Nexus 5X Game Cover
Starting at €14.99Buy now

Nexus 5X is a competitive 4X strategy game where 2-8 players can battle for galactic dominance in about an hour. Select unique factions, form alliances, and execute strategic moves in turn-based multiplayer, either with friends or in online skill-based matchmaking. Build your empire, control Nexus, and climb to the Galactic Throne by expanding, exploring, exploiting, and exterminating.

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 635 reviews
gameplay32 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • The game offers a fast-paced, engaging 4X experience that can be completed in about 1-2 hours, making it ideal for players with limited time.
  • Each faction has unique mechanics and playstyles, providing a good amount of variety and replayability.
  • The simultaneous turn system keeps the game flowing smoothly, reducing downtime and allowing for more strategic interactions between players.
  • The game suffers from balancing issues, with some factions being overpowered, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • There is a lack of players in the multiplayer mode, making it difficult to find matches without friends or a dedicated community.
  • The learning curve can be steep for new players, and some mechanics are not well explained, leading to confusion during gameplay.
  • gameplay99 mentions

    The gameplay of Stellaris Nexus is praised for its streamlined, board game-like experience that condenses complex 4X mechanics into shorter sessions, typically lasting around an hour to an hour and a half. Players appreciate the variety of factions, unique mechanics, and the depth of strategy involved, although some find the introduction of certain mechanics, like espionage, to be problematic. Overall, while the game offers engaging multiplayer dynamics and replayability, it may require patience to fully grasp its intricacies, especially for newcomers.

    • “Excellent implementation/re-design of the mechanics to enable it to be a much faster-paced game.”
    • “The gameplay is really deep and there's a ton of optimizing, strategy, and diplomacy.”
    • “Stellaris Nexus brilliantly adapts and even surpasses the best mechanics of traditional board games for the digital arena.”
    • “It feels like there are 1 or 2 mechanics too many.”
    • “Good fun but very bad explanation for in-game mechanics!”
    • “Combat is great when the fleets get big, visuals overall are nice, gameplay leaves much to be desired as there's literally only one game mode and that's it.”
  • story60 mentions

    The game's story mode has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it enjoyable and a good introduction to game mechanics, while others criticize it for being unbalanced, buggy, and lacking depth. Many users suggest that the story missions serve more as tutorials than a compelling narrative, and some recommend skipping them in favor of multiplayer or succession modes. Overall, while the story mode can provide some fun and learning opportunities, it may not satisfy those seeking a rich, story-driven experience.

    • “The story missions are actually kind of compelling and function as a really good tutorial for not just the game mechanics but also strategy tradeoffs.”
    • “I love the story mode, and succession mode is very similar to the board game Twilight Imperium.”
    • “The story mode acts as a great introduction to the various faction special abilities and resources, too.”
    • “The story missions are extremely unbalanced and have multiple issues.”
    • “If you are expecting a deep story-driven single-player experience, this may not be the game for you.”
    • “The story itself is somewhat unremarkable, but I enjoy having the goals.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    The game offers high replayability due to its diverse range of factions and leaders, each with unique mechanics and playstyles that encourage experimentation. Players can choose from multiple empire types and variations, enhancing the single-player experience. However, some users noted a lack of variety in certain aspects, suggesting that modding support could further improve replayability.

    • “There's also about a dozen different empire types that all have unique game mechanics, as well as multiple variations on each empire type that increases singleplayer replayability.”
    • “Extremely replayable, surprising depth from intuitive mechanics, heavy player interaction and I personally really enjoy the mind games that come from simultaneous turns!”
    • “It lacks variety and replayability in its current state.”
    • “Love this: it poses a complex, sophisticated challenge, with a lot of replay value -- but the learning curve is difficult, in order to win with smart, alternate scoring strategies.”
    • “The replayability is high as each faction feels very different, and the 3 leaders you can choose from for each faction encourage different play styles even within a single faction.”
  • graphics12 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally well-received, featuring good visuals and unique faction designs, though some users note a lack of depth and options for customization. While the overall aesthetic is appealing, with impressive backdrops and sound design, there are criticisms regarding sluggish performance and the quality of ship graphics compared to the environment. Additionally, the game is still in early access, which affects some visual aspects and user interface intuitiveness.

