Despite entering its fifth year, Paradox Interactive's Stellaris continues challenging players to take the reigns of a species taking its first steps into galactic exploration. The game has thrown various crises for players to overcome on their quest for galactic peace or domination. However, with its newest expansion, Stellaris allows explorers to become the crisis, as seen in the launch trailer for Stellaris: Nemesis.
Stellaris: Nemesis introduces a rework to the game's user interface to coincide with new espionage abilities to help players spread their influence. With these tools, players will then have to choose between taking the path of a Galactic Custodian or to "become a menace" to the rest of the galaxy. While this may seem like a black or white path split, things will become even murkier as new problems arise across the stars.
As a Galactic Custodian, players are tasked with protecting the galaxy from threats both outside and within. These can range from invading forces to new superweapons capable of wiping out smaller empires. However, the Galactic Custodian also needs to navigate various political problems and consolidate their power. This opens the door to potential peace across the galaxy or assuming control of the Galactic Custodians.
Should players take the path of a menace, their progress will be tracked on the new crisis tab. This will keep track of one's crisis level which, in turn, reflects the danger said player poses to the rest of the galaxy. The rank system begin at menace with level one and continue to level five when players are deemed an "existential threat."
Stellaris: Nemesis is currently available to download on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S|X.
