PCGame

Space Empires V

Turn-based space strategy with customizable empires and detailed ship design

Malfador Machinations · Published by Strategy First · Released Oct 16, 2006

Strategy

Reviews
Mostly Positive
71% of 446
Recent reviews
Not enough recent
Players
9
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Untested
Last update on Steam
Unknown
no patch notes on Steam
Minimum PC
–
not published

Metacritic: 68/100 (critic reviews)

What is Space Empires V?

In this turn-based 4X strategy game, you develop a space empire across a randomly generated galaxy. You explore and expand, research technology, design ships and other vehicles, form alliances, and fight tactical space battles.

For you if...

  • +you like turn-based empire building across randomized galaxies
  • +you want detailed control over ship and race designs
  • +you enjoy customizing game settings and using mods

Not for you if...

  • −you prefer simple systems with little to learn
  • −you dislike designing ships component by component

What players say

71% of 446 reviews are positive

Players praise the ship, race, and game customization. Some find the systems unintuitive or too granular, while others report crashes and trouble starting the game on newer Windows versions.

Players over time

▼ -11% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 26 players on Sep 28, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 20269
Nov 6, 20269
Nov 5, 202610
Nov 4, 202610
Nov 3, 202612
Nov 2, 202610
Nov 1, 202616
Oct 31, 202611
Oct 30, 20269
Oct 29, 202611
Oct 28, 202612
Oct 27, 20264
Oct 27, 202612
Oct 26, 202612
Oct 25, 202615
Oct 24, 20268
Oct 23, 202613
Oct 22, 20260
Oct 21, 202614
Oct 20, 202613
Oct 19, 202619
Oct 18, 202614
Oct 17, 20269
Oct 16, 20267
Oct 15, 202611
Oct 14, 20265
Oct 13, 20266
Oct 12, 202616
Oct 11, 202612
Oct 10, 202613
Oct 9, 202611
Oct 8, 202614
Oct 7, 202611
Oct 6, 202612
Oct 5, 202612
Oct 4, 202612
Oct 3, 202613
Oct 2, 202613
Oct 1, 202619
Sep 30, 202612
Sep 29, 202612
Sep 28, 202626
Sep 27, 202615
Sep 26, 202618
Sep 25, 202613
Sep 24, 202613
Sep 23, 20267
Sep 23, 202613
Sep 22, 20266

Screenshots and trailer

Space Empires V screenshot 1

Space Empires V system requirements

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Space Empires V?

The published requirements do not name a graphics card we can compare.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

System Requirements: Pentium 500MHz or better class machine, Windows XP, 64 megabytes RAM or better, 1024x768 or better screen resolution, 16 bit color display or better, DirectX 7.0 (or better), A video card with 3D acceleration, 500 megs hard drive space, A sound card capable of supporting MP3 and DirectSound playback. Sound card must be DirectX 7.0 (or better) compatible.

Does Space Empires V have co-op or multiplayer?

Yes: multiplayer (mode not specified). It also has a single-player mode.

Does Space Empires V run on Steam Deck?

Untested Not yet tested by Valve on Steam Deck.

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows
Steam features
Family Sharing
Languages
Text only: English.

Does Space Empires V use AI-generated content?

No AI-generated content is disclosed on the game's Steam page.

Self-reported by the developer under Steam rules: it covers AI content that ships in the game, not tools used to make it. Steam page checked on Oct 25, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

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