Paradox Arc and Whatboy Games successfully transformed the grand-strategy 4X intergalactic experience of Stellaris into hour-long matches with its stand-alone Stellaris Nexus game. Now on the brink of exiting early access, the game will first be rebranded with a new name.
Paradox announced that Nexus 5X, the rebranded Stellaris Nexus, will introduce an additional “E” to the classic 4X genre, a term first coined in 1993 to describe the gameplay of Master of Orion; Explore, Exploit, Expand, Exterminate, and now Express.
When does Nexus 5X exit early access?
Nexus 5X is a fast-paced, competitive social strategy game where players can attempt to form a Galactic Empire in single or multiplayer matches playable from start to finish in around one hour. It will exit early access on the 18th of April.
“There was a thrill in executing coups that wrested control of Nexus away from opponents while I was still familiarising myself with the user interface.” said Bogdan, when he reviewed it for us last year. “The dynamic of hearing other players’ reactions to alliances and acts of sabotage added to the enjoyment, leaving me eager to delve further into Stellaris Nexus.”
Nexus 5X features eight-player multiplayer matches, but you can play it solo too.
Paradox didn’t mention any other reason behind the name change, other than its intention to incorporate the term “express” into the 4X genre. This aims to highlight that matches are designed to be completed within 60 minutes.
Nexus 5X will launch out of early access on the 18th April and will be priced at £16.99 / $19.99 / €19.99.
“As a team, we love the core concept of 4X games, but we wanted to evolve that to also capture the chemistry and tensions that emerge during game nights with friends,” said Dax Ginn, Studio Director at Whatboy Games.
“By concentrating the play time down to about one hour, we are creating an exciting new opportunity for the 4X genre to move into a new ‘social strategy’ space.”
“Nexus 5X has developed alongside our community to reach veteran 4X players, as well as competitive gamers who may never have played a 4X title before,” said Adam Doherty, Game Director, Whatboy Games.
“Our goal is for Nexus 5X to be welcoming, without ever dumbing down the core appeal of the 4X format. We’ve had so much fun playing Nexus 5X with our dedicated Early Access community and we’re looking forward to sharing the experience with new players on 18 April, or right now in Early Access.”
What do you think of the 5X, strategy fans, should we be remaining the 4X sub Reddit soon? Let us know your thoughts.
You can find Nexus 5X on Steam.
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