Up to 70% off Sins of a Solar Empire titles during the 2026 Publisher Sale View Entire Sale Newly Released: View game page Sins of a Solar Empire II deals: View game page View game page View game page View game page View game page View game page Other Sins of a Solar Empire deals
Up to 70% off Sins of a Solar Empire titles during the 2026 Publisher Sale
The Fourth Faction for Sins of a Solar Empire II Releasing September 3rd, 2026 After 20 years of intrigue, the great enemy of the Vasari is revealed, ushering in new gameplay mechanics, ships, structures and more. Wishlist the Harbinger Expansion The Vasari have spent generations
The Fourth Faction for Sins of a Solar Empire II Releasing September 3rd, 2026
After 20 years of intrigue, the great enemy of the Vasari is revealed, ushering in new gameplay mechanics, ships, structures and more.
The Vasari have spent generations running, and they have warned anyone who would listen about what was behind them. On September 3, 2026, their time runs out and players will finally discover the greatest threat they’ve ever faced: the Eidolon.
Fighting for planets, trade routes, culture, or wealth is not the Eidolon way. Working behind the scenes, the Eidolon spread corruption wherever they go. Their technology shroud entire worlds to fuel their advance, and they strike from the shadows with cloaked fleets, forcing every other empire to fight for survival on unfamiliar terms.
Key Features:
The Eidolon rewrite the rules of galactic conquest with systems built around corruption, secrecy, and control:
Planetary Transformation: The Eidolon spread corruption across the galaxy to empower themselves and their worlds. As populations fall under the Eidolon’s influence, their planets gain corruption over time. Once a world has fully fallen, it can be shrouded, greatly expanding the upgrades that planet can support.
Unit Corruption: Corruption empowers Eidolon units in combat as well as weakens them. As an Eidolon ship gains corruption, its hull dwindles while its offensive power increases. Enemy forces can become infected by corruption, giving the Eidolon another advantage.
Null Weapons: Eidolon weapons are far more advanced than the other factions; and can negate shields and spread corruption against enemies.
Cloaked Ships: Subterfuge is one of the sharpest weapons of a great enemy, as on the Kalizaeth Profaner support capital ship. New cloaking and detection systems let the Eidolon appear and vanish at will, enabling hit-and-run tactics that reward patience and punish anyone caught off guard.
Psionic Abilities: The Eidolon possesses psionic abilities that allow them to seize control of lesser beings and drive Vasari ships into madness firing on friends and foes alike.
Phase Echoes: Sometimes the dead don't die. Eidolon units infused with corruption may refuse to die and carry on the onslaught.
Unit Animation System: A new unit animation system brings the Eidolon and other faction units to life with recoiling cannons, expanding factories, hangar bay doors and more.
Discover more about the Sins universe as you explore ancient technology and research new Eidolon capabilities.
Sins of a Solar Empire II: Harbinger is available to wishlist now on Steamand will be available for purchase September 3rd, 2026. The Harbinger Expansion will be available standalone for $29.99 and is included as part of the Premium Edition for $99.99 or as part of the Sins of a Solar Empire II: Content Pass for $59.99.
Free massive-scale RTS demo includes two factions, 8-player multiplayer, three maps and full skirmish mode Play the demo Stardock Entertainment and Oxide Games announced today that a free demo for Ashes of the Singularity II , the highly anticipated sequel to the massive-scale RT
Free massive-scale RTS demo includes two factions, 8-player multiplayer, three maps and full skirmish mode
Stardock Entertainment and Oxide Games announced today that a free demo for Ashes of the Singularity II, the highly anticipated sequel to the massive-scale RTS, is available now as part of Steam Next Fest. The demo will feature two factions, 8-player multiplayer, and full skirmish mode. Ashes of the Singularity II is an RTS where you command thousands of units across continent-sized maps, fighting a war for control of the solar system.
The Ashes of the Singularity II demo is set in a near future where the United Earth Forces represent humanity's last stand against the Post-Human Coalition. Each faction commands unique units, with the advanced Post-Humans fielding mechs and tanks with energy weapons vs. the UEF’s flesh and blood army. Players will battle it out to determine the winner.
