Star Traders 4X Empires

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Star Traders 4X Empires is a single player strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Trese Brothers and was released on December 16, 2014. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"Star Traders: 4X Empires" is a turn-based space strategy game where you command a starship, explore galaxies, engage in space warfare, manage resources, negotiate diplomacy, and govern your civilization. Customize your empire, lead your faction, and expand your reach across the galaxy. Experience a rich, story-driven narrative in this vast 4X strategy game.

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Play Modes

Single-Player

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63%

Audience ScoreBased on 71 reviews

gameplay12 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Deep and complex 4X gameplay with a unique political system managing three factions.
Extensive ship customization and a rich tech tree that allows for diverse strategies.
Engaging turn-based mechanics that provide time to think and enjoy the intricacies of gameplay.

Steep learning curve and limited tutorials make it challenging for newcomers to grasp the mechanics.
Clunky user interface and lack of tooltips can lead to frustration during gameplay.
The game feels like a mobile port, lacking polish and depth compared to other 4X titles.

gameplay
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
The gameplay of the game is characterized as a deep and complex 4x experience, featuring unique mechanics and a retro art style that enhances its strategic elements. While the game offers enjoyable and balanced gameplay, it can start slowly, with some mechanics poorly documented, leading players to seek information externally. Overall, it provides a satisfying experience for fans of the genre, despite some less appealing mechanics and a learning curve associated with mastering its controls.
- “The game offers a deep and complex 4X experience with the following core mechanics.”
- “It's a seemingly simple yet deceptively complex 4X game that brings some interesting gameplay and unique mechanics.”
- “If you enjoy 4X games, don't mind a slower pace, but truly want deeply satisfying gameplay that fully delivers on its promises, look no further than Star Traders: 4X Empires.”
- “Not all of the mechanics are well documented, and you may have to search the dev's forums to find out how some things work.”
- “The 'siege' mechanics are excruciatingly drawn out.”
- “Information on mechanics is hard to find in-game.”
graphics
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
56%
22%
The game's graphics feature a hand-drawn, retro aesthetic that aligns well with its complex gameplay, though they are often described as simplistic and reminiscent of older titles. While some players appreciate the unique charm and thematic conveyance of the visuals, others criticize them for being choppy and dated, with a user interface that could use improvement. Overall, the graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they contribute to the game's distinctive atmosphere and depth.
- “The game's art style is characterized by hand-drawn graphics, offering a retro aesthetic that suits its complex gameplay.”
- “The game's retro visuals and immersive soundtrack contribute to its unique charm.”
- “Please don't underestimate the graphics as this incredibly deep gem was crafted by a two-man team.”
- “Graphic looks like it's from 20 years ago.”
- “This makes the graphics look very choppy on all but the most zoomed-in screens.”
- “Some of the graphics are unappealing, not just low quality (I don't like the ship models).”
music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The music in the game generally enhances the atmosphere and complements the strategic gameplay, with an immersive quality that adds to its charm. However, some players find it repetitive and annoying, while others have noted bugs in the ethereal soundtrack. Mods are available to improve the music experience, reflecting a mixed reception overall.
- “The soundtrack complements the game's atmosphere, providing an epic backdrop to the strategic gameplay.”
- “The music is designed to be immersive without being intrusive, enhancing the overall experience.”
- “The game's retro visuals and immersive soundtrack contribute to its unique charm.”
- “The music is so annoying and repetitive.”
- “The graphics and music are not brilliant but okay.”
- “There is an ethereal soundtrack that currently has a bug but will be fixed soon.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with many expressing that while the turn-based mechanics allow for strategic play, the repetitive nature of tasks quickly becomes boring. The limited interaction options further contribute to the overall sense of monotony, detracting from the otherwise interesting blend of gameplay elements.
- “Thankfully it's turn-based, so you don't have to worry about getting slapped while you take time to take your turn, but it goes from fun to tedious real quick.”
- “It's seriously tedious.”
- “The left-click only mechanic makes everything pretty tedious.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The game offers significant replayability due to its depth and complexity, although newcomers might struggle with the steep learning curve. Many users highlight its infinite replay value, making it a worthwhile investment.
- “Really good value and replayability from this alone.”
- “Its depth and complexity provide ample replay value, though newcomers may find the learning curve steep.”
- “Infinite replay value.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised, with the soundtrack enhancing the epic feel of the strategic gameplay, while the artwork contributes significantly to the overall experience, earning a perfect score from users.
- “The soundtrack complements the game's atmosphere, providing an epic backdrop to the strategic gameplay.”
- “The artwork and atmosphere are a perfect 5 out of 5.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The story features a space-based love narrative where the main character navigates a tumultuous relationship with an advisor while battling alien invaders and managing conflicts among drug-addicted factions and rival guilds. Building on the established lore of the Star Traders universe, "4X Empires" offers players a fresh perspective on its richly developed storyline.
- “Experience a space-based love story featuring you, the main character, and your love interest, the lovely advisor, as you try to fight off unrelenting waves of alien invaders, all while dealing with a drug-addicted populace and the guilds responsible for your budget and equipment, which are constantly trying to annihilate each other.”
- “Following the success of their previous titles, Star Traders and Templar Assault, 4X Empires builds upon the lore of the Star Traders universe by giving the player a completely new perspective on the deeply enriched story previously told.”
- “The story tries to blend a space-based love narrative with action, but it ends up feeling disjointed and confusing.”
- “The plot is cluttered with too many elements, making it hard to follow the main storyline.”
- “Character development is lacking, leaving the relationships feeling shallow and unengaging.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users report stability issues, particularly with map glitches that affect camera tracking of ships during automated movement, requiring players to perform a workaround to resolve the problem.
- “There are several map glitches, such as the camera not following ships when they automove or enemy ships, unless you perform an annoying little trick each time.”
- “The game frequently crashes, making it frustrating to progress.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs that disrupted gameplay, including freezing and unexpected errors.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

Star Traders 4X Empires is a strategy game with science fiction theme.

Star Traders 4X Empires is available on PC, Mac OS, Phone, iPad and others.

Star Traders 4X Empires was released on December 16, 2014.

Star Traders 4X Empires was developed by Trese Brothers.

Star Traders 4X Empires has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its graphics.

Star Traders 4X Empires is a single player game.

Similar games include Endless Space 2, Endless Space, StarDrive 2, Galactic Civilizations III, Distant Worlds: Universe and others.

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