PCGame

Stellaris

Real-time grand strategy about building and shaping a galactic empire

Paradox Development Studio · Published by Paradox Interactive · Released May 9, 2016

SimulationStrategy

Reviews trending down: 64% positive in the last 30 days vs 83% overall AI-generated content disclosed

Reviews
Very Positive
83% of 153K
Recent reviews
Mixed
64% of 575 in 30 days
Players
10K
daily peak, Nov 7, 2026
Steam Deck
Playable
Last update on Steam
3 days ago
Nov 4, 2026
Minimum PC
GTX 460
4 GB RAM · 10 GB disk
Full requirements

Metacritic: 78/100 (critic reviews)

What is Stellaris?

A real-time-with-pause grand strategy and 4X game set in a procedurally generated galaxy. You direct an interstellar civilization, survey systems with science ships, build stations, develop your society, meet alien species, form alliances, and wage wars.

For you if...

  • +you enjoy complex strategy with pausable real-time play
  • +you like experimenting in open-ended space sandboxes
  • +you want both solo and cross-platform multiplayer campaigns

Not for you if...

  • −you want a strategy game that is quick to learn
  • −you prefer guided objectives to open-ended sandbox play

What players say

83% of 153,121 reviews are positive · 64% of 575 in the last 30 days

Players praise the emergent storytelling, civilization customization, replayability, and mod support. Recent complaints focus on the cost and volume of DLC, frequent system reworks, bugs, and late-game performance.

Players over time

▼ -13% vs a month ago

Players online on Steam, one sample a day.

Highest since Sep 2026: 12,261 players on Sep 27, 2026.

Show the data
DayPlayers
Nov 7, 202610,173
Nov 6, 20267,966
Nov 5, 20267,881
Nov 4, 20268,260
Nov 3, 20268,760
Nov 2, 20269,204
Nov 1, 202611,005
Oct 31, 202610,523
Oct 30, 20268,324
Oct 29, 20268,131
Oct 28, 20268,275
Oct 27, 20268,590
Oct 26, 20269,216
Oct 25, 202611,739
Oct 24, 20269,975
Oct 23, 20268,505
Oct 22, 20268,543
Oct 21, 20268,405
Oct 20, 20268,894
Oct 19, 20269,707
Oct 18, 202611,259
Oct 17, 202610,372
Oct 16, 20268,651
Oct 15, 20268,890
Oct 14, 20268,968
Oct 13, 20269,821
Oct 12, 202610,493
Oct 11, 202612,204
Oct 10, 202610,635
Oct 9, 20269,460
Oct 8, 20269,364
Oct 7, 202610,042
Oct 6, 202610,224
Oct 5, 202611,140
Oct 4, 202612,014
Oct 3, 202611,260
Oct 2, 20269,947
Oct 1, 202610,224
Sep 30, 20269,742
Sep 29, 202610,061
Sep 28, 202610,788
Sep 27, 202612,261
Sep 26, 202610,991
Sep 25, 20269,861
Sep 24, 20269,059
Sep 23, 20268,422
Sep 23, 20268,191
Sep 22, 20267,508
Sep 21, 202610,134

Screenshots and trailer

Stellaris screenshot 1

Stellaris system requirements

Minimum: GTX 460, 4 GB RAM, 10 GB of disk space.

As published by the developer.

Can my PC run Stellaris?

Tell us your graphics card once and every game page will answer this for you.

Set up my PC →

Minimum

OS
Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit
Processor
Intel® iCore™ i3-530 or AMD® FX-6350
Graphics
Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 460 or AMD® ATI Radeon™ HD 5870 (1GB VRAM), or AMD® Radeon™ RX Vega 11 or Intel® HD Graphics 4600
Memory
4 GB RAM
Storage
10 GB available space
DirectX
Version 9.0c
Notes
Controller support: 3-button mouse, keyboard and speakers. Special multiplayer requirements: Internet Connection

Recommended

OS
Windows® 10 Home 64 Bit
Processor
Intel® iCore™ i5-3570K or AMD® Ryzen™ 5 2400G
Graphics
Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 560 Ti (1GB VRAM) or AMD® Radeon™ R7 370 (2 GB VRAM)
Memory
4 GB RAM
Storage
10 GB available space
DirectX
Version 12
Notes
Controller support: 3-button mouse, keyboard and speakers. Special multiplayer requirements: Internet Connection

Does Stellaris have co-op or multiplayer?

Yes: multiplayer (mode not specified). It also has a single-player mode. Crossplay with other platforms is declared.

Does Stellaris run on Steam Deck?

Playable Playable: it runs on Steam Deck with some adjustments.

  • The launcher or setup tool may need the touchscreen or virtual keyboard
  • Default controller config not fully functional
  • Sometimes shows mouse, keyboard or non-Deck controller icons
  • Some text entry requires manually opening the on-screen keyboard
  • In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
  • Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck

PC version details

DRM
None declared on Steam
Controller
Keyboard and mouse
Platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux
Achievements
219
Steam features
Workshop, Cloud saves, Family Sharing, Trading cards
Languages
Text only: English, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Polish, Portuguese - Brazil, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean.

Does Stellaris use AI-generated content?

Yes. The developers disclose AI-generated content on the game's Steam page:

We employ generative AI technologies during the creation of some assets. Typically this involves the ideation of content and visual reference material. These elements represent a minor component of the overall development. AI has been used to generate voices for an AI antagonist and a player advisor.

The statement mentions: ArtVoices

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 Nov 6, 2026. How to filter AI games on Steam

Tags

Recent updates

32 DLC available.

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