A helpful chart for understanding three 4X-RTS Space Sims.
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|
Sins of A Solar Empire |
Star Ruler 2 |
Stellaris |
|
Date Released |
2008 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Publisher |
Stardock |
Blind Mind Studios |
Paradox Interactive |
|
Developer |
Ironclad Games |
Blind Mind Studios |
Paradox Development Studio |
|
Graphics Quality |
Poor |
Medium |
Good, beautiful even |
|
Diplomacy |
Only played a 1v1 game |
Indirect, Card Based |
Direct, effected by societal ethics, managed by a heavy reliance upon opinion as displayed numerically, -200 to 200 |
|
Primary Resources |
Credits, Metal, Crystals |
Credits |
Energy, Minerals, Food |
|
Secondary Resources |
None |
Influence, Energy, FTL, Research, and Defense |
Influence, Unity, Three Types of Research |
|
4X or RTS |
RTS |
4X-RTS |
4X |
|
Technology |
Static and (aside from ship unlocks) Dull |
Bland and Potent |
Hidden and Limited |
|
Ships |
Unlock preconfigured ships through technological advancement |
Created from scratch out of a dozen different blocks |
Technology unlocks hull sizes, weapon types, and accessories, which are fitted into predetermined hull slots |
|
Pirates |
With Base, Roaming |
Stay in Place |
Yes, but also giant Space Monsters |
|
Campaign |
None |
None |
None |
|
Galaxy (ies) |
Doesn't Feel like one, only a bunch of connected planets |
As many as you want, but expect graphic lagging |
One: three different sizes |
|
Planets |
Upgrade by pressing a button repeatedly, build space stations to build more ships |
Needed for resources to export and import, improving population size and credit income, can build a few buildings |
Many different types. Divided into tiles by a grid. Each grid supports a population and a building. Exceptionally cool to have a planet with five different sentient species |
|
Speed of Play |
Medium Games, play speed x1,2, or 3 |
Quick games, play speed anywhere from x.1 to x10 |
Epic games, play speed normal Paradox, x1, 2, or 3 |
|
Movement |
Ships can only move along predetermined lines connecting planets, and can not do anything along these pathways |
Ships can travel anywhere through normal space, but most races can use hyperspace to travel more Ships can travel anywhere through normal space, but most races can use hyperspace to travel more quickly. Ships in deep space (not in a solar system) have limited vision but can fight |
Three different means of travel, combat is limited to around each planet |
|
Species |
Three, unsure of variation |
Few, but incredibly varied. Can build own customized race. |
Many, varied. Can build own customized race. Also aesthetically enchanting, even the disgusting ones |
|
Combat |
Ships fight individually, but the player has full control |
Ships fight as a fleet, player can control flagships |
Ships fight as a fleet, upon entering combat, control is relinquished, unless the player wants to retreat after a month of combat |
|
Most Like |
An inferior StarCraft |
??? |
Europa Universalis without Europe |
|
Complexity |
Is StarCraft complex? |
Only in the construction and composition of fleets |
Like any other Paradox Game, that is, very |
|
Essentially |
Hitting the build button a million times, and watching exceedingly drawn out battles |
A game of importing and exporting resources, building a fleet, and crushing the opposition |
An intergalactic internal and foreign policy simulator |
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Time Played |
5 Hours |
38 Hours |
35 Hours |
|
Most Interesting Mechanic |
??? |
3 Minute Budgets |
Ethics system and how it (in addition to applying buffs and debuffs) effects which actions an Empire can take |
|
Slavery? |
No, because we destroyed their cities from space. |
No, starve enemies into submission. |
Yes. |
|
Computer Knows When Beaten? |
When every last planet is a cinder, and every last fleet is destroyed. Unless they still have lone Colony Frigate. Never surrender! |
Yes! |
They will surrender, but they'll be back. |
|
Recommendation |
Not |
Strongly |
With reservations |
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