Master of Orion 1 on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
Quick menu
Forge an empire in a universe where population growth is stripping away planetary resources. Colonize unknown planets and trade with other races for their knowledge.
Master of Orion 1 is a strategy, 4x and turn-based game
developed by SimTex
and published by Wargaming Labs.
Released on February 25th 2016 is available on Windows, MacOS and Linux
in 3 languages: English, French and German.
It has received 398 reviews of which 360 were positive and 38 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. 😎
The game is currently priced at 5.99€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified Master of Orion 1 into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at Master of Orion 1 through various videos and screenshots.
System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10
- Processor: 1 GHz
- Memory: 256 MB RAM
- Graphics: 3D graphics card compatible with DirectX 7
- DirectX: Version 7.0
- Storage: 161 MB available space
- Sound Card: DirectX 7 Compatible
MacOS
- OS: Mac: OS X 10.6.8 or later
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz+
- Memory: 1 GB RAM
- Graphics: 64MB of video memory
- Storage: 161 MB available space
Linux
- OS: Ubuntu 14.04, Linux Mint 17
- Processor: 2.0 GHz
- Memory: 1 GB RAM
- Graphics: 256 MB VRAM, OpenGL compatible
- Storage: 161 MB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
I revisited this legendary classic. It's still fantastic. There is also a fan remake, Remnants of the Precursors, that did an incredible job but sometimes coming back to the original (with its music and art) is enjoyable. While not the first 4X space game (nod to Reach for the Stars), this was the one really popularized space 4X games (and coming on the heels of the first Civilization game that created the initial 4X frenzy, albeit not in space). You choose one of 10 race selections... and each race has their distinct flavour and approach to the game. For example, the Meklar are cybernetic masters of automated production. They can produce more industry than other races, do not pay for refitting their factories for automation, are excellent at researching computer technologies, while poor at pursuing planetology research. Some races also loath other races (beware when the Alkari and Mrrshan confront each other!). The beauty of the MoO1 design is that it does a terrific job of reducing micromanagement. Planetary resources can be allocated to five different areas (ship building, planetary defense, building industry, ecology (including pollution control), technology research). The technology tree, of which there are six branches, is well designed. Each game, the tech tree of each race is randomized (no race can research every possible item - some items are randomly left off of the tech tree for a particular race). It's a great approach that adds to replayability... what you research will change from game to game. If you really want something that your race cannot research, you need to either trade for it or steal it from another race that has obtained it. When an important tech is discovered that is beneficial for planetary improvement (such as an improved planetary shield), the game conveniently offers to increase your planetary spend of all planets to start building in. This is an example of good game design... eliminating the need to micromanage each planet to build something important. MoO1 also introduces a solid ship design. Each race can have up to six unique ship designs at play. Ship combat is tactical but quick-based. Multiple ships of the same class are grouped together and move/fire as a group. There is no individual ship control, which is very helpful in minimizing too much micro in combat. MoO1 really succeeded in reducing micromanagement in various areas of the game... something that many subsequent 4X games failed to achieve, including MoO2. MoO1 is still worth the buy.
Expand the review
I assume most of the players are from the 90`s era. I played this game when the Intel Pentium 1 was at the top of the "world". Back then, I met some "old kids" who constantly talked about Commandore 64 and earlier consoles as retro. I never thought at the time that this game and those years would be my retro gaming comparison. Yet, here I am, playing now and then this and other universe-conquer games. To be fair, I won only one time when I was a kid, but it must make a big impact since I have it and play it on Steam. Back then, I didn`t understand a word, always lost the battle and somehow still, I enjoyed it. That`s the only game where I wasn`t mad about losing. I know it is a biased opinion, but I think it is a great game overall. It would be nice to have a better visual by now, but hey, it is what it is. I haven`t played any game above average level, since the trauma that I had as a kid. I remember all those 90s games where the computer cheats like no tomorrow. And this game back then traumatised me with "million ships everywhere" in a short time :) I can`t remember if it was on hard or impossible gameplay, but I know for sure: I won`t touch it again :D It`s funny: time and memories make this game great again. Certainly, I would recommend the game to anyone who already played it back then. There are always some games made with some kind of "old school" visuals/design, and honestly: if this game had come out recently with a similar design, I wouldn`t pick it up. I just enjoy more recent games with smoother look. But as retro glory? I love it. I guess it is like the first love. I won`t forget... Or I am just mentally ill. Probably the first option is true anyway: The voice in my head told me that I am fine. So, I guess all I have for this game is to share my memories with other 80s "kids" and have a good time. So, have fun.
Expand the review
the original, the undisputed. it's so simple yet deep in all the right ways. and it solved "i won a while ago, the rest is busywork" in 1990. you gotta play this game.
