Sins of a Solar Empire II
{{Short description|2024 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Sins of a Solar Empire II
| image =
| developer = Ironclad Games
| publisher = Stardock
| composer =
| engine =
| released = August 15, 2024
| genre = Real-time strategy
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| platforms = Microsoft Windows
}}
Sins of a Solar Empire II is a 2024 science fiction real-time strategy 4X video game developed by Ironclad Games and published by Stardock Entertainment for Microsoft Windows operating systems. It is a sequel to the 2008 video game Sins of a Solar Empire.
Development
Ironclad Games first began considering a sequel to Sins of a Solar Empire following the release of the game's final DLC in 2018. They began development of a sequel, Sins of a Solar Empire II, in 2021.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Fraser |title=Sins of a Solar Empire 2 is reaching for the stars |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/sins-of-a-solar-empire-2-is-reaching-for-the-stars/ |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=PC Gamer |date=15 September 2022 |language=en}}
For the sequel, Ironclad Games wished to overcome technical limitations, such as a lack of multithreading, that the original game faced. The new game engine, called the "Iron Engine", was developed for 64-bit, multi-core computers to support tens of thousands of ships without noticeably impacting performance.{{cite news |last1=Boudreau |first1=Ian |title=Space RTS Sins of a Solar Empire 2 enters early access |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/sins-of-a-solar-empire-2/early-access-launch |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=PCGamesN |date=27 October 2022}}
The developers of Sins of a Solar Empire II first released the game as an early access technical preview so that they could receive feedback from players during development. Multiplayer support was added to the technical preview in February 2023.{{cite news |last1=Boudreau |first1=Ian |title=Sins of a Solar Empire 2 multiplayer has arrived in early access |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/sins-of-a-solar-empire-2/multiplayer |access-date=9 May 2025 |work=PCGamesN |date=14 February 2023}}
= Release =
Sins of a Solar Empire II was first made available as an early access title on the Epic Games Store in October 2022.{{cite news |last1=Bolding |first1=Jonathan |title=Sins of a Solar Empire 2 comes to Steam this month, after almost two years of Epic exclusivity |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/sins-of-a-solar-empire-2-comes-to-steam-this-month-after-almost-two-years-of-epic-exclusivity/ |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=PC Gamer |date=1 August 2024 |language=en}} In early 2023, several months after the initial release, Stardock removed the early access tag from the listing in the Epic Games store. Stardock, however, chose not to market the release or release the game on Steam until the game had reach content parity with Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion.{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=Kat |title=Sins of a Solar Empire 2 Publisher Explains Epic Games Store Stealth Launch: 'Only One Shot' at a Steam Release |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/sins-of-a-solar-empire-2-publisher-explains-epic-games-store-stealth-launch-only-one-shot-at-a-steam-release |access-date=8 May 2025 |work=IGN |date=2 May 2024 |language=en}} The game released on Steam on August 15, 2024.{{cite news |title=Sins of a Solar Empire 2 - Official Steam Release Date Announcement Trailer - IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/sins-of-a-solar-empire-2-official-steam-release-date-announcement-trailer |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=IGN |date=1 August 2024 |language=en}}
= Updates and downloadable content =
On March 27, 2025, a free update for Sins of a Solar Empire II entitled Total Subjugation released for the game. The update reintroduced population and allegiance mechanics from the first game, and also added new ship, planet, and moon types. The first paid DLC for the game, entitled Paths to Power, also released on the same day. The DLC added 10 scenario maps to the game.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Fraser |title=Last year's best RTS gets its first piece of DLC alongside a meaty free update |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/strategy/last-years-best-rts-gets-its-first-piece-of-dlc-alongside-a-meaty-free-update/ |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=PC Gamer |date=27 March 2025 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Gavin |first1=Sheehan |title=Sins Of A Solar Empire II Announces Paths To Power DLC |url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/sins-of-a-solar-empire-ii-announces-paths-to-power-dlc/ |access-date=28 April 2025 |work=Bleeding Cool News |date=28 February 2025 |language=en}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 75/100{{cite web |title=Sins of a Solar Empire II Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/sins-of-a-solar-empire-ii/ |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom Inc. |access-date=8 May 2025 |language=en}}
}}
Substantially similar gameplay and the improved engine compared to the original game meant that public response was mixed.
The game was also criticized for its use of AI-generated images in the tech tree and character portraits.
{{clear}}
References
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.sinsofasolarempire.com}}
- {{MobyGames|id=/sins-of-a-solar-empire}}
{{Stardock}}