10 Best Games Like Stellaris: The Machine Age

Stellaris: The Machine Age is an expansion for the acclaimed strategy game Stellaris, where cybernetic and synthetic advancements redefine civilization. Players explore new technologies and face existential threats in a dynamic galaxy. For fans eager to explore similar strategic and expansive sci-fi games, there’s a plethora of titles that offer comparable depth. Here are the ten best games like Stellaris: The Machine Age.

10. Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection

Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection envelops players in a richly imagined future where human scientists have unlocked faster-than-light travel, marking the year 2405 as the dawn of a new era. Suddenly, Earth faces a catastrophic alien attack that shifts the course of human history. The game integrates the core Sword of the Stars title with its three expansions: Born of Blood, A Murder of Crows, and Argos Naval Yard, each adding layers of strategic depth and content. Players can explore an expansive universe, where managing an empire becomes a test of strategic foresight and tactical skill.

9. Stars in Shadow

Stars in Shadow is a captivating turn-based 4X strategy game that pays homage to the classics of the genre. In this game, players explore space and settle on distant worlds, aiming to build a powerful interstellar empire. The journey begins at the dawn of space travel and progresses through four distinct eras of technological advancement. Players can discover the secrets of planetary terraforming, upgrade their armies from basic infantry to advanced battle mechs, and grow their fleets from small squadrons to massive armadas capable of destroying entire planets. The game encourages exploring ancient technologies and engaging with various alien leaders to either negotiate alliances or prepare for conquest.

8. StarDrive 2

StarDrive 2 builds on its predecessor by introducing a turn-based strategic layer that adds depth to the gameplay. Players guide their chosen race through a procedurally-generated galaxy, where they can explore, colonize, and expand their empire. Each planet or asteroid belt offers new resources to exploit and challenges to overcome. The game features real-time tactical space combat, which allows players to design and deploy their customized ships in battles. In StarDrive 2, diplomacy and espionage play crucial roles in achieving dominance. Players can forge alliances with alien races or engage in covert operations to undermine their enemies. The game also boasts a rich lore with numerous anomalies, heroes, and galactic mysteries, ensuring that no two playthroughs are the same.

7. Endless Space 2

Endless Space 2 takes players on a strategic journey through a galaxy filled with ancient secrets and futuristic possibilities. Set against the backdrop of the mysterious Endless Universe, you step into the role of a civilization leader aiming to expand your empire and influence. The game is built around the engaging one more turn concept, where each decision can lead to new discoveries and strategic depth. You will explore star systems that hide remnants of the ancient Endless civilization, including powerful artifacts and the magical substance known as Dust. By establishing colonies on distant planets and managing intricate trade routes, you strengthen your hold on the galaxy.

6. Polaris Sector

In the vast expanse of the Polaris Sector, building an empire is a daring adventure. Here, factions are quick to suspect and slow to trust new arrivals. They might start a war over just a hint of threat. Life here is harsh, and natural deaths are rare. If you seem weak, pirates and scavengers will target you. If you show strength, your enemies might join forces against you. The game unfolds in a huge galaxy with up to 900 stars, offering a dynamic and unpredictable playground. Here, your skill in forming fragile alliances and managing frequent conflicts is key to survival.

5. Master of Orion

Master of Orion revives the classic space strategy gameplay with modern enhancements and the involvement of the original creators. In this game, players lead one of ten iconic races, each with unique characteristics and styles. The game challenges players to expand their reach across the galaxy through exploration, warfare, diplomacy, and technology. With over 75 technological advancements to research, players can significantly boost their civilization’s capabilities. The galaxy in Master of Orion is vast, containing up to 100 different solar systems filled with planets and stars to explore and conquer.

4. Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion

Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is a standalone game blending real-time strategy with 4X elements, offering players a rich space conflict experience. This game introduces new factions, which allows players to choose between loyalists or rebels for each race. Every choice unlocks unique technologies, ships, and play styles, adding depth to strategic planning. The game features mighty Titan class warships, each faction having its own powerful Titan with unique strengths and battlefield abilities. These Titans significantly impact battles, offering new tactical opportunities. Additionally, new and upgraded capital ships enhance the fleet options, with each race receiving a new capital ship and existing ships having their abilities expanded to four levels.

3. Star Ruler 2

Star Ruler 2 offers a unique take on the space strategy genre, focusing on large-scale diplomacy and galaxy-wide resource management. Players oversee an entire civilization and manage complex supply chains that are crucial for their empire’s growth and survival. Plus, the scale of the game is immense, with hundreds of star systems and thousands of planets within a single galaxy. In terms of customization, Star Ruler 2 allows players to design their starships down to the smallest detail. This includes the size, shape, and functionality of every ship in their fleet.

2. Distant Worlds 2

Distant Worlds 2 is an expansive, pausable real-time 4X space strategy game where you can explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate across a universe that feels alive. The game features huge galaxies with up to 2,000 star systems and tens of thousands of planets, moons, and asteroids. Here, you can choose to interact peacefully through mining and diplomacy or conquer new territories through strategic warfare. Your empire grows within a living universe filled with other empires, independent alien colonies, traders, pirates, and mysterious space monsters. And exploring this universe, you will encounter star systems, asteroid fields, galactic storms, and even black holes.

1. Galactic Civilizations IV

The final game on our list of best games like Stellaris: The Machine Age is Galactic Civilizations IV. This game allows you to take the helm of a civilization that has just mastered faster-than-light travel. You will explore a vast galaxy full of unknowns. Your mission involves colonizing new worlds and interacting with alien civilizations. You will also need to forge alliances or engage in warfare to protect your civilization. The game’s grand strategy elements are enriched with a sophisticated AI that ensures every opponent has their own unique agendas and strategies.

So, what other games would you add to this list? Do you agree with our picks for the best games like Stellaris: The Machine Age? Let us know on our socials here!