Stars In Shadow

About

Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4X science fiction strategy game. Explore the stars, settle distant worlds, and build an interstellar empire.

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6
Based on
726 reviews
Country Compatibility:
Languages:
Developer:
Ashdar Games
Publisher:
Iceberg Interactive
Release date:
19 January 2017
Recent Steam reviews:
Not specified
All Steam reviews:
Mostly Positive (726)

Game features

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Description

Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4X science fiction strategy game. Explore the stars, settle distant worlds, and build an interstellar empire. Recover ancient technologies and negotiate with alien leaders. Created by a pair of passionate strategy gamers, Stars in Shadow features streamlined empire management, sophisticated turn-based tactical combat, and detailed world building.

FEATURES

  • Epic Scope:
    Starting at the dawn of interstellar travel, progress through four eras of technological advancement. Discover the science of planetary terraforming, upgrade your infantry battalions to battle mechs, and grow your fleet from a squadron of destroyers to an armada of planet-destroying Dread Stars.

  • Varied Factions:
    7 Playable factions comprising six alien races. Each faction has different research strengths and technology options. Forming alliances, conquering neighboring species, or discovering ancient artifacts may open up additional avenues of research. Choose your race wisely as it impacts which worlds will suit you, what trades or alliances may be offered, and whether or not your neighbors are inclined to trust you.

  • Stylized Setting:
    A distinctive comic-book art style and an original, detailed universe backstory draw you into an immersive game world. Interact with a unique cast of alien characters, make friends and influence people, or crush your enemies and see them driven before you.

  • Focused High-Level Strategy:
    Build a vast and varied empire, taking advantage of the unique traits offered by different alien populations and the worlds they inhabit. Experiments on a slave population might diminish your popularity in the Galactic Council. A streamlined resource and planetary improvement model keeps the game moving even when your empire grows large.

  • Deep Turn-Based Tactical Combat:
    Face off against your opponents in complex 2D turn-based tactical battles. Counter your enemy’s missile barrage using point defense or interceptors, then close to energy weapon range! Stars in Shadow’s tactical engine includes several features rarely seen in turn based games. Multi-ship commands keep even large fleet battles fast-paced, and smart unit behaviors allow tight control with minimal micromanagement. Auto-resolve battles that are a foregone conclusion, while retaining the ability to replay any engagement to see exactly what happened.

Recommended system requirements

minimum*

OS *:
Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
Processor:
Intel Core 2.6 GHz or equivalent
Memory:
4 GB RAM
Graphics:
ATI Radeon HD 4000 Series or better
Storage:
3 GB available space
Additional Notes:
Stars in Shadow requires the OpenGL framebuffer extension. This extension is present on almost all graphics drivers released after 2010, but laptops made before 2010 with vendor-locked graphics drivers may not be able to run the game.

recommended*

OS *:
Windows 7,8,10
Processor:
Intel Core Duo 3.0 GHz or equivalent
Memory:
8 GB RAM
Graphics:
NVIDIA Geforce 400 Series or better, 1 GB RAM
Storage:
3 GB available space

User reviews

gaynorvader
Recommended | 03 Aug 2025
166h played

This is a good 4X. It's reasonably simple for the genre without being shallow. It has turn based combat which is always a plus for me in any game where you can customise your ships. The AI is reasonable, the graphics

Helpful: 14
Millennium
Recommended | 02 Jun 2025
32.5h played

Quite enjoyable. Very Master of Orion II like. I wish it had some of the management/UI features that even the 1996 Master of Orion II had like a list of known planets. In some places the game and UI are quite barebones.

Helpful: 10
Nightfall29
Recommended | 28 Sept 2025
123h played

I have played many 4X space strategy games. I would rate this about 7/10 for games of that genre, and about 8/10 overall. Pros: I really enjoyed the agency of the space battles and mechanics. Cons: Late game some of the

Helpful: 8
skodaworks
Recommended | 01 Sept 2025
53.1h played

Best successor to Master of Orion that I have encountered since playing the original games in the 90's. There is a lot more nuance in this game than you realize, even after playing several games you will discover things

Helpful: 8
Christerical
Recommended | 19 Dec 2025
118h played

This game is very similar to Master of Orion 2, so if you liked that game you'll probably enjoy this game too. The game has more modern graphics and is fun to play but is not as feature rich as Master of Orion 2: you

Helpful: 8
Solaceanx
Recommended | 14 Jan 2025
45.1h played

Simple game, but scratches a strategy space game itch quickly versus spending hundreds of hours completing one of the major titles. You can finish one of these games in just a few sittings. Not hard to learn so the time

Helpful: 3