Distant Worlds 2

70%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,688 reviews
  • gameplay
  • optimization
  • graphics
Distant Worlds 2 Game Cover
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Distant Worlds 2 is a 4X space strategy game that offers a vast, procedurally generated universe to explore. Players can manage their space empires, engage in real-time tactical battles, and interact with intelligent alien races. With a focus on empire management and automated tasking, it provides a unique and in-depth gameplay experience for hardcore strategy fans.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

70%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,688 reviews
gameplay150 positive mentions
optimization94 negative mentions
  • The game offers a deep and immersive experience with a fully simulated economy and detailed ship design.
  • Players can choose to automate as much or as little of the game as they want, allowing for a tailored gameplay experience.
  • The developers are actively working on updates and improvements, showing commitment to enhancing the game over time.
  • The game suffers from frequent crashes and performance issues, especially in late-game scenarios.
  • The user interface is clunky and not intuitive, making it difficult for players to navigate and manage their empires effectively.
  • Many players feel that the game was released in an unfinished state, lacking content and polish compared to its predecessor.
  • gameplay734 mentions

    The gameplay of Distant Worlds 2 is characterized by a complex blend of automation and deep mechanics, allowing players to engage as much or as little as they desire. However, many users report that the game suffers from significant bugs, poorly explained mechanics, and a reliance on automation that can detract from the strategic experience. While the game has potential and offers a rich simulation, it currently feels unfinished and can be frustrating for new players due to its steep learning curve and lack of clarity in gameplay systems.

    • “It's really good, the automation options allow you to do as much or as little as you want; you can even center yourself in a single aspect and let the automation handle the other mechanics.”
    • “Distant Worlds 2 is epic 4x gameplay that you can either sit back and make just the odd choice or do everything and anything.”
    • “The depth of mechanics, customization, and setting of automation has made it a breeze even for a first timer in this franchise to pick up the core gameplay and roll with it.”
    • “Basically, the whole gameplay is screwed as you need to constantly dodge existing bugs and AI automation 'features'.”
    • “The gameplay is watered down.”
    • “In general, the gameplay is an uninspiring series of automation decisions within a bizarre messaging system that occupies most of the loop.”
  • optimization474 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios where frame rates drop and stuttering occurs. While some users have noted improvements following recent patches, others still experience crashes and lag, especially on larger maps or with extensive empires. Overall, the game is seen as needing further optimization and bug fixes to enhance stability and performance.

    • “The game is also extremely well optimized; I had an empire with over 250 planets, a population of 2.5 trillion, and over 2000 warships which made up over 200 fleets and was still getting 70+ fps in massive fleet battle scenes.”
    • “Recent performance updates have made this gem of a game playable at last.”
    • “I bought the game two weeks ago and I’m now 50 hours in and not a single crash or performance issue.”
    • “The performance issues at late game when the simulation is big just makes it completely unfun, even when choosing a smaller galaxy.”
    • “A year after release and the game is still a hot mess, with terrible performance and bugs aplenty, features that don't work or work poorly.”
    • “The game is practically unplayable due to performance issues (RTX 3080, AMD 3800X, 64 GB RAM).”
  • graphics410 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while there are improvements over previous titles, they still feel outdated and lack polish. Some appreciate the scale and immersive experience, particularly during fleet battles, but criticize the ship designs and overall visual consistency. Additionally, performance issues on lower-end systems and a lack of graphic options have been highlighted as significant drawbacks, leading to a general sentiment that while the graphics are decent, they fall short of modern standards seen in other space strategy games.

    • “The graphics are good, not amazing, but the sense of scale is quite astonishing.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, atmospheric, and doesn't feel like a 4x strategy game.”
    • “The visuals especially are a serious upgrade, and that was my one gripe with dw:u, so my congratulations to code force, you nailed it.”
    • “The ship graphics for sure could use a boost - as a space conquest game, part of the fun should be seeing your beautiful fleets drop out of warp and open fire, but the dated ship graphics really undermine it.”
    • “I'm not normally one to comment on the graphics, but most of the time you're zoomed out to a point where you don't really see it and frankly when you do zoom in enough to see it, they don't look good at all for 2022/2024.”
    • “The performance despite the sub-par graphics is shameful.”
  • music202 mentions

    The music in the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as bland, repetitive, and even grating. Users frequently recommend muting the in-game music and replacing it with external playlists, as the soundtrack fails to create an engaging atmosphere. Overall, the audio experience is considered a significant drawback, detracting from the game's potential enjoyment.

    • “The music is okay in some ways, but very bland and forgettable.”
    • “I hope that upcoming patches will improve the playability and performance and possibly a new complete music score will be integrated; the current one is just terrible.”
    • “The graphics and music evince decent design but not much budget and are on the primitive side.”
    • “The music is unbearably grim and repetitive.”
    • “The music is confusingly bad; I turned it off almost immediately.”
    • “The entire OST is somehow a combination of 'generic sci-fi' and 'nails on a chalkboard'.”
  • stability194 mentions

    The game's stability has been a significant concern among users, with many reporting pervasive bugs, crashes, and performance issues since its launch. While developers have made strides in addressing these problems, the game remains largely unpolished and incomplete, leading to mixed recommendations. Overall, players express cautious optimism for future improvements, but advise potential buyers to wait for further updates before diving in.

