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. 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.
  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. Nexus2012
    Jan 13, 2013
    8
    I a giving a strong 8 out of 10, because all is now (compared to first release):
    - Stable
    - Overhauled UI, much more streamlined
    - Enjoyable and Fun ! (my favorite part, designing dreadnought).

    The only point which needs some love is the AI.
  4. xfu
    Jan 8, 2013
    8
    Just one more turn, or 300. This game is a very nice 4x Space strategy game. It did have a terrible launch, but Kerberos have pulled it back and it's shaping up to be an epic game. There are 2 free expansion packs included with the enhanced edition and some alternative race skins.
    The game still has a few bugs to be worked out and the UI is a little dated, but this is far outweighed by th    e sheer amount of depth in the game. The game's theme is very Neon and will burn your eye balls out with the bloom, but that is the artistic style of the game. It has a steep learning curve, just alike all 4x, but once you master the game you can't stop playing hour after hour. The factions are all different from each other with pros and cons to playing a race. The tech tree is really good and has some randomness to it depending on your race . One of the features i like is the weapon turrets on the ships pop up and all turn and track other ships. They really put a lot of effort into the ship animations, and the ship design is an awesome feature. When i got to dreadnought size which are 3 times bigger it takes a good 5 mins even to put all the weapons on this monster, then the leviathan sized class ship...OMG.

    Overall an awesome game with good replay-ability and strategic depth, just a few more bug fixes and it's golden.    … Expand
  5. rttornero
    Dec 28, 2012
    9
    SOTS2:EoF is by far the best 4x game ever devised, from the ship design to the brutish 3d star combat, this game delivers on all levels. If you are a returning fan of this platform then you will be pleased to know that this game has gone through a transformation and it is still being modified to suit the needs of the stat hungry fans out there. This game has a great tech tree system as in its original design several years ago, has interesting depth and is filled with intriguing possibilities. Try this game out if you are a fan of space combat, sci-fi space destruction, technology development, and strategic mastery.… Expand
  6. Jaynestown
    Dec 21, 2012
    9
    I've started a weekly game of this with my friends. Every Wednesday night. The asymmetry between races is worked out fantastically well. Each faction moves by a different FTL method and has completely different versions of the same ship sections. Each time I play one of the seven races, it is a totally new experience. The new target based mission system is also great. It makes the end game (something many people fear in a 4X) more manageable, since I am choosing targets which brings up a list of fleets that can attempt the mission type I select... not finding my fleets then telling them to go wherever. Admirals and admiral traits were a neat twist too.… Expand
  7. Squamatus
    Dec 19, 2012
    9
    I have logged approximately a thousand hours on this game since it's difficult birth a year ago. I have seen it mature into the best 4x game I have ever played. The devs are constantly tweaking and fixing and adjusting at an impressive pace. There are still the occasional bugs and the learning curve is nearly vertical at first, but the new global chat in game (even single-player) really helps you get over the first hurdles. Amazing depth, incredible lore (both the novel and the website) and very satisfying gameplay.… Expand
  8. Tarrak
    Dec 19, 2012
    9
    The simple matter now is down to if you like the complexity or not, and the somewhat overwhelming start if you are new. But if such things don't bother you, there are literally hundreds of hours of great fun to be had, and that is really all that matters. Fun. This isn't a 5 hour FPS that is a horrible port, that still generates endless 90+ reviews (how that happens I will leave up to you to decide). This is a game that is clearly made by people that loves the idea, loves to work on it and loves their job. That means certain things can at times be quite a bit too subtle, but the devs are constantly working on it.

    And battles between very different fleets of Dreadnoughts and Levithans can lead to some of the most enjoyable moments in strategic gaming.    … Expand
  9. Treliant
    Dec 19, 2012
    9
    The game still posses a few rough edges but nothing that seriously detracts from gameplay. Kerberos has shown unparalled dedication in polishing and improving this game and all signs show they plan to continue doing so for a long time to come. It is one of the most complex and satisfying 4x experiences i've ever had and Highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan or even remotely interested in the genre.… Expand
  10. Mordachai
    Dec 19, 2012
    9
    8.5 to be more exact. Kerberos has dedicated more than a year to making their baby work right, and it is now damn impressive. It still has some bugs, unfortunately, and it still suffers from a UIX that only a mother could really love.

    However, it's a better UIX than Dwarf Fortress, the visuals can be epic, the tech tree is epic, the lore is rich, and the possibilities are endless.

    Kerberos definitely likes to push the boundaries and explore new ways of approaching 4X / strategy games. So although you won't be jumping in comfortably seeing all your old Total War style interfaces and abstractions, you will learn a hell of a lot, and see 4X with new eyes of a newbie. There are some brilliant ideas to explore, and they generally lead to warships worthy of song and legend.

    Slow down, be willing to learn something different, and RTFM first. Then - in game - you can open the chat (single player or multi) and be connected with everyone else online to share stories, ask questions, and **** the time away while you immerse yourself in one of the best war games ever made.    … Collapse
  11. Resok
    Dec 19, 2012
    10
    Possibly one of the best 4X games of this age. It is a bit rough around the edges still but overall the game is fantastic. Lots of depth, engaging lore and back story, each race plays very differently from one another, non-linear tech tree (no one way to victory), impressive asymmetrical balance, and amazing visuals in the 3D combat.

