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Stellaris

Stellaris

Paradox Development Studio · released May 8, 2016

SimulationStrategyPCPlayStation 4Xbox One

Explore a galaxy full of wonders in this sci-fi grand strategy game from Paradox Development Studios. Interact with diverse alien races, discover strange new worlds with unexpected events and expand the reach of your empire. Each new adventure holds almost limitless possibilities.

Steam page ↗OpenCritic ↗Metacritic 78 · users 8.1 ↗
78
VGC Score
■Stablehigh confidence

anchored at patch: “Stellaris Dev Diary #430 - 4.5 ‘Cygnus’ Development Continues” (5d ago)

80%
At launch
86%
Steam all-time
81%
Press
76%
Player sentiment
77%
Recent sentiment

PC 78 · Xbox 65

Screenshots & trailers

What players say

Why the number is what it is: aspect mentions counted across 300 sampled Steam reviews (223 positive / 77 negative), recent and most-helpful. Plain keyword counting, fully reproducible; nothing here is written by a machine.

What positive reviews talk about

  • Story & writing5% mention it

What negative reviews complain about

  • Bugs & crashes12% mention it
  • Performance9% mention it

Satisfaction by hours played

Same score, different games: see how sentiment holds up the longer people play.

Under 5h

62%

21 reviews

5-15h

93%

15 reviews

15-40h

73%

33 reviews

40-100h

79%

47 reviews

100h+

73%

184 reviews

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)–8113
Creator reviews (1 tracked)–970
All-time Steam reviews86%791294
Metacritic user ratings–8569
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)77%72484
Calibration prior (typical game)–7250

Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 27, 2026) · 103 reviews sampled · 484 total reviews in window · weighted 61.1 up / 21.9 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (66)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 70
    Gaming ProfessorsGaming Professors
    trust 76May 19, 2021

    “Stellaris is a dream come true for any fan of the sci-fi genre and strategy games. The graphical representation of the solar systems and the galaxy itself is breathtaking, but unfortunately for long-time strategy gamers Paradox's Stellaris may come across as simplistic. Many new players, who may even be intrigued by the setting, will be put off by the sheer inaccessibility of the game, due to either the need for better English language skills or a weak tutorial. However, I highly recommend that you don't break a leg over Stellaris and give it a try.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    Hu3brHu3br
    trust 75May 9, 2016

    “An accessible mix between Grand Strategy and 4X with a narrative-driven focus that, despite small annoyances, makes a great entry point to the world of strategy.”

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    PLAY ZinePLAY Zine
    trust 75Jun 7, 2016

    “A sort of best-of compilation of gameplay mechanics from other Paradox games, Stellaris is one of the greatest strategies this studio has published so far. So, put on your space suit, rev up the thrusters and head into the stars - the galaxy is waiting for you.”

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    GRYOnline.plGRYOnline.pl
    trust 75May 25, 2016

    “Stellaris presents an Elon Musk level of innovation - it's a really engrossing cosmic strategy that kept me entertained for long hours. There are some cracks on the surface (passive AI and a dull middle part of the game) but they don't matter. Stellaris is extremely pleasant and in the future - after some improvements - can become a true revelation.”

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    Cubed3Cubed3
    trust 70May 9, 2016

    “Stellaris strikes the rare balance in the 4X space strategy genre of bringing enough new things to the table, while retaining what works from the past. An amazing amount of customisation in skills, traits, and abilities seamlessly flows into the background without ever bogging the game down. The single largest difference from others in the genre is a heavy focus of the early game and "eXploring," as you actually feel like you are leading a brave race into the empty space and the dangers there. All the subtle touches, decisions and excellent GUI make this a rare pleasure to play and an absolute recommendation to fans of the genre.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    PC InvasionPC Invasion
    trust 69May 9, 2016

    “All the galactic flavour and themes of a 4X space title, married to the mechanics of Paradox's recent grand strategy offerings. Stellaris has a space opera tale of gene manipulation, Federation politics, or colonial slavery for everyone.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    RageQuit.GR
    trust 69May 29, 2016

    “Stellaris is currently rushed and rough around the edges, but has the makings of a great 4X epic.”

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    GameWatcherGameWatcher
    trust 69May 9, 2016

    “Stellaris is simply wonderful. If you enjoy grand strategy games then you’ll love this. If you don’t then this could be the one to change your mind. If you’ve been too intimidated to try the genre before now, then here’s your ideal starting point. ”

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    ZTGDZTGD
    trust 68May 20, 2016

    “Ultimately Paradox has created a brilliant and lasting experience in Stellaris; one that allows players to cultivate an empire that spans entire galaxies. It is both wonderful and appropriately grand.”

    read full review ↗
  • 73
    Chalgyr's Game RoomChalgyr's Game Room
    trust 67Jun 16, 2016

    “With the proper cultivation and growth, Stellaris can stand with the greats like Galactic Civilizations III or the upcoming Master of Orion reboot, but as it stands, it needs a little more love, whether that is from Paradox themselves or a dedicated fan-base, I do not know. One thing is for sure though, and that is that Stellaris is the planting of a seed that could grow into something spectacular.”