    • “Runs great with recommended settings.”
    • “Surprisingly bug free, had 1 crash now in 16 hours, that was it.”
    • “Update (July 2023): the game now runs great and I've really been enjoying it.”
    • “The bugs in this game are pervasive and nearly game-ruining at times. I've spent a lot of time troubleshooting and had to make numerous forum posts asking 'bug or am I stupid?' and the answer was usually 'bug'.”
    • “This game is really broken with both crashes, freezes, and awful game balance.”
    • “If you want to slap a AAA sticker price on a game, you really need to earn the right to do so. Distant Worlds 2 is a buggy mess that feels like it needs another year or two in early access to fix critical issues and fill in the areas it falls short of the previous entry.”
  • story192 mentions

    The story in "Distant Worlds 2" is generally considered interesting but lacking in depth compared to competitors like "Stellaris," with players noting that while each race has its own storyline, the narratives can feel interchangeable and simplistic. Many reviewers express a desire for more substantial story arcs and events to enhance immersion and replayability, particularly after major milestones like the Shakturi invasion. Overall, while the game offers a framework for storytelling through player actions and unique faction quests, it requires further development to fully engage players seeking a rich narrative experience.

    • “With an optional story mode that will have you explore the mystery of the great cataclysm which shattered the old galaxy.”
    • “This game captures the magic of Distant Worlds 1 with much-needed modernization: graphics, stability, and UI improvements mainly, but also an improvement to the story and event writing of each species.”
    • “You feel immersed in the story, rather than simply being an observer of a story.”
    • “For the seven races I tried, the storylines are pretty interchangeable and the different walls of text don't make them feel different at all.”
    • “Feature-wise, most improvements have just been in technical details - barely anything that helps the game tell a better story.”
    • “As someone who is looking for a story generator more than a hardcore strategy game, this might just not be for me - but given that the previous game was right up my alley, I'm afraid I have to give this one a thumbs down for now - even if I can't quite put my finger on it.”
  • grinding68 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and cumbersome, primarily due to a clunky user interface and the overwhelming amount of micromanagement required when automation is turned off. While automation can alleviate some of the tedium, players often feel punished by poor AI decisions or bogged down by repetitive tasks, leading to a gameplay experience that lacks meaningful engagement. Overall, the game offers depth and complexity, but many players find the grinding experience frustrating and not enjoyable.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “In short, you get punished with dumb decisions if you turn the automation on and drowned with tedious minutiae if you turn the automation off, neither option providing a good gameplay experience.”
    • “The game is so tedious and complex that virtually every aspect of the game has to be put under 'managed AI control' otherwise you quickly get bogged down trying to manage insignificant details on a galactic scale.”
    • “Trying to manually manage your fleets in mid-late games is hopelessly tedious.”
  • replayability42 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, offering flexible setups and unique mechanics that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some users note technical issues and a limited number of playable races, the potential for endless replayability remains a strong point, especially with future updates promising additional content. However, a few reviews express concerns about the game's replay value being diminished by certain gameplay aspects and the clunky UI.

    • “This game allows for endless replayability.”
    • “I find this very satisfying to play due to replayability and the unique sim mechanics.”
    • “Endlessly replayable if you accept game flow.”
    • “Not only does this burn any hope of replayability, it also diminishes how much the player cares about their civilization.”
    • “1.) This is the big one: there's not a whole lot of replayability.”
    • “Only seven of the 20 races are playable at this time.”
  • humor16 mentions

    Players find humor in various gameplay quirks, such as the inconsistent coordinate system when selecting ships and the chaotic nature of battles after loading saves. The ability to "rule in absentia" and the amusing first-person view also contribute to the game's comedic elements, despite some frustrations. Overall, the humor often stems from the game's bugs and unexpected moments, providing a lighthearted take on its imperfections.

    • “You can rule in absentia in this game, and that is hilarious.”
    • “- loading a save game then immediately clicking on an ongoing battle, everyone will be jumbled up together then disperse to shoot, just find it funny haha.”
    • “The first person view is quite funny to watch and the trailing camera is too near.”
  • atmosphere16 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is praised for its beautiful graphics and immersive scale, creating a sense of wonder that transcends typical 4X strategy games. However, some players express disappointment with the in-game music and ambience, suggesting that it falls short compared to previous titles in the genre. Overall, the visual elements, such as city lights and atmospheric effects, contribute significantly to the game's atmospheric appeal.

    • “I think what distinguishes this game is its scale and very atmospheric design.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, atmospheric, and it doesn't feel like a typical 4X strategy game.”
    • “You can see the lights from cities on continents on the dark side of colonized planets, and you can see the atmosphere; you can even see clouds forming, dissipating, and morphing around.”
    • “I'm a little disappointed by the atmosphere not being like it was in DW and DWU; the music and ambience in those games were godly.”
    • “First of all, you should turn off the in-game music and listen to the Stellaris soundtrack to create at least some atmosphere.”
    • “That frigate you just outfitted with all guns and shields lets your crew nearly die every second because the atmosphere control in the ship is the worst of all, probably made 120 years ago... but hey, your guns are top of the line.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with players feeling that it relies on DLCs rather than delivering a polished product. Many reviewers express frustration over the lack of innovation, claiming it repackages the same content while misleadingly presenting itself as a finished product rather than an early access title. Overall, there is a strong sentiment that the developers should prioritize fixing the game over pursuing additional revenue streams.

    • “It's a cash grab with a new look, but it's the same old game.”
    • “The fact that this game is not classified as an early access release is a poor testing run by the devs at best, and incredibly misleading advertising at worst.”
    • “This game needs 8 more years of development and less DLC cash grab attitude from the developer. They should fix the game before using development time for cash grabs!”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players report that the game evokes a sense of cleverness, providing a warm and enjoyable emotional experience. This feeling of satisfaction contributes positively to their overall enjoyment.

    • “Honestly, it made me feel clever, and that's a warm fuzzy feeling that we can all enjoy from time to time.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

18hMedian play time
62hAverage play time
5-64hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 68 analyzed playthroughs

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