STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack Review Summary

Last updated: 2026-10-12
Review summary
  • Exceptional mods enhance gameplay
  • Best Star Wars RTS
  • Fun and solid base game
  • Ground battles weaker than space
  • Base game shows its age
  • Steep learning curve
STAR WARS™ Empire at War - Gold Pack header

Categories

Real-time StrategyStar Wars SettingMod SupportSpace CombatGalactic ConquestGround BattlesFleet ManagementCampaign

Emotions

Archetypes

Hardware

Windows <8GB VRAMpositiveWindows 8-11GB VRAMmixed

Snapshot History

Positive
Negative
382
96%
420
94%
Sample precision
Helpful reviews
84%
Unhelpful reviews
16%
Protest reviews
0%
Positive points
1096
Negative points
255
Gameplay points
733
Perf. points
53
Rec. points
268
Misc points
467
Point
Exceptional mods enhance gameplay
Description
Mods are highly praised for greatly improving the game, making it twice as fun, and offering endless possibilities. Many consider mods the best part of the game.
Importance
72%
Best Star Wars RTS
Description
Reviewers widely regard this as the best Star Wars real-time strategy game, often calling it the best since Galactic Battlegrounds and the most accessible in the genre.
Importance
55%
Fun and solid base game
Description
The base game is repeatedly described as fun, well-made, and offering tons of excellent content even without mods. It is enjoyable and balanced on its own.
Importance
54%
One of best Star Wars games
Description
Many consider it among the greatest Star Wars games ever made, praising its strategy and lore. It is a gold standard for Star Wars gaming.
Importance
42%
Very good game overall
Description
General sentiment is that the game is very good, fantastic, and one of the best games ever played. Gameplay is excellent and enjoyable.
Importance
41%
Unsurpassed space battles
Description
Space combat is frequently highlighted as incredible, cinematic, and the main draw. The scale of space battles is jaw-dropping.
Importance
35%
Timeless and ever-replayable
Description
The game is described as timeless, a classic that never gets old and that players keep coming back to for endless replayability.
Importance
31%
Holds up despite age
Description
Despite being released in 2006, the game holds up well and remains playable and enjoyable for its age.
Importance
25%
Steam Workshop eases modding
Description
Steam Workshop integration makes modding painless with one-click installs and provides access to many mods, enhancing the experience.
Importance
25%
Thrawn's Revenge mod praised
Description
The Thrawn's Revenge mod is specifically mentioned as crazy good and highly recommended by many players.
Importance
20%
Really fun game
Description
Reviewers find the game really fun, incredibly enjoyable, and entertaining.
Importance
20%
Excellent Star Wars grand strategy
Description
It is considered an excellent strategy game in the Star Wars universe, epic and the only good Star Wars strategy game on a galactic scale.
Importance
19%
One of best RTS ever
Description
Many reviewers consider it one of the best RTS games they have ever played, scratching the RTS itch better than any other.
Importance
19%
Mods cover all Star Wars eras
Description
Mods allow playing any era of Star Wars, including Legends, effectively providing multiple Star Wars RTS experiences on the same base.
Importance
18%
Fall Of The Republic mod excellent
Description
The Fall of the Republic mod is highly recommended, making the game much more complex and enjoyable.
Importance
18%