"We built Ashes of the Singularity II for people who want to think like a general, not compete in a clicking contest," said Brad Wardell, CEO of Stardock Entertainment. "Your strategy should decide the battle, not your APM. Next Fest is a chance for players to find out if that's the kind of RTS they've been looking for."
Demo Features Available:
Two playable factions: United Earth Forces and Post-Human Coalition
Skirmish mode against AI
Full multiplayer for up to 8 players (with AI backfill as an option)
Three maps: Small (2-4 players), Medium (2-6 players), Large (2-8 players)
Arctic and Desert Environments
Day and Night scenes
Save and load functionality
Developed by Oxide Games, renowned for their technological innovation, and published by Stardock Entertainment, the company behind the acclaimed Sins of a Solar Empire series, Ashes of the Singularity II promises to elevate the RTS genre once again.
Highly anticipated sequel features larger battles, advanced units, and a new campaign to lead humanity against hostile AI takeover Wishlist Ashes II Now Stardock and Oxide Games today announced Ashes of the Singularity II , the highly anticipated sequel to the groundbreaking, mas
Highly anticipated sequel features larger battles, advanced units, and a new campaign to lead humanity against hostile AI takeover
Stardock and Oxide Games today announced Ashes of the Singularity II, the highly anticipated sequel to the groundbreaking, massive-scale RTS that redefined real-time strategy gaming a decade ago. Set to release in 2026, exactly ten years after the original, the game invites players to engage in strategic battles of unprecedented scale, depth, and intensity.
In the original Ashes of the Singularity, players experienced revolutionary gameplay powered by the first-ever multi-core graphics engine capable of handling thousands of units simultaneously across maps the size of entire continents. The game's forward-thinking story envisioned a future dominated by sophisticated AI managing drone constructs to battle post-human factions for control over the solar system.
A decade later, the battle grows, with the humans of Earth having a say in their own destiny. In Ashes of the Singularity II, players command the United Earth Forces, a powerful human alliance forged between NATO, China, and Russia, determined to reclaim Earth’s territories—including Australia and Africa—as well as vital outposts on planets and moons across the solar system, all previously overtaken by relentless AI and formidable Post-Humans.
With a significantly expanded development team, Ashes of the Singularity II introduces an arsenal of advanced units and sophisticated gameplay mechanics. Players will experience greater strategic depth, intricate base-building dynamics, and intense skirmishes against intelligent computer opponents. A gripping story-driven campaign set in a chillingly familiar near-future landscape of 2031 ensures a captivating experience. Fans can also look forward to robust cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes.
“Ten years ago, we set a new, literal benchmark for RTS games with massive battles and groundbreaking technology," said Brad Wardell, CEO of Stardock Entertainment. "With Ashes of the Singularity II, we’re raising the bar even higher, delivering strategic gameplay depth that RTS fans have always dreamed of.”
While the gameplay and the production values have greatly improved since the original, the most obvious change in the sequel is the third faction: The humans.
“Obviously, in the first game, the number one request was to have a human faction,” said Wardell. “Back then, we just couldn’t support having thousands of organic, walking, squishy people in the world and thus had to design in favor of machines. We’re really excited to bring the humans into the war and watch how they fare against the massive mechanical armies of the Substrate and PHC.”
Developed by Oxide Games, renowned for their technological innovation, and published by Stardock Entertainment, the company behind the acclaimed Sins of a Solar Empire series, Ashes of the Singularity II promises to elevate the RTS genre once again.
Empires will rise and fall as Sins of a Solar Empire II is now available to purchase on Steam. A new era begins as the sequel to one of the most beloved strategy titles of all time releases today on Steam with new dynamic maps, deeper combat, and more. The base game edition is av
Empires will rise and fall as Sins of a Solar Empire II is now available to purchase on Steam.
A new era begins as the sequel to one of the most beloved strategy titles of all time releases today on Steam with new dynamic maps, deeper combat, and more.
