Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion Alternatives and Similar Games

Paradox Interactive release another classic of 4X grand strategy in this science fiction extravaganza. Stellaris revolves around space exploration, diplomacy, warfare, and the nitty-gritty of managing an interstellar empire. Starting with one planet and a few ships, build yourself up to a galaxy-spanning power. When picking your alien race, you also pick their ethics which will influence your playstyle. Paradox also built in late game crisis events to prevent predictable faction victories.

Those looking for games like Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion could do worse than give this series a shot. Enjoy a riveting storyline as you chart a course for domination at the head your chosen alien race. Design ships and colonize planets in this classic of the 4X genre. Choose to play in sandbox mode or engage in the campaign, which features genocidal aliens and ancient threats.

This spiritual sequel to Alpha Centauri is unique in its series for taking it into the far future and to an alien planet. Your civilization is doubly customizable as your choice of starting sponsor can affect your play as well as which of the three paths, Purity, Harmony, or Supremacy, that you choose to follow on the planet. Choose to coexist, dominate, or eradicate the indigenous lifeforms that are present in your new home. This entry in the Civ franchise is an underrated work of genius.

A fully moddable and multiplayer compatible 4X game, the Endless Space games are well on their way to becoming classics in their genre. Following the standard format of choosing from a multitude of alien races or creating your own, it gives you the chance to hold epic galaxy-wide campaigns with up to eight factions at once. Small surprise that this formula was repeated in a fantasy setting with Endless Legend.

Drop into an immersive and easily accessible game with this pausable real-time 4X classic. All the hallmarks of the genre are there, empire building, planet colonization, faction diplomacy, research, and mighty space fleets. Drop into unique scenarios with the Era option, pre-designed galaxies with background stories each with their own complex conflicts and relationships. You have the option to let every race start off on equal or unequal footings to make the game more interesting. Or simply enjoy the challenge of imperial control in an ever-evolving galaxy.

For those liking a more hands-on approach than your standard 4X game, the StarDrive series is for you. Using a modular ship design, create your own custom ships. Create fleet formations and rules of engagement for your fleets, control them with classic RTS commands, or use the arcade mode to jump right into the action by taking direct control of any ship in your empire. Although most 4X games involve war, StarDrive makes it a core game mechanic, factoring in ground as well as space combat.

The Star Ruler series is a modders dream. If the procedurally generated 3D galaxies don't do it for you, modify the game however you like through Notepad! Everything from AI scripts to new weapons is alterable. After that, enjoy taking on up to 10 rival opponents through multiplayer, don't worry, even disconnected players won't disrupt the action.

An undisputed classic of the RTS genre and revolutionary at the time, Homeworld is something no gamer should be without. Worthy enough of a remastered edition, this space combat RTS boasts a gripping singleplayer mode which is still rated highly today. The cinematic storytelling is combined with an atmospheric and beautiful soundtrack. Despite being the oldest game on the list, we can't recommend this one enough. Do all you can to get the Kushan home to their homeworld.

It might be a little dated compared to some of our other entries but Sword of the Stars is still a heavy-hitter and proves (just like some others on our list) that some games only improve with age. At least with this you'll know it won't tax your computer to run it. It combines the RTS combat of Homeworld with a strategic depth that fans of 4X games are all too familiar with. Available cheaper on Steam than the newer titles on our list, it's a solid introduction to the genre.

This acclaimed sci-fi series is gathered into one edition here combined with fantastic modding support. It seems to be a deal too good to be true, gifting you the breadth and width of turn-based strategy with the smooth ease of an RTS, with the scale and size that we would usually associate with an MMO. Choose to play through numerous storylines with set victory conditions or just enjoy this masterpiece in sandbox mode.

This one is a mindmelter. Pit your wits against an overwhelmingly superior AI fleet. It's not enough to just defeat them, you must be wary of your progress and how quickly you're expanding. Get careless and the AI fleets will crush you with their full force. Up to eight players can work together on this so if you're having issues taking on the might of the machine, get your friends to help!

Indulge your good samaritan here as you play a well-meaning alien, last of their species, striving to unite the various other aliens in the hopes of averting all future wars, genocides, or other disasters. Unfortunately, those who refuse to unite will have to be destroyed.