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- Best overall: Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC)
- Best budget: Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC)
- Best premium: Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC)
- Best for colony building: Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC)
- Battlestar Galactica Deadlock centers on tactical fleet battles and a story-driven campaign.
- Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! adds spacefaring colony management and requires the base game.
- Choose FTL: Faster Than Light for fast runs, or Stellaris for a sprawling galactic strategy sandbox.
- Check platform, base-game requirements and edition contents before choosing a Black Friday 2026 game.
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock and Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! are strategy games with very different goals: one commands fleets in turn-based battles, and the other keeps a colony alive across an unforgiving space environment. For Black Friday 2026, the right choice comes down to whether you want focused combat or ongoing systems management.
I researched and compared specs, reviews and owner feedback to build this guide around the two headliners and five alternatives. Each pick has a distinct appeal, from quick roguelike runs to grand strategy and squad tactics. Here's the bottom line: start with Battlestar Galactica Deadlock for fleet command, or choose Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC) plus its Spaced Out! expansion for a deeper colony sim.
How We Picked
- Compared each game’s core strategy loop, from tactical combat to colony survival.
- Checked whether each listed product is a full game, collection or expansion requiring a base game.
- Prioritized clear differences in play style, campaign structure and replay value.
- Reviewed platform and player-count details alongside game descriptions and owner feedback.
- Included alternatives that match the sci-fi, strategy or systems-management interests behind this comparison.
Comparison Table
| Product | Best for | Players | Standout structure | Base game required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) | Fleet tactics | 1 | 12 campaign missions | 0 |
| Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC) | Colony management | 1 | 2D colony simulation | 0 |
| Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) | Spacefaring colony expansion | 1 | Multi-asteroid expansion | 1 |
| Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC) | Grand strategy | 1–32 | Real-time with pause | 0 |
| Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC) | Run-based space strategy | 1 | 8 sectors | 0 |
| 2K XCOM 2 Collection (PC) | Squad tactics | 1 | Up to 6 soldiers | 0 |
| Paradox Interactive Surviving Mars: Green Planet (PC DLC) | Terraforming | 1 | 3 measures | 1 |
Best Picks Reviewed
#1 · Top pick
Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC)
The Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) is the best fleet tactics pick for Battlestar Galactica fans, with a single-player campaign spanning 12 missions.
Best for: Battlestar Galactica fans who want tactical fleet combat
- Players
- 1
- Campaign missions
- 12
- Combat format
- 3D tactical space battles
- Distinctive fleet positioning and ship-command decisions
- Recognizable Battlestar Galactica setting
- Turn-based planning suits deliberate strategy
- The combat focus offers less colony-building depth
Is Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) is a strong pick for players who want a focused sci-fi tactics campaign, fleet customization and deliberate battles. Choose it over a colony sim when commanding ships matters more than managing survival systems.
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#2
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC)
The Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC) is the best colony simulation for systems-minded players, with 1 player managing a complex underground habitat.
Best for: Players who enjoy colony planning and survival systems
- Players
- 1
- View
- 2D colony simulation
- Base game required
- 0
- Interlocking survival systems reward careful planning
- Colonist needs create memorable problem-solving
- Strong fit for long, self-directed sessions
- The learning curve can feel steep at the start
Is Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC) suits players who enjoy building a colony, balancing resources and solving cascading problems. The base game stands on its own, while the Spaced Out! expansion adds a larger spacefaring layer for players ready to extend the challenge.
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#3
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC)
The Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) is the best expansion for established colony managers, adding a multi-asteroid spacefaring layer to the 1-player simulation.
Best for: Oxygen Not Included owners seeking more exploration
- Players
- 1
- Base game required
- 1
- Game view
- 2D simulation
- Adds space exploration to the colony-management loop
- Creates new logistical links between planetoids
- Builds on familiar survival and automation systems
- Not a standalone game; the base game is required
Is Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) is a worthwhile expansion for owners who want more exploration and logistical planning. The add-on requires Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC), so confirm that the base game is in your library before choosing it.
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#4
Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC)
The Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC) is the best grand strategy pick for galaxy-builders, supporting 1 to 32 players in its strategic universe.
