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Endless Space 2

Civilization in space with a touch of Game Of Thrones politicking.
Endless Space 2 Game Cover
81%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
stability, optimization
82% User Score Based on 12,281 reviews
Critic Score 80%Based on 18 reviews

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PCTabletMac OSWindows
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Endless Space 2 Game Cover

About

Endless Space 2 is a single player and multiplayer open world turn-based strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by AMPLITUDE Studios and was released on May 18, 2017. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

Endless Space 2 will put you in the fascinating role of a leader guiding a civilization in making its first steps into the cold depths of interstellar space. You will explore mysterious star systems, discover the secrets of ancient races, develop advanced technologies of unthinkable power, and, of course, encounter new life forms to understand, to court or to conquer. Your story unfolds in a gal…

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Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
Endless Space 2 screenshot
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82%
Audience ScoreBased on 12,281 reviews
gameplay761 positive mentions
stability286 negative mentions
  • The graphics in 'Endless Space 2' are stunning, with beautiful artwork, detailed ship designs, and immersive environments that enhance the overall experience.
  • The game features a highly praised soundtrack that adds to the atmosphere, with unique music for different factions that players find captivating.
  • Endless Space 2 offers high replayability due to its diverse factions, unique mechanics, and customizable gameplay settings, ensuring varied experiences in each playthrough.
  • Some players feel that the impressive graphics can overshadow gameplay mechanics, leading to a perception of style over substance.
  • The game suffers from significant stability issues, with persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that hinder the overall gameplay experience.
  • Many reviewers criticize the quest system for being repetitive and occasionally buggy, detracting from the strategic elements of the game.
  • gameplay
    2,583 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Endless Space 2* has received mixed reviews, with many praising its deep mechanics, unique faction abilities, and engaging quests that enhance replayability. Players appreciate the game's beautiful visuals and soundtrack, as well as the strategic depth offered by its various systems, although some mechanics, such as hacking and diplomacy, have been criticized for being poorly explained or unbalanced. Overall, while the game offers a rich and immersive experience, it can be overwhelming for newcomers due to its complexity and the steep learning curve associated with mastering its intricate systems.

    • “The asymmetric factions are a highlight – playing as the tech-rushing Sophons, the vine-spreading Unfallen, or the self-cloning Horatio delivers wildly different experiences each time, with unique mechanics, heroes, quests, and lore that make every empire feel alive.”
    • “Endless Space 2 is a masterful 4x strategy game that combines deep, rewarding gameplay with stunning visuals and a richly immersive universe.”
    • “The core gameplay of Endless Space 2 revolves around exploration, expansion, diplomacy, and warfare, all set within a richly detailed universe that feels alive and dynamic.”
    • “The espionage mechanic doesn't feel fun nor effective.”
    • “Avoid the Penumbra DLC; it has terrible hacking mechanics with horrific UX that absolutely wreck the game.”
    • “The game doesn't properly introduce new players to some gameplay mechanics (didn't even know that you could use luxury resources to upgrade star systems until my 3rd game).”
  • graphics
    1,509 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Endless Space 2" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and artistic design, with many reviewers highlighting the game's beautiful artwork, detailed ship designs, and immersive environments. The user interface is noted for being clean and intuitive, enhancing the overall aesthetic experience. However, some players have pointed out that while the graphics are impressive, they can sometimes overshadow gameplay mechanics, leading to a perception of style over substance. Overall, the game is considered one of the best in the 4X genre in terms of visual presentation.

    • “The visuals are stunning, with breathtaking graphics that enhance the immersive experience of the game.”
    • “Endless Space 2 is a beautiful game with exceptionally high-quality lore, artwork, soundtrack, and fluff.”
    • “The graphics are gorgeous and the soundtrack is awesome, creating a captivating atmosphere that draws you into the game.”
    • “The graphics feel outdated and could use a significant update to match modern standards.”
    • “The ground battle graphics are terrible and do not match the quality of the rest of the game.”
    • “Despite the improvements, the graphics still lack the depth and detail expected from a modern 4x game.”
  • story
    1,457 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Endless Space 2" is a standout feature, with each faction possessing unique lore and narrative-driven quests that enhance gameplay and immersion. Players appreciate the depth and variety of the storylines, although some find the quest system can become repetitive and occasionally buggy, impacting the overall experience. While the game excels in creating a rich universe filled with engaging narratives, some players feel that the quests can detract from the strategic elements of the game, leading to a mixed reception regarding their implementation.

    • “Every faction has a unique backstory and motivations, providing a sense of purpose and personality that sets the game apart.”
    • “The narrative is a standout feature, woven into the fabric of the game through faction-specific storylines, immersive quests, and dynamic events.”
    • “The quests provide rich context and immersion that take everything well beyond spreadsheets in space.”
    • “The quest system is intended to add focus, but the rate at which the game springs these quests on you makes it feel like a mad dash to complete tasks that are, once again, pointless under most circumstances.”
    • “The quests are a highlight, turning routine exploration into a gripping narrative, but they often feel disconnected and nonsensical to the point that I stopped reading the flavor text and focused entirely on the bonus.”
    • “The story quests will never branch, and the minor quests are either balanced so it doesn't matter which choice you pick or unbalanced in which case you can only pick one.”
  • music
    1,287 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Endless Space 2" has received widespread acclaim for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, with many players praising the soundtrack as one of the best in gaming. Composed by Flybyno, the music enhances the game's rich lore and diverse factions, creating a captivating experience that players often find themselves listening to outside of gameplay. While some reviewers noted that the music can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's appeal and atmosphere.