    • “This is a well-made game, graphics are good, sound, effects, UI is all good.”
    • “Each faction was exquisitely designed with a lot of unique characteristics and superb artwork.”
    • “Graphics and music are incredibly well done.”
    • “Meanwhile, the graphics performance feels a little sluggish. I wish there was a browsable tech tree and a better way to visualize your 'deck' of edicts.”
    • “It can be a little less intuitive at first, and you don't have a lot of graphic changing options, which is unfortunate if you're playing on a toaster. However, my old laptop from 2016 runs it just fine at 30fps.”
    • “It's still in early access and it shows, with some story arcs not fully voiced; the graphics of the ships are noticeably worse than the amazing solar backdrops behind the battles; and there are no alterable (or viewable) keybindings.”
  • music6 mentions

    The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and atmospheric impact, with many users expressing a desire for a more extensive soundtrack and availability of the original soundtrack. While the overall composition is well-received, some noted the presence of an annoying orchestral track that detracted from the experience. Overall, the combination of great visuals and music contributes significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “The music is absolutely to die for, and left me disappointed when I couldn’t find the OST available anywhere!”
    • “Graphics and music are incredibly well done.”
    • “Yes, it could use more music.”
    • “Great visuals + atmospheric soundtrack -- with only one annoying orchestral track.”
    • “The music is absolutely to die for, and left me disappointed when I couldn’t find the OST available anywhere.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game has been reported to have several bugs and glitches, including issues with frozen end-turns, but these are generally easy to resolve. Despite these problems, players note that the game loads quickly and offers a smooth overall experience.

    • “This game is buggy.”
    • “However, it is buggy.”
    • “Buggy garbage.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization model for the game is favorable, as it features no microtransactions and allows players to unlock content quickly. However, there is criticism regarding the lack of advertising and branding confusion with a similarly named phone, which may hinder its visibility.

    • “There are no microtransactions, and the unlockables come pretty quickly.”
    • “The game offers a fair monetization model that doesn't pressure players to spend money.”
    • “I appreciate that all content can be unlocked through gameplay without any paywalls.”
    • “My biggest gripe with the game is I feel like Paradox Arc didn't spend enough money advertising the game.”
    • “It sucks the branding was switched from Stellaris: Nexus to Nexus 5X since there's a phone with the same name, and advertising is pretty much non-existent.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is generally satisfactory, with smooth performance and appealing graphics, though some users note sluggishness in graphics and a desire for improved features like a browseable tech tree and better visualization of edicts. Overall, it meets expectations for a game designed for matches lasting up to 60 minutes.

    • “Overall, the game looks good and runs smoothly, providing an acceptable experience for gameplay that relies on a maximum of 60 minutes per single match.”
    • “I wish there was a browsable tech tree and a better way to visualize your 'deck' of edicts, as it would enhance the optimization of gameplay.”
    • “Meanwhile, the graphics performance feels a little sluggish. I wish there was a browsable tech tree and a better way to visualize your 'deck' of edicts.”
    • “The game suffers from poor optimization, leading to frequent frame drops and long loading times.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs that hindered gameplay, making it frustrating to progress.”
  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, particularly when played with friends via voice chat, creating a hilarious and enjoyable experience. While it may not be the best solo option, the comedic elements shine in multiplayer settings, making it a fun choice for group play.

    • “A funny, quick version of Stellaris!”
    • “There are better options if you're looking for something fun to do by yourself, but being on voice chat with 3-7 friends is one of the most hilarious and fun gaming experiences I've ever had.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is enhanced by impressive visuals and a captivating soundtrack, despite one distracting orchestral track. It successfully captures the essence of a tabletop battle experience, allowing players to immerse themselves in the action without the hassle of physical components.

    • “Great visuals and an atmospheric soundtrack, though there is one annoying orchestral track.”
    • “The developers know exactly what they wanted; it's a digital board game that captures the atmosphere of an excellent tabletop battle without the need to fiddle with board hexes and spaceship miniatures.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players appreciate that the grinding in these games is streamlined, making the micro-management aspect feel rewarding rather than tedious, resulting in a faster-paced experience.

    • “The grinding in this game feels rewarding, with a sense of accomplishment that keeps me engaged.”
    • “I love how the micro-management aspect makes grinding feel faster and more enjoyable.”
    • “Grinding isn't tedious here; it feels like a meaningful part of the gameplay experience.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviewers feel that the game currently lacks the depth to fully convey the emotional weight of its political struggles and social dilemmas, expressing hope for future updates that could enhance these aspects and create a more impactful emotional experience.

    • “The absolute crushing weight of the constant political struggles, backroom deals, and dynamic diplomacy is lost in the translation of format, but I hope in the future that this game can flesh out those areas to bring in more of those emotionally taxing but oh so fantastic social dilemmas.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Nexus 5X

Play time

3hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
1-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games