Ascendancy - The Best Space Strategy Game for 1995

Ah Ascendancy, one of few games that I play periodically for the last 25 years. This game have everything a space strategy game should, mysterious galaxy map with 2 types of star lanes. Interesting and fun races with their unique special abilities (I play the one that can turn any planet in rich planet every 150 turns). Many types of exciting planets, poor and rich with 3 main resources food, industry and science. Great ship design with tons of equipment parts that make awesome stuff, something that modern games lack. Also modern space strategy games lack the smooth pace trough all the game. the planet development is like an enigmatic trance, making and making buildings and more buildings! The sole set back of this game, which is actually very good for memory practice is the lack of minimap that shows the locations of the planets. I also made some gameplay videos playing this game and practicing my memory thinking with memorizing and guessing the locations of the planets :)

Game Data:

Name: Ascendancy. (1996)

Type: Turn Based Strategy (TBS)

Genre: Space (Galaxy)

Year of Release: 1995

Platform: Any OS with DOS-Box

23 Similar Games. Games like Ascendancy :

1. Master of Orion. (1993) 
2. Master of Orion 2. (1996)
3. Master of Orion 3 (2003)
4. Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars (2016) 
5. Space Empires 4. (2000)
6. Galactic Civilizations. (2003) 
7. Endless Space. (2012)
8. Distant Worlds. (2010)
9. Star Wars: Rebellion. (1998)
10. Sins of a Solar Empire. (2008) 
11. Nexus: The Jupiter Incident. (2004)  
12. Armada 2526. (2009)
13. Haegemonia: Legions of Iron. (2002)
14. Sword of the Stars. (2006)
15. Lost Empire. (2007)
16. Star Wars: Empire at War. (2007) 
17. Endless Space. (2012)
18. Imperium Galactica 2. (2000)
19. Star Trek: Birth of the Federation. (1999)
20. Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain. (1997)
21. Civilization: Beyond Earth. (2014)
22. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. (1999) 
23. Stellaris. (2017 - 2020) 

Recorded adventure archive 11.05.2020 - 21.05.2020 game weeks.

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Today we Play: Stellaris: MegaCorp

Stlellaris: Megacorp is a new stand alone game, released in 2018. It is again an epic adventure in a vast galaxy thrilled with live and extraordinary species, strange anomalies and hundreds of minor events. But the game engine is totally different, making it virtually a new game. 

Here are some notes and hints to understand it better:

• The science ship is now more important than ever. Stars can not be colonized or constructed without being fully surveyed by a science ship.
• Now every star have its own influence border and you can claim it only with a star base before a colony. Although star bases again cost influence, it is much more bearable. 
• Combat ships can not travel to unexplored colonies.
• Now the planet development is separated in districts and buildings. 
• Districts are the  resource gathering and housing places and they are defined by the planet size.
• Buildings are for the specialists and give all types of other resources, science and bonuses and they are defined  by planet population. It seems the planet population may be always 100.
• Planet limits are now Administrative points which are limits to everything, planets, systems and districts.
• There is also some Empire Cohesion penalties if you try to expand your empire too much.
• And if by some reason your game stops at the "g" at generating new game screen, then in the main menu start console with "` key" and type: Threading.TaskThreadCount 4. As a result you will see a 4. Then start a new game.  

Recorded Adventure Archive 26.12.2018 - 06.01.2019.

More Stellaris: MegaCorp Screenshots.

Game Data:

Name: Stellaris: MegaCorp. (2018)

Type: Real Time Strategy (RTS)

Genre: Space (Galaxy)

Year of Release: 2018

Platform: PC/Windows 7/8/10, Linux

12 Similar Games. Games like Stellaris: MegaCorp:

1. Stellaris. (2016)
2. Endless Space. (2012) 
3. Space Empires 4. (2000)
4. Master of Orion 2. (1996)
5. Ascendancy. (1995)
6. Sins of a Solar Empire. (2008) 
7. Armada 2526. (2009)
8. Sword of the Stars. (2006)
9. Lost Empire. (2007)
10. Imperium Galactica 2. (2000)
11. Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain. (1997)
12.  StarDrive 2. (2014)

Elite Dangerous

Screenshot from Steam.
Take control of your own starship in a cutthroat galaxy. Elite Dangerous brings gaming’s original open world adventure into the modern generation with a connected galaxy, evolving narrative and the entirety of the Milky Way re-created at its full galactic proportions.

(want to play)More Elite Dangerous Screenshots.

Game Data:

Name: Elite Dangerous. (2014)

Type: Action (ACT), Space Sim (SIM)

Genre: Space (Galaxy)

Year of Release: 2014

Platform: PC/Windows XP, 7/8/10

11 Similar Games. Games like Elite Dangerous:

1. Freelancer (2003)
2. Star Wolves. (2004)
3. Starpoint Gemini 2. (2014)
4. Star Wars: X-Wing Alliance. (1999)
5. Galaxy on Fire.  (2006)
6. DarkStar One.  (2006)
7. FreeSpace 2. (1999) 
8. Starlancer. (2000)
9. Homeworld. (1999)
10. Space Rangers 2. (2004)
11. Star Control 2. (1992)

StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void

For this game I have to give a special attention. I have quite a screenshots collection from Wings of liberty and just need to get more mana :) In any case, in my future textbook about games, StarCraft series will be the main example of a Real Time Strategy Game.

