Stellaris: Apocalypse

To tell you the truth, Stellaris: Apocalypse is a first for me. Indeed, I’ve written about space exploration before, and apocalyptic events before. But nowhere near as meticulous and detailed as Stellaris: Apocalypse. The perfect blend of Si-Fi, strategy, simulation and stellar warfare in a game. And I love that.

A Mix Of Old And New in Stellaris: Apocalypse

The Stellaris: Apocalypse is a DLC, and a DLC that brings an cool mix of old and new super-weapons. Such as the Titan-class battleships, and a bunch of cool pesky pirates. But, one of the most exciting changes is the addition of a computer-controlled faction called the marauders. Hey, even game designer Daniel Moregård likens them to “space moguls, a squabbling and warlike society with powerful fleets.”

So, less like the Klingons and more like an irascible Elon Musk, as the writer at Plygon put it.

Stellaris: Apocalypse
Stellaris: Apocalypse At Your Service

But just what is Stellaris: Apocalypse All About?

Developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive, Apocalypse is a full expansion that primarily focuses on bringing new to kill your enemies. You get to Destroy entire worlds with terrifying new planet-killer weapons, fight against (or alongside) ruthless space pirates. And maybe discover a few non-violent game features as well.

Aside from the aforementioned marauders and the new enormous “Titan” capital ships, there are also the new Ascension Perks and Civics. Not to mention, the new and very cool “Colossus” planet-killer weapon. A technological terror that eliminates entire worlds from the universe. Oh, and to accompany the planet-shattering expedition, three new musical pieces have been composed by Andreas Waldetoft for your listening pleasure.

Stills From Stellaris: Apocalypse’s Gameplay

Or as one Steam user (Silyus) pointed out in his comment:

The Colossus is a nice and thematically fit addition, and simply the ownership is enough reason to shift the political landscape of the galaxy. Marauders are an interesting addition, that offers an extra strategic layer and a crisis to spice up the mid-game.

While the Steam user called (arf lord) added: It adds death rays 10/10.

And yes, as you can probably tell by now, Stellaris: Apocalypse is currently on sale here at IndieGala, but that sale is ending soon. Really soon. So hurry up and get it while it’s hot.

Exploring The Fictional Planet Killers

However I think that I touched on the subject of intergalactic space ships and space stations before. Which is why i’m not going to repeat myself, here in this particular post. So, I think it’s best to focus on the topic of planet annihilators. Much like the “Colossus” planet-killer weapon in Stellaris: Apocalypse. Ultimately one of the most terrifying weapons in the game series. And of course, I’ll explore some of the most terrifying (and famous) doomsday devices from several different franchises and projects. Both form the silver screen, and the small screen. Let’s begin, shall we?

More Stills From Stellaris: Apocalypse’s Gameplay

The Death Star From Star Wars

I just couldn’t help but name the Death Star. It’s probably the most recognizable object, and even the audience who’s not that big on Star Wars actually knows about it. Or at the very least can recognize it. After the first appearance in the original Star Wars movie (New Hope), the Death Star is simply known as the DS-1 Orbital Battle Station. Or as Project Stardust in Rogue One. In 2012–13, a proposal on the White House’s website urging the United States government to build a real Death Star.

Why? Well, as an economic stimulus and job creation measure gained more than 30,000 signatures. Enough to qualify for an official response. And what was the response? The cost of building a real Death Star is about $850 quadrillion, so it would not be ready for more than 833,000 years. But, aside from the possibilities of making one such device, this is in fact a very powerful weapon. Able to destroy a planet with one shot of the super laser, and should definitely be handled with care. Lots and lots of care.

And yes, the Sith Star Destroyer, the Imperial Star Destroyer and the Starkiller Base can easily fit in this list, but I chose the Death Star. Hey, even the Big Bang Theory referenced countless times before. So, why not?

https://youtu.be/7yj5TENEu8U

The Space Station From Moonraker

Ah, the 70’s. A much simpler times when James Bond went to fight bad guys in space. And the main baddie in Moonraker was Hugo Drax (Michael Lonsdale). An industrialist who plans to poison all humans on Earth then repopulates the planet from his space station.

How exactly you might ask? With 50 Nerve Gas Globes and the fabulous Moonraker space station. The space station is discovered by James Bond and Dr. Goodhead after they stow away on one of Moonraker’s space-shuttles. Finally, the station was destroyed during a laser gunfight between U.S. Space Marine and Drax’s henchmen. And after the agents sabotaged radar-jamming system of course. Bond 1 – Drax 0. Well done Mr. Bond.

Fun fact: To build the gigantic three-level Space Station set interiors at France’s Epinay Studios, the production utilized two tons of nails, one hundred tons of metal. In addition to the two hundred twenty technicians, and ten thousand feet of set construction woodwork.

Unicorn From the Transformers Universe

Supervillain, is a rarity among the Planet Killers on this list. For one, he’s one of the few who is sentient and can act and think for himself. And secondly, it’s a prodigiously large robot whose scale reaches planetary proportions. How cool is that? Now I’ve written about the Transformers franchise before, but I mostly focused on the intergalactic war depicted in The Transformers: The Movie.

Now, it’s time for the villain, and solely about him. He’s also the eternal arch-enemy of his twin brother Primus. Also known as the Lord of Chaos, Unicorn is dedicated to consuming the multiverse. His massive form is powered by the consumption of planets, moons, stars, and even the very fabric of existence. And of course, I think he fits perfectly on this list. Don’t you think?

Drej Mothership From Titan A.E.

The Drej Mothership, also known by it’s original “Alahenena” (“planet killer” in the Drej dialect), is a massive alien mothership. Constructed and used by the sinister blue pure energy-based extraterrestrials called the Drej, and it’s the same that destroyed Earth. In the animated movie of course. Yes, the mothership can fire laser beams capable of annihilating entire planets by firing at them.

That causes each planet to spin faster and faster, thus causing those worlds to fly apart at the seams. And I don’t know about you, but I love this movie. It’s one of the most underrated movies from the early 2000s, It had a perfect blend of post-apocalyptic situations, action and adventure. Not to mention fantastic characters and voice actors in those characters as well.

Fun fact: The Drej Mothership has a planet-killing laser beam to destroy an entire planet just like the Death Star from the Star Wars universe.

The Infinity Gauntlet From Avengers: Infinity War

I’m ending this list with the current times, and with a special, very powerful glove. Pardon, with the Infinity Gauntlet. Probably one of the most powerful weapons in the Marvel universe. And with one of the most epic movies in Marvel’s roster. Infinity War. But aside from the fact that the Infinity Gauntlet is the main doomsday device, Thanos is the key villain here. He has the power to eradicate half of all sentient life in the universe once he acquires all six Infinity Stones. Ha can also add them to the Gauntlet, snaps his fingers with it and eradicate half of the human life as we know it.

So, both the Guardians of The Galaxy and the Avengers need to team up, join forces and prevent Thanos from collecting all stones. It’s not an easy task, but someone has to do it.

Fun fact: The name “Thanos” is a short form of the Greek name “Thanatos”, which means “death” in Greek. Seems appropriate don’t you think?

Which Doomsday Devices Would You Add-In The Stellaris: Apocalypse Post?

Perhaps the Genesis Torpedo? Or the ‘Sun Harvester’ in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen? How about the Soviet Union’s Doomsday Machine in the Stanley Kubrick film Dr. Strangelove? Let us know in the comment section. We’d love to know all about your picks.

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