Introduction
The Steam Winter Sale 2025 is the perfect opportunity for strategy and sci-fi enthusiasts to expand their digital starfleets (also known as their never-ending backlog) and discover new and exciting ways to explore the cosmos. From epic 4X empire builders to tactical real-time fleet battles and planetary exploration, space strategy games offer a unique variety of experiences where players can encounter different strategic challenges than those they would face on a virtual Earth. From managing fleets to negotiating with alien civilizations. In this article, I’ll highlight ten of the best space strategy games you can pick up at a discount this season, exploring what makes each title interesting, worth your time and money, and why these games deserve your consideration.
There’s a wide variety of titles in here, so you’re sure to find something to please you, from recent games to older ones, whether you prefer commanding massive armadas, managing interstellar economies, or surviving roguelike adventures in hostile galaxies. This list has something for every space strategist.
If you’re looking to catch up on other deals, I have put together a list of the essential games I think you should buy this Steam Winter Sale 2025, as well as a list of the best deals (money-to-quality ratio) you can find. Remember that the Steam Winter Sale is running until January 5th, 2026.
10 – Void War
FTL: Faster than Light will always be one of my favorite games of all time, so I was extremely excited when I heard about Void War (and played it, during one of the most recent Steam Next Fests). This one is a fresh space strategy experience that FTL lovers should snag during the Steam Winter Sale 2025 because it blends deep tactical ship management with roguelike progression and a gritty techno-gothic sci-fi aesthetic that keeps every run feeling unique, and let’s be honest, it absolutely looks like Warhammer 40,000 in every way but name alone.
9 – Sins of a Solar Empire 2
Were it not for having the highest price on this list at 25 dollars, Sins of a Solar Empire 2 would probably rank on the top 3, but despite that, this sequel continues the legacy of its beloved predecessor as one of the most impressive real-time 4X space strategy games, combining massive empire scale with seamless real-time tactical fleet combat and deep strategic decision making that keeps battles exciting from start to finish. Built on a powerful 64-bit engine that lets you command thousands of high-fidelity ships across a living galaxy where orbiting planets, phase lanes, and dynamic weapon systems constantly reshape the strategic landscape, Sins 2 rewards thoughtful planning, emergent tactics, and reactive pla,y whether you’re crushing foes with surprise asteroid ambushes or defending worlds with fleets of point defense frigates and titans. Despite having been released unfinished when it came out in 2024, it was still one of my favorite RTS experiences of that year, and it still remains a game I often take for a go.
8 – Endless Space 2
Amplitude Studios is, by now, a household name when it comes to 4X games, especially after the incredible success of their Endless Legend series. They’re not limited to high fantasy, but also dabble with sci-fi, with their Endless Space series. If I were to pick one, it would be Endless Space 2, a turn-based 4X space strategy game to pick up during the Steam Winter Sale 2025 because it lets players build and command a sprawling galactic empire in a richly detailed universe filled with unique alien civilizations, branching lore, and strategic depth that rewards thoughtful planning and long-term play. This strategic space opera blends exploration, diplomacy, empire management, technology research, and tactical fleet engagements into a cohesive experience that feels like a cosmic blend of classical 4X mechanics and narrative-driven progression, with each of the diverse factions offering distinct playstyles and story quests that make every campaign feel fresh and personal. For just $9.99, this 2017 classic has enough staying power to keep you playing for months and even years to come.
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