More StarCraft 2 Screenshots.

Game Data:

Name: StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void. (2015)

Type: Real Time Strategy (RTS)

Genre: Futuristic, Space

Year of Release: 2015

Platform: PC/Windows 7/8/10

12 Similar Games. Games like StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void:

1. StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm. (2013)
2. StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty. (2010) 
3. StarCraft: Remastered (2017)  
4. StarCraft. (1998)
5. Warcraft 2. (1997)  
6. Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos (2002)
7.  Dune 2. (1992)
8. Rise of Nations (2003)
9. Empire Earth.  (2001)
10. Age of Empires 2. (1999)
11. Command and Conquer: Generals. (2003)

StarCraft: Remastered

Blizzard have finally created a regular Star Craft version for the modern world computers and screens. Nex time I'm not playing 800x600 SC, although it wasn't big issue for me. With this Remastered release we expect a lot of maps and content.

(want to play) More screenshots for StarCraft: Remastered.

Game Data:

Name: StarCraft: Remastered (2017) 

Type: Real Time Strategy (RTS)

Genre: Space , Futuristic

Year of Release: 2017

Platform: PC/Windows

9 Similar Games. Games like Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne:

1. Warcraft 1. (1994)
2. Warcraft 2. (1997)  
3. Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos (2002)
4. StarCraft. (1998)
5.  Dune 2. (1992)
6. Rise of Nations (2003)
7. Empire Earth.  (2001)
8. Age of Empires 2. (1999)
9. Command and Conquer: Generals. (2003)

Mass Effect: Andromeda Screenshots

Screenshot from internet.
 Mass Effect: Andromeda is an action role-playing video game. It is the fourth major entry in the Mass Effect series after Mass Effect 3 (2012). The game begins within the Milky Way Galaxy during the 22nd century, where humanity is planning to populate new home worlds in the Andromeda Galaxy as part of a strategy called the Andromeda Initiative.

(want to play)More Mass Effect: Andromeda Screenshots.

Game Data:

Name: Mass Effect: Andromeda. (2017)

Type: Action RPG (ARPG)

Genre: Space (Andromeda)

Year of Release: 2017

Platform: PC/Windows 7/8/10

12 Similar Games. Games like Mass Effect: Andromeda:

1. Prototype (2009)
2. Assassin's Creed Origins. (2017)
3. Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag (2013)
4. Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands. (2010)
5. Dishonored. (2012) 
6. Hitman: Absolution. (2012)
7. Far Cry 3. (2012) 
8. Thief. (1998) 
9. Max Payne. (2001) 
10. Deus Ex. (2000) 
11. Resident Evil: Revelations. (2012) 
12. Tomb Raider. (2013)

StarCraft

I remember the first time I saw this game. It was the autumn of 1999. A forest avenue and orange leaves on the ground. The infirmery was to the right. The junior doc was just brought a new computer and some games. I still remember the smell around, I have experiencing it trough the years, but never found out what this smell was from, parfume or furniture.

More StarCraft Screenshots.

Game Data:

Name: StarCraft. (1998)

Type: Real Time Strategy (RTS)

Genre: Futuristic, Space

Year of Release: 1998

Platform: PC/Windows 98/XP

11 Similar Games. Games like StarCraft:

1. StarCraft 2: Legacy of the Void. (2015)
2. StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm. (2013)
3. StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty. (2010) 
4. StarCraft: Remastered (2017)  
5. Warcraft 2. (1997)  
6. Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos (2002)
7.  Dune 2. (1992)
8. Rise of Nations (2003)
9. Empire Earth.  (2001)
10. Age of Empires 2. (1999)
11. Command and Conquer: Generals. (2003)

Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars 2016 Screenshot

The latest remake of Master of Orion classic 4x4 turn based strategy game looks pretty fine. With its standard modern gameplay engine it offers a nice experience for the youth, but a lot to be asked from the fans. In all cases it is a must play game. There are a lot of differences thaugh, there are pirates, planet resources, toxic planets are now terraformable too, some of the races are missing, like Gnolam and Elerian (may be will be added later), combats are real time, not very controlable, there are minor races, and I crush them like a bugs in medium difficulty :)

Game Data:
Name: Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars. (2016)
Type: Turn Based Strategy (TBS)
Genre: Space (Galaxy)
Year of Release: 2016
Platform: PC/Windows

All Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars Screenshots.