    • “Flybyno's soundtrack is immersive perfection, pulling you into the endless universe.”
    • “The music is pristine.”
    • “The soundtrack is a banger—epic and sweeping when you’re planning interstellar conquests, chill and hypnotic while exploring uncharted systems.”
    • “The music sounds like muzak - not inspiring at all.”
    • “The soundtrack is bland and repetitive.”
    • “The music is cheesy and generic.”
  • stability
    306 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is a significant concern among users, with many reporting persistent bugs, glitches, and crashes that hinder gameplay. Common issues include freezing during turns, problems with launching the game, and various game-breaking bugs that have remained unresolved for years. While some players have managed to find workarounds, the overall sentiment is that the game is still too unstable for a satisfactory experience, especially given its age and the number of patches released.

    • “It's finally almost bug free.”
    • “I haven't encountered any defects whatsoever, not a single typo, no glitches, no crashes.”
    • “60+ hours in, it still feels really compelling, complete and, for the most part, bug free.”
    • “The game is still a bit buggy and laggy.”
    • “It's been more than 3 years since this game was released, and after countless patches and quite a few DLCs of dubious quality and content for price - this game is a broken, buggy mess.”
    • “The game freezes and won't end turn or a battle after you play for a while.”
  • replayability
    271 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Endless Space 2 is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to the diverse factions, each with unique mechanics and strategies, as well as multiple victory conditions and customizable gameplay settings. Players appreciate the game's depth and the variety of experiences it offers, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same. However, some reviewers note that replayability may diminish over time, particularly for those who primarily play solo or exhaust the available content.

    • “Ultimately, Endless Space 2 is a solid strategy experience with a lot of detail put into the game and plenty of replayability to keep you going for many hours. I give it a solid 8.5/10.”
    • “Replayability is unmatched, with diverse factions, customizable gameplay settings, and countless ways to approach each game.”
    • “The variety ensures no two playthroughs feel the same, earning replayability a perfect 10/10.”
    • “Other than trying each race's trick once—which, admittedly, is still a lot of content—I don't see much replayability in this.”
    • “It does suffer from a lack of replayability, especially if you don't have friends to play with, but I still greatly enjoy it just for the visuals.”
    • “However, the replayability possibilities are very low, and the AI is pretty weak, so you might get bored after a while since there aren't many factions in the game.”
  • optimization
    197 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in late-game scenarios where turn times can become excessively long and lead to crashes. While some users experience smooth gameplay on lower settings, others face frustrating lag and stuttering, especially in multiplayer modes and with larger galaxies. Overall, while there are solid visuals and some improvements noted, the game still requires further optimization to enhance stability and performance across all stages of play.

    • “Additionally, it would be nice if they continued to fine-tune the game, as small things such as coding optimization and added visuals (such as seeing anomalies on planets before discovering them) would greatly enhance the experience.”
    • “The game runs smoothly and stably on an average PC.”
    • “Having a true turn-based gameplay surely puts this game at an advantage, but it's clearly much better optimized overall.”
    • “The poor multiplayer optimization is infuriating.”
    • “I enjoy it a lot, but it is poorly optimized: with large galaxies, with many players and at a high number of turns, it tends to freeze and slow down, even on high-end PCs.”
    • “My current biggest complaint is the optimization (the game begins to lag badly at around turn 110 and becomes near unplayable by turn 200+).”
  • atmosphere
    186 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, combining stunning visuals, exceptional soundtracks, and detailed lore that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the unique art styles and thematic music associated with different factions, which contribute to a captivating sci-fi environment. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, drawing players into its richly crafted universe.