Expand the review
"Never replicated 4X perfection" I've only started playing a few years ago now. Coming from the sequel, it took me many tries to get a hang of it and even then, my win ratio is abysmal. Given that, would it be strange to say that it changed my life? As an avid 4X player, perhaps. A DOS game from thirty years ago? How so? Well, as Antoine de Saint-Exupéry said ( Civ4 fans will surely know this one ): " The designer knows he has achieved perfection; not when there is nothing left to add, but when there's nothing left to take away ". Master of Orion 1 lives by this rule and I intend to prove it. Let's expand upon this concept with three " nothings ". Nothing is irreplacable . You can explain the core of the game in a few minutes, all nuts and bolts included. Almost every mechanism comes down to easily understood dice rolls as so. Try explaining how Civilization IV 's combat works in comparison! Most techs do previous things better, nothing new. If 'ECM I' improves missile evasion, you can figure out what 'ECM III' does. The tech tree is vast, but easy to understand and follows the game's unique vision perfectly. This is not a puzzle game with a set solution. No crazy gambits either that lead to a convulated meta-game. You are given a set of options and you choose the one you need the most in the given situation. If you understand how the game works, you'll be able to adapt to the circumstances on the way. This is the thought behind Master of Orion . Recognize the current weaknesses of you and your opponents and adapt . Second: nothing is unnecessary . Master of Orion 1 is also one of the few games where there is hardly anything extraneous to remove. No unwarranted distractions or unnecessary mechanics. It's like a Jenga tower where if you remove a building block, any block, the whole thing would collapse. Bombs, missiles, bases, all of them serve a purpose and everything just fits together. This streamlined gameplay has a profound effect on the skill curve as well. Just like in chess: you can't win if you don't bother learning how horses or bishops move. Yet using them is simple, while using them effectively is not. Ignore force fields and you'll get bombed or shot with thousands of lasers. Ignore propulsion and you'll get kited. Ignore weapons and your shoots will bounce off. Focus too much on one thing and get countered by others. It's a well-designed machine that works the way it is intended and the developers have foreseen. On the flip side, what could have been removed was removed, leaving the UI clear and on the point. With a few clicks, you can move thousands of ships, change production lines, decimate waves of enemy fleets. The controls are highly scalable . A hundred planets do not take more effort to control than merely ten. No waves of units having traffic jams. No complicated rules that the AI cannot comprehend ( imagine selling a racing game where the opponents cannot even start their car! ). Nothing, nothing to divide your attention. And yet, everything has it's use sometimes . Finally: nothing is necessary . Master of Orion 1 also has something more going on: you don't need anything in particular to win. I had games where I did fine with lasers and nuclear missiles for a while. Ion rifles sign that you should go invade someone, while planetary shields nudge you towards a defensive position. Sometimes soil enrichment decides the game, yet other times, it doesn't matter at all. You make better choices by having less options available. Does that make sense? There's no fake replayability involved either, like in Civilization V for example, where each playthrough forces you to make the same lopsided choices over and over again due to poor balance. The sequel, Master of Orion 2 has the same problem: let's see how far you can go without 'Automated Factories' or 'Research Labs'! Many options, but most of them are absolutely terrible! Not much to ponder about and the game will become a routine soon enough. Master of Orion 1 does the opposite: it takes away your options and forces you to adapt! Nothing hurts to have, but it all depends on timing and competing priorities; you simply can't have them all. You are not building a theme park masquerading as an empire that's focused on a specific thing. You are an empire that happens to be good at certain things and worse at others, but always seeks to win, no matter the cards given. This is completely different from the usual sandbox-like approach that most 4X games tend to aim for . Launching Master of Orion , you don't sit down and decide: " hmm... today I'll build a cultural tall empire (theme park) ", then mindless pick whatever increases your cultural output because otherwise you'd lose ( or worse: not win the way you wanted to !). You decide to play "Alkari", generally focus on smaller ships, but nothing is written before you start the game. Pick poorly and suffer; choose wisely and win . This is what leadership should entail. Many more things could be said, but now for some negatives . It's a DOS game; you'll need to get used to it. The AI is not dumb , but really, really unfair to play against. Most spiteful I've ever seen; happy to vote for its own demise. Some extreme powerspikes may scare away new players: nothing like an auto-reparing huge bomber one-shotting your capital. There's no multiplayer. Likely related: there are some ridiculous balance issues. There's not much of a theme, as it's typical of sci-fi games, but I find the art and sounds endearing. Most characters are really cute and personable and the music complements their screens well. ✅ Good : [*] Unique tech tree that forces you to adapt [*] Minimal design that makes the game easy to play [*] Great AI for its age that knows all the elements fine [*] Satisfying combat that scales incredibly well [*] Pragmatic AI and diplomacy that's hard to cheese [*] Fun races that provide different approaches to the same gameplay ❌ Bad : [*] Spiteful AI that blatantly cheats and discriminates against the human player [*] BS Galactic vote system doesn't mesh well with the said AI [*] Too random maps that can make certain starts either unwinnable or too easy [*] Gaps in the tech tree can be often too hard to reliably overcome [*] Weird diplomatic rules that can lead to unintended invasions and other oddities [*] Some of the balance could be clearly better; looking at the Psilons in particular [*] No multiplayer, hall of fame, auto-combat... lacks many "modern" features So, is it worth getting into in the Year of Our Lord? Well, what more could I say? I consider Master of Orion something timeless, even like chess or go. Same answer as why would you play one of those. If there was multiplayer support, perhaps a proper remaster, I believe this game would've gotten universal admiration by now. Until then, this release is the next best thing we've got. Even if you don't click with it, the design is among the best ones you could imagine. True textbook example of ideas executed right. I ragequit often after being dogpiled on or voted out, but I still respect the game for what it is. Don't be surprised if your enthusiasm towards other 4X games falls... every aspiring game developer should learn from Master of Orion 1 . I paraphased many thoughts of veteran player [url=sullla.com/MOO/mooeditorial.html]Sullla whose reviews should be the gold standard for anyone interested in thoughtful criticism. His reviews for Civilization V also highlight many design patterns or anti-patterns: [url=sullla.com/Civ5/whatwentwrong.html]one , [url=sullla.com/Civ5/bnwreview.html]two . Check them out, if you have some interest and time.