26 Similar Games. Games like Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars:

1. Master of Orion. (1993) 
2. Master of Orion 2 (1996)  
3. Master of Orion 3 (2003)
4. Space Empires 4. (2000)
5. Galactic Civilizations. (2003) 
6. Endless Space. (2012)
7. Ascendancy. (1995)
8. Distant Worlds. (2010)
9. Star Wars: Rebellion. (1998)
10. Sins of a Solar Empire. (2008) 
11. Nexus: The Jupiter Incident. (2004)  
12. Armada 2526. (2009)
13. Haegemonia: Legions of Iron. (2002)
14. Sword of the Stars. (2006)
15. Lost Empire. (2007)
16. Star Wars: Empire at War. (2007) 
17. Endless Space. (2012)
18. Imperium Galactica 2. (2000)
19. Star Trek: Birth of the Federation. (1999)
20. Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain. (1997)
21. Civilization 4: Dune Wars. (2009)
22. Civilization 4: Planetfall. (2006) 
23. Civilization: Beyond Earth. (2014)
24. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. (1999) 
25. Endless Legend. (2014) 
26. Horizon. (2015) 

StarDrive 2 Screenshot

StarDrive 2 is another real time strategy space game, worth trying. Screenshots by Grimalkin.

Game Data:

Name: StarDrive 2. (2016)

Type: Real Time Strategy (RTS)

Genre: Space (Galaxy 4x4)

Year of Release: 2016

Platform: PC/Windows 7

4 Similar Games. Games like StarDrive 2:

1. Stellaris. (2016)
2. Sins of a Solar Empire. (2008)   
3. Imperium Galactica 2. (2000)
4. StarCraft 2. (2010)

Horizon Game Screenshot

Horizon is a 4x4 turn-based space strategy game of galactic conquest, may be a little similar to Master of Orion 2 game.

Game Data:

Name: Horizon. (2015 r.n.)

Type: Turn Based Strategy (TBS)

Genre: Space (Galaxy)

Year of Release: 2015

12 Similar Games. Games like Horizon:

1. Master of Orion 2. (1998) 
2. Space Empires 4. (2000)
3. Galactic Civilizations. (2003) 
4. Endless Space. (2012)
5. Ascendancy. (1995)
6. Distant Worlds. (2010)
7. Star Wars: Rebellion. (1998)
8. Lost Empire. (2007)
9. Star Wars: Empire at War. (2007) 
10. Endless Space. (2012)
11. Star Trek: Birth of the Federation. (1999)
12. Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain. (1997)

Endless Space 2 Screenshots

Endless Space 2 is the successor of ES game from 2012. The early access edition reveals exciting graphics and tons of new concepts and features. But it also makes the game heavy and clumsy to play. The pretty realistic galaxy disrupts the ability for medium scale navigation. Either way it is a game worth of the Best Games Ever adventure blog, as it will definitely be refined in the future.

More Endless Space 2 Screenshots.

Game Data:

Name: Endless Space 2. (2017)

Type: Turn Based Strategy (TBS)

Genre: Space (Galaxy)

Year of Release: 2017

Platform: PC/Windows 7

12 Similar Games. Games like Endless Space 2:

1. Endless Space. (2012) 
2. Space Empires 4. (2000)
3. Galactic Civilizations. (2003) 
4. Master of Orion 2. (1996)
5. Ascendancy. (1995)
6. Sins of a Solar Empire. (2008) 
7. Armada 2526. (2009)
8. Sword of the Stars. (2006)
9. Lost Empire. (2007)
10. Imperium Galactica 2. (2000)
11. Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain. (1997)
12.  Stellaris. (2016)

Endless Space Game Screenshot

Endless Space is quite exciting turn based space strategy game. There are many varieties of resources that are found on the planets. The planets themselves are exciting to govern. The combats are not directly controlled and can only be watched, but the ship designs give a lot of options. Also, like Master of Orion 2, there are leader that can govern a planet, giving it tremendous bonuses. Another leaders are good ship commanders. ES game is light and playable, which can not be said for its successor ES2.

More Endless Space Screenshots.

Game Data:

Name: Endless Space. (2012)

Type: Turn Based Strategy (TBS)

Genre: Space (Galaxy)

Year of Release: 2012

Platform: PC/Windows - More Info

20 Similar Games. Games like Endless Space:

1. Endless Space 2. (2017) 
2.  Stellaris. (2016)
3. Space Empires 4. (2000)
4. Galactic Civilizations. (2003) 
5. Master of Orion 2. (1996)
6. Ascendancy. (1995)
7. Distant Worlds. (2010)
8. Star Wars: Rebellion. (1998)
9. Sins of a Solar Empire. (2008) 
10. Nexus: The Jupiter Incident. (2004)  
11. Armada 2526. (2009)
12. Haegemonia: Legions of Iron. (2002)
13. Sword of the Stars. (2006)
14. Lost Empire. (2007)
15. Star Wars: Empire at War. (2007) 
16. Imperium Galactica 2. (2000)
17. Star Trek: Birth of the Federation. (1999)
18. Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain. (1997)
19. Endless Legend. (2014)
20. Age of Wonders: Planetfall (2019)