The base game edition is available at a special discount price of $39.99 for a limited time.
Sins of a Solar Empire II - Premium Edition is available for a limited-time price of $79.99 and includes the base game, first Content Pass (see image below for details!) and the Sins of a Solar Empire II soundtrack.
The sequel to the iconic Sins of a Solar Empire, a classic strategy title known for masterfully blending real-time and 4X strategy gameplay, Sins of a Solar Empire II boasts a new engine that allows for even more epic space battles, larger sprawling empires, and signature unforgettable Sins moments.
“From multiple races to emergent tactics to a detailed galaxy simulation system, we’re giving our community multiple ways to conquer the galaxy in Sins of a Solar Empire II,” said Brian Clair, director of publishing, Stardock Entertainment. “With today’s launch on Steam, we’re looking forward to supporting our fans with even more great DLC content and the release of our Mod Tools and Mod Browser to see what our community does with this next evolution in the Sins franchise.”
Sins of a Solar Empire II features gameplay enhancements that let players take full control of how they conquer the galaxy. Emergent tactics like protecting vulnerable units from missile strikes with Titan ships, or launching surprise ambushes using the dynamically changing orbits of planets are now possible. Sins of a Solar Empire II will reward players for creative thinking, effective use of economic systems, and making convenient allies as they take over the galaxy.
Key Features:
Three playable races including the Advent, Vasari, and TEC return with two sub-factions that utilize unique items, mechanics, and Empire Systems to achieve total victory
Orbiting planets that dynamically alter the map during play, requiring players to gradually shift strategies as new challenges and opportunities emerge
Minor factions that provide unique capabilities to players that befriend them through a new influence system
Enhanced tactical battles and deeper combat simulation including missiles that can be shot down
New economy model that allows players to truly customize their worlds to fit production needs
Ten-player multiplayer matches that allow players to seamlessly join or resume games
Build and command thousands of high-fidelity units in a new engine built from the ground-up for Sins of a Solar Empire II
Capital ships that can be equipped with special augmentations to be more effective in battle
New in-game mod browser allows for easy installation for user generated content and maps
Coming to Steam August 15, 2024 Sequel to beloved strategy title features new asymmetric playstyles, dynamically changing maps, deeper tactical combat, expanded strategic depth, and more. Check out Rimmy Downunder's latest playthrough and our date announce trailer at the end: A n
Coming to Steam August 15, 2024
Sequel to beloved strategy title features new asymmetric playstyles, dynamically changing maps, deeper tactical combat, expanded strategic depth, and more.
Check out Rimmy Downunder's latest playthrough and our date announce trailer at the end:
A new chapter in the never-ending war for the galaxy will be written as Stardock and Ironclad Games announce that Sins of a Solar Empire II is set to release on Steam on Thursday, Aug. 15. The sequel to one of the most beloved strategy titles of all time, Sins of a Solar Empire II will once again feature a seamless combination of real-time strategy and 4X gameplay, delivering sprawling empires, huge tactical fleet battles, and unforgettable gameplay moments that can only be found in Sins II. Players who wishlist now will receive a reminder when the game releases in just under two weeks.
“It’s been amazing to see how hyped fans are for the release of Sins of a Solar Empire II on Steam,” said Brian Clair, Director of Publishing at Stardock Entertainment. “We have seen so many people who were fans of the original Sins, and Sins: Rebellion, sharing their excitement for this long-awaited sequel. Sins of a Solar Empire II will deliver epic galactic warfare and strategy to players. We can’t wait to share more with you and celebrate the launch of Sins of a Solar Empire II on August 15!”
Sins II will give players more tools than ever to form their own play styles as they battle, scheme, monopolize, and manipulate their way to victory. The sequel also introduces new emergent tactics and strategies that reward creative thinking. Players can protect vulnerable units by body-blocking missiles with their Titan, launch a surprise attack from a rogue asteroid when its orbit reaches the enemy's back line, or guard themselves against a backstab with a time-locked alliance.
