolutionary changes to gameplay. DLC requires the base version of Stellaris and enriches it with the option of playing as the machine empire – a civilization consisting solely of robots. Developers prepared four types of factions, some with neutral approach towards living creatures, others thinking of them as a plague that must be purged, and yet another that will think of them as adorable pets, taking care of their needs, but not letting them make major decisions. Add-on also introduces a new Fallen Empire in the form of an ancient mechanical race, and changes the course of robot rebellion, letting us choose to stay with our current race or lead the mechanical rebels.
Steam
Users
Expansion
April 6, 2017
Strategy
A standalone expansion for Stellaris – a 4X strategy game developed by Paradox Interactive. The Utopia expansion introduces an array of innovations and improvements, the first and foremost being an option of building so-called megastructures. This enigmatic name stands for giant, ring-shaped artificial worlds or even ones resembling a Dyson sphere, i.e. massive construction that completely encompasses a star and efficiently consumes all the energy emitted by it. Apart from that, you can also create new habitats in the form of large space stations, which offer more living space for your community. Stellaris: Utopia also brings along the system of traditions. Adopting new civilization ideas and gathering so-called Unity points helps you expand your empire and grants active bonuses to its development. The list of new features ends up with an option of establishing new laws and giving privileges for individual races.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
Expansion
October 20, 2016
Strategy
A story expansion to Stellaris – a space real-time strategy game developed by Paradox Development. The greatest novelty in comparison to the base version of the game is a story campaign titled “War in Heaven” in which the player participates in a conflict between the Fallen Empires. DLC doesn’t introduce any revolutionary changes to the gameplay premise known from the original game, but it does introduce a new race – the so-called Guardians – and Enclaves, independent facilities in which the player can trade resources and obtain information about the current situation in the game world. Stellaris: Leviathans uses the technology developed for the base game and its graphics are of same quality. However, the developers decided to implement new music themes that accompany the player during the game.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
List of Game Add-Ons and DLCs for Video Game:
DLC Toxoids Species Pack September 20, 2022
DLC Aquatics Species Pack November 22, 2021
DLC Lithoids Species Pack March 25, 2021
DLC Necroids Species Pack October 29, 2020
DLC Humanoids Species Pack June 25, 2020
DLC Plantoids Species Pack March 27, 2019
DLC Anniversary Portraits May 9, 2017
DLC Horizon Signal December 5, 2016
Game Ratings for Stellaris Video Game.
Stellaris Review – Paradox conquers outer space
The long-awaited Stellaris has taken over the universe… and Steam. Devs from Paradox have created an amazing space 4X game. And despite some shortcomings, it’s hard not to get hooked on it.
GameSpot: 7 / 10 by Daniel Starkey
Stellaris gives you the stars as your playground, proving that Paradox capably translates some of their strategy game prowess into space.
PC Gamer: 70 / 100 by Phil Savage
The early game promises an instant strategy classic, but Stellaris is unable to maintain that pace.
ZTGD: 9 / 10 by Sophie Halliday
Ultimately Paradox has created a brilliant and lasting experience in Stellaris; one that allows players to cultivate an empire that spans entire galaxies. It is both wonderful and appropriately grand.
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