Distant Worlds: Universe
Pausable real-time space strategy with sprawling galaxies and automated commerce
Code Force · Published by Slitherine Ltd. · Released May 23, 2014
- Reviews
- Mostly Positive
- 71% of 1,492
- Recent reviews
- Not enough recent
- Players
- 5
- daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
- Steam Deck
- Unsupported
- Last update on Steam
- 4 years ago
- May 31, 2022
Metacritic: 81/100 (critic reviews)
What is Distant Worlds: Universe?
A pausable real-time 4X strategy game set in a galaxy with rival empires, pirate factions, and independent colonies. You explore star systems, expand a space empire, and negotiate with other factions while following storylines about the galaxy's past or playing an open-ended sandbox.
For you if...
- +you like detailed empire planning with routine tasks automated
- +you enjoy modifying space strategy games with community mods
Not for you if...
- −you prefer turn-based decisions over pausable real-time play
- −you want a strategy game with fewer systems to learn
What players say
71% of 1,492 reviews are positive
Players praise the scale and depth of the strategy and its mod support. The most common complaints are difficulty launching it on newer Windows systems and small, hard-to-read interface text.
How many players finish Distant Worlds: Universe?
1.8% of Steam players have unlocked «The Final War», the achievement for finishing the main story.
Share of everyone who owns the game on Steam, including those who barely played it. Updated weekly.
Screenshots and trailer
Distant Worlds: Universe system requirements
Minimum: minimum 1024 x 768 resolu…, 1 GB RAM, 1 GB of disk space.
As published by the developer.
Can my PC run Distant Worlds: Universe?
The published requirements do not name a graphics card we can compare.
Set up my PC →Minimum
- OS
- Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8, 10
- Processor
- Pentium 4 @1.5 GHz
- Graphics
- minimum 1024 x 768 resolution, 32 bit
- Memory
- 1 GB RAM
- Storage
- 1 GB available space
- DirectX
- Version 9.0c
- Notes
- Requires Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer
Recommended
- OS
- Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8 (64-bit), 10
- Processor
- Dual Core CPU @ 2.0 GHz
- Graphics
- minimum 1024 x 768 resolution, 32 bit
- Memory
- 4 GB RAM
- Storage
- 1 GB available space
- DirectX
- Version 9.0c
- Notes
- Requires Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer
Does Distant Worlds: Universe have co-op or multiplayer?
No: single-player only, no multiplayer modes declared.
Does Distant Worlds: Universe run on Steam Deck?
Unsupported No: Valve rates it Unsupported on Steam Deck.
- Not supported on SteamOS
PC version details
- DRM
- None declared on Steam
- Controller
- Keyboard and mouse
- Platforms
- Windows
- Achievements
- 54
- Steam features
- Family Sharing
- Languages
- Text only: English.
Does Distant Worlds: Universe 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
- Strategy
- 4X
- Space
- Sci-fi
- Simulation
- Grand Strategy
- Singleplayer
- Real-Time
- RTS
- Real-Time with Pause
- Moddable
- Sandbox
- 2D
- Indie
- Replay Value
- Adventure
Recent updates
- May 31, 2022 · Distant Worlds 2 - Major Update v. 1.0.4.8
- May 18, 2015 · Distant World: Universe Version 1.9.5.12 is out!
- May 18, 2015 · Distant World: Universe Version 1.9.5.12 is out!
- Dec 8, 2014 · New Distant Worlds 1.9.5.10 Update and One Week Sale!
- Dec 8, 2014 · New Distant Worlds 1.9.5.10 Update and One Week Sale!
