The expansive sci-fi strategy game Stellaris continues its impressive growth trajectory with the release of the Biogenesis expansion. This newest addition represents part of the game’s ninth season of downloadable content, adding substantial biological elements to the already vast cosmic sandbox.
Become the Living World
The most groundbreaking feature in Biogenesis is undoubtedly the Wilderness origin, which Paradox developers have described as their most transformative origin ever implemented in the game. Players can now begin their cosmic journey not as a traditional civilization but as an entire sentient planet. This unique starting point comes with a distinct verdant aesthetic and focuses on extending planetary influence across the stars.
While players using this origin must adopt the Hive Mind archetype, the gameplay experience diverges dramatically from standard approaches. Rather than managing cities or population happiness, players controlling the planetary consciousness directly develop mega-flora and fauna using the newly introduced Biomass resource. After accumulating sufficient resources, players can launch terraforming spores to extend their consciousness to other worlds.
Alternative Origins for Biological Mastery
The expansion offers additional compelling starting points beyond the Wilderness. The Evolutionary Predators origin emphasizes bioengineering, allowing players to combine perks from various phenotypes to create either formidable super-species or uniquely peculiar creatures according to their preferences.
Story enthusiasts might gravitate toward the Starlit Citadel origin, which focuses on narrative elements as players defend their Deep Space Citadel against aggressive living ships while uncovering the reasons behind these attacks.
Nurture Your Cosmic Monstrosity
For players who prefer causing galactic chaos, Biogenesis introduces a new Player Crisis scenario. This option allows for the cultivation of a personal galactic leviathan – a creature that begins small but grows into a planet-destroying monster with questionable loyalty that can be unleashed upon unsuspecting civilizations.
Premium Content with More to Come
The Biogenesis expansion carries a premium price tag of $25 on Steam. Alternatively, players can purchase the $45 expansion pass, which includes Biogenesis plus two future content packages scheduled for release by year’s end. These upcoming expansions will focus on interdimensional psionic phenomena and volcanic civilizations bent on galactic conflagration.
The scale of new gameplay options matches the ambition evident throughout this latest addition to the Stellaris universe, suggesting that Paradox intends to continue expanding this cosmic strategy title until it encompasses virtually every science fiction concept imaginable.