Base game worth it?

[Elerosse Surion]

I'm really intrigued by this game, but every review I come across online seems like it includes the Utopia DLC, among others. Is this game worth it and still fun as just the base game, without additional (purchasable) DLC?

For clarification: everything I've seen makes the game look great. However, I've heard that originally, there were...questionable...design and mechanical choices, that were supposedly fixed. I'm just wondering if the DLC (specifically Utopia) is "essential" to correct these, and make the game more fun overall

[Viper]

Utopia is highly recommended. It adds so much to the game.The base game however has everything you need to play. I take it you can't afford Utopia yet.

[Elitewrecker PT]

What do you mean "seem like it includes"? There only way it'd include Utopia is if you buy the starter pack or ultimate bundle.
Or are you saying the reviews talk like they assume you also have Utopia?

[Elon's Musk]

there are so many mechanics to learn and micromanage to play effectively. I'd say start with the base game and add DLC when you've got comfortable. Then you can mess around with different origins and stuff and have a better idea of how to plan out what you will do.

[maerchen]

For starters, I'd advise to watch a Let's play of the vanilla game.
Stellaris is viable without any DLC but the puiblishers of this gem try to milk their community once or twice a year.

If you don't like what you see in a LP, there is Distant Suns 2. Costs more but has no DLC out (yet) - one is announced. Again, watch a LP of that game.

[Theutus]

Yes, just buy the base game. If you want to try DLC, play multi-player, if the host has DLC you don't it will be available to you.

[HappySack]

Utopia is universally recommended because it adds the most content to virtually everything, whether or not there are any of these supposed "problems" has no bearing on this.

[pipo.p]

Base game + story packs for more ambiance.

You don't need habitats, titan ships, or empire ascension to enjoy the game, only to enrich and to complexify it. Buy those content DLC after a few hundreds hours, based on your liking and your knowledge of base game. No need to watch some pedantic YT either.

[Elerosse Surion]

Thanks everyone for the answers. I figure I'll give the base game a try, and if I enjoy it as much as I think I will, well, the DLC will have to be on sale again at another point lol.

[bcrehore]

Don't do it! It will start you down a path from which there is no return!

[ScreamCon]

Originally posted by bcrehore:

Don't do it! It will start you down a path from which there is no return!

...
Do it you need to chew your life away !

[Peter34]

Sales are ridiculously frequent, yes, but you probably should purchase the Utopia DLC during this sale.

Also make sure to check when the sale ends. The Steam Winter Sale ends on 23/mar, but Paradox might have their own schedule, since their sale started on 14/mar.