RATING / ESRB / A Created with Sketch. RATING / ESRB / E Created with Sketch. RATING / ESRB / E10 Created with Sketch. RATING / ESRB / M Created with Sketch. RATING / ESRB / T Created with Sketch.
RATING / PEGI / 12 Created with Sketch. RATING / PEGI / 16 Created with Sketch. RATING / PEGI / 18 Created with Sketch. RATING / PEGI / 3 Created with Sketch. RATING / PEGI / 7 Created with Sketch. icon_pin Created with Sketch.

Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced

in library

4.5/5

( 69 Reviews )

4.5

69 Reviews

English
9.999.99
Why buy on GOG.COM?
DRM FREE. No activation or online connection required to play.
Safety and satisfaction. Stellar support 24/7 and full refunds up to 30 days.
Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced
Description
Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced DEMO is available here Now available as Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced! Emperor of the Fading Suns has continued to inspire players not just because of the game itself, but because of the many great mods fans made for the game. The focus of the 1.5 pat...
User reviews

4.5/5

( 69 Reviews )

4.5

69 Reviews

{{ review.content.title }}
Product details
1997, Holistic Design Inc. , ESRB Rating: Teen...
System requirements
Windows 10, 1.8 gigahertz (GHz) or faster, 2 GB RAM, DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or high...
Description


Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced DEMO is available here



Now available as Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced!

Emperor of the Fading Suns has continued to inspire players not just because of the game itself, but because of the many great mods fans made for the game. The focus of the 1.5 patch is to greatly enhance modding capabilities. Expect many more great mods for the game.

One of the most dramatic changes is one of the least seen. The game was initially built using the Watcom development environment, and one of the first things we had to do was migrate it to Visual Studio. Additionally, the 1.5 patch adds:

  • Significantly enhanced and added significant modding capabilities. This allows modders to add dramatically more units, technologies, and worlds, and even change game facets like excommunication, sect abilities, ruins, and much more;
  • Significant enhancements to the map editor;
  • Enhanced role of religious sects, impacting your unit abilities and population loyalties;
  • Enhanced player information on unit and city screens;
  • Added House strength as a factor in diplomacy;
  • Streamlined some interface elements; and
  • Fixed a wide variety of bugs.

You can find the full changelog here.




It is the dawn of the sixth millennium and the skies are darkening, for the suns themselves are fading. Humans reached the stars long ago, building a Republic of high technology and universal emancipation—and then squandered it, fought over it, and finally lost it.

A New Dark Age has descended upon humanity, for the greatest of civilizations has fallen and now even the stars are dying. Feudal lords rule the Known Worlds, vying for power with fanatic priests and scheming guilds.

A grand 4X strategy game developed by Holistic Design Inc., Emperor of the Fading Suns is set in the Dark Ages of Space. It allows players to take the role of one of the powerful nobles fighting to become Emperor of the Known Worlds. Similar to such strategy classics as Civilization and Masters of Orion, Emperor of the Fading Suns offers a sophisticated diplomacy engine, space and ground combat, discovery of new planets, multi-player (Internet) competition and more. While rushed to market, it built a loyal following and spawned numerous, unofficial fan-made mods.

In 4550 AD, Vladimir I, the first Emperor of the Known Worlds, crowned himself with his own hands and by the Grace of Holy Terra. He was dead within moments. The Regency is vacant and all humanity is preparing to elect a new Regent. But times are changing.

The mysterious fading of all the suns of the Known Worlds is accelerating, causing increased hardship and a general sense of foreboding. The Fading Suns are a portent, it is said, of coming Armageddon.

Each of the Royal Houses can trace its ancestry to the time of Grand Emperor Vladimir, who consolidated the fragments of the Second Republic into one might Imperium. As ordered by the Great Charter, in the event of an Emperor's death, human space was to be ruled by an interim Regent. However, no Regent has been able to harness enough power to declare himself Emperor. In the meanwhile, the Regency has become a means to loot the Imperium.

Many feel that the human race needs strong, dedicated leadership to face the uncertain future - a selfless leader willing to take a personal interest in the fate of the Imperium. But the Regent has been a mere figurehead, who can at most discourage inter-human conflict. Humanity's only solution is to make the position of Regent a hereditary one, to once again have it called by its ancient name - Emperor. Then the future of the entire Empire will be the overriding concern of the Emperor, instead of just the short-sighted good of his own House.

