Shadow Empire on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information

Shadow Empire is a deep turn-based 4X wargame with a unique blend of military focus, procedurally generated content and role-playing features.

Shadow Empire is a strategy, simulation and 4x game developed by VR Designs and published by Slitherine Ltd..
Released on December 03rd 2020 is available in English only on Windows.

It has received 1,430 reviews of which 1,243 were positive and 187 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. 😎

The game is currently priced at 38.99€ on Steam.


The Steam community has classified Shadow Empire into these genres:

Media & Screenshots

Get an in-depth look at Shadow Empire through various videos and screenshots.

System requirements

These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.

Windows
  • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
  • OS *: Windows Windows 8, Windows 10
  • Processor: 1.5 GHZ
  • Memory: 2 GB RAM
  • Graphics: 8MB video memory, 1280x768 or higher resolution
  • DirectX: Version 9.0c
  • Storage: 1 GB available space
  • Sound Card: DirectX Compatible 9 Sound Card

User reviews & Ratings

Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.

Jan. 2025
This is pretty much the only counter-pusher traditional war-game type game I've actually ever liked, and if you look around a bit, you'll find it's broadly considered to be the best game of it's type to currently exist. It does a pretty good job of telling you what it is right here on the store page, so I don't really need to. I do want to point out that the vast majority of negative reviews essentially state "reading is for dummies and the manual is too big. 0/10 because I couldn't figure anything out". Well yeah. Maybe there is a reason the manual is so large. I will also state I didn't read 90% of the manual and it has not matter one bit after my intitial game or two, across like 300 hours. You can absolutely figure the game out while being a stubborn idiot if you try hard enough. But you should probably just read the manual.
Read more
Jan. 2025
Starting out this game will frustrate you. No question about it. Part of the problem is there isn't a huge population of players you can ask questions to. A helpful tip is to download the manual pdf file, and import it into something like chatgpt. As you play, ask it about the mechanics you're using. Explore the entire UI, half the struggle is knowing the tools available for you to use. There are also a few youtubers who cover the game. If you're somebody who just cannot read the manual, they will help you understand the core game mechanics. Once you actually take the time to learn the mechanics, it's as complex as you want it to be. Logistics becomes a fun little mini game, and even though this is a war simulator at its core, I find the long stretches of peace and empire management reminded me of games like Civ 4. I really hope this game gets a bigger audience. If you're frustrated with gaming becoming the same thing repackaged with nicer graphics and less features, this game will be a breath of fresh air.
Read more
Dec. 2024
Unusual and bizarre game, has elements recognisable from traditional 4X games, Paradox titles, Civ and Total war, in a pseudo-scifi space colony future setting ala Rimworld. 8/10 Shadow Empire positions you as the head of state of a neo-industrial space colony after an apocalyptic galactic war that threw all of mankind back to the technology of the early 20th century. Partially though RNG and a bit through choice you can customise which planet you are on, from small planetoids to massive swap-planets with other intelligent aliens. Play is turn-based and the gameplay loop consists of managing the economy, bureaucracy and military of your nation every loop, dealing with factions, setting goals. Political and bureaucratic power is generated and spent as 'PP' and 'BP' points. 'PP' is used to execute 'stratagems', which are actions that effect your nation, zone, an individual unit or leader, as well as changing existing policy. 'BP' is the abstracted way of developing technology and economic/political development. Natural resources include food, water fuel, metals, energy, radioactive and rare earth metals, as well as special resources like high-tech machines and parts. A very interesting part of the game is how the economy and politics works. Unlike in other games, you are restricted by manpower needed to build and then operate buildings. It is not abstracted in any way, if you have 20k manpower then you can only operate within that limit. Additionally your nation has both a public (your state-owned mines, factories, farms) and private economy, (generates tax revenue) you must balance between those. Population growth comes slowly, from villages you acquire through expansion and certain events, so you are quite limited in some cases. This depends on how fractured your nation is (how many zones/states) and how you set up the game. Quite similar to Stellaris, your inner circle of cabinet appointees all come from different factions who can and will be a pain in the backside for political advantage and favours. You also have some internal