Sins of a Solar Empire II Key Features:
Three unique playable races including the Advent, Vasari, and TEC return with two sub-factions that utilize unique items, mechanics, and Empire Systems to achieve total victory
Orbiting planets that dynamically alter the map during play, requiring players to gradually shift their strategies as new challenges and opportunities present themselves
Enhanced tactical battles and deeper combat simulation featuring tracking turrets and missiles that can be blocked by ships or shot down
Minor factions that provide unique capabilities to players that befriend them through a new influence system
New economy model that allows players to truly customize their worlds to fit production needs
10-player multiplayer matches that allow players to seamlessly join or resume games
Build and command thousands of high fidelity ships that are effortlessly powered by a new 64-bit multicore engine
Capital ships that can be equipped with special augmentations to be more effective in battle
New in-game mod browser allows for easy installation for mods and maps
Sins of a Solar Empire II is available to wishlist now. At launch, the base game edition will be offered at a special discount price of $39.99 for a limited time. Additionally, the Sins of a Solar Empire II - Premium Edition will be available for a limited-time price of $79.99 and will include the base game, first Content Pass and the Sins of a Solar Empire II soundtrack.
Sequel to beloved strategy title features new asymmetric playstyles, dynamically changing maps, deeper tactical combat, expanded strategic depth, and more The battle for galactic supremacy continues as Stardock and Ironclad Games will bring Sins of a Solar Empire II to Steam this
Sequel to beloved strategy title features new asymmetric playstyles, dynamically changing maps, deeper tactical combat, expanded strategic depth, and more
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1575940/
The battle for galactic supremacy continues as Stardock and Ironclad Games will bring Sins of a Solar Empire II to Steam this Summer. Sins of a Solar Empire II seamlessly combines real-time strategy and 4X depth, delivering sprawling empires, huge tactical fleet battles, and unforgettable gameplay moments that can only be found in Sins II. Interested players can add the game to their wishlists now.
In Sins of a Solar Empire II, players must guide their faction against the threat of extinction with three distinct races: the Trader Emergency Coalition, the Vasari Empire, or the Advent Unity. Each race has been updated with their own asymmetric playstyle including unique starting conditions, units, abilities, and game-changing Empire Systems.
Sins II will give players more tools than ever to form their own play styles as they battle, scheme, monopolize, and manipulate their way to victory.
The sequel also introduces new emergent tactics and strategies that reward creative thinking. Players can protect vulnerable units by body-blocking missiles with their Titan, launch a surprise attack from a rogue asteroid when its orbit reaches the enemy's back line, or guard themselves against a backstab with a time-locked alliance.
“With new ways to play, new tactical options, and new strategic elements, the time is right to bring Sins of a Solar Empire II to a new audience on Steam,” said Brian Clair, Director of Publishing at Stardock.
Sins of a Solar Empire II is packed with new features for players to explore, including:
The Advent Unity race returns for Sins of a Solar Empire II with two sub-factions that utilize new items, mechanics, and the unique “Unity” Empire System
Orbiting planets that dynamically alter the map during play, requiring players to gradually shift their strategies as new challenges and opportunities present themselves
Enhanced tactical battles and deeper combat simulation featuring tracking turrets and missiles that can be blocked by ships or shot down
Minor factions that provide unique capabilities to players that befriend them through a new influence system
New economy model that allows players to truly customize their worlds to fit production needs
Capital ships that can be equipped with special augmentations to be more effective in battle
New in-game mod browser allows for easy installation for mods and maps
For those who enjoy challenging themselves in online play, Sins of a Solar Empire II allows for up to 10-player multiplayer matches. Players can now seamlessly join or resume games, and an in-game mod workshop automatically keeps in sync with any enabled mod content.
Ironclad Games and Stardock are happy to announce the release of Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion version 1.94 today on Steam. This newest update includes a number of fixes, improvements and enhancements for modders. For a full change log, see the post on the Steam forums .
Ironclad Games and Stardock are happy to announce the release of Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion version 1.94 today on Steam. This newest update includes a number of fixes, improvements and enhancements for modders. For a full change log, see the post on the Steam forums.
