Sword of the Stars Complete Collection

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Sword of the Stars Complete Collection is a single player and multiplayer strategy game. It was developed by Kerberos Productions Inc. and was released on June 4, 2010. It received positive reviews from players.

"Sword of the Stars Complete Collection" is a 4X turn-based strategy game that takes players to space, where they will command a fleet of ships and expand their empire. The collection includes the base game and its three expansions, offering new races, ships, and gameplay features. Players must research technologies, manage resources, and engage in strategic combat to achieve victory.

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 610 reviews

gameplay25 positive mentions

stability9 negative mentions

Unique and diverse races with different playstyles and FTL mechanics, enhancing replayability.
Engaging real-time combat system that allows for tactical decision-making and ship customization.
Randomized tech tree adds variety to each playthrough, making every game feel fresh and unique.

Steep learning curve with a confusing interface that can be overwhelming for new players.
AI can be predictable and may cheat, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Lack of in-depth diplomacy and planetary management options compared to other 4X games.

gameplay
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The gameplay in this title is characterized by unique mechanics for each faction, creating a diverse and engaging experience that combines strategic depth with tactical challenges. While the game features a complex tech tree and ship design, it suffers from a lack of clear explanations for its mechanics, leading to a steep learning curve. Overall, players appreciate the replayability and depth, though some find certain mechanics frustrating or outdated.
- “Each faction has character and gameplay that feels just different enough, with some traversing the stars by traditional star-to-star routes, others blinking through gates, and more.”
- “The gameplay is deep and interesting, and rewards a player for playing well both tactically and strategically.”
- “The different species in Sword of the Stars have major differences in gameplay, which leads to oft-amusing and unique scenarios in every game.”
- “Nonsense, bad game mechanics, boring, and annoying.”
- “The mechanics seem almost purposefully obscure, with what little can be pieced together in any halfway reasonable amount of time ranging from frustratingly awkward to outright counter-intuitive, and I could swear some of what the videos cover was just flat out explained wrong.”
- “That being said, you will want to have a look online for a walkthrough/faq/similar to understand a lot of the game mechanics, because the tutorial is incredibly barebones and doesn't tell you very much, and plenty of stuff that is important is left unmentioned.”
graphics
59 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its early 2000s origins, yet many players find them serviceable and still visually appealing in the context of gameplay. While some reviews express a desire for a remaster to modernize the visuals and user interface, others appreciate the game's artistic style and the detail present in ship combat. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they do not detract significantly from the overall experience.
- “Detail is good, graphics are legendary, I really enjoy this game.”
- “Graphics are great (although this is a game from the early 2000s, so don't expect cutting-edge graphics like games nowadays) and do a great job showing the pure scale of each game.”
- “The graphics, although not so flashy as in newer products, suit the game very well and those dialogue lines!”
- “The graphics are outdated but the gameplay is unmatched.”
- “It should also be noted that this game is pretty old now, so its graphics are dated.”
- “The downside of this game is that the interface can be kind of clumsy, it is fairly hard to learn, it lacks a story mode, and it just generally could use a bit more UI and graphics polish.”
replayability
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
43%
7%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, largely due to its dynamic and randomized tech tree, which ensures that each playthrough offers a unique experience. Players appreciate the distinct mechanics of different races and the variety of customization options, contributing to endless strategic possibilities. Overall, the combination of unpredictability and depth makes it one of the most replayable titles in the genre.
- “The randomness of research only adds to the replayability—what worked brilliantly in one game could completely fail in another because this time the Zuul have somehow figured out how to fry your ships with tech they should not have.”
- “You get a lot of replayability since each race has different mechanics and randomized tech trees for each playthrough while some random effects can tip the balance of power even late game, especially on higher difficulty levels.”
- “Plus all matches are basically 'kill everyone else' so not a whole load of replayability in the end.”
- “It gives it almost limitless replayability, plus not knowing what you will encounter down the road, and what tools you will have available to deal with it, keeps you on your toes and forces you to adapt on the spot.”
- “The extensive lore available for each alien race, each with a unique play style, plus the randomized tech tree gives the game an above average amount of depth and replayability.”
story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
78%
11%
The game's story aspect is characterized by a lack of a traditional narrative, which some players find disappointing, while others appreciate the depth of backstory and the emergent storytelling that arises from gameplay mechanics. Each faction has unique technologies and histories, allowing for varied experiences, but the absence of a dedicated story mode may deter those seeking a more structured narrative. Overall, players enjoy the imaginative possibilities and customization options, which contribute to a personal storytelling experience.
- “If you have ever wanted to be the undying sage presence that guides an ancient race of space-faring birds as they subjugate the far reaches of the abyss, tearing through the galaxy on the quest to restore their empire to its former glory, buy this game!”
- “If you love a deep backstory, challenging gameplay, but simple and easy-to-use interface, then get this game.”
- “Each part of it, from the races' different methods of travel to the semi-randomized tech tree, and not to mention the backstory, are all so well thought out.”
