*Disclaimer*
I still play this game, but I can not reccommend a game that is still being developed, (EX: DLCs don't just add a new trick, they completely change base game mechanics like FTL travel, population interaction, fleet combat, or planetary management)

While these changes may (or may not) have been for the better, the fact hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people were sold a product not ready for public consumption and still being changed 2 years into its life cycle is absolutely pitiful... Ford Motors can't sell you a new vehicle that doesnt start, McDonalds can't sell you a rotten hamburger, Walmart can't sell you a T-shirt from the dumpster; why do we let game companies do it?
*End of Disclaimer*

Game was ruined by 2.0 update, it's essentially a 4x on rails.. limited expansion and exploration options, removed FTL methods in favor of train tracks, limited the size of fleets to an abysmal nothing, and fundamentally broke how your borders expanded.

The 2.0 version of this game is quite literally what happens when you listen to every single complaint on the forums, and don't bother asking the people NOT complaining; "do you enjoy the game?"

EDIT: Just to put in perspective, I have 30 friends who own and actively played Stellaris prior to 2.0, none of those 30 friends have been back on since their initial 2.0 game lol

*Disclaimer* I still play this game, but I can not reccommend a game that is still being developed, (EX: DLCs don't just add a new trick, they completely change base game mechanics like FTL travel, population interaction, fleet combat, or planetary management) While these changes may (or may not) have been for the better, the fact hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people were sold a product not ready for public consumption and still being changed 2 years into its life cycle is absolutely pitiful... Ford Motors can't sell you a new vehicle that doesnt start, McDonalds can't sell you a rotten hamburger, Walmart can't sell you a T-shirt from the dumpster; why do we let game companies do it? *End of Disclaimer* Game was ruined by 2.0 update, it's essentially a 4x on rails.. limited expansion and exploration options, removed FTL methods in favor of train tracks, limited the size of fleets to an abysmal nothing, and fundamentally broke how your borders expanded. The 2.0 version of this game is quite literally what happens when you listen to every single complaint on the forums, and don't bother asking the people NOT complaining; "do you enjoy the game?" EDIT: Just to put in perspective, I have 30 friends who own and actively played Stellaris prior to 2.0, none of those 30 friends have been back on since their initial 2.0 game lol