non-government factions such as a major corporation, your militia, slavers, workers unions, a crime syndicate and a cult. Combat and logistics is very detailed, you can set up a full order-of-battle with independent or multi unit formations (battalion/regiment/division and brigade/corps/army based on size), you can transfer troops and equipment between them as well as set up ad-hoc battle groups with units from different formations. These must be supported by a logistics system that will supply food, fuel, munitions and reinforcements so they can move and fight. I have a few criticisms, first is that the game is the overall lack of polish, the graphics are of course stylised but they aren't really that pleasurable visually. There are numerous spelling and grammatical errors, and I don't think a lot of the tooltips and descriptions are that well thought out. Secondly, the in-game help available is quite limited, which isn't that bad because the people playing this game are pretty savy strategy wise but I'd say it limits who I'd recommend the game to. Overall I'd recommend to anyone who likes 4X games, the paradox suite of titles and colony sims i.e Rimworld.
Read more
Nov. 2024
Players promised a deep game beneath the thick UI in their reviews, and the game delivered. I had to read the >300 page manual (more than once) and every item in the UI to understand what I was doing, and it was WORTH IT. Gradually this game revealed itself, and I was hooked. First thing you'll see is the planet generation, then the storytelling behind your civilization, then you're dropped into the map with all those UI items you can only slowly figure out... and as you play your first turns you'll then be hit by the detailed (REALLY DETAILED) logistics, all the positional wargame elements that made me feel I was playing a sci-fi version of Panzer General (that I craved), and simultaneously a planetary and societal simulation, complete with a self-driven private economy, that kept the war (and the end thereof) in-context and meaningful. Someone described this game as "Alpha Centauri-ish-ish", they were so right! The game has this faint aura of Alpha Centauri, a little bit of mystery, the meaningful customization of units, the alien planets, the ambitious simulation that goes deeper than any of its contemporary game in certain aspects. I love this game, I'll buy every DLC even if I don't play them. If you give this game your patience, it will reward you with gameplay you won't find anywhere else. Don't be intimidated by the price, remember you have 2 hours to refund, but 30 minutes in I already knew I wouldn't refund... and 5 hours in I knew I done goofed and would be a zombie the next day. I bought it just over a month ago and have already accrued near two hundred hours. This game is JOY. I RECOMMEND IT! :D
Read more
July 2024
This game is actually so fucking good. Don't be fooled by the appearance; Shadow Empire is so much more than your average complicated yet boring wargame. Obviously it's very complex. There's really no way to learn the game except to sit down with the manual and poke at the UI for a couple of hours until you've figured it out, but the complexity feels different to similar games in a way that's hard to describe. There's loads of stupid little detailed mechanics that are unintuitive and full of ideosyncracies, but the game is constructed such that it's easy to notice problems and learn how to fix them. It's clear that despite the game having an absurd level of simulationist details it is actually designed as a game first and not just for realism. Obviously you'll get past the complexity eventually, which just leaves you with the game. The 4X-ish framework built into a wargame full of detail leaves you with so much room to approach problems and develop your empire/military uniquely to fit the circumstances of the game. Or alternatively, it starts to feel like a proper oldschool grandstrat, full of little management details and satisfying blobbing, free of the RP trappings, event trees and mana of a modern Paradox game. Even the game's stupid amateurish visuals have such a consistent charm to them that gives the game more atmosphere than it has any right to have. Obviously the game is not for everyone, but the group of people it's for is much larger than it might appear looking at screenshots. If you're considering the game enough to read rambling reviews like this one, you should probably just give it a try.
Read more

Similar games

View all

Xenonauts 2

Wage a global war of resistance against an alien invasion. Command turn-based tactical battles, build a network of covert bases, directly control your fighter wings, and achieve strategic victory in a simulation of asymmetric warfare against a technologically superior foe.

Similarity 80%
Price -53% 18.72€
Rating 7.8
Release 18 Jul 2023

Warhammer 40,000: Gladius - Relics of War

Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War brings you to a world of terror and violence. Four factions will engage in a brutal war for dominance over the planet’s resources. In the first turn-based 4X strategy game set in Warhammer 40,000 you will lead one of four unique factions.