Best for: Players who want expansive empire management
- Players
- 1–32
- Strategy scale
- Galactic empire
- Perspective
- Real-time with pause
- Broad tools for diplomacy, exploration and expansion
- A flexible sandbox supports varied play styles
- Multiplayer adds competitive and cooperative options
- The many systems take time to learn
Is Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC) is a strong choice for players who want long-form empire management, diplomacy and galactic exploration. The Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC)'s real-time-with-pause structure gives you control over the pace, while multiplayer supports shared or competitive campaigns.
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#5
Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC)
The Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC) is the best compact sci-fi strategy pick for players who enjoy high-stakes runs, with 1 player commanding a ship across 8 sectors.
Best for: Players who want replayable, run-based space strategy
- Players
- 1
- Run structure
- 8 sectors
- Combat style
- Real-time with pause
- Short runs deliver sharp strategic decisions
- Ship systems and crew choices create variety
- Easy to return to for another campaign
- Run-based difficulty can be punishing
Is Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC) is a superb fit for players who want compact space strategy with meaningful risk. Each run asks you to manage a ship and crew across multiple sectors, making it a sharper, shorter alternative to sprawling colony or empire games.
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#6
2K XCOM 2 Collection (PC)
The 2K XCOM 2 Collection (PC) is the best squad-tactics package for players who want turn-based missions, with up to 6 soldiers in a combat squad.
Best for: Players who want tactical missions and squad progression
- Players
- 1
- Combat squad
- Up to 6 soldiers
- Collection
- 2 major campaign experiences
- Positioning and cover make battles highly tactical
- Soldier development gives missions personal stakes
- Collection format brings substantial campaign content
- The pressure of a losing campaign can be intense
Is 2K XCOM 2 Collection (PC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. 2K XCOM 2 Collection (PC) delivers a strong mix of squad tactics, base decisions and campaign progression. The 6-soldier combat squad keeps each mission readable while leaving room for specialized roles, making the collection a good fit for turn-based strategy fans.
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#7
Paradox Interactive Surviving Mars: Green Planet (PC DLC)
The Paradox Interactive Surviving Mars: Green Planet (PC DLC) is the best terraforming expansion for established colony builders, tracking 3 planetary measures: atmosphere, temperature and water.
Best for: Surviving Mars owners who want planetary terraforming
- Players
- 1
- Base game required
- 1
- Terraforming measures
- 3
- Adds a clear long-term planetary transformation goal
- Links colony growth with environmental change
- Extends the base game’s settlement planning
- Requires Surviving Mars as a separate base game
Is Paradox Interactive Surviving Mars: Green Planet (PC DLC) worth buying on Black Friday 2026?
Yes. Paradox Interactive Surviving Mars: Green Planet (PC DLC) is a good expansion for players who want a colony to reshape its planet over time. The add-on requires Surviving Mars, so it fits existing owners better than shoppers seeking a standalone strategy game.
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Which is better: Battlestar Galactica Deadlock or Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out!?
Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) is the better pick for fleet combat, while Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) is the better pick for colony survival and exploration. The 2 games share a space setting, not a core gameplay loop.
Battlestar Galactica Deadlock puts you in command of ships, positioning and turn-based encounters. The campaign gives the action a narrative frame, and fleet choices drive the appeal. Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! extends the base game’s colony systems with space travel and linked planetoid management. Its challenge comes from keeping a settlement running as needs and logistics stack up.
Pick Battlestar Galactica Deadlock for focused tactical missions. Pick Spaced Out! if you already own Oxygen Not Included and want a bigger systems puzzle. Worth it for most players who prefer long-form management: start with the base game before adding the expansion.
What makes Battlestar Galactica Deadlock stand out?
Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) stands out with 12 campaign missions built around commanding a fleet in tactical space battles. The ship-to-ship focus separates it from colony sims and broad galaxy-scale strategy games.
The core appeal is making deliberate choices about ship placement, targeting and fleet composition. Battles reward thinking several moves ahead instead of simply expanding a base or empire. Familiarity with Battlestar Galactica adds extra flavor, but the tactical structure remains the main reason to choose the game.
For Black Friday 2026 shoppers, the clearest fit is someone who wants a contained, story-led strategy campaign. Players seeking a sandbox that runs for a long time should look at Stellaris or Oxygen Not Included instead. Those games focus on larger systems and more open-ended planning.
Does Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! require the base game?
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) requires Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC), so the expansion is not a standalone game. The base game supplies the colony simulation that the add-on expands.
