Upcoming space 4X game Hyper Empire is like Stellaris squashed into 40 minutes

4X games like Stellaris and Sins of a Solar Empire have long transfixed me. Their massive scale is not only a battleground, but a storytelling canvas. The only problem is that they take forever. If you are an adult with an actual life, how can you find dozens of hours to give to building a space superpower? Luckily, Hyper Empire is here to fill in the gap, promising all the tactical decision-making and strategic mind games of a classic 4X in 40 minutes or less. The full release will come later this year, but you can pick up the demo as part of Steam Next Fest right now.

MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Best turn-based strategy games, Best 4X games, Best space games