[1] Players choose a race, build a space empire, and conquer the rest of the galaxy.

Races can be customized using a system similar to character points, where selecting powerful advantages needs to be offset by taking penalties.

[5] Leif Johnson of PC Gamer wrote, "Both land and space combat lack punch, but there's a fun if predictable 4X game waiting underneath.

[2] In his review for IGN, Rob Zacny wrote, "StarDrive 2's ship building is top notch, but the flawed game surrounding it keeps it from ever truly shining.

"[4] Although he praised the game's ship combat, Fraser Brown of PCGamesN criticized its "annoying tone, eccentric AI and the shallowness of the empire management".