Stellaris is a big space sim, you run your empire, decide when to colonize and expand, build fleets, fight, communicate with other spcies and react to events around the galaxy.

Its not crusader kings 2 in space, but it kind of is. However, for those who dislike CK2 (like myself) they may however like this (like myself)

pro's - the technology system is in depth. The game, like good 4x games, runs itself and leaves the management decisions up to you. You can micro manage but its not necessary if you dont want to. The ways your civilization can develop is fun and the initial creation of your race and their civics etc are just so much fun. From a roleplaying perspective its also great fun, so many choices. Become a pacifist race looking for spiritual enlightenment or galactic slavers, your choice.

cons - combat is tedious (like CK2) you click on their ships and whoever has the biggest number GENERALLY wins. Not always but about 95% the time. The end game is a bit glitchy, not to spoil it but big enemy went to war with me...my galactic federation and I could defeat all the enemy together but what happened was my federation just watched me fail epicly while their fleets sat at port. Beyond conquering the galaxy there isn't too much to do, I dont knwo many who have actually finished this game completely. Usually gets to the point where they know they have won but cant be assed finishing and start again. Building wide is the only way to go also, build tall all you like, the bonuses do not outweigh the negatives you receive for having a smaller fleet. That number thing I was talking about earlier? Yeah, if your fleet number isn't as big as there's you are gonna get steamrolled.

Updates are very good, devs do care for the community (awesome devs, thank you so much btw). OP stuff gets nerfed, underpowered stuff gets improved. Apparently the future holds a possible combat revamp. DLC is coming out (you can see that as good or bad, but considering how much I enjoy this game I dont mind)

I try to write objectively, for all the negatives this game has in terms of combat it makes up for in everything else. I would throughly recommend it to fans of the civ games (even though its not turn based, it feels similar) and the CK games. (not played Europa so couldnt comment)

Stellaris is a big space sim, you run your empire, decide when to colonize and expand, build fleets, fight, communicate with other spcies and react to events around the galaxy. Its not crusader kings 2 in space, but it kind of is. However, for those who dislike CK2 (like myself) they may however like this (like myself) pro's - the technology system is in depth. The game, like good 4x games, runs itself and leaves the management decisions up to you. You can micro manage but its not necessary if you dont want to. The ways your civilization can develop is fun and the initial creation of your race and their civics etc are just so much fun. From a roleplaying perspective its also great fun, so many choices. Become a pacifist race looking for spiritual enlightenment or galactic slavers, your choice. cons - combat is tedious (like CK2) you click on their ships and whoever has the biggest number GENERALLY wins. Not always but about 95% the time. The end game is a bit glitchy, not to spoil it but big enemy went to war with me...my galactic federation and I could defeat all the enemy together but what happened was my federation just watched me fail epicly while their fleets sat at port. Beyond conquering the galaxy there isn't too much to do, I dont knwo many who have actually finished this game completely. Usually gets to the point where they know they have won but cant be assed finishing and start again. Building wide is the only way to go also, build tall all you like, the bonuses do not outweigh the negatives you receive for having a smaller fleet. That number thing I was talking about earlier? Yeah, if your fleet number isn't as big as there's you are gonna get steamrolled. Updates are very good, devs do care for the community (awesome devs, thank you so much btw). OP stuff gets nerfed, underpowered stuff gets improved. Apparently the future holds a possible combat revamp. DLC is coming out (you can see that as good or bad, but considering how much I enjoy this game I dont mind) I try to write objectively, for all the negatives this game has in terms of combat it makes up for in everything else. I would throughly recommend it to fans of the civ games (even though its not turn based, it feels similar) and the CK games. (not played Europa so couldnt comment)