Expand the review
Darloks my beloved. You either make everyone fight you, or everyone fights each other but you.
Expand the review
Similar games
View all
Master of Orion 2
Forge an empire in a universe where population growth is stripping away planetary resources. Colonize unknown planets and trade with other races for their knowledge.
Space Empires V
Space Empires V is the latest edition in the Space Empires series. This new chapter completely updates the UI and takes the player into a real-time rendered 3D universe. Watch space battles played out in glorious detail and realistic effects. Expand, Explore, Exploit, and Exterminate in a huge living breathing galaxy.
Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection
Sword of the Stars: Complete Collection is the original Sword of the Stars games and the three expansions Born of Blood, A Murder of Crows and Argos Naval Yard. It is the year 2405, and human scientists have discovered a new technology that allows travel from star to star at speeds faster than light.
Master of Orion
The ascendant spacefaring 4X strategy game returns! A new chapter in the epic Master of Orion saga is poised to once again capture the imaginations of millions of gamers.
Star Ruler 2
Massive scale 4X-RTS set in space. Control hundreds of planets, manipulate galactic politics, research numerous advanced technologies, and command thousands of units and hundreds of planets in your quest for galactic dominance.
ENDLESS™ Space - Definitive Edition
ENDLESS™ Space is a turn-based 4X strategy game, covering the space colonization age in the ENDLESS™ Universe, where you can control every aspect of your civilization as you strive for galactic domination.
Imperium Galactica II
Reintroducing a classic from the golden era of gaming, the original empire building space RTS, Imperium Galactica 2 is back and looking better than ever with new high-res textures and vivid colors.
ENDLESS™ Space 2
ENDLESS™ Space 2 is a Strategic Space Opera, featuring the compelling “just one more turn” gameplay, set in the mysterious ENDLESS™ Universe. As the leader of your civilization, will you impose your vision and build the greatest stellar empire?
Interstellar Space: Genesis
Interstellar Space: Genesis is a turn-based space 4X strategy game in which you attempt to build a thriving galactic empire. Discover mysteries among the stars, colonize worlds, and engage enemies in tactical turn-based combat on your journey to becoming the ruler of the galaxy!
Master of Magic Classic
Master of Magic is a classic, one of the most popular strategy games of the 90s. It is a 4X fantasy strategy game that allows you to play as an extremely powerful wizard, leading your troops and overcoming your magical opponents.
Distant Worlds: Universe
Distant Worlds is a vast, pausable real-time 4X space strategy game. Experience the full depth and detail of turn-based strategy, but with the simplicity and ease of real-time, and on the scale of a massively-multiplayer online game.
Civilization IV®: Warlords
Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Warlords is the first expansion pack for the award-winning game that has become an instant world-wide hit. Paying homage to some of history's greatest military leaders, the expansion delivers six unique and interesting scenarios, giving players the chance to change the course of history with the help of their...
Frequently Asked Questions
Master of Orion 1 is currently priced at 5.99€ on Steam.
Master of Orion 1 is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 5.99€ on Steam.
Master of Orion 1 received 360 positive votes out of a total of 398 achieving a rating of 8.38.
😎
Master of Orion 1 was developed by SimTex and published by Wargaming Labs.
Master of Orion 1 is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Master of Orion 1 is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
Master of Orion 1 is playable and fully supported on Linux.
Master of Orion 1 offers both single-player and multi-player modes.
Master of Orion 1 offers both Co-op and PvP modes.
Master of Orion 1 does not currently offer any DLC.
Master of Orion 1 does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Master of Orion 1 does not support Steam Remote Play.
Master of Orion 1 is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Master of Orion 1.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 23 January 2026 16:08 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 27 January 2026 08:33 |
| Steam price | 29 January 2026 04:47 |
| Steam reviews | 27 January 2026 23:56 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Master of Orion 1, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Master of Orion 1
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Master of Orion 1 concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Master of Orion 1 compatibility
Game modes
Features
Online players
71
Developer
SimTex
Publisher
Wargaming Labs
Release
25 Feb 2016
Platforms