Can you lead your noble house, be it selfless Hawkwood, debauched Decados, scheming al-Malik, pious Li Halan or militant Hazat, to final victory? Will you return humanity to its once-shining glory? Dare you to become Emperor of the Fading Suns?
 

(c)2024 Holistic Design, Inc.

Goodies
Enhanced edition tutorial Classic edition installer Classic manual Soundtrack (MP3) Soundtrack (OGG)
System requirements
Minimum system requirements:

LINUX NOTICE: The minimum required version for Linux is 24.04.

Game features Hot Seat multiplayer mode.

LINUX NOTICE: The minimum required version for Linux is 24.04.

Game features Hot Seat multiplayer mode.

Why buy on GOG.COM?
DRM FREE. No activation or online connection required to play.
Safety and satisfaction. Stellar support 24/7 and full refunds up to 30 days.
Game details
Works on:
Windows (10, 11), Linux (Ubuntu 24.04)
Release date:
{{'1997-02-28T00:00:00+02:00' | date: 'longDate' : ' +0200 ' }}
Size:
125 MB
Rating:
ESRB Rating: Teen (Animated Violence)

Game features

Languages
English
audio
text
You may like these products
Users also bought
User reviews

Posted on: April 6, 2025

Bokaza

Verified owner

Games: 5 Reviews: 1

A classic worth your time

They really don't make them like this anymore. Unlike most players I am a new player. I did not play it Back Then but it still managed to trap me like it did many others. Price might be a bit steep for something this old, but I would still pay in hopes the devs continue to maintain and possibly expand the game into the future.


Is this helpful to you?

Posted on: April 26, 2025

stevo256

Verified owner

Games: 187 Reviews: 1

Unique Old School 4x Strategy game

Great game from a time where games were made to be played and not monitized! Hugely overlooked! Highly recommended


Is this helpful to you?

Posted on: April 27, 2025

slobby

Verified owner

Games: 89 Reviews: 2

Best 4X I've played

I could write an essay on how good the design of this game is, but I doubt GOG would allow me the characters.


Is this helpful to you?

Posted on: April 28, 2025

Finfid

Verified owner

Games: 85 Reviews: 1

A Classic Strat

Can't be beat. Brilliant for it's time and still a playable challenge.


Is this helpful to you?

Posted on: May 3, 2025

Colonelc

Verified owner

Games: 89 Reviews: 1

Probably one of the most detailed 4xs

really unique game that lets you control space land and sea. has a bit of a learning curve though.


Is this helpful to you?

Something went wrong. Try refresh page.

This game is waiting for a review. Take the first shot!
{{ item.rating }}
{{ item.percentage }}%
Awaiting more reviews
An error occurred. Please try again later.

Other ratings

Awaiting more reviews

Add a review

Edit a review

Your rating:
Stars and all fields are required
Not sure what to say? Start with this:
  • What kept you playing?
  • What kind of gamer would enjoy this?
  • Was the game fair, tough, or just right?
  • What’s one feature that really stood out?
  • Did the game run well on your setup?
Inappropriate content. Your reviews contain bad language. Inappropriate content. Links are not allowed. Inappropriate content. Content contains gibberish. Review title is too short. Review title is too long. Review description is too short. Review description is too long.
Not sure what to write?
Filters:

No reviews matching your criteria

Written in
English Deutsch polski français русский 中文(简体) Others
Written by
Verified ownersOthers
Added
Last 30 daysLast 90 daysLast 6 monthsWheneverAfter releaseDuring Early Access

GOG Patrons who helped preserve this game
{{controller.patronsCount}} GOG Patrons

Error loading patrons. Please refresh the page and try again.

Delete this review?

Are you sure you want to permanently delete your review for Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced? This action cannot be undone.
Are you sure you want to permanently delete your rating for Emperor of the Fading Suns Enhanced? This action cannot be undone.

Report this review

If you believe this review contains inappropriate content or violates our community guidelines, please let us know why.

Additional Details (required):

Please provide at least characters.
Please limit your details to characters.
Oops! Something went wrong. Please try again later.

Report this review

Report has been submitted successfully.
Thank you for helping us maintain a respectful and safe community.