Earn the loyalty of 15 new minor factions and explore new strategic depth Add a whole new level of strategic dimension with the Minor Factions DLC! Fight against your enemies to exert control over upstart forces that have emerged outside the boundaries of the great powers. Crush
Earn the loyalty of 15 new minor factions and explore new strategic depth
Add a whole new level of strategic dimension with the Minor Factions DLC! Fight against your enemies to exert control over upstart forces that have emerged outside the boundaries of the great powers. Crush them if you desire, but it might be wiser to let your diplomatic envoys persuade them to join your cause - their unique capabilities may prove to be the difference between your victory and your defeat!
LIMITED TIME ONLY: Save 10% through 1PM ET on 12/19
Features
“Minor Factions” Gameplay Option - Enable the spawning of minor factions! A new set will spawn each match, keeping your games varied and interesting.
15 new minor factions - Persuade factions to join your empire so that you can cultivate their unique bonuses and abilities! Send your envoys to convince them to side with you and boost your empire through new strategic opportunities. Factions include:
Nilari Cultists: These fanatical cultists command waves of suicidal martyrs, sacrifice their people for devastating effects, and indoctrinate nearby populations to accelerate their cause. Be careful, though - with the end being near, they don't always discriminate between friend and foe and it won’t matter whether you’ve won them to your side or not!
Viturak Transport Cabal: Some Vasari technology is difficult to get ahold of, but this faction manages! Gain access to black market Vasari travel tech, including phase engine improvements and the ability to execute covert raids. If they let you into the back room, you may even find yourself with a stolen Antorak Marauder that you could pair with their local phase stabilizer...
Grost Scrappers Union: Credits don’t discriminate, and neither does this faction! These underground human entrepreneurs accept payment from anyone. If you need an armor retrofit, a quick field repair, a great deal on resources, or even a place to convert those obsolete frigates into profitable scrap - these are your guys!
12 additional minor factions: No two are alike! Each provides abilities and advantages unique to their themes and roles, including mercenaries, xenophobes, pacifists, used ship dealers, demolition experts, resource miners, resistance fighters, arms dealers and more!
Sins of a Solar Empire blends the epic strategy and empire management of the 4X genre with the fast-paced and tactical elements of real-time strategy. You are the leader of a civilization embroiled in a galactic war, fighting for the survival of your entire race against relentless foes, and every decision you make (and every second that you take in making it) counts.
Don't have Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion? Get it now!
"Minor Factions" adds 15 brand new minor factions to the popular RT4X game Stardock and Ironclad Games will release a brand new DLC for their popular real-time 4X strategy game, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, on Monday, December 17. Minor Factions adds 15 brand new minor fact
"Minor Factions" adds 15 brand new minor factions to the popular RT4X game
Stardock and Ironclad Games will release a brand new DLC for their popular real-time 4X strategy game, Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, on Monday, December 17. Minor Factions adds 15 brand new minor factions, bringing a whole new strategic dimension to the game. Players will need to compete against their enemies to exert control over upstart forces that have emerged outside the boundaries of the great powers.
In Minor Factions, players will need to persuade the factions to join their empire through the use of diplomatic envoys. Convincing these factions to ally with them will grant the player access to their unique abilities and advantages.
The DLC includes 15 new minor factions like the fanatical Nilari Cultists, who indoctrinate nearby populations for their suicidal rampages, or the Grost Scrappers Union, which can perform armor retrofits and convert obsolete frigates into profitable scrap, and the Viturak Transport Cabal, who will grant access to black market Vasari travel technology.
Each of the 15 factions provides abilities and advantages that are unique to their theme and role, including mercenaries, xenophobes, pacifists, used ship dealers, demolition experts, resource miners, resistance fighters, arms dealers, and more.
Sins of a Solar Empire blends the epic strategy and empire management of the 4X genre with the tactical elements of real-time strategy. You are the leader of a civilization embroiled in a galactic war, fighting for the survival of your entire race against relentless foes, and every decision you make counts.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion - Minor Factions is $5.99 and will release on December 17, 2018.
