We Love It's Guide to…
Build an interstellar empire, research new technologies, and command growing fleets in real-time wars across star systems.
Released 12 Jun 2012
Choose Rebel or Loyalist
Colonize Star Systems
Level Capital Ships
Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.
Developed by Ironclad Games Corporation, Stardock Entertainment · Published by Stardock Entertainment









Set amid a war splintering three spacefaring races, Rebellion puts you in command of an interstellar empire. For each race, you can choose a Loyalist or Rebel faction, with distinct technologies, ships, and approaches to conflict.
Expand across planets and star systems, develop your economy, research technologies, and use diplomacy as rivals and allies compete for influence. Build fleets to defend your holdings or attack enemy worlds, with battles unfolding in real time.
Research and ship choices shape your empire’s development, while capital ships gain levels and Titans bring powerful abilities to fleet battles. Matches offer several routes to victory, including military, diplomatic, research, and occupation goals.
Players often enjoy the scale of managing an empire while commanding large fleets, and describe the mix of real-time battles with economic and research decisions as rewarding. Reviews also highlight the distinct faction playstyles, varied matches, and a modding community that adds major sci-fi conversions. Some players find the interface and systems difficult to learn, and note that matches can run long.
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 68 |
| Age ratings |
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| Players | 1–10 |
| Play modes |
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| Other modes |
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| Multiplayer | The game supports single-player and multiplayer skirmish play. Store features explicitly list Online PvP, LAN PvP, Online Co-op, and LAN Co-op. The provided information indicates matches can include AI and human players, support team play, and allow multiplayer saves to be resumed later. Reviews consistently cite a maximum of 10 player factions, though some mention 8-player maps. |
| Multiplayer & mods | Mods are widely used in multiplayer. Reviews state multiplayer can be hosted with mods, mods can work in multiplayer, and all players must have matching checksums or the same mod setup. One review says resuming a modded multiplayer save may require manually sharing the world file. DLC effects may be shared from the host in multiplayer according to a review. |
| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 5 listed on Steam |
| Content notices |
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| Metacritic | 82/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |
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