Space Empires V PC

Space Empires V Image
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 66 Ratings

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  • Summary: Space Empires V is the latest edition in the Space Empires series. This latest chapter completely updates the user interface, and takes the player into a real-time rendered 3D universe. Watch space battles play out in glorious detail with realistic effects. Expand, Explore, Exploit, andSpace Empires V is the latest edition in the Space Empires series. This latest chapter completely updates the user interface, and takes the player into a real-time rendered 3D universe. Watch space battles play out in glorious detail with realistic effects. Expand, Explore, Exploit, and Exterminate in a huge, living, breathing galaxy. New features include: political alliances between multiple empires, a top-down ship design system, a hexagonal movement grid, and many more to keep players enthralled. Space Empires V is completely mod-able and even adds a scriptable AI system to the mix. [Strategy First]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Worth Playing
    85
    If you're a fan of the series or strategy in general and are willing to put up a few minor flaws and some bugs (which will hopefully be patched), then I highly recommend this title.
  2. GamerNode
    77
    If you're a fan of 4X games or want to engage in one of the most in-depth strategy games released lately, then Space Empires V is your ticket.
  3. Armchair Empire
    75
    An excellent, nuanced and deep game that will certainly please fans of the genre. But with the warning that it is not for all tastes and sensibilities, and not for casual players looking to shoot up a few aliens.
  4. IGN
    66
    Poor AI and general stability problems make learning the ins and outs of the game through trial and error much more frustrating than hardcore types are likely to stand.
  5. PC Gamer
    65
    From tech tree, combat, and diplomacy cock-ups to bugged multiplayer and ongoing game crashes, a journey with Space Empires V is as frustrating as it is deep. [Feb. 2007, p.76]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. PC Zone UK
    64
    Slow paced and processor intensive...Saying that, like swimming in a vast body of molasses attached to a couple of long-necked ungulates, once dry land is spotted, the drive to continue is strong. [Mar 2007, p.73]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Eurogamer
    50
    Those with less animated imaginations, less patience, and lower tolerances of fusty graphics and long turn resolution times should probably stick with Civ and Total War.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 39
  3. Negative: 4 out of 39
  1. AllanW
    Dec 30, 2009
    10
    Without doubt, in my opinion the best of it's kind in this genre, and I have played many. The graphics are superb, very detailed main Without doubt, in my opinion the best of it's kind in this genre, and I have played many. The graphics are superb, very detailed main window includes animated planets and anomalies which looks great. Very helpful pop-ups appear when you mouse over anything on the screen. The tutorial guides you nicely step by step explaining things simply and in depth. The game is very deep, with an extensive tech tree and ability to design your own ships etc. Not for someone who is looking for quick gameplay. But if you enjoy playing this type of strategy game, and you want an in depth experience that will require time, patience and strategy (brain power), then this in my opinion is the best in it's genre by far. Enjoy… Expand
  2. SladeSerna
    Feb 10, 2007
    10
    If you have dreamed of nearly limitless options, this is your game. With a tech tree literally with thousands of different levels spread If you have dreamed of nearly limitless options, this is your game. With a tech tree literally with thousands of different levels spread among the hundreds of components, it will give you a lot of directions you can potentially go for any game. Be that one strategy for a game or several, changing over time, or some mix in between. Granted, there are some bug problems, but most have appear repaired for major issues. The support for the game is devoted and actually listens to the fans with new changes and modifications. In addition, it is extremely moddable. You can almost change it into a different game entirely with the number of options. Limits are merely your imagination. The fans are constantly making new shipsets and other improvements all on their own parallel to developer patches!… Expand
  4. SteveF.
    Jan 2, 2008
    10
    This game is the most in-depth, customizable, and exciting game there is of its type on the market. I will grant the fact taht there is a This game is the most in-depth, customizable, and exciting game there is of its type on the market. I will grant the fact taht there is a steep learning curve. But once you learn the basics, its all customization. There have been lots of issues with bugs/crashes/glitches and the sort. But the developers are quick to resolve issues and bring out patches to fix them as they appear. This game is for the "super-nerd" if you will. It takes a person with a want for very COMPLEX, in depth managment of ships, technology, military/civil intelligence, economics, and warfare strategy. Without use of any one of these tools in the game, you will be in trouble. The game comes with a good tutorial and will have you up and playing the basics relatively quickly. Just try not to get overwhelmed at first.… Expand
  5. MarkM.
    Jan 8, 2007
    9
    Love it! Soooo many options! It's just great. No other game allows so much! Steep learning curve if your new but hey.
  6. Olddeadmeat
    Mar 28, 2007
    9
    Post deployment improvements mean this game is continuously evolving, plus it has a devoted fanbase, and the developer genuinely loves what he does.
  7. Damocles346
    Nov 14, 2013
    8
    This game gets an 8 from me out of the sheer ballsyness of scope that it plays at. You go from, "Look we have ion drives!" to, "Hold on a sec,This game gets an 8 from me out of the sheer ballsyness of scope that it plays at. You go from, "Look we have ion drives!" to, "Hold on a sec, I'ma make that star into a power factory for my civ, Brb." Woah! Mind blown.

    Warning though, it's complex and very arcane. It's a joy if you absolutely love spending hours working very hard to understand large complicated systems. Not so great if you just want a video game to sit down and blow some steam off with.    … Expand
  8. KurtA.
    Jan 15, 2007
    1
    This game was released riddled with bugs. I pre-payed and waited for two weeks until I finally was able to play it due to a patch. Even Now, This game was released riddled with bugs. I pre-payed and waited for two weeks until I finally was able to play it due to a patch. Even Now, I crash after the latest patch. Horrible AI, unfriendly UI only good thing is the 3D combat.… Expand

See all 39 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

#30 Most Discussed PC Game of 2006

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