Ironclad Games and Stardock are pleased to announce the release of Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion version 1.92 today. These changes bring the game into compliance with the recent GDPR law in the EU and also fixed some ICO server bugs. Change Log Added General Data Protection R
Ironclad Games and Stardock are pleased to announce the release of Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion version 1.92 today. These changes bring the game into compliance with the recent GDPR law in the EU and also fixed some ICO server bugs.
Change Log
Added General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliance. When users select the option to play 'Internet Multiplayer' they are presented with a new dialog and the option to accept or decline. Acceptance is now required for 'Internet Multiplayer'.
Today's Deal: Save 75% on Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion !* Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are! *Offer ends Monday at 10AM Pacific Time
Today's Deal: Save 75% on Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion!*
Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!
Today's Deal: Save 66% on Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity ! Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!
Today's Deal: Save 66% on Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity!
Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!
Today's Deal: Save 66% on Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity ! Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!
Today's Deal: Save 66% on Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity!
Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!
Spaceborn mega-RTS Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion has just released its 1.1 patch. The update adds a massive amount of changes, including over forty new maps. No that was not a typo, I really meant forty, four-zero. Given the average length of a Sins game, I estimate the time
Spaceborn mega-RTS Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion has just released its 1.1 patch. The update adds a massive amount of changes, including over forty new maps. No that was not a typo, I really meant forty, four-zero. Given the average length of a Sins game, I estimate the time it would take you to learn all these new maps as slightly longer than than the lifespan of the universe.
Many of the new maps are balanced for competitive play, meaning that resources and starting locations are mirrored, making sure no-one has an unfair advantage. Perhaps Sins is attempting to become the world's slowest e-sport? I can imagine it as the test match cricket of the internet world, where tournaments take two weeks to complete and the audience spends most of their time having a nice picnic.
There's also big changes to the role of corvettes, who had previously found themselves as a ship without a role. Now they're immune to many of the nasty effects that the enormous Titan class ships can deploy, turning them into the game's designated giant killers. Now instead of responding to a Titan with one of your own, you'll be able to send a fleet of plucky corvettes to pop a torpedo down its exhaust pipe, making guarding your biggest vessels far more important.
You can find the full patch notes on the Sins of a Solar Empire forums. If you don't yet own the game, you can find out why you should in our Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion review.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is Now Available on Steam! The Next Installment to the Award-Winning RTS. While many were hopeful that diplomacy would finally end the war, differing opinions on what should be done, along with the depleted power of the controlling factions, has
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion is Now Available on Steam!
The Next Installment to the Award-Winning RTS.
While many were hopeful that diplomacy would finally end the war, differing opinions on what should be done, along with the depleted power of the controlling factions, has led to a splintering of the groups involved.
The loyalist members of the Trader Emergency Coalition adopt a policy of isolation, focusing on enhanced defenses to ride out the rest of the war. Those who rebel against the coalition take on a purely militant view, coming to the opinion that the only way to bring peace is by ultimately crushing all who oppose them - especially xenos.
Take the battle for galactic supremacy to its ultimate level in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion – a standalone RT4X game that combines the tactics of real-time strategy with the depth of the 4X genre (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate).
Too ruggedly professional to die, 2008 sleeper hit Sins of a Solar Empire has returned. Titled Rebellion, this third expansion comes in a new, expandalone format, and adds just about everything except actual rebellion. Silly developers! Sins has aged well, partly because its only
Too ruggedly professional to die, 2008 sleeper hit Sins of a Solar Empire has returned. Titled Rebellion, this third expansion comes in a new, expandalone format, and adds just about everything except actual rebellion. Silly developers!
Sins has aged well, partly because its only competitor, Sword of the Stars II, flopped harder than a snake slipping off a diving board, but also because its appeal is still intact. As you develop your empire, swinging from planet to planet, tumbling down the tech tree, stringing together fleets and levelling up your capital ships, the game simply gives you a bit too much to think about.
