The turn-based missions are the core of the game: they take place on hex-based maps incorporating planets, asteroids, warp gates – which zip you to different parts of the map instantly – and enemy starships. The resources include energy, metals, science and food, and balancing them is the key to healthily growing your space empire, while ensuring you don’t leave any weak spots for enemies to attack. Once in, you can build improvements to strengthen their defences and yield more resources for your cause. You’ll start with a homeworld and two ships, from which you can travel to nearby planets and complete missions to build influence with their populations, and ultimately to welcome them into your galactic gang. The galactic map can be small through to epic. And most importantly, the blend of upgrades, combat and exploration is restricted enough not to feel intimidating, but not so shallow that you get bored. Games can be done and dusted in a few hours if you choose the small map, or much longer with the “epic” one.

It doesn’t look like Civilization, but the comparison is all about the rhythm of the game as you explore, fight battles and build cities, research scientific advancements and improve the planets that join your federation.

Starships is all about, yes, starships: your fleet of starships which you build and upgrade, while exploring the galaxy and either conquering other factions or keeping the peace with them. The setting may be deep space rather than land and sea, but this game’s genetic link to the original Civ is undeniable – and that’s a great thing. Or, indeed, see Starships: a new game from veteran designer Sid Meier that you’ll love if you grew up with his Civilization, but feel a bit lost amid the sheer scale of its modern sequels.

Sid meier's starships review download