We Love It's Guide to…
Lead a spacefaring faction through exploration, colonization, diplomacy, research, and tactical fleet battles to unite the galaxy.
Released 19 Jan 2017
Pair Species With Biomes
Counter Enemy Missile Barrages
Recover Ancient Technologies
Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4X strategy game and a vivid tribute to the genre classics. Compete with alien factions to explore and colonize nearby starsystems, build fleets to defend against rivals, negotiate or conquer them. Win by unifying the galaxy, through diplomacy or force.
Developed by Ashdar Games · Published by Iceberg Interactive









Choose from seven factions and guide one from the dawn of interstellar travel as it competes with alien powers. Explore star systems, assess distant worlds, and expand your empire through colonization, alliances, or conquest.
Manage colonies, populations, production, and research while advancing through four technological eras. Faction traits and the needs of different populations and planets shape how you develop your empire; ancient discoveries and diplomatic or military choices can open additional research paths.
Build and equip fleets, then fight turn-based tactical battles where weapon ranges, ship positioning, missiles, and defensive systems matter. You can resolve battles automatically or review them in detail, and pursue victory by unifying the galaxy through diplomacy or force.
Reviews often praise the game as an approachable, streamlined space 4X, with several players enjoying its classic genre feel, distinct factions, tactical battles, and comic-inspired art. Others find its systems too limited or repetitive, and criticism also recurs around the interface and the balance of enemy difficulty. These are themes in the supplied sample, not a measure of all players’ views.
Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4X science fiction strategy game. Explore the stars, settle distant worlds, and build an interstellar empire. Recover ancient technologies and negotiate with alien leaders. Created by a pair of passionate strategy gamers, Stars in Shadow features streamlined empire management, sophisticated turn-based tactical combat, and detailed world building.
Epic Scope:
Starting at the dawn of interstellar travel, progress through four eras of technological advancement. Discover the science of planetary terraforming, upgrade your infantry battalions to battle mechs, and grow your fleet from a squadron of destroyers to an armada of planet-destroying Dread Stars.
Varied Factions:
7 Playable factions comprising six alien races. Each faction has different research strengths and technology options. Forming alliances, conquering neighboring species, or discovering ancient artifacts may open up additional avenues of research. Choose your race wisely as it impacts which worlds will suit you, what trades or alliances may be offered, and whether or not your neighbors are inclined to trust you.
Stylized Setting:
A distinctive comic-book art style and an original, detailed universe backstory draw you into an immersive game world. Interact with a unique cast of alien characters, make friends and influence people, or crush your enemies and see them driven before you.
Focused High-Level Strategy:
Build a vast and varied empire, taking advantage of the unique traits offered by different alien populations and the worlds they inhabit. Experiments on a slave population might diminish your popularity in the Galactic Council. A streamlined resource and planetary improvement model keeps the game moving even when your empire grows large.
Deep Turn-Based Tactical Combat:
Face off against your opponents in complex 2D turn-based tactical battles. Counter your enemy’s missile barrage using point defense or interceptors, then close to energy weapon range! Stars in Shadow’s tactical engine includes several features rarely seen in turn based games. Multi-ship commands keep even large fleet battles fast-paced, and smart unit behaviors allow tight control with minimal micromanagement. Auto-resolve battles that are a foregone conclusion, while retaining the ability to replay any engagement to see exactly what happened.
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 62 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 1 listed on Steam |
| DRM / EULA |
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| Metacritic | 75/100 View on Metacritic |
| Website | Official website |