- “The downside of this game is that the interface can be kind of clumsy, it is fairly hard to learn, it lacks a story mode, and it just generally could use a bit more UI and graphics polish.”
- “Lack of a true 'story mode' may turn off some players.”
- “It's like hearing the plot of a movie and getting really excited, then watching the movie and hating it.”
stability
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
90%
Overall, the stability of the original game is praised for its reliability and performance on older systems, with minimal bugs reported. In contrast, the sequel is criticized for being a "buggy mess," experiencing frequent crashes and glitches, particularly during large battles, which detracts from the gameplay experience. Players recommend the original over the sequel due to its superior stability and overall execution.
- “Classic game, runs great on older CPUs, and has almost infinite replay value.”
- “The game maintains a smooth performance even during intense action sequences.”
- “I've experienced very few bugs, making for a stable and enjoyable gaming experience.”
- “Instead, for a sequel we got a buggy mess of even more new ideas that just didn't pan out as well.”
- “I wish the sequel wasn't so bug-ridden...”
- “I have also discovered it crashes and freezes regularly when commencing battles with large numbers of ships!”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
38%
The music in the game is generally well-received, with users noting its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the gameplay, particularly during battles. While some find it forgettable, others appreciate the variety and cultural influences reflected in the musical themes associated with different races. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's experience, earning a score of 7/10 from one reviewer.
- “They're good races, and the game does take on a full different flavor with each having its own ship sets and music theme sets.”
- “Music is forgettable but maintains a pleasant atmosphere in the game.”
- “Just as a brief example, 'Tarka have many musical traditions and hundreds of varieties of dance which range from historical re-enactments involving hundreds of costumed players to intimate exchanges between two Tarka — the only human equivalent might be the tango.' I've taken history classes with less history than this game.”
- “They're good races, and the game does take on a full different flavor with each having its own ship sets and music theme sets, etc.”
- “I really like the music and voice acting during the battles.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be largely tedious and boring, particularly during the endgame when defeated AI empires continue to resist. While some appreciate the unique play styles and strategic depth, many feel overwhelmed by the amount of information to manage, leading to a frustrating experience as the game progresses.
- “The best part is that the game isn't tedious, and yet has a lot of depth and strategy.”
- “Really tedious and boring.”
- “And, as is common in most 4X games, the AI empires will continue to resist long after it is obvious they are beaten, which can make for a tedious endgame.”
- “Even on smaller maps, there is just way too much to keep track of, and towards the middle and end of the game it just becomes incredibly tedious.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is characterized by its unexpected mechanics that challenge players, creating a mix of frustration and amusement. Players appreciate the entertaining atmosphere, with random events and formidable "galactic menaces" adding to the hilarity. Overall, the humor enhances the strategic gameplay, making it a standout experience.
- “Fantastic atmosphere, humor, and just all-round solid, bug-free strategy fun.”
- “Of interesting note, disabling enemy warships can be hilariously amusing, as within combat your ships attempt to aim and fire at the exact pixel you mouse over on the enemy ship (though weapons have varying accuracy...) - meaning they can blow off a turret, or focus fire on a particular section like the engines.”
- “The game has random events and hilariously entertaining and vicious 'galactic menaces' - super powerful entities that can screw you up.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is generally praised for its great sound design and humor, contributing to an enjoyable and bug-free experience. While the music may be forgettable, it still supports a pleasant overall ambiance, with an average rating of 8/10 for atmosphere.
- “The sound and atmosphere of the game are great.”
- “Fantastic atmosphere, humor, and just all-around solid, bug-free strategy fun.”
- “Music is forgettable but maintains a pleasant atmosphere in the game.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy of Sword 2 has been criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing frustration over its broken and unplayable state, suggesting that the game's financial model detracts significantly from the overall experience.
- “Warning: this review in no way recommends the broken, unplayable cash grab that is Sword 2.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending real money.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, turning what could be a fun experience into a constant grind for cash.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its smooth performance and efficient resource management, while others report occasional frame rate drops and stuttering issues. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be satisfactory for most players, but there are still areas that could benefit from further refinement.
- “The game's performance is abysmal, with frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “I was really disappointed with the optimization; it feels like the game was rushed and not properly tested.”
- “Even on high-end hardware, the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, which ruins the overall experience.”

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7750h Median play time

5500h Average play time

1000-10000h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Sword of the Stars Complete Collection is a strategy game.

Sword of the Stars Complete Collection is available on PC and Windows.

On average players spend around 5500 hours playing Sword of the Stars Complete Collection.

Sword of the Stars Complete Collection was released on June 4, 2010.

Sword of the Stars Complete Collection was developed by Kerberos Productions Inc..

Sword of the Stars Complete Collection has received positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

Sword of the Stars Complete Collection is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Endless Space, Galactic Civilizations III, Galactic Civilizations II: Endless Universe, Star Ruler 2, Stars in Shadow and others.

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