Similarity 75%
Price -94% 2.34€
Rating 8.0
Release 12 Jul 2018

Revival: Recolonization

Set in a post-apoc version of Earth, Revival is a 4x strategy game where the world and its rules can change at key moments, creating a deep and highly replayable experience.

Similarity 72%
Price -91% 2.49€
Rating 6.9
Release 11 Apr 2024

Millennia

Create your own nation in Millennia, a historical turn-based 4X game that challenges your strategic prowess across 10,000 years of history, from the dawn of humanity to our possible futures.

Similarity 71%
Price -60% 15.99€
Rating 6.8
Release 26 Mar 2024

Breachway

Explore the galaxy in this deckbuilding, sci-fi roguelike where ship upgrades and crew management are key to your survival. Optimize resource generation, engage in intense turn-based battles, and take on ever-growing threats as you seek out The Signal.

Similarity 70%
Price -49% 10.28€
Rating 7.3
Release 26 Sep 2024

Panzer Corps 2

Panzer Corps 2 is the ultimate Second World War strategy game! Enjoy the time-proven gameplay formula which has been appreciated by millions of players over the years, brought to a whole new level of refinement up to the latest technical standards.

Similarity 70%
Price -89% 4.41€
Rating 8.2
Release 19 Mar 2020

Fantasy General II

The fantasy wargaming classic is back! Lead powerful heroes and mighty armies into battle in this critically acclaimed turn-based strategy milestone. Level up and train your units and guide them through a gripping story campaign to decide the fate of a world on the brink of destruction.

Similarity 70%
Price 38.99€
Rating 7.9
Release 05 Sep 2019

Old World

Old World is a revolutionary new historical strategy game where you lead your dynasty over generations of rule against rival kings and queens. Wage massive wars, manage your court, and build a dynasty — or watch your empire crumble to dust. What legacy will you leave behind?

Similarity 70%
Price -95% 1.99€
Rating 8.0
Release 18 May 2022

Pandora: First Contact

Pandora: First Contact is a science fiction 4X turn-based strategy game on a planetary scale. Our Earth has been exhausted and colonial attempts on other planetary bodies have been in vain. Finally, after decades of exploration, an interstellar probe has brought promise of a new world.

Similarity 70%
Price -65% 10.14€
Rating 6.1
Release 30 May 2014

ENDLESSâ„¢ Space - Definitive Edition

ENDLESSâ„¢ Space is a turn-based 4X strategy game, covering the space colonization age in the Endless universe, where you can control every aspect of your civilization as you strive for galactic domination.

Similarity 69%
Price 9.99€
Rating 7.9
Release 04 Jul 2012

Battlestar Galactica Deadlock

In Battlestar Galactica Deadlock™ you’ll take command of the Colonial Fleet in defense of the Twelve Colonies during the First Cylon War. Lead many different types of ships in this 3D tactical game. Every decision counts, your strategy will be vital – can you ensure mankind’s survival?

Similarity 69%
Price -96% 1.69€
Rating 8.1
Release 31 Aug 2017

Galactic Civilizations IV

Take command of a civilization that has just achieved faster-than-light travel in Galactic Civilizations IV, the newest entry in the award-winning space 4X strategy game series. Explore the galaxy, colonize worlds, shape cultures, make alliances, fight wars and pioneer new technologies.

Similarity 68%
Price 38.99€
Rating 7.1
Release 19 Oct 2023

Data sources

The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.

Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.

Last Updates
Steam data 26 March 2025 08:08
SteamSpy data 27 March 2025 06:23
Steam price 02 April 2025 20:49
Steam reviews 02 April 2025 15:50

If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Shadow Empire, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.

  • SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Shadow Empire
  • SteamCharts - Analysis of Shadow Empire concurrent players on Steam
  • ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Shadow Empire compatibility
Shadow Empire
8.3
1,243
187
Online players
102
Developer
VR Designs
Publisher
Slitherine Ltd.
Release 03 Dec 2020
Platforms
By clicking on any of the links on this page and making a purchase, you may help us earn a commission that supports the maintenance of our services.