    • “From the moment you start a new game, you're greeted with a stunning visual presentation that combines detailed star systems, sleek ship designs, and atmospheric backgrounds, all of which contribute to an immersive sci-fi experience.”
    • “The sound and music are exceptional, with an atmospheric soundtrack that perfectly captures the grandeur of space exploration.”
    • “The atmosphere, stunning score, and absolutely gorgeous visuals have made the Endless Space universe a vibrant, gorgeous, and immersive place to be.”
    • “However, actual gameplay feels dull, generic and extremely repetitive with none of the character or atmosphere from the race videos.”
    • “The sound design of the game is straight up damaging to my ears, with what sounds the menu and system hovers make, and the music somehow manages to miss the exact and only spot it should have been aiming for, which is to create an atmosphere for the game.”
    • “Compared to Stellaris, Endless Space 2 is dead boring and has not half the atmosphere.”
  • grinding
    144 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews highlight that grinding in the game can become tedious, particularly in the late game where micromanagement and repetitive tasks can lead to a sense of boredom. While some players appreciate the depth and complexity, many express frustration with the slow pacing and the overwhelming number of decisions required, which detracts from overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is seen as engaging initially but can turn into a grind, especially as players manage larger empires and navigate through numerous systems.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It is not tedious and difficult, except if you want to excel in some of the factions, which hold unusual traits.”
    • “Amazing 4X game, the gameplay is involving, the empire management is enjoyable and not tedious in any way, and it very much is a game where you can find yourself going 'just one more turn.'”
    • “The game will be fun from start to mid-game but will be extremely dry past that, very tedious.”
    • “It just gets tedious and feels like a waste of time towards the end game with so many small decisions to be made that have no overall impact on your gameplay, making it take hours to get through 20 turns late game.”
    • “This leads to a very long and tedious slog, and your opponent will also try to force a peace upon you every five turns or so, and since declining this offer costs you major influence, unless you generate a lot of influence your conquest will be unceremoniously brought to a halt.”
  • humor
    88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky characters, witty dialogue, and entertaining cut-scenes, often blending satire with absurdity. Players enjoy the comedic interactions between factions, particularly the Horatio race, which is noted for its over-the-top humor and clever writing. While some find the humor to be a saving grace amidst gameplay frustrations, others feel it can be hit or miss, with varying degrees of effectiveness across different elements of the game.

    • “Endless Space 2 is here to whisk you away on an interstellar joyride packed with quirky characters, mind-bending science fiction, and enough galactic politics to make even the most stoic space emperor burst out laughing.”
    • “The game has a great sense of humor, with silly and entertaining events that can happen during gameplay.”
    • “The humor is extremely subtle, and without a solid grasp of theoretical physics, most of the jokes will go over a typical viewer's head.”
    • “This game is simply not funny.”
    • “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I expected more laughs, but the jokes just didn't land.”
  • monetization
    21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to excessive microtransactions and poorly executed DLC practices that seem to sell content that should have been included in the base game. Additionally, in-game advertisements and overpriced downloadable content have frustrated players, leading to calls for the game to be flagged as incomplete. However, a few users noted the absence of loot boxes and microtransactions in some instances, suggesting that not all monetization practices are viewed negatively.

    • “They are not greedy, there's no BS loot crates, microtransactions, or messed up DLC policy.”
    • “No loot boxes or microtransactions in this game.”
    • “Just a cash grab.”
    • “Tells you everything you need to know about this shameless cash grab.”
    • “This has resulted in Sony-style DLC practices and monetization - tons of minuscule, very overpriced DLCs and a handful of even more overpriced regular DLCs, all of which look like content that was cut from the base game in order to sell as DLC.”
  • emotional
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a wide range of emotions while engaging with the game, from excitement and smugness to frustration and boredom. The cinematic moments and political dynamics evoke feelings of power and responsibility, making players feel like true galactic rulers, though some find the gameplay emotionally draining and lacking in depth. Overall, while the game offers a rich sci-fi setting and strategic elements, it struggles to maintain consistent emotional engagement for all players.

    • “The way the game weaves cinematic moments, like watching my fleet clash with Craver swarms against a glowing nebula, made me feel like I was directing a blockbuster.”
    • “I spent hours agonizing over whether to ally with a minor faction or crush them for resources, and the political system—where my empire’s parties shifted based on my choices—made me feel like a true galactic ruler balancing ideals and power.”
    • “This game has made me feel the full range of emotions: excited, smug, angry, bored, frustrated, gleeful... and although it sounds like there are more negative emotions in there than positive ones, I keep coming back to it.”
    • “Nice at first glance, however, it turns out to be a waste of 25 hours: boring storyline, pointless quests and decisions, passive AI, empire-building and planet management do not deliver a feeling of creation, and there is no sense of a real economy and society.”
  • character development
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and uniqueness, with each faction featuring distinct traits that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the exceptional art style and character designs, which contribute to a beautifully crafted atmosphere and rich lore, showcasing Amplitude Studio's strengths in world-building and aesthetic appeal.

    • “It's a beautifully designed game with character development and depth.”
    • “Amplitude Studio's strengths lie in their character design, their lore and world building, and by tuning the traditional 4X formula to add more depth of play style.”
    • “Amplitude is well known for their aesthetically pleasing games, and ES2 is no exception, with gorgeous art, sound, and character design.”
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80%Critics’ scoreBased on 18 critic reviews
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30h Median play time
81h Average play time
10-100h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 114 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Endless Space 2 is a open world turn-based strategy game with science fiction theme.

Endless Space 2 is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Tablet.

On average players spend around 81 hours playing Endless Space 2.

Endless Space 2 was released on May 18, 2017.

Endless Space 2 was developed by AMPLITUDE Studios.

Endless Space 2 has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its stability.

Endless Space 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Endless Space: Definitive Edition, Galactic Civilizations III, Master of Orion, Stars in Shadow, Galactic Civilizations IV and others.