Oxygen Not Included is about maintaining a functioning habitat while managing colonists and interconnected survival systems. Spaced Out! adds a spacefaring layer, giving experienced players new logistical goals across planetoids. The added scope makes the expansion a natural next step for established players, rather than the best first purchase for newcomers.
Check your library and the listed edition contents before buying. If you do not own the base game, choose Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC) first. If you already understand its colony loop and want more exploration, the expansion is the relevant add-on.
Which alternatives suit different kinds of strategy players?
Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC), Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC) and 2K XCOM 2 Collection (PC) cover 3 distinct strategy styles. Stellaris scales up to a galaxy, FTL centers on replayable ship runs, and XCOM 2 focuses on squad missions.
Choose Stellaris for diplomacy, empire growth and a broad sandbox. FTL is the compact pick for tense runs with ship and crew management. XCOM 2 Collection suits players who want turn-based ground combat, soldier development and campaign decisions. Each shifts the focus away from the direct fleet-versus-colony comparison.
Surviving Mars: Green Planet is another colony option, but the DLC requires the Surviving Mars base game. Consider the games’ scope and prerequisites as much as their sci-fi themes. A familiar setting does not guarantee a matching play style.
What should Black Friday 2026 shoppers check before buying?
Black Friday 2026 shoppers should check platform, edition contents and base-game requirements before buying any of the 7 picks in this guide. Those details determine whether a game runs on your setup and whether an expansion has everything it needs.
First, confirm the store listing matches your platform and intended account. Next, distinguish full games from add-ons: Spaced Out! and Green Planet require their respective base games. For collections, inspect the included content so the package matches what you want to play. Product names and bundles can differ between storefronts.
Finally, match the game to your preferred session style. Fleet battles and squad missions deliver tactical encounters; colony sims and grand strategy ask for broader planning. Black Friday is a useful time to compare editions, but the right purchase is the one that fits your library and play habits.
Buying Guide
Choose combat or management
Pick Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) for turn-based fleet combat. Pick Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC) for colony survival, resource planning and emergent problems. The shared space setting does not make the two games interchangeable.
Check expansion prerequisites
Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) requires the base game. Paradox Interactive Surviving Mars: Green Planet (PC DLC) also requires its base game. Confirm ownership before adding either expansion to your cart.
Match game scale to your sessions
Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC) centers on runs across 8 sectors. Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC) offers a broader empire-management sandbox. Choose the scale you want to return to, not just the theme that catches your eye.
Compare collection contents
2K XCOM 2 Collection (PC) packages multiple campaign experiences. Review the listing’s edition details, platform compatibility and included add-ons before purchase. Storefront bundles can differ, so verify the exact package name.
Prioritize the game you will play
A useful Black Friday 2026 pick matches your preferred mechanics. Fleet command, colony survival, squad tactics and grand strategy each demand a different kind of attention. Start with the play style you enjoy, then compare editions.
FAQ
Is Battlestar Galactica Deadlock better than Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out!?
Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) is better for fleet tactics and a story-led campaign. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) is better for colony management and space exploration. The expansion requires the base game, so compare gameplay and ownership before choosing.
Does Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! include the base game?
No. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) is an expansion and requires Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC). Buy the base game first if it is not already in your library, then add the expansion for its extra spacefaring colony systems.
Which game is best for short space strategy sessions?
Subset Games FTL: Faster Than Light (PC) is the strongest fit for run-based space strategy, with a structure spanning 8 sectors. Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) is a better choice for players who want a campaign built around tactical fleet encounters.
Which strategy game has multiplayer?
Paradox Interactive Stellaris (PC) supports 1 to 32 players, making it the multiplayer pick in this guide. The other listed games center on single-player strategy. Check the current platform listing for multiplayer features and edition compatibility before buying.
What should I buy first, Oxygen Not Included or Spaced Out!?
Buy Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included (PC) first if you do not own the base game. Klei Entertainment Oxygen Not Included: Spaced Out! (PC DLC) builds on that colony simulation and requires it. Existing owners can choose the expansion for additional space exploration and logistics.
Is XCOM 2 Collection a good alternative to Battlestar Galactica Deadlock?
Yes, for players who want turn-based combat but prefer ground missions over space fleets. 2K XCOM 2 Collection (PC) focuses on squad tactics, soldier progression and campaign decisions. Slitherine Battlestar Galactica Deadlock (PC) is the closer match for tactical ship command.