Turn-based strategy title Sid Meier’s Starships is out now for Windows PC, Mac, and iPad.

Starships extends the universe of Civilization: Beyond Earth but is a standalone offering that challenges players to command a fleet of starships through a series of missions.

According to 2K, players build a planetary federation by exploring the galaxy, researching futuristic technologies, and engaging in tactical space combat with an armada of uniquely customisable starships.

“Civilization: Beyond Earth encouraged players to explore humanity’s next chapter on an alien planet,” said Firaxis creative director Sid Meier.

“Starships takes players on a new adventure to find the other worlds settled by humanity, engage in a series of tactical missions, and ultimately bring peace and unity to the galaxy.