FTL and Factorio style colony sim from Paradox is totally free to play right now

Crusader Kings 3, Stellaris, and Europa Universalis 4 creator and publisher Paradox has maintained a solid track record with its indie-focused Paradox Arc label. Since the company debuted Arc in 2022, its put out everything from Surviving the Abyss and Escape the Mad Empire to Starminer and Across the Obelisk. One of the most noteworthy Arc projects, though, is Stardeus, a colony sim that entered Early Access in the same year Arc was formed. Now, for a limited time, players can check the game out for themselves thanks to a free weekend on Steam.

Stardeus is a colony management game set on a starship that's falling apart deep in space while its human crew hibernates. Players assume the role of the ship's AI, maintaining and managing the vessel with the help of a limited number of drones. This involves making tough choices regarding how to keep the crew alive as the ship runs into aliens and other human travelers, these points of crisis or opportunity punctuating the constant need to grow food, generate oxygen and energy, and upgrade the ship while it journeys across the stars.

Though it's still in Early Access, there's a lot to do in Stardeus already. It's a complex game, but one that players are responding well to so far, its all-time Steam user reviews currently sitting at an 87% or 'Very Positive' rating.

If you want to give Stardeus a try for yourself, it's free to play on Steam from now until Monday June 16. It's also 50% off during this free weekend, bringing its price down to $14.99 USD / £13.49. Download the game or pick up a copy right here.

Otherwise, you might want to find other options like Stardeus with our picks for the best space games and best strategy games on PC.

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