Most 4x strategy games tell you to beat the enemy, or excel at one of the non-combat systems of the game like research or something. Stellaris, however, only has victory by score at the end of a very long timer, or by controlling a very large portion of the galaxy. In some games that would be a very bad thing, and for some people that may ruin their enjoyment of this one. However, if you're the kind of player who's more interested in developing and expanding your empire than actually finishing the game, then this is one of the best. |||| THE GOOD |||| Making your own species (which has significantly more options if you get Utopia dlc) and setting your own goals ----- such as form a large intergalactic federation, be peaceful and rich, pick fights with any species that isn't spiritual, or conquer one of the passive but heavily fortified Fallen Empires ----- that's where the game really shines. Plus, there's the crisis system for if the late game is growing too stagnant, which you can scale down to be weaker if you're going pacifist or up to be stronger if you want a challenge. There's also a bunch of other options for world generation to customise your experience - do you want a large, lonely galaxy? Do you want a dense galaxy with few paths between systems? You can do all that. Also the post-launch support is pretty good, with each major dlc bringing updates to the base game as well. |||| THE BAD |||| Multiplayer is through Paradox servers, so while you get crossplay with steam, it is behind a form of DRM. The tutorial is lacking, and there are some things you'll have to google to understand. Many of the more interesting options for custom species are behind dlc (mainly Utopia). The dlcs are expensive, and some have very little content. Combat is a little basic; there's basically no micro, you just hope your fleet is bigger - designing your own ships does bring more depth here though.
This game has a much higher focus on combat than most 4x games, and as such the combat is more in depth than other aspects, and there's no diplomacy system to get in the way of fighting anyone and everyone. This lack of diplomacy makes it play out fundamentally differently to Civ, in spite of having many similar systems. Also, the asymmetric races further make it feel more like a bigger, turn-based Starcraft/Warcraft than a true sibling of Civ. While not a truly innovative game, it is well-executed, and with a race expansion and some smaller "fund the mid-sized developer" dlc out already, post-release content is looking decent.
It may not look like it brings in much new content, but it terms of new gameplay options, it's can really change things up, especially if you're the type that roleplays your empires in this game. Yes, it's expensive, if you have the patience then wait for a sale. + Go full zerg with a Hive Mind + Devouring Swarm species. You can largely ignore the claims system and war exhaustion and all the things that stop you taking over the galaxy without stopping. + You can also go aggro as a Fanatic purifier + Build 'tall' with habitats and ringworlds, letting you have a very dense empire if you so choose + Block out the sun with a Dyson Sphere + Psionic powers In short, it really helps different species feel much more unique, rather than just having a different set of percentage buffs, and there's some cool things to build in lategame
Allows you to play as a machine race, which has some nice unique gameplay changes. Leaders don't die of old age but can occasionally malfunction, no need for consumer goods, no need for food but you can burn it for energy, severely limited diplomatic options, and some interesting civic options. Also you get 100% habitability on any planet. Overall it introduces some cool new toys, "story pack" is a bit of a misnomer.
