I like this game because it in many aspects like MOO2, which I enjoy. There are a few additions and modernizations, which for the most part work well. However in very short order it becomes clear that parts were chopped off to include in DLC. An absolutely pathetic selection of races (only 6!), with 1 portrait each, does not feel complete. The Natural Law DLC offers 2 more. Poor implementation of custom races means it is very likely that you will have multiple races using the same portraits/backgrounds unless you buy the DLC. Same with the leaders - in my first game I was offered the same leader (whom I turned down) about 7 times in a short game. The DLC adds more leaders, surprise. And how do I know this? Because there are advertisements for the DLC in the main menu and the game start menu. Any game that does this deserves to lose a star for it immediately. Advertising to me about how my game is incomplete before I have even tried it is a mind-boggling practice, and (from me anyways) garners instant resentment. No one is buying this from a store in a box - every store page informs buyers about any DLC. Moreover, no one likes being advertised to - that's why there are options to pay to get rid of ads in free software. Ads are bads. I'm not going to buy the DLC. The game plays okay without it, even though I have a hard time believing the annoyance of repeat race portraits and leader offers isn't a design choice. Given the gross implications of the title, I'm clearly expected to buy more DLC later. If you're going to emulate a cool 90s game, sell me a complete product. They used to do that all the time back then.

This is basically Masters of Orion 2, but with updated graphics and UI, more complexity, and some new features. If you liked MOO2, you will probably like this also.

I spent over 130h playing this game, and I can say that it creates the need to play just another last turn. I recommend it to every 4x fan. Pros: + Turn based space battles are really incredibly satisfying and allow you to use a lot of tactics and strategies. + The music is very atmospheric. + AI is demanding and can be a pin in butt. + The races are diverse and can be customized. + Ship design, you can spend quite a lot of time here. You can prepare both light, medium and heavy versions of each type of ship by customizing armour types, engines, shields and weapons. + Developers listen to players and praise them for that :) Cons: - Diplomacy, well there is room for improvement here. A little bit of options, moreover, graphically it is at most at an average level. - Spying, I personally prefer the approach from the first MoO, assigning heroes to operational tasks does not convince me. - The nebulae on the galaxy map are just plain ugly. Overall a galaxy map could be nicer. This is the main weakness of the product, especially when compared to other 4x games. Summarizing, each game has some drawbacks, but if you are a fan of the Master of Orion, Horizon or Sword of the Stars series then Interstellar Space will give you a lot of fun. Personally, I think this is the best Master of Orion 2 clone right now.

Well, actually *IT IS* MoO2 ;) More of the same goodness. If you ever played it's precedessor, then you'll easily recognize game mechanics - lots has been transplanted 1:1. So you have outpost and colony ships, familiar planetary buildings/star bases/ship components, etc. Tactical combat works in the same way, and race creation either. So then, why 5/5? MoO2 is a great game, and imitation is another way of flattery. Probably MoO3 could look like this, if dev team weren't too creative ;) There are also several improvements. There's additional resource - culture, and it allows you to change your empire traits (like traditions). However, you don't need to switch your pops between jobs. You need to take care of planetary infrastructure aside from POPs and environment. Your buildings are limited - you need to choose now, but it's not a very tough choice. Terraforming is no longer linear - it's a 2D matrix of biome & ecology. Spying is done by your leaders, and it's quite good. Research was streamlined into 6 disciplines. Events has been elaborated, more in GalCiv style. Asteroid belts are used in a very neat fashion. There's plenty of interesting ideas inserted between well-known parts! Overall game feels much better balanced, than original one. It lacks Stellaris production budget, and it's simpler but quite qood anyway. Recommended for MoO2 hardcore fans.