Paradox Interactive and Whatboy Games have today launched the fast-paced sci-fi strategy game Nexus 5X for PC via Steam. Combining the competitive social strategy of tabletop games with the tactical complexity of the 4X genre, Nexus 5X offers a sci-fi strategy experience that’s playable from start to finish in around 60 minutes, making Nexus 5X the world’s first 5X game: Explore, Exploit, Expand, Exterminate, EXPRESS!
Nexus 5X takes the core pillars of the 4X genre – deep strategy, tense diplomatic drama, and epic military encounters – and distills them into a fast-paced competitive format that is perfect for short-run sessions, allowing groups of up to eight players to complete a full playthrough together in around an hour.
“We’re creating an entirely new extension to the 4X genre with Nexus 5X. By reducing the play-time down to about one hour, we are opening the door to multiplayer in the 4X genre in a way that has never fitted neatly in the 4X space,” said Dax Ginn, Studio Director at Whatboy Games. “4X games are well known for predominantly being time-demanding single-player experiences, whereas Nexus 5X still delivers all of the strategic depth of the genre but in a time-frame that allows gamers to play together on an equal footing.”
Following a successful release onto Steam Early Access on Dec. 12, 2023, as Stellaris Nexus, Nexus 5X launches with Very Positive Steam reviews, a new name and eleven distinct factions, each offering their own unique strengths and play styles as players attempt to conquer the throne-world of Nexus and emerge victorious as the new Galactic Emperor.
Nexus 5X features:
- An Hour of Power: Nothing beats the thrill of a deep strategy board game session with friends, and with Nexus 5X, players can play not just one, but multiple sessions during a game night, where “One More Turn” becomes “One More Game!”
- Social Strategy: Choose from unique factions and leaders and play alone or in turn-based multiplayer for 2-8 players. Play with friends or brave the Nexus online in skill-based matchmaking. Form unlikely alliances, execute bitter betrayals, or quietly plot from the shadows to ascend victorious to the Galactic Throne, all in around 60 minutes.
- Diplomacy or “Diplomacy”: Starting from the safe haven of their home world, players can rapidly expand their reach across the galaxy to explore and occupy new systems, eventually taking control of the throne-world of Nexus. Military conflict and diplomatic dealings are available as players expand and explore, but so is the power struggle that plays out in the Galactic Council, as rival empires exert their influence to cast votes in favor of new titles and resolutions, aiming to empower their faction or advance their immediate strategic objectives.
- Unique Factions & Leaders: For role-players who want to immerse themselves in the lore-rich Stellaris universe, or for ‘by-the-numbers’ strategists, Nexus 5X lets you select from factions and leaders that alter the approach of each match, offering a range of play styles and ways to gain the upper-hand over opponents.
Nexus 5X is available now for PC on Steam, priced at $14.99 / £12.99 / €14.99. Join the Nexus 5X Discord for the latest news and community discussion about the game.
