Sword of the Stars II: Lords of Winter (Enhanced Edition) PC
User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 40
  3. Negative: 8 out of 40

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  1. Joshua_Jones
    Dec 19, 2012
    4
    Kerberos has done a wonderful job trying to polish this game, the ideas behind it really are awesome. But, as a life long strategy gamer, I find myself playing a game that truly is still in beta a year after its release. The ui is not intuitive some basic game functions are hard to find and require reading the company forums to understand. The AI is like playing a toddler and even often kills itself rather then offer a challenge. There are numerous bugs while playing the game and a common theme seems to be that with every patch come new bugs, some worse then the ones that were fixed. The Enhanced Edition, in my opinion, moved this game from an alpha phase to a mid beta phase. But even facing bugs constantly and having the game CTD every 5 turns in one game it still gives me the "just one more turn" feeling. At least until you get to late game , which with the lacking diplomacy and intel options and with the need to extremely micro manage it just gets old. I would pass on purchasing this game until at least the next expansion, but if you do buy it you have been warned.… Expand
  2. Ursyn
    Jan 24, 2013
    4
    Sequel to one of my favorite strategy games of all time, SOTS 2 is prime example of ambitions overgrowing actual capabilities. Launch of the game was a disaster: it wasn't even a beta. Now, after tons of patches and free expansion with new playable race, Sots 2 is definitely better at every aspect - but it still falls way short of meeting expectations. It's very complex game, with great variety of options and possible strategies - however, it is also one of the least approachable games I have ever seen. Unclear interface, cryptic tooltips and utter lack of any tutorial in game are obstacles for any new players. If you manage to overcome them, you will find good sides of this game - and they are plenty. However, they all fade when you realize that AI is COMPLETELY broken, and does not present any threat whatsoever. Seriously - computer controlled empires not only cannot beat player, they also fail to defend against random encounters game throws at them and often collapse due to missmanegement of economy and mounting debt. I am willing to bet that anyone giving this game super-high score has not played it long enough to actually measure AI capabilities. Maybe after another year it will get acceptable - for now, if you value single player at least, I recommend to stay away from this game.… Expand
  3. EMPulse
    Feb 28, 2013
    4
    Too little, too late. The UI is terrible, the AI is terrible. If you must have a space empire builder buy its predecessor. no missions. tooltips are cryptic to say the least, so i suggest reading the manual before you even try to have a go.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
65 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Feb 21, 2013
    83
    Sword of the Stars II: Enhanced Edition is getting there, three steps forward and two steps back. But for gods sake, start creating enemies, not stupid names with some attributes! And hey, diplomacy between mighty star empires is not handled by SMS messages! [Feb 2013]
  2. DarkStation
    Feb 6, 2013
    40
    Sword of the Stars II is exhausting. It has a genius to its depth of strategy, customization, and lore, and its ambition is unmatched by perhaps any other 4X title out there, but trying to reach the fruit of any of those qualities leaves one fastened to the sappy bark of labyrinthine menus and a glacial pace. Amidst the high pedigree of the 4X genre, there simply is no reason to play this.
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  3. Gaming Nexus
    Jan 9, 2013
    65
    A game that confuses "more" with "better" and "depth". A classic example of second-system effect. Every decade needs its own "Master of Orion 3", I guess.
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