Distant Worlds 2: Shadows Rising (DLC)

The galaxy lies broken in the aftermath of the Cataclysm that ended the last great war.

Civilizations have collapsed. Hyperspace travel is dangerous. Planets were shattered by doomsday weapons and remain devastated by engineered plagues. The Hive emerges from the remains of the Shaktur Axis and consumes all in its path. Across the stars, scattered survivors cling to life aboard hidden stations, outlaw fleets, and wandering ships. In this dark age, the best chance for survival and power belongs not to planetary empires — but to the Pirates.

Distant Worlds 2: Shadows Rising is the second major feature expansion for Distant Worlds 2, fundamentally expanding gameplay with entirely new ways to experience the galaxy. Command a fully space-based Pirate Faction or try to succeed with a single ship as a Lone Pirate. Successful pirates may achieve Legendary status or even found a new Pirate Empire that will span the stars.

Raiding, Smuggling, Privateering, Theft, Ransom, Mercenary contracts as well as peaceful mining and Trade – all of these are at your disposal. Influence and corruption can be spread across inhabited worlds to maintain control over them under your thumb, establish hidden pirate bases and criminal networks, build out your network of spaceports and mining and research stations, trade with the new Shadowports for equipment upgrades, ship upgrades and other benefits, explore new pirate locations and events to explore the story. Pirates will also have a new option to play during the “Age of Shadows” era, before the rebirth of space-faring empires when Pirates had more freedom to expand, but when the Hive is also stronger than ever.

For those who prefer not to play as Pirates, Distant Worlds 2: Shadows Rising also makes Empire play more interesting, with new interactions and challenges with the fully developed Lone Pirates, Pirate Factions and Shadowports that now populate the galaxy. They can be fought or hired through the new Contract system for Resources and Privateering which allows you to hire Pirates to fight your enemies for you. Independent worlds, if left unchecked, can also now grow into full Empires which give you even more competition.

Distant Worlds 2: Shadows Rising transforms the galaxy into a struggle between pirate warlords, smugglers, mercenary fleets, emerging civilizations, and the ever-present threat of the Hive.

Shape the future of the living galaxy ... from the Shadows.