    Even more important really is the the strategic dep    th is unmatched. Each weapon system has pros and cons for different situations, and hard and soft counters that your enemy could deploy. In MP there is an impressive degree of meta-game that unfolds simply dealing with deploying counters and solutions to what your opponent is fielding currently to gain the upper hand. Tactical depth is also impressive with flanking and diversion tactics, stealth and countermeasures... both close range and long range engagement strategies as well as an impressive degree of battle rider carrier tactics. Beyond this there is also ship-to-ship level combat psionics both offensive and defensive.

    The Kerberos team continues to update and support their game well after launch and I continue to look forward to what comes next in the SOTS universe.    … Expand
  12. Galwail
    Dec 19, 2012
    6
    After the infamous launch, Kerberos delivered a year worth of patches with a free expansion and turned Sword of the Stars II into nice, playable game. It expands on ideas from the original game and adds many more new features as well. The core game-play is a turn-based empire building simulation with engaging real-time tactical battles.

    The variety of ships that can be sent against your     enemy is mind-blowing. From smallest battle-riders to gargantuan leviathans bristling with guns. Most of the ships are modular. Individual sections and weapons can be combined in hundreds of ways allowing you to fine-tune your designs against your enemies. Tactical battles are probably the best part of the game.

    The strategic game-play lets you control many aspects of your galactic empire like colonization, balancing of budget, research of new technologies, designing ships, interstellar trade, diplomacy and espionage. Sadly, it is the strategic part of the game, which suffers from several issues, that makes it less game and more empire management enterprise application.

    The missions system is very bare bone, it    … Expand
  13. 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
  14. Naja
    Dec 19, 2012
    10
    By far the best space strategy game I have ever played. Lots of replayability due to randomized tech tree, VERY pretty graphics, and an intense lore background. Its developers are very dedicated, and have gone above and beyond to continually love the game and add features (many of which are player suggestions) over the long-term.
  15. Cecilo
    Dec 19, 2012
    8
    Sword of the Stars 2 Enchanced Edition is a game that was horrible on release but patched to hell after release. It was horrible at the start but a good game now. It is a Real Time Combat, Turn Based Galactic Strategy game along the lines of Moo And Moo 2. Tech trees, customizable ships, several races that all play different. Granted there are still a few bugs, But it is a very enjoyable game IFF You are into this sort of game. If not, it can be a bit intimidating and I only recommend it for people who are fans of a long term game. You won't play a three hour match. Just telling you that upfront.… Expand
  16. Zakuman
    Dec 19, 2012
    9
    I would say a very good game. Very complex and deep strategy, fixes the problems I had with SotS1, namely ships spam and lack of stuff to do in peace times. Now we get to organize system defenses and Stations. Graphics is also a very strong point, one can notice the huge attention to details in both small drones and huge Leviathan class ships. The races are very unique, their differences are not just cosmetic as in other 4x games.Tactical combat is very entertaining and deep. There are occasional bugs and Ai is easy to beat if you are an experienced player, but one can count on Kerb support to react to bugs and upgrade the ai. Definitly worth playing if you like space 4x… Expand
  17. ForceUser
    Dec 19, 2012
    9
    Continuing the dedication to their user base Kerberos is becoming famous for, they have integrated the first expansion, End of flesh, for free into existing copies and any future copies of the game. The game itself now has 7 unique, fully fleshed out races with excellent lore to build your own stories on. Each race has their own unique FTL Drive, with the latest drive being probably the most unique so far.

    It is a 4X space game of unparalleled beauty, built from the ground up as a DX10 engine, and complexity without the game drowning you in spreadsheets 10 pages deep. Combining complex strategic turn based game play with full randomized solar systems and real time space combat using self designed ships and the infamous randomized tech tree each game will be a unique story based on your decisions. The only downside currently being the AI that is still learning to use the more advanced systems. Scenarios are also still being planned on being added (for free).

    Without a doubt the best, prettiest and most complex 4X game to date. Be prepared to RTM ;)    … Expand
  18. Embair
    Dec 19, 2012
    8
    While still a bit rough around the edges, SotSII currently offers a fun, immersive 4X experience with depth that is simply unparalleled in the genre. The deep tactical combat simulation engine makes for incredibly rewarding space opera (no surprise there for fans of the original game) featuring your custom-designed ships. The strategic layer of the game was significantly expanded resulting in a slower pacing and more thoughtful gameplay. That might be a disappointment for some who liked the simplicity and fast pacing of the original, and delight others (me included).

    Since it's disastrous release in 2011 the developer showed incredible dedication in continuously improving the game via free patches, and intends to keep at it for years to come (same as with the original).

    The one remaining gripe that I have with the game at the moment is a somewhat lacking AI, but this too is a subject of continuous improvement.    … Expand
  19. Alexander101
    Dec 5, 2012
    8
    As a player of the original and someone who bought into the second game early on after release I can whole heartily say that Kerberos Productions is a fantastic company for sticking with the game in its original unplayable state. Yes, they shouldn't have released it so early but more and more company's are being pressed into getting funding early rather then waiting till the game is stable. They shouldn't have done this but as we've seen from other games it's becoming a standard practice.

    As for this game on its own due to the patches and engine tweaks, it's finally playable and stable. The game is an excellent take on the 4x space strategy with many quirks that are fairly unique to this game. Please check out my blog for a full review in a few days. http://anythinggeekyreviewed.blogspot.co.uk/    … Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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