If you like Master of Orion 2, then this is the game you want to have. It is actually the game, everyone expected from MMO3. However, as good as this game is, there is still some room for improvement and I will tell more now. The game is mostly a 1:1 copy of all concepts from MOO2, which is fine, because MOO2 was already a cool game. I also like, that some new concepts have been introduces, which makes sense: * A very innovative exploration system, which helps, that even in the middle game it makes sense and fun to explore the galaxies further. * Planet Infrastructure, this concept helps to specialize a planet and also restricts the number of buildings on a planet. So it really gives huge planets much more value over tiny ones. * A culture system, which has mutual exclusive culture perks, which helps you to shape your species to the playing style you prefer. * In the tactical combat, there is now the concept of overheating: you can give a small boost to your ships by overheating a single system (weapons, drive or shields). You cannot do it too often and it increases the heat on the ship. If the heat is at maximum (some enemy weapons also heat up your ship), it simply explodes. The room for improvement is: * It would be cool, if there would be species perks or technology to improve the exploration. For example a "treasury hunter" species perk, which increases the probability to find ruins. Except from two culture perks, there are no further possibilities to improve the exploration system. * I think there should be more specializations of planets from the infrastructure system. So having also infrastructure projects, which are cultural or scientific bases, would be cool. * The enemy AI is okay-ish, but could be improved. * Having a more random bases invention system like stellaris would be cool. All in all this is a great game and I hope those improvements will come with further DLCs.

I am sorry for this game. I already bought it and tried it out. I like the thing, that it is made in a kind of indi game, supporting small or new developers. Especially, when the game seems to be a good product and of course, DRM-free. In some case, I like this game. It is nearly like the good old Master of Orion 2. With some advantages or disadvantages. But there is one thing, I could not handle with. The graphics, especially the menus are terrible for me. There are so many little details what should normally be good. But it looks convoluted and very small. Also the planets in your system are quite even small. It is difficult, to always have an overview. The technology tree is quite boring for me. There are no real choices, because you can develope everything over time. Less buildings can be built on your planets what should I do then? To choose your people what to do on a planet, you use three little bars. It is anoying. To the developers: If you want to make a great game out of it, in my opinion it is necessary to overwork the hole menu system. Take a look and better copy good things from MOO than to make your own, but anoying things. I also mean, there are to many different values to choose from your leaders. Some of your races look really good and shall be interesting also because of the story. The two from your DLC should be a kind of joke? The system, that every species need a different sort of planet seems to be interesting at the first look. But I really prefer the MOO-system, for terraforming in one direction. Why? Because there where even more different sorts of planets. And it is made more logically to me. It could be more plausible, if alien races from story but even more from there values are made for special planet-sorts. For example like the silicoids in MOO. Perhaps, there are people out there, who like the game, as it is. I think, there are some nice things on it. At this time, I would give 2 1/2 stars. >>Thanks to GOG for support!<

Having been an avid 4X Gamer since the early days (30ish years, or so). While land-based 4X games have improved in every way since Sid Meier's original Civilization, the space-based variety has been wandering in the wilderness since MOO/MOO2. I've always found them either too lightweight like Spaceward Ho! or crushed under their own weight like Stellaris (if I never again see the words "Casus Belli in a game I will be very glad). There were also many that were well-designed but just not... fun. Interstellar Space: Genesis feels like Civ and MOO had a love child. First, The Civ influence: It's complex enough to be interesting yet everything makes perfect sense and is easily understood (but not mastered) by a lifelong strategy gamer. The design keeps the early game pace down where it should be, yet allows you to pick up momentum in the mid-game, and then finally build an interstellar empire and wage galactic war in the late game with a minimum of micromanagement. Second, The MOO influence: Exploring star systems feels like a treasure hunt just like MOO, and the game rewards you just enough to keep you interested without making you bored with finding another practically perfect planet. Then there's the ruins, special resources, space monsters, interesting ship design, meaningful combat, and wormholes. Summary: Best space 4X game I've played in recent memory.

Previous reviewers have already given a good overview of the game, but I'd like to add that the latest patch (1.5.3) makes it even more enjoyable for me as the planetary improvements AI got, well, improved, and the overall experience as well. The best 4X at the moment, and it looks they are still actively developing more patches and improvements :)

I have really tried to enjoy this game, but the play balance in mid game is terrible. The computer AI ships can shot halfway across the screen and do good damage. The human ships couldn't hit the broad side of a barn ... even if they were inside one. Supposedly they update this issue, setting a minimum of 5% chance to hit. I have had a fleet of 20+ ships hit nothing for several turns. There is a lot to be liked about this game, but unfortunately the balance is tiresome and frustrating..