Stellaris (2016)

Developer: Paradox Development Studio
Publisher: Paradox Interactive
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Genres: Simulation, Strategy
Rating: 4.3 of 5, 195,985 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 263 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A slow, thoughtful empire-building journey where every decision shapes your civilization's destiny among the stars.

grandstrategicexploratoryslow-pacedatmosphericreplayableprocedural

What players say

Players praise the grand strategy and roleplaying potential, but a growing number condemn Paradox for using generative AI in art and voice work. Many also say the DLC costs are unreasonable, updates often break mods and save files, and core mechanics get reworked too frequently.

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This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.