[WIP] Space Strategy Games
Posted: 2003-12-31 12:58pm
Currently compiling a list of space strategy games. My definition of a space strategy game includes 4X types like MOO and Space Empires, as well as tactical games like Starfleet Command and adventure games with strategy elements (Starflight, Star Control) and, more recently, real-time efforts like Homeworld and Haegemonia.
As you can see, the list is far from complete and may include numerous factual errors (I'm not exactly the most experienced person for this task). While I have a large list of famous and not-so-famous games (with the exception of some of the earlier Star Control and Space Empire versions), most of them lack descriptions. If you've played any of these games and can submit a brief synopsis of them (or, alternatively, know of any that I've missed), please do so. All games are acceptable, including freeware and console titles - in fact, one of the primary purposes of this list is to raise awareness for obscure and unknown titles.
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The Warp Factor (1982): Based on the Star Fleet Battles series.
Star Fleet 1: The War Begins (1982) Possibly the first space strategy game. Based heavily on Star Trek game derivatives.
Imperial Space Command (1986):
Psi 5 Trading Company (1986):
StarFlight (1986): Galaxy-spanning freelancing in the tradition of Star Trek and Elite.
Reach for the Stars (1987) First space empire/colonization game. Originated the term 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate).
Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 (1988):
Captain Blood (1988):
Stellar Crusade (1988):
Star Fleet 2: Krellian Commander (1989): Sequel to the groundbreaking original; even more complexity.
StarFlight 2: Trade Routes of the Cloud Nebula
Master of Orion [MOO] (1990) Defining space empire series, considered by most to be the benchmark for all "4X" type games..
Armada 2525 (1991):
Millenium: The Return to Earth (1991):
Armada 2525 Deluxe Edition (1992):
Star Legions (1992): Spin-off of Star Fleet series: added ability to command planetary strikes.
Protostar (1993): Unofficial sequel to Starflight II.
Alien Legacy (1993):
Supremacy: Overlord (1993):
Reunion (1994):
Command Adventures: STARSHIP (1994): Action game with strategic tactical elements.
Wing Commander Armada (1994): Strategy version of Wing Commander best described as "MOO Lite". One of the few games to combine space sim combat with strategy.
Iron Seed (1994):
Stellar Conquest III:
Ascendancy (1994): Space empires game notable mainly for its original alien designs and lack of humans. Unfortunately crippled by weak AI in initial versions.
Spaceward HO! For Windows (1995):
Stars! (1996):
Starlord (1996):
Space Bucks (1996) Space shipping game; more akin to Railroad Tycoon.
Star Control III (1996): Official sequel to Star Control II, developed without the series's creators. Considered by most to be the weakest Star Control game.
Master of Orion II: Battles at Antares (1996):
Star General (1997): Part of SSI's Five Star General series based on the Panzer General engine. Based on the Fleet novels of David Drake.
Warpath 97 (1997):
Emperor of the Fading Suns (1997): Based on the RPG by Holistic Design. Known mainly for its diplomatic intrigue and difficulty.
Delta Hydra (1997): Simplified space empires game based on a near-future space race between competing space agencies.
Star Command: Revolution (1997): 2D RTS, first space real-time game.
Imperium Galactica (1997) First game to combine real-time planetery strategy, space combat, and empire management.
Star Wars: Rebellion (1998) Massive real-time space empires game; suffered from clumsy interface.
Homeworld (1999): Considered by many the definitive real-time space combat game.
War Encounters (1999):
Starship Tactical Combat Simulator (1999):
Imperium Galactica II (1999) Added 3d graphics to the original Galactica formula.
Starfleet Command (1999): Tactical strategy based on Star Fleet Battles board games.
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation (2001)
Starfleet Command II (2000): The sequel to Starfleet Command added a dynamic campaign system and two new races.
Space Empires IV (2001):
Starfleet Command: Orion Pirates (2001) Stand-alone expansion pack focusing on pirate clans.
Conquest: Frontier Wars (2001): Starcraft derivative; first RTS to simulate supplies, multi-system battles.
Starships Unlimited (2001):
Far Gate (2002):
Star Trek: Bridge Commander (2002): An attempt to simulate as closely as possible the feel of command as shown in ST:TNG.
Haegemonia (2002): Space combat in vein of Homeworld with empire management mixed in; groundbreaking graphics
Galactic Civilizations (2002): Remake of the OS/2 classic with renewed graphics and play options; closest thing to "Civilization in Space".
Strange Adventures in Infinite Space (2002):
Starfleet Command III (2003): Brought Starfleet Command series into TNG era.
Homeworld 2 (2003): Brought more mod-friendly engine, streamlined gameplay to Homeworld franchise.
Galaxy Andromeda (2003) (cancelled): Formerly IG3; would have dropped empire management and planetary combat in favor of large-scale tactical fleet battles.
Star Boundary (2003): Tactical strategy based on the Japanese Battle Flag of the Stars books and anime.