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    EurogamerEurogamer
    trust 66May 9, 2016

    “Stellaris is the Paradox grand strategy game you need to play.”

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    GameSpotGameSpot
    trust 66May 16, 2016

    “Stellaris is strange in that it wants you to play on its terms, but within that you have amazing latitude. Its emphasis on exploration is exhilarating. It makes each run feel inviting and special. But that doesn't always hold. ”

    read full review ↗

…and 54 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. Stellaris Dev Diary #430 - 4.5 ‘Cygnus’ Development Continues
    Aug 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  2. Stellaris Dev Diary #429 - Summer Experiments 2026
    Aug 20, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  3. Stellaris 4.5 'Cygnus' Open Beta Update 5 (bc43)
    Aug 13, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  4. Stellaris 4.5 'Cygnus' Open Beta Update 4 (e6fd)
    Jul 15, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  5. Stellaris 4.5 'Cygnus' Open Beta Update 3 (aa56)
    Jul 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  6. Stellaris 4.4.6 hotfix released (fdde)
    Jul 9, 2026
  7. Stellaris Dev Diary #428 - 4.5 ‘Cygnus’
    Jul 9, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  8. Stellaris 4.5 'Cygnus' Open Beta updated (bfcc)
    Jul 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  9. Stellaris 4.4.5 patch released (2f57)
    Jul 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  10. Stellaris Dev Diary #427 - We've Had One, Yes. But What About Second Open Beta?
    Jul 2, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  11. Stellaris 4.4.5 "Pegasus" Early Open Beta (c22e) now available!
    Jun 25, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  12. Stellaris 4.4.4 patch released (5505)
    Jun 24, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  13. Stellaris 4.4.4 "Pegasus" Open Beta (3bc0) now available!
    Jun 18, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  14. Stellaris Dev Diary #425 - Nomads Roam the Galaxy, What's Next?
    Jun 18, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  15. Stellaris 4.4.3 hotfix released (0a3d)
    Jun 17, 2026
  16. Stellaris 4.4.2 hotfix released (42fe)
    Jun 16, 2026
  17. [Dev Team] stellaris_test updated with 4.4.2 (checksum 38b9)
    Jun 15, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  18. Stellaris Dev Diary #424 - Nomads and 4.4 'Pegasus' Preliminary Release Notes
    Jun 11, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  19. Stellaris 4.3.7 hotfix patch released (checksum 4f3c)
    May 11, 2026
  20. Stellaris 4.3.6 patch released (checksum 6ccb)
    May 11, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  21. Stellaris Dev Diary #416 - Quality of Life Improvements
    Apr 16, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  22. 4.3.4 Open Beta (part two) is now on stellaris_test [checksum 44ba]
    Apr 10, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  23. Stellaris Dev Diary #415 - The Gamma Menace
    Apr 9, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  24. Stellaris Dev Diary #414b - Portrait Substitution System
    Apr 2, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  25. Stellaris 4.3.3 patch released (checksum 456f)
    Mar 31, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  26. Stellaris Dev Diary #413 - 4.3 ‘Cetus’ Has Released, What’s Next?
    Mar 26, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  27. Stellaris 4.3.2 patch released (checksum 171a)
    Mar 24, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  28. 4.3.2 Open Beta is now on stellaris_test [checksum 171a]
    Mar 20, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  29. Stellaris 4.3.1 hotfix release (checksum f646)
    Mar 19, 2026
  30. Utopian Abundance: An Update on the Stellaris Base Game
    Mar 19, 2026
  31. Stellaris 4.3 'Cetus' is now available!
    Mar 17, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  32. Stellaris Dev Diary #412 - 4.3.0 ‘Cetus’ Preliminary Release Notes
    Mar 11, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  33. Stellaris 4.3 "Cetus" Open Beta Updated (2026-03-06)
    Mar 6, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  34. Stellaris 4.3 "Cetus" Open Beta Updated (2026-03-04)
    Mar 4, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  35. Stellaris 4.3 "Cetus" Open Beta Updated (2026-02-26)
    Feb 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  36. Stellaris Dev Diary #411 - Our Next 4.3 Experiment
    Feb 26, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  37. Stellaris 4.3 "Cetus" Open Beta Updated (2026-02-19)
    Feb 19, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  38. Stellaris 4.3 "Cetus" Open Beta Updated (2026-02-12)
    Feb 12, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  39. Stellaris 4.3 "Cetus" Open Beta Updated (2026-02-06) [Checksum 2e59]
    Feb 6, 2026significant · resets scoring window
  40. Stellaris Dev Diary #410 - 4.3 Performance Comparisons
    Feb 5, 2026significant · resets scoring window

…and 31 earlier patch announcements.