Astro Protocol

Absolutely love this game. It took out all the annoying and slow parts that tend to bog down 4x games. You could tell that every game design decision was made with fun and replayability as the most important values. It added ways of making each run different, giving you interesting decisions each run rather than just going in with the same game plan every time. This is especially well done with how science works by removing techs that you don't choose when offered, and the techs are also randomized. The combat is fun and tactical, and does not turn into a slog because of how deadly the weapons are. I love that you can go after enemy production, and choose where new units are built, like an RTS game.

A great 4X game with countless settings and 8 very different factions, each with its own distinct playstyle. It features terraforming, alliances with minor factions, and an incredibly well-thought-out design. The setting is a kind of virtual universe in which the factions test which approach works best, meaning which one will lead their faction to victory, and this lore keeps showing up throughout the game in its mechanics and through anomalies that present you with decisions. Easy to learn, hard to master, and it receives constant updates, with new content often playable in advance through Steam’s beta feature before official release. Highly recommended!

Played the beta... This is a brilliant little game. It has depth, but doesn't take a lifetime to play a game start to finish. I'd love to see more factions, unlockable faction alternates, or a faction creator.

Enjoyable short form 4x with some interesting ideas about infrastructure and technology that I haven't seen elsewhere.

Just starting, though also just won my first game. They definitely achieve their goal of short, intense games, so you get 4X without the mid-game bloat. I think you may still have some of the Stellaris "RNG gave me a really hard start", though I don't have enough experience yet whether it's just a learning-to-play issue or whether there really are starts that aren't worth pursuing. The good news is you can basically figure this out by turn 10 or so and either start a brand new game or replay the current. (Replay randomizes some things like planet locations, but seems to keep some things the same like random opponents and initial anomalies. So it's sort of a rogue-like mini-cycle that you can repeat a couple of times to see if a different approach -- and a bit more foreknowledge -- could lead to a better result.) The different factions have nice tradeoffs. For example the UT faction has extended networks (means you can build more structures to power yourself up), but costlier planet settlement (planets anchor networks so you need to capture and settle a planet if you want to capture enemy structures that are not close to your own planet). Another faction gets attack bonuses for each adjacent allied ship, but the downside is that all factions are able (not guaranteed) to field carriers which launch AoE attacks that hit adjacent hexes so you have to be strategic with clustering. The single-unit-per-hex limitation adds depth you might not see at first, as do most of the rules and mechanics. You definitely need to scout aggressively and place structures with care since network limitations mean you can't build everything you might want on your home territory. I was hoping that removing the bloated middle of 4X might still allow a bit of a relaxing game, but that's not the case. On moderate levels, you will be in contact with unfriendlies in 3 or 4 turns and that continues through to the end (maybe 20-40 turns). I'm getting used to that and enjoy it, just saying that removing the bloated middle means there's confrontation and production pressure for most of the game. I like the art style a lot. Don't listen to soundtracks so can't comment on that. For the price, it's a steal.

It's a short, simple, game that scratches my strategy itch without committing to 40 hours of game play. It's 1-2 hours. I am still figuring it out ... I think I need to increase the difficulty now ...

A delightfully clever and elegant game that delivers on its premise: experience classic 4X space strategy in about an hour. I consider it a must play for any 4X fan. It consistently creates memorable experiences filled with meaningful decisions. It is truly a diamond in the rough.

Reminds me of Space Tyrant but with less RNG. I recommend it if you want a light 4x.

For a coffee break 1x it is fine. 1x = exterminate with no real other options. There is a tiny miniscule amount of exploring (anomalies but they are tricky), and an even tinier amount of exploitation, and expansion. Obviously given no real obstacles to expansion but there is no real place to expand to. So as I said, a coffee break game (20mins should do it) with no depth. Is it worth the price? That's for you to decide. I am not happy with the cost vs value but I am also not unhappy with it. 5 hours for <$9 is OK. Not thrilling but not terrible. I just wish it was not so darned tiny (Largest is extremely small)