Rank 01Why this
Shares ship customization with Stars in Shadow.
- $9.89 (Price checked Oct 3)
- Deck Playable
- 2019
Games like Stars in Shadow
- 21 games
- Updated May 4, 2026
Players who liked Stars in Shadow also play
The same list the imho.run recommender shows for Stars in Shadow: games its players also own across millions of Steam libraries, weighed against shared tags and what reviewers compare it to.
- Rank 01
Rank 02Why this
Also 4X and Turn-Based, like Stars in Shadow.
- $24.99 (Price checked Oct 3)
- Deck Playable
- 2016
Rank 03
Rank 04 
Rank 05 
Pax Nova
Why this: Shares tech tree progression with Stars in Shadow.
Rank 06 
Rank 07 
Rank 08 
- Released: 2017
- Developer: Ashdar Games
- Price: $3.74−85%checked Oct 3
- 77% of 589 reviews
- Genres: Strategy, Indie
- Metacritic 75
- Platforms: Windows
Players highlight
- Asymmetrical factions feel distinct
- Cohesive art style stands out
- Modding community keeps the game fresh
- Atmospheric
- Chill
- Contemplative
More games like Stars in Shadow, sliced differently
Reviewers mention these as similar to Stars in Shadow
Surfaced from review text: when other players write 'if you liked X, try Y', we catch the name and resolve it back to a Steam game.
Stellaris
Why this: Also 4X and Space, like Stars in Shadow.
Master of Orion 2
Why this: Also 4X and Turn-Based, like Stars in Shadow.
Imperium Galactica II
Why this: Shares tech tree progression with Stars in Shadow.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Why this: Also 4X and Turn-Based Strategy, like Stars in Shadow.
Free alternatives
Free games the recommender matches to Stars in Shadow, limited to titles with at least 500 Steam reviews and 80% positive.
Sunrider: Mask of Arcadius
Why this: Same atmospheric mood as Stars in Shadow.
Die in the Dungeon: Origins
Why this: Shares turn based combat with Stars in Shadow.
Yi Xian: The Cultivation Card Game
Why this: Also Turn-Based Combat and Turn-Based Tactics, like Stars in Shadow.
Phobies
Why this: Also Turn-Based Tactics and Turn-Based Strategy, like Stars in Shadow.
About Stars in Shadow
The closest matches to Stars in Shadow: Interstellar Space: Genesis, Master of Orion, Horizon, Galactic Civilizations III, and Pax Nova.
If Stars in Shadow is your kind of game, the closest matches are Interstellar Space: Genesis, Master of Orion and Horizon — picked from the ranked list below. Reviewers describe it as atmospheric, chill and contemplative, and single out its asymmetrical factions and fleet tactics. Each pick is ranked by what players of this game also play, shared genres and tags, and review-mined similarity — not a generic popularity list.
About Stars in Shadow: Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4X strategy game and a vivid tribute to the genre classics. Compete with alien factions to explore and colonize nearby starsystems, build fleets to defend against rivals, negotiate or conquer them. Win by unifying the galaxy, through diplomacy or force.
Is Stars in Shadow worth buying?
Mostly recommended
A summary of what players say, not a promise you'll like it. Every signal is listed below.
- 77% of 589 Steam reviews are positive.
- We don't track this game's daily reviews yet, so this is the all-time picture.
- On sale: 85% off, now $3.74 (checked Oct 3).
- People who recommend it had played a median of 57 h when they wrote their review.
- Critics had played a median of 10 h before their negative review.
What fans praise · Themes mined from positive reviews
- Asymmetrical factions feel distinct
- Cohesive art style stands out
- Modding community keeps the game fresh
- Tactical ship combat is satisfying
Top critical reviews
The most up-voted negative English reviews in our sample, quoted as written.
“The UI is a mess, the controls are a nightmare, and there just isn't much in the way of options for how to run your diplomacy ...or anything else. It's like a severely chopped down version of the original 'Space Empires' with much fewer…”
People who play it also play: Interstellar Space: Genesis, Master of Orion, Horizon
Frequently asked about Stars in Shadow
Can I run it?
How much does Stars in Shadow cost?
Stars in Shadow is listed on Steam at 3.74 USD (current store price; Steam sales may reduce this temporarily).
What games are most similar to Stars in Shadow?
Based on Steam play patterns and shared genres/tags, the games most often recommended alongside Stars in Shadow are Interstellar Space: Genesis, Master of Orion, Horizon.
Who developed Stars in Shadow?
Stars in Shadow was developed by Ashdar Games and published by Iceberg Interactive.