Astro Protocol

Astro Protocol

Released Feb 2026

High-stakes, turn-based 4X space strategy distilled into intense matches of about an hour. Lead one of six premade factions, or design your own, against an AI that plays to win. Randomized techs, anomalies, maps and victory conditions make every match unique.

94% positive · 72 reviews
Pending
Released · Awaiting evaluation
Pending
Released · Awaiting evaluation

Where to buy

Steam $11.99
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Content

2 of 2 released · no outstanding content

Media

Details

Publisher
Null Vector Studios
Achievements
45
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player

About this game

Astro Protocol is high-stakes, turn-based 4X space strategy distilled into intense matches of about an hour. Lead one of six premade factions, or design your own, against an AI that plays to win. Randomized techs, anomalies, maps and victory conditions make every match unique.

Built for players who want tactical depth without the late-game slog, every match delivers a new strategic challenge against AI rivals that expand, court minor factions and attack on their own initiative.

Be prepared: space is unforgiving and victories must be earned.

Expand Your Empire Across the Galaxy

  • Establish your empire by constructing space stations and extending your network through planetary colonization.

  • Build stations to harvest resources from asteroids, gas giants, and stars. Improve their efficiency with refinery stations or by terraforming planets to support industry, research, or logistics. Every placement shapes the future of your empire.

Tactical One-Unit-Per-Tile Combat

  • Combat takes place on a one-unit-per-tile hex grid where positioning is everything. Each ship has a distinct role, attack profile, shields, armor, and abilities.

  • Assemble fleets, upgrade ships, and exploit enemy weaknesses to gain the upper hand against rival factions.

Research, Adapt, and Replay

  • Research new technologies across three branches to unlock ships, stations, terraforming options, and upgrades. Technology choices are randomized each match, forcing you to adapt rather than follow fixed build orders.

  • Choose from six playable factions with distinct mechanics and strategic strengths or build your own from the ground up. Combined with randomized maps, minor factions, technologies, anomalies, and victory conditions, every match presents a new strategic situation to navigate.

  • Explore anomalies scattered across the galaxy, each offering unpredictable rewards from abandoned vessels to powerful technologies that can reshape your plans.

Race for Victory

  • Each match is a race to complete new randomized victory conditions through expansion, combat or exploration. You can also win by exterminating your rivals.

  • Astro Protocol features a smart, assertive AI developed in close collaboration with Xilmi, known for AI overhauls of OpenXCOM and Remnants of the Precursors. Expect opponents that play to win and force you to adapt.

Replayability in Numbers

  • 6 premade factions

  • 97 traits to build custom factions

  • 12 minor factions

  • 26 ship types

  • 12 planet types

  • 100+ technologies

  • 100+ anomalies

  • 9 victory conditions

  • 4 map generators

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