Starshatter (2004?) Independently developed small-scale tactical strategy/space sim hybrid.
Fading Suns: Noble Armada (2004):
As you can see, the list is far from complete and may include numerous factual errors (I'm not exactly the most experienced person for this task). While I have a large list of famous and not-so-famous games (with the exception of some of the earlier Star Control and Space Empire versions), most of them lack descriptions. If you've played any of these games and can submit a brief synopsis of them (or, alternatively, know of any that I've missed), please do so. All games are acceptable, including freeware and console titles - in fact, one of the primary purposes of this list is to raise awareness for obscure and unknown titles.
---
The Warp Factor (1982): Based on the Star Fleet Battles series.
Star Fleet 1: The War Begins (1982) Possibly the first space strategy game. Based heavily on Star Trek game derivatives.
Imperial Space Command (1986):
Psi 5 Trading Company (1986):
StarFlight (1986): Galaxy-spanning freelancing in the tradition of Star Trek and Elite.
Reach for the Stars (1987) First space empire/colonization game. Originated the term 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate).
Anacreon: Reconstruction 4021 (1988):
Captain Blood (1988):
Stellar Crusade (1988):
Star Fleet 2: Krellian Commander (1989): Sequel to the groundbreaking original; even more complexity.
StarFlight 2: Trade Routes of the Cloud Nebula
Master of Orion [MOO] (1990) Defining space empire series, considered by most to be the benchmark for all "4X" type games..
Armada 2525 (1991):
Millenium: The Return to Earth (1991):
Armada 2525 Deluxe Edition (1992):
Star Legions (1992): Spin-off of Star Fleet series: added ability to command planetary strikes.
Protostar (1993): Unofficial sequel to Starflight II.
Alien Legacy (1993):
Supremacy: Overlord (1993):
Reunion (1994):
Command Adventures: STARSHIP (1994): Action game with strategic tactical elements.
Wing Commander Armada (1994): Strategy version of Wing Commander best described as "MOO Lite". One of the few games to combine space sim combat with strategy.
Iron Seed (1994):
Stellar Conquest III:
Ascendancy (1994): Space empires game notable mainly for its original alien designs and lack of humans. Unfortunately crippled by weak AI in initial versions.
Spaceward HO! For Windows (1995):
Stars! (1996):
Starlord (1996):
Space Bucks (1996) Space shipping game; more akin to Railroad Tycoon.
Star Control III (1996): Official sequel to Star Control II, developed without the series's creators. Considered by most to be the weakest Star Control game.
Master of Orion II: Battles at Antares (1996):
Star General (1997): Part of SSI's Five Star General series based on the Panzer General engine. Based on the Fleet novels of David Drake.
Warpath 97 (1997):
Emperor of the Fading Suns (1997): Based on the RPG by Holistic Design. Known mainly for its diplomatic intrigue and difficulty.
Delta Hydra (1997): Simplified space empires game based on a near-future space race between competing space agencies.
Star Command: Revolution (1997): 2D RTS, first space real-time game.
Imperium Galactica (1997) First game to combine real-time planetery strategy, space combat, and empire management.
Star Wars: Rebellion (1998) Massive real-time space empires game; suffered from clumsy interface.
Homeworld (1999): Considered by many the definitive real-time space combat game.
War Encounters (1999):
Starship Tactical Combat Simulator (1999):
Imperium Galactica II (1999) Added 3d graphics to the original Galactica formula.
Starfleet Command (1999): Tactical strategy based on Star Fleet Battles board games.
Star Trek: Birth of the Federation (2001)
Starfleet Command II (2000): The sequel to Starfleet Command added a dynamic campaign system and two new races.
Space Empires IV (2001):
Starfleet Command: Orion Pirates (2001) Stand-alone expansion pack focusing on pirate clans.
Conquest: Frontier Wars (2001): Starcraft derivative; first RTS to simulate supplies, multi-system battles.
Starships Unlimited (2001):
Far Gate (2002):
Star Trek: Bridge Commander (2002): An attempt to simulate as closely as possible the feel of command as shown in ST:TNG.
Haegemonia (2002): Space combat in vein of Homeworld with empire management mixed in; groundbreaking graphics
Galactic Civilizations (2002): Remake of the OS/2 classic with renewed graphics and play options; closest thing to "Civilization in Space".
Strange Adventures in Infinite Space (2002):
Starfleet Command III (2003): Brought Starfleet Command series into TNG era.
Homeworld 2 (2003): Brought more mod-friendly engine, streamlined gameplay to Homeworld franchise.
Galaxy Andromeda (2003) (cancelled): Formerly IG3; would have dropped empire management and planetary combat in favor of large-scale tactical fleet battles.
Star Boundary (2003): Tactical strategy based on the Japanese Battle Flag of the Stars books and anime.
Starshatter (2004?) Independently developed small-scale tactical strategy/space sim hybrid.
Fading Suns: Noble Armada (2004):
