Stellaris: From Galactic Grit to Sanitized Space Sim

The game is basically fun, but still feels really hollow, even after all these years and multiple DLCs. The community has made some incredible mods that have improved the game way more than the devs ever have, by a long shot. A lot of the latest DLCs just added stuff that should’ve been in the game from day one. Sure, they’ve improved a bit, but the game still feels empty and could really use more effects and details to make it feel truly alive. Also, the devs seriously need to listen to the modding community and pay closer attention to what actually needs fixing.

Now onto the main problems:

1. Endgame performance is the biggest issue.

It needs a complete overhaul. Even without mods, the game lags hard once you control half of a medium or large galaxy. Millions of pops across planets just bog the whole thing down. If the devs focused on this first and gave it a proper rework in a big patch, the whole community would be hyped. It’d also help new players because not everyone runs a high-end rig.

2. Rebellions need to actually feel like a threat again.

Or at least add some serious internal political challenges for different empire types. Right now, the galaxy doesn’t feel as alive or dynamic as it should.

3. Big fleets should be more of an economic burden.

Right now, you can just spam fleets, and there's not enough of a downside. Make it matter more to your national economy if you want that kind of power.

4. More ship variety, please.

Having almost no real visual or functional variation across 10+ races/empires is just lazy. It’s a sci-fi game—lean into that! There should be way more effort put into making each empire's fleet feel unique and believable.

(Those are just four things I personally think need major work, and there’s way more.)

The modding community has been fixing this game’s issues since day one. Devs: listen to them.

Now, let's move on to the direction of the game overall.

After over 950 hours, I’ve finally hit the point where I’m done. Stellaris used to have this deep, semi-realistic, gritty tone that made it special, especially before the console release, when they started doing all these huge overhauls. Some of those changes were needed, like making UI elements more user-friendly, but it came at the cost of complexity.

Then they started overhauling the galactic economy—and that May 2025 update? That was the final straw. Instead of fixing the core issue of the economy (which has been hollow for ages), they just gutted it entirely. It feels like the game has now fully entered this weird "Disney-simplified" phase. They stripped out anything remotely resembling economic realism. Honestly, it feels like the devs are trying to turn Stellaris into the next family-friendly franchise rather than the gritty, semi-realistic sci-fi sim it once was.

At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if they straight-up ban war crimes in-game and replace them with... I don't know, “galactic timeouts” or something. It’s heading in a direction that just feels sanitized and soulless. It’s no longer the game I got hooked on.

This is my last update. I won’t be paying attention to Stellaris anymore. Between the growing number of DLCs, the absurd cost, and the direction the devs are going, I’m out. It used to be fun, flawed, but full of potential. Now it just feels like a bland shell of what it could’ve been.

Additional New Stories Unveiled!!

 In addition to my LOTR fan fiction announcement, I’d also like to share the delayed release of two original short stories, both based on DnD characters I’ve created over the past few months.

These stories—The Chronicle of Arath Vanderbelt 

and 

The Journal of Elyndor Ashrune: A DnD Story

—Both are currently short works, but I plan to expand them in the future, either as part of DnD campaign narratives or as standalone stories.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Full Story Release!!

I realized I hadn’t officially announced that I’ve started releasing the full version of my fan fiction story set in the Lord of the Rings universe. I originally shared a preview back on February 4th, 2025, so here’s my (slightly late) announcement.

The full story currently has 16 parts planned for release. I aim to schedule around four parts for semi-simultaneous release. I'm still in the process of writing the rest of the story, so I’m not sure how many parts there will be in total. However, I plan to release at least four parts per week starting in the fourth week of April 2025.

For some context: this story is a fan fiction based on an ongoing narrative I’ve been playing out in Crusader Kings III using the LOTR: Realms in Exile total conversion mod. The story will follow several characters within the Lord of the Rings universe.

This is purely a fan work—I do not own the rights to The Lord of the Rings or any other Tolkien creations. If you'd like to use any material from my story for your own projects, feel free—just be sure to follow copyright laws appropriately. Thanks!

This is the Link to the Wattpad page

New Story Preview Dropping Today!

 I’ve started working on a new story and have just finished a preview for it. It’s scheduled to be uploaded on Wattpad later today (2/4/2025), so be sure to check it out! Wattpad

Star Trek Online: Still Trekking, But Losing Its Way

In a previous review, Star Trek Online (STO) was celebrated as an immersive experience that allowed fans to dive into the rich tapestry of the Star Trek universe. It praised the game for its dynamic storytelling, extensive playable factions, and the opportunity to command your own vessel while exploring an ever-expanding galaxy. However, as the game has continued to evolve, it's worth revisiting these impressions with a critical lens to assess how STO fares in 2024.

Strengths That Endure

The unique faction-based storytelling remains one of STO's defining features. Each of the six playable factions—Starfleet, Klingon Defense Force, Romulan Republic, TOS Starfleet, Dominion, and DSC Starfleet—offers distinct storylines, missions, and customization options that enrich the player's journey. The game's dedication to including original cast voiceovers continues to elevate the immersive ambiance, keeping fans connected to the essence of Star Trek.

Cross-factional content and collaborative gameplay also remain highlights, enabling seamless interaction across allegiances. For players looking to engage in semi-challenging combat and narrative-driven gameplay, STO still offers a solid casual gaming experience.

The Decline in Quality Content

Despite these strengths, STO's trajectory over recent years has raised concerns. While the game once thrived on delivering high-quality story missions with rich narratives, the frequency and quality of such updates have diminished significantly. Since its "golden years" prior to 2018, the game's expansions have felt increasingly sparse and less impactful.

Players seeking the freedom to explore, discover, and challenge themselves will find STO lacking. The game's structure has always prioritized guided experiences over open-world exploration, and this limitation remains firmly in place. The reduction in content quality and quantity only exacerbates this issue, making it hard to recommend STO to players looking for a truly dynamic or evolving gaming experience.

A Grim Outlook for the Future

As a long-time player, I’ve witnessed STO transition from an ambitious title true to the spirit of Star Trek to a game struggling to maintain its footing in a competitive market. Like many older MMOs, STO appears to be in a state of decline. While its technical infrastructure has improved over the years, these advancements are insufficient to offset the noticeable drop in narrative and gameplay innovation.

Regrettably, with Star Trek being such a well-established household name, there’s little hope for a meaningful replacement or reinvention under the same brand. Licensing constraints and corporate hesitance to explore bold new directions have effectively stifled opportunities for fresh takes on the franchise within the gaming world.

Final Thoughts

For players interested in casual play over the long term, STO can still provide an enjoyable experience, especially if you’re drawn to semi-challenging combat paired with a narrative journey. However, for those seeking the thrill of open exploration, meaningful discovery, or deeply challenging gameplay, STO is unlikely to meet those expectations.

In reflecting on its past successes and current state, it’s hard not to view Star Trek Online as a missed opportunity to capitalize on the rich potential of the Star Trek universe. While it may hold sentimental value for fans and long-time players, the game’s declining quality and inability to innovate leave its future uncertain.