---
title: "A Cult 4X to Try Free All Weekend (and Even Longer)!"
description: "A cult 4X to try free all weekend (and even longer)! Endless Space 2 is free on Steam from Thursday, August 14 to Monday, August 18, with a 75% discount during the event."
url: https://after-strategy.com/en/a-cult-4x-to-try-free-all-weekend-and-even-longer/
lang: en
published: 2026-02-17
updated: 2026-10-16
author: "Simon Dougnac"
author_url: https://after-strategy.com/en/auteur/simon/
game: "Endless Space 2"
game_url: https://after-strategy.com/en/jeux/endless-space-2/
categories: [rts]
translations:
fr: https://after-strategy.com/fr/un-4x-culte-a-tester-gratuitement-tout-le-week-end-et-meme-plus/
es: https://after-strategy.com/es/un-4x-de-culto-probar-gratis-todo-el-fin-de-semana-y-mas/
publisher: "After Strategy"
---
# A Cult 4X to Try Free All Weekend (and Even Longer)!
> A cult 4X to try free all weekend (and even longer)! Endless Space 2 is free on Steam from Thursday, August 14 to Monday, August 18, with a 75% discount during the event.
## A Cult 4X to Try Free All Weekend (and Even Longer)!
If you love strategy games where you build an empire and conquer the galaxy (or at least a small corner of the map), this news will make you jump for joy. One of the best space 4X games of recent years, [**Endless Space 2**](https://after-strategy.com/en/jeux/endless-space-2/), is offering an exceptionally long free weekend. Developed by Amplitude Studios and published by Sega, it has built a loyal community over the years. And when we say long, we really mean it: you have until **Monday, August 18** to try it without spending a dime. That is more than enough time to see, in practice, whether this game deserves a spot in your Steam library.
- **A four-day free weekend**: the game is free on Steam from Thursday, August 14 to Monday, August 18.
- **Saves are kept**: progress made during the free weekend carries over if you buy the game afterwards.
- **A 75% discount**: the base game drops to 9.99 € for the duration of the event.
- **8 factions to test**: Sophons, Vaulters, Cravers, United Empire and more, each with unique mechanics.
- **A cult 4X from 2017**: developed by Amplitude Studios, still acclaimed by strategy fans.
### Why Endless Space 2 Is a Must for 4X Fans
Before getting into the details of the free weekend, here is a reminder of why this game is a gem. Its tactical card-based combat and hand-crafted factions set it apart from the sandbox giants of the genre. Released in 2017, **Endless Space 2** is the sequel to the first opus that already made its mark. Developed by **Amplitude Studios** (the same studio behind *Humankind* and *Endless Legend*), this title has everything to please space strategy fans:
- **An ultra-varied faction system**: each race has its own playstyle, strengths and weaknesses. Peaceful diplomats will love the **Sophons**; warmongers will swear by the **Vaulters** and their cloning tech. Factions built around **piracy** and **propaganda** round out the roster.
- **Deep but accessible gameplay**: managing your empire is intuitive, with enough depth for your decisions to matter; the **technology research** uses a **constellation-shaped** tech tree.
- **Tactical combat that matters**: you can **influence the outcome** by choosing positions, targets and special abilities, adding a real-time layer to the classic turn-based loop.
- **An immersive atmosphere**: **epic soundtrack**, distinctive ship designs and victory/defeat cinematics give the game a **unique style**.
### An Exceptionally Long Free Weekend: Until Monday!
Usually, free weekends on Steam last... a weekend. Makes sense. But this time, **Amplitude and Sega** have decided to go big. **From Thursday, August 14 at 7pm to Monday, August 18 at 7pm (French time)**, you can download and play **Endless Space 2** for free. Four full days — more than enough to:
- **Play a full game** (on fast-forward if you want).
- **Test several factions** to see which one suits you best.
- **Discover the expansions** (even though they are not included in the free weekend, you can see what they look like).
And the cherry on top: **all your Endless Space 2 progress** made during the free weekend is kept if you buy the game afterwards. No "starting over because it was just a demo" — you keep your saves, your fleets and your unlocked factions. Pretty cool, right?
### And If You Crack, the Game Is on Sale
Of course, the goal of this free weekend is to make you want to buy the game. And to help you take the plunge, **Endless Space 2 is 75% off** for the whole duration of the event. That means you can get it for **under 10 bucks** (9.99 € exactly at the time of writing). But be careful: if you want **all the expansions**, you will have to spend a little more. The **Deluxe Edition** (which includes the two big expansions *Vault of the Ancients* and *Awakening*) is also on sale, but at a slightly higher price. One tip: if you want to start small, begin with the base game and see if you get hooked before investing in the DLC. The base game alone easily provides dozens of hours of 4X goodness.