It’s uncanny. As a beginner, you’ll have your hands (and head) full developing trade routes and continuing the electric push of your culture across the solar system, perhaps with one eye on your prize fleet, making sure it’s still winning some 20-minute pitched battle. But experts will be kept just as busy micromanaging the powers on individual ships, perhaps leaping home to oversee the construction of a Maginot Line-like array of turrets, before snapping up the diplomacy menu to offer a job, a ceasefire, a demand, then back to the fight.
Sins’ sweet spot is that it always threatens to overwhelm, but rarely does. This isn’t the riptide real-time strategy of StarCraft II. It’s more sedate than that. But the game simply has so much going on, its every element rewarding not just attention but obsession, that you’re able to sink into it like a hot bath. Want to fling armadas around as if they were plastic toys? You’ll have a great time. Want to orchestrate your fleets like an interplanetary Rommel? You’ll see the rewards instantly.
Which brings us to what Rebellion adds. Perhaps most notably, it still doesn’t add a singleplayer campaign, leaving you to fool around either online or in the excellently robust skirmish mode. Which is fine. There’s also a whole new suite of tutorials, which prepare you for everything – except how to deal with this much content.
Sins’ three relatively asymmetrical races have been further rent into Rebel and Loyalist variants, each of which holds a new teasing selection of powerful abilities and a unique Titan. We’ll get to those. Loyalist TEC, for example, are a turtle’s dream, with one tech that increases experience gained fighting in their own space and another that lowers the cost of the horrible Novalith Cannon (which lets them slam-dunk nukes into distant gravity wells). Meanwhile, the nomadic Vasari Loyalists gain the power to summon NPC vagabonds and devour planets like so many Mars Bars.
There are new corvettes and capital ships for each faction, too, but the Titans are the stars of the show. Monstrously expensive and perfectly suited to a long-form game like Sins, it’s likely the fiercest fighting these behemoths will see will be attacks by wary players on their sprawling dockyard before they’re completed.
As with everything else in the game, however, they strike a thoughtful balance. Completing a Titan is by no means a ‘win’ button, but the automated report that another player has finished one still instils a gentle dread.
Outside of the lack of a singleplayer campaign, about the only criticism that could be levelled at Rebellion is that it’s not much of a looker anymore. But you know what? When you jump some 50 ships on top of an enemy fleet, announcing your presence in a flutter of missiles and hot burps of laser fire, you just can’t tear your eyes away.
Today's Deal: Save 50% off Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity ! Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!
Today's Deal: Save 50% off Sins of a Solar Empire: Trinity!
Look for the deals each day on the front page of Steam. Or follow us on twitter or Facebook for instant notifications wherever you are!
The Rebellion expansion for the splendid Sins of a Solar Empire is due out in a few weeks, but first there's another beta phase to go first. As the above trailer mentions, it's live now for pre-order customers on Steam, which will give fans an early look at Rebellion's visual upd
The Rebellion expansion for the splendid Sins of a Solar Empire is due out in a few weeks, but first there's another beta phase to go first. As the above trailer mentions, it's live now for pre-order customers on Steam, which will give fans an early look at Rebellion's visual updates, new factions and Titan class battleships. It's due out on June 12, find out more on the official Sins of a Solar Empire site and see those Titans tearing it up in deep space in these Rebellion screenshots.
That's a new trailer for Stardock's upcoming expansion to Sins of a Solar Empire. It'll bring jumbo-sized Titan ships and new faction choices to the outstanding 4X space strategy game. It'll also provide a much-needed graphical update to the four year-old title. There are three r
That's a new trailer for Stardock's upcoming expansion to Sins of a Solar Empire. It'll bring jumbo-sized Titan ships and new faction choices to the outstanding 4X space strategy game. It'll also provide a much-needed graphical update to the four year-old title.
There are three reasons why I still boot up Sins of a Solar Empire: I get a dizzy thrill every time I zoom from an extreme close-up to a map overview (I call it the Supreme Commander effect), and I enjoy playing co-op in a universe so vast that I hardly ever encounter other human players. Also, I like telling people I've been playing "Sins of a Solar Empire" because it makes me feel cool.
