Distant Worlds

Distant Worlds is what happens when you take 4X strategy, crank the scale up to galactic, and hand players the keys to an entire civilization — or twelve. This real-time-with-pause space strategy series is all about managing empires so huge, even your spreadsheets need breaks. Build colonies, research tech, fight off pirates, trade with aliens, and try not to start an intergalactic war… unless that’s your thing.

Known for its insane depth, the series lets you automate as much (or as little) as you want — so whether you’re a micromanaging space overlord or a lazy emperor who lets the AI do everything, it’s got your back. Distant Worlds: Universe set the stage, but Distant Worlds 2 brought modern visuals and a sleeker UI to the same galaxy-sized brain-burner gameplay fans love.

It’s a space sim, a strategy beast, and a sci-fi sandbox all rolled into one. If managing fleets, balancing diplomacy, and colonizing planets at 3AM sounds like a good time, the Distant Worlds series is calling your name — just don’t forget to unpause the game.