From turn one, Influence can be used to buy out system improvements and ships, something that other factions have to spend the game's currency (dust) on - after they research the right technology. With the United Empire, Influence is currency that gives them a leg up on all the other factions. Influence is mostly used to enact new laws and expand a system's sphere of influence - or, occasionally, as currency for an Academy quest if you have the right DLC. As with any Endless game, there are resources that need to be producedВ to effectively progress: Food, Industry, Dust, Science and Influence.В EachВ of these can be increased through system improvements, population bonuses and hero skills. However,В the real strength of the United Empire lies in their influence. It's not just a mechanical change either, as Emperor Zelevas, the avatar for the United Empire, will change outfits depending upon which faction you pick. Each version grants different bonuses, making the United Empire a great faction to play as over and over again. Sticking with Industrialist will keep the United Empire as it is, but going with the Militarist choices turns them into the Sheredyn from Endless Space,В while picking Scientist choices turn them into the Mezari from Endless Legend. Throughout the quest-line, the player has to choose which political party to favor: Militarist, Industrialist or Scientist.

RELATED: What We Want From The Outer Worlds 2 Like the other factions, they look to the stars for new frontiers - but unlike the other factions, the United Empire is very flexible. The faction is humanoid, and their aesthetic is imperial fanaticism, with their opening cinematic smacking strongly of war propaganda. The United Empire is one of the starting factions of the core game, and, on the surface, it doesn't look as alien as many of the other choices.

It isn't necessary to play all the games, but it does add to the enjoyment when you recognize a faction's history - such as the United Empire, born from the Mezari from Endless Legend and back in the lineup from the first Endless Space game. The saga of the Endless and how they've helped or hindered various races is a long and convoluted one, stretching across several games, galaxies and dimensions. Amplitude Studios, a subsidiary of Sega, has a number of 4X games that take place in the same universe, which allows for some deep worldbuilding and flavor text if one cares to read it all.

Endless space 2 ships and faction