### How to Enjoy the Free Weekend
It is ultra-simple:
1. **Go to the Endless Space 2 Steam page** (link below, or just search the game's name).
2. **Click "Play"** (the button turns green with "Free" written on it during the event).
3. **Download the game** (it weighs about 6 GB, so plan some time if your connection is slow).
4. **Launch into the space conquest!**
One more tip: if you want to optimize your time, start with the **United Empire** faction. It is a versatile race, perfect for learning the mechanics without overthinking it, and its campaign introduces every core system at a gentle pace.
### Why Endless Space 2 Beats the Competition
I know what you are thinking: *"But there are already Civilization, Stellaris, Galactic Civilizations... Why would I pick Endless Space 2?"* Good question — for players torn between several 4X titles, here is why this game stands out. Each rival has its strengths, but few capture the same magic: accessible depth, hand-written factions and battles you can actually steer.
- **Less micro-management than Stellaris**: tired of managing 500 star systems and their populations? The game focuses on the essentials without drowning you in details.
- **More tactical than Civilization**: battles are not resolved with a single click — ship **positions** and **abilities** matter in a **real battle system**.
- **A more original universe than Galactic Civilizations**: the "space opera" atmosphere and truly unique factions give the game a strong identity — the **Cravers** even feed on their enemies.
- **A better balance than Master of Orion**: the reboot was nice but simplistic; **Endless Space 2** offers **strategic depth** without excessive complexity.
### Are the Expansions Worth It?
If you get hooked on the base game, you will probably ask yourself the question. Here is a quick summary of the two big expansions of **Endless Space 2**:
- **Vault of the Ancients**: adds a **new faction** (the Nakalams), **powerful artifacts** to discover and a deeper **piracy system**. If you like exploration and surprises, this one is top-notch — the Nakalams alone justify the detour.
- **Awakening**: introduces the **Shard**, a mysterious faction tied to a galactic threat, as well as a **new victory type** (the "Harmony" victory). It also adds **heroines** (unique characters with special abilities) that give your games even more personality. In practice, **Awakening** is the stronger of the two, with quests that feel hand-written, but if you want everything, the **Deluxe Edition** is clearly the best value for money on sale.
### Verdict: Go Test This Masterpiece!
**This 2017 space opera** is the kind of game that makes you lose whole nights without noticing. Every match tells a different story, from the opening scout rush to the final fleet battle. Between the **variety of factions**, the **strategic depth** and the **immersive atmosphere**, it has everything to please 4X fans. And with this exceptionally long free weekend, you have **no excuse not to try it**. So, ready to conquer the galaxy?
**The game is free until Monday, August 18**, and on sale if you want to buy it afterwards. And if you are still hesitating, the difference is clear. The Endless Space 2 community is still active, the developers kept supporting it (even after 7 years), and the game remains **one of the best space 4X games on the market**.
**Steam link:** [Endless Space 2 on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/392110/Endless_Space_2/) — your move, admiral! May your fleet be victorious (or at least go down in a blaze of glory).
## See also
- [Best free PC strategy games in 2026](https://after-strategy.com/en/best-free-pc-strategy-games-2026/)
- [Game hub — Endless Space 2](https://after-strategy.com/en/jeux/endless-space-2/)
- [All RTS articles](https://after-strategy.com/en/categorie/rts/)
- [All turn-based games](https://after-strategy.com/en/categorie/tour-par-tour/)
## Sources
- [Steam page — Endless Space 2](https://store.steampowered.com/app/392110/Endless_Space_2/)
- [Amplitude Studios — official site](https://www.amplitude-studios.com/)
## Frequently asked questions
### Which 4X is free to play this weekend?
Endless Space 2, the space 4X by Amplitude Studios, is free on Steam from Thursday, August 14 at 7pm to Monday, August 18 at 7pm (French time).
### How long does the Endless Space 2 free weekend last?
Four full days: from Thursday, August 14 at 7pm to Monday, August 18 at 7pm (French time), longer than a standard Steam free weekend.
### Is Endless Space 2 on sale during the free weekend?
Yes, the base game is 75% off during the event — 9.99 € at the time of writing — and the Deluxe Edition is also discounted.
### Do I keep my saves if I buy Endless Space 2 after the free weekend?
Yes, progress made during the free weekend is kept if you purchase the game afterwards.
### Who develops Endless Space 2?
Amplitude Studios develops Endless Space 2 and Sega publishes it; the game launched in 2017.
## Sources
-
-
Source : [A Cult 4X to Try Free All Weekend (and Even Longer)!](https://after-strategy.com/en/a-cult-4x-to-try-free-all-weekend-and-even-longer/) — After Strategy