Nexus 5X

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 693 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • replayability
Nexus 5X Game Cover
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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.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 693 reviews
gameplay34 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • Nexus 5X offers fast-paced gameplay, allowing full 4X experiences to be completed in 1-2 hours, making it perfect for quick gaming sessions with friends.
  • The game features a variety of factions and leaders, each with unique abilities, providing diverse strategies and replayability.
  • The simultaneous turn system keeps the game engaging and minimizes downtime, enhancing the multiplayer experience.
  • The game suffers from a low player base, making it difficult to find multiplayer matches without friends, leading to long wait times.
  • There are balancing issues with certain factions and mechanics, which can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, especially in multiplayer.
  • Some players have reported bugs and crashes, particularly in single-player modes, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • gameplay106 mentions

    The gameplay of Stellaris Nexus is often compared to classic board games like Twilight Imperium and Eclipse, offering a streamlined 4X experience that emphasizes strategic depth and player interaction within a shorter playtime of about an hour to an hour and a half. While the mechanics are generally well-designed and cater to various playstyles through unique factions, some players find the introduction of certain mechanics, like espionage, to be frustrating or poorly implemented. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging gameplay, intuitive mechanics, and replayability, though it may require some patience to fully grasp its complexities.

    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay I didn't like.”
    • “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.”
    • “Espionage is a garbage mechanic and shouldn't be part of the game!”
  • story63 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 primarily as tutorials rather than a compelling narrative experience, and some recommend skipping them in favor of multiplayer or succession modes. Overall, while the story mode can be fun and challenging, it may not satisfy those seeking a rich, story-driven single-player experience.

    • “The story mode is fun and gets challenging as you progress.”
    • “While I haven't played multiplayer, I have played most of the story missions and I've had my money's worth of enjoyment playing this well-made game.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story missions are extremely unbalanced and have multiple issues.”
    • “If you are expecting a deep story-driven single-player experience, it may not be the game for you.”
    • “The story itself is somewhat unremarkable, but I enjoy having the goals.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    Nexus 5x is praised for its high replayability, driven by a diverse array of factions and leaders, each offering unique mechanics and playstyles. Players can experiment with up to 30 different faction styles, enhancing the game's depth and encouraging varied strategies. However, some users note a lack of variety in its current state and suggest 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.”
    • “Lots of replay value because you can select among ten distinct factions, which represent 10 very different sets of positive and negative features and play styles.”
    • “The replayability is high as each faction feels very different, and the three leaders you can choose from for each faction encourage different play styles even within a single faction.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics14 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beauty and artistic design, with unique faction visuals and atmospheric backdrops enhancing the experience. However, some users report performance issues, such as sluggish framerates and a lack of customization options, which can affect gameplay on lower-end systems. Overall, while the visuals are appealing, there are areas for improvement, particularly in technical performance and UI functionality.

    • “Each faction was exquisitely designed with a lot of unique characteristics and superb artwork.”
    • “Great visuals + atmospheric soundtrack.”
    • “Beautiful game artwork and intuitive UI.”
    • “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 low-end system. However, my old laptop from 2016 runs it just fine at 30fps.”
    • “It's still in early access, and it shows. Some story arcs are not fully voiced, and the graphics of the ships are noticeably worse than the amazing solar backdrops behind the battles.”
  • music7 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 players noted the presence of an annoying orchestral track. Overall, the combination of great visuals and music enhances the gaming experience significantly.

    • “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 runs smoothly overall.

    • “This game is buggy.”
    • “However, it is buggy.”
    • “Buggy garbage.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally satisfactory, with smooth performance and a visually appealing design. However, some users noted sluggish graphics and expressed a desire for improved features like a browseable tech tree and better visualization of game elements. The game's structure effectively balances decision-making and replayability within a reasonable time frame for matches.

    • “Just enough time to think things through without so much time that you wait for your opponent for 30 minutes to make some tiny turn optimization. The limited and pseudo-random options you have on a turn help keep the variety and replayability up, reduce the decision space for a single turn to something reasonable, all without making the game feel luck-based.”
    • “Overall looks good, runs smoothly, and it is acceptable for the game, relying on a maximum of 60 minutes of single match 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.”
    • “Just enough time to think things through without so much time that you wait for your opponent for 30 minutes to make some tiny turn optimization. The limited and pseudorandom options you have on a turn help keep the variety and replayability up, reduce the decision space for a single turn to something reasonable, all without making the game feel luck-based.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization model for the game is favorable, as it features no microtransactions and allows players to unlock content quickly. However, there are concerns about the lack of advertising and branding issues, which may hinder its visibility in the market.

    • “There are no microtransactions, and the unlockables come pretty quickly.”
    • “The game offers a fair monetization model that respects players' time and investment.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't pressure you into spending money; everything feels achievable through gameplay.”
    • “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.”
  • 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 alternative to similar games like Stellaris.

    • “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 stunning visuals and a captivating soundtrack, despite one minor orchestral track that some find annoying. 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, despite 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.

    • “Games are faster, with micro-management feeling rewarding and not tedious.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviewers feel that the game currently lacks the depth to fully convey the emotional weight of its political struggles and social dilemmas, suggesting that future updates could enhance this aspect by exploring these themes more thoroughly.

    • “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

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Play time

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

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