Best Single Player Space "War" Game?

[Geezer]

Here is a 5 part "Let's Play" for Stellar Monarch:  https://www.spacegamejunkie.com/series/stellar-monarch-review/

Disclaimer - I have not watched all 5 parts in their entirety, but thought it might help give a good overview of the game.  He rambles on a bit and it feels like he is learning it as he plays so take it for what it's worth.

I do have about 5 hours played so far but that is not enough for me to feel comfortable writing a review.  If anyone has specific questions I can try to answer them.  Some have called it Crusader Kings 2 in space, but that is a bit of a stretch because it does not have anywhere near the level of detail of CK2.  It has been fun so far and I believe the dev is committed to supporting and improving it.

[bbmike]

Thanks! I bought this a few weeks back and have been wanting to try it.

[Pete Dero]

Starshatter: The Gathering Storm    Developer  Destroyer Studios  -    Publisher  Matrix Games   Genre  -   Space combat simulator


Starshatter: The Gathering Storm is a strategy-oriented space combat simulator created by Destroyer Studios and released on 7 July 2004. It is the sequel to Starshatter from 1997.

Gameplay

The main game revolves around four dynamic campaigns, which generate different events every time they are played, though major events appear in every playthrough to maintain the story. Each campaign begins with each side having a set number of ships and fighters, which are the deployed to perform missions.

The player is able to perform a wide variety of missions, such as patrols and interceptions. The missions are based on the current situation in the campaign. Missions take place mostly in space, though air missions often appears as enemy landing sites are discovered. The player also has a chance to join a ground based squadron. If the player is destroyed in action, he may continue playing, despite his/her supposed "death".

As the game goes on with the player gaining ranks, the ability to control capital ships becomes available. Ships range from small anti-fighter frigates to large carriers. There are usually fewer mission choices for capital ships, though earlier missions will have more unofficial objectives due to enemies between the player and his/her target. Eventually, the player can take control of the entire fleet, and command fighters and capital ships from a carrier. The game becomes purely tactical at this point.

Now Free / Open-Source

http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=130628.0

http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=80935.0