VGSources / Games / Firaxis Games
science fiction video game
Sid Meier's Starships
By Firaxis Games, released 1 Jan 2015
- Microsoft Windows
- macOS
- turn-based strategy video game
What it is
Sid Meier's Starships is a turn-based strategy game from Firaxis Games about commanding a fleet between planets. Missions send players to help planetary populations while confronting space pirates, marauders and other hostile factions. Tactical encounters use dynamically generated maps, victory conditions and opponents, while modular ship design lets players assemble a fleet around a chosen plan. Beyond combat, players explore, negotiate, build improvements on worlds and expand a planetary federation, drawing on planets’ abilities to strengthen it. The game takes place in the Civilization: Beyond Earth universe after the Seeding era and is a standalone experience with cross-connectivity to Beyond Earth. It is single-player and available for Windows and macOS, with Steam achievements, trading cards, leaderboards and Family Sharing. Players guide their federation and fleet as they pursue their own vision for humanity across the galaxy.
What players like, and what they don't
- Dynamically generated tactical missions
- Modular ship design supports customized fleets
- Exploration, diplomacy and planetary improvements
- Cross-connectivity with Civilization: Beyond Earth
- Single-player only
- Windows and macOS are the only listed platforms
Who it suits
It suits solo strategy players who want a mix of tactical space combat, ship customization, exploration and diplomacy. Players familiar with Civilization: Beyond Earth may also value its cross-connectivity.
Starships brings fleet battles together with planetary exploration and federation-building in a standalone game. Its tactical missions and ship customization are the clearest fit for players who want to plan their approach to each encounter.
