''Star Ruler 2'' is a hybrid

real-time strategy Real-time strategy (RTS) is a subgenre of strategy video games that do not progress incrementally in turns, but allow all players to play simultaneously, in "real time". By contrast, in turn-based strategy (TBS) games, players take turns to p ...

and 4X video game developed and published by Blind Mind Studios. It was released in 2015 and is the sequel to ''

Star Ruler ''Star Ruler'' is a space 4X / RTS hybrid developed and published by American company Blind Mind Studios. was first announced on July 5, 2009 in the Irrlicht Community Forums, the game engine on which was based. It was released on August ...

''. The game can still be bought via digital distribution, but Blind Mind released the game's source code in 2018 as open source. This includes all the game's assets except the music.

Gameplay

''Star Ruler 2'' blends elements of 4X and

games. The game is pausable but is real time. Players control a space empire in galaxies that can include dozens of other empires, each comprising an alien species that can be customized. The empires meet in a galactic senate, where players can expend influence to affect the game, such as annexing a competitor's territory. Influence is built up over time and is spent using a card-based minigame. Each empires is allocated a yearly budget. Money not spent is redirected to research and social programs. Resources are claimed by settling planets, and planets can form complex economic networks. If the player develops their empire in such a way that it is dependent on a rare resource, losing the planet that provides that resource can cripple their empire. Fleets are represented by flagships, which the player can move around the map. The number of flagships is theoretically unlimited. Space ships can be customized, and there is no limit to their size.

Reception

PC Gamer ''PC Gamer'' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games m ...

'' included it in a list of the best 4X games for the PC, recommending it for players fond of large space battles. Jonathan Bolding of '' The Escapist'' wrote, "''Star Ruler 2'' delivers a unique, fascinating experience despite its reliance on sometimes obtuse systems." The game received a positive review from German site

4Players ''4Players'' is a German online magazine that provides news and reviews of video games and related content. Established in August 2000, ''4Players'' is owned by the Hamburg-based company 4Players GmbH, an indirect subsidiary of the Marquard Grou ...

References

External links

* {{Official website, http://starruler2.com 2015 video games 4X video games Real-time strategy video games Windows games Linux games Multiplayer and single-player video games Indie games Open-source video games Video games developed in the United States Video game sequels Video games using procedural generation Blind Mind Studios games