Stellaris Console Edition is a dynamic and deep strategy game in which we have to lead a civilization exploring the universe to develop and prosper our empire. It is a very careful port of the PC version that retains all the main features, but adapting its controls, interface and making certain adjustments for new platforms. In addition, this physical version includes three great standard downloadable contents: the Utopia expansion, the Plantoids species pack and the Leviathans story pack.
The first thing we must comment on is that the game, like the PC version, does not have a history as such, but rather that we are the ones who write it traveling through galaxies that are generated procedurally and from our actions and decisions. For this, as soon as we begin, we have to choose an empire, select one at random or create one from scratch, each having a series of specific traits, ethics and principles that will determine the way we relate to other civilizations. The possibilities are very wide in this sense, being able to spend enough time in the creator to shape the species of the civilization of our dreams.
Do not think that for this reason the stories are simple, on the contrary, it is one of the most outstanding elements of the game and that it always invites us to continue as long as we can, giving us the freedom to act as we want but always with the intention of survive. Each decision we make has a consequence, starting these in the creator himself to make each game unique and the title is tremendously replayable and almost infinite.
Something that worried us a lot was the issue of controls, which surprisingly have been quite well adapted. We have an accept button, a cancel button, the possibility to switch between tabs, operate the camera, modify the game speed and, most importantly, shortcuts that facilitate access to the different menus, such as resources, management of the empire, the alerts and the Breviary, among others. At first it is difficult to do them, but after a few games you will see how agile they are, being able to even configure them to our liking. Obviously, carrying out each action is not as fast as with the keyboard and mouse, but it works correctly.
Of course, those who have not played the PC version should do the tutorial since, although it is quite heavy, it becomes completely necessary to know all the ins and outs of the game. There are lots of elements to manage and, believe us, skipping the tutorial is not a viable option if you want to be victorious in this space adventure. Here you will discover that fighting is not always the best option, trying to make new allies for the universe that make our empire one of the most powerful to face the dangers that lie ahead. Everything is focused on exploring, getting hold of resources, expanding and destroying the enemies that come our way.
At the beginning we hardly had any resources, so we started looking for them on the different planets to try to establish a base where we can strengthen ourselves while managing them. Being a game where everything unfolds randomly, you never know what can happen, so we must always prepare for the worst. If we are lucky we can even make an ally, although they could also attack us and end our game prematurely. It is something that we love, since it makes it totally unpredictable.
The physical version of Stellaris: Console Edition also includes three downloadable contents: Plantoids, Leviathans and Utopia. Plantoids is the simplest, since it limits itself to adding a new type of being in the style of a plant, but in turn opens up new playable options typical of each race and aesthetic elements. Leviathans, on the other hand, expands the story with mysterious space guardians who protect secrets that we always want to discover, in addition to adding enclaves where to exchange resources or obtain information, among others. It is an expansion that we have loved, especially for how spectacular their battles are.
Finally there is Utopia, an expansion that gives us new tools to develop our empire, whether in the form of megastructures, indoctrinating and enslaving other species, or collecting points of ascension with which to adopt traditions and unlock benefits, such as achieving biological mastery, renounce our biological form in a Synthetic Evolution or unlock the psionic potential through Tascendency. As you can see, it is one of the most ambitious additions in the game and that greatly expands the strategic possibilities. We do not want to forget that all these contents are activated from the game menu, being able to remove them if we want to enjoy the base game without additions.
Its graphic section has seemed quite good, especially at the design level. This stands out much more in space confrontations, which are tremendously eye-catching thanks to its careful effects. Separate mention deserves its careful interface, which shows all the details clearly on screen but if it hinders our vision more than necessary. It also works fluently.
In the sound we have spatial melodies that feel great to the adventure, accompanying well both in management moments and conversations and in battles. The effects are cared for and the texts, as it could not be less, are in perfect Spanish so that we do not have too many problems when following the story or understanding its operation.
Stellaris: Console Edition follows in the wake of the PC version to offer us a title as fun and unpredictable as it was at the time, with controls and an interface perfectly adapted to the controls, something that is not usually very common in the genre. There are many parts to manage, which can be overwhelming in the first steps, but once we understand how it works, it is very difficult to leave a game. Trying to conquer the galaxy has never been so much fun, with the physical version also including three downloadable content that further expands the experience.
If you like strategic games, Stellaris: Console Edition is a great option, especially considering the scarcity of games of this nature on consoles. It is a very worthy port and it shows that it has been cared for in every way, so do not miss it.