Star Traders 4X Empires Elite

This game has a very nicely judged design. Just enough of an economic system to be interesting without getting bogged down. Cool ship design system, and engaging tactical combat. It very much reminds me of StarTrek Birth if the Federation, without being a clone. Best mobile 4X I’ve tried so far. The visuals are a little retro by modern standards, but for me that’s part of it’s charm.

Love the game but their are loads of updates need you need to check the spelling update the factions when you are elite as it still shows you are the old factions on some bits

The Trese Brothers don’t make bad games, full stop. ST4X is a mighty fine 4X experience, mobile or otherwise, with some cool innovations around multi-faction colonies, and some seriously awesome user interface design. They have built a rich universe with the Star Traders property, full of lore that is fun to dive into across multiple excellent titles. When you purchase a TB game, you aren’t just getting the software. In spite of always working on something new, these guys actively engage with their players, listen to the feedback, and update games that are sometimes years old. I sincerely am baffled at where they find the time. Trese fan for life. Buy this game and support a couple of cool guys who care deeply about their fans and the hobby.

Very fun, Very addictive! A great space game to play. This game can give you long lasting saves that you can take your time on. The game offers colonization, politics, exploration, space battles, and research for new technologies.

I don't often write good reviews - either a game is good and it gets lots of good comments or it doesn't. But I am making an exception in this case. This is a good game - tons of technology developments to research, extensive development potential of your planets, all kinds of ship design possibilities, etc. Also, the player's "race" is broken into three factions (which you can choose in the full version) - all of which have their own special bonuses. But the political infighting among your factions brings a whole new level to the "develop and conquer" genre. Don't take my word for it - try the free version and then purchase the full version after you have experienced it! My only real complaint is that the game can "drag" at the end. It would be nice if the developers would add a "mercy" ending whereby you have the option of accepting victory when you control a certain percentage of the galaxy and perhaps also have a certain advantage in number/technology level of existing ships. It would also be nice if there were a random map generator, but there are enough pre-set maps to keep a person entertained for years. I look forward to future updates of this game!

Single Player 4X. Unique in that the game has 3 factions under your control (and they tend to dislike each other), and you must expand, explore, exploit, and research technologies while one or more enemy races are trying to exterminate you. Imaging trying to fend off an invasion while 2 of your factions have trade embargoes against your strongest ship builder. Will your trade summit be successful in time to turn around the economy? So many maps, so little time. Active forum helps you decide on the type of game you enjoy as well. 5 stars! Helpful forums, and continual upgrades/balancing/improvements from the developers. What it is: 1. Thought provoking 4X, with internal politics as a major component of gameplay 2. Deep Tech Tree 3. Heavy Ship Customization - Start with x amount of mass, add to your hearts content within these constraints; engines, weapons, shields, crew training, etc… 4. Tons of random maps, choice of number and strength of enemies, choice of 6 factions (and $2 IAP to get 3 more); very replayable, great value 4x game. 5. Playable on iPhone or iPad (but cannot start on one and finish on another). Also available for desktop play via Steam. What it is NOT: 1. Easy to learn. Tutorial is eh. Someone FINALLY made a let’s play series on youtube which explains the ins outs and helped this player learn. Once over that hump, it is a very deep, very satisfying, infinitely re-playable game. Player forum is active as well. 2. Multiplayer.. Single player only 3. Demonstration of Unreal 3D. Simple 2D graphics actually suit this game very well. The recent performance improvements, continual growing tech tree, and amazing strategy sharing on their forum make this must-have 4X game! New maps, ships, weapon improvements from constant updating from the developer make this a must have for 4X space games.

Great game!! Plays like MOO, but better!!!!

So I start the game and get about an hour in, all of a sudden spy battle after spy battle hits me and i'm in debt. I wait for a while to get more income, but by now my worlds are over populated and cost more to maintain than they bring in and I can't do anything. There needs to be something done about this.

*update* This is, by far, in my favorite 3 4X titles on mobile; Star Traders, Starbase Orion & Autumn Dynasty Warlords. The consistant updates have made this game something really special, and one that I fully recommend to all 4X fans out there... GET IT!!! *original review* I wound up picking this up because of Templar Battleforce and Heroes Of Steel. Both are fantastic games and have received phenomenal post-release support. Anyway, there arn't too many 4X titles on the AppStore that I'd fully recommend to someone who's looking for an incredibly deep and strategic experience, but Star Traders 4X Empires has definitely earned itself a spot on that very short list (joining Ascendancy, Starbase Orion and Autumn Dynasty Warlords). If you're a fan of the genre, I'd whole heartedly recommend this one. If you're new to the genre, or looking for something that will help get you into the genre, I'd lean more towards Warlords or Ascendancy. As deep and fantastical as Star Traders 4X is, I think I would have put the game away and maybe never played it again if I had yet to play a 4X game previously. While the tutorials in-game are decent, you'll probably want to read a manual or guide online before diving in (even if you are a seasoned strategy gamer). Though, that just makes it all the sweeter once it all clicks. =oD

Updated review: the game that just keeps on giving. Several improvements to the late game balance have been added in the latest patch. This is one of the most original 4x games I've ever played, with polite and hardworking devs and a very active community. The try before you buy model is amazing, and it has some of the tightest gameplay I've seen in a long time. Do yourself a favor and buy it, I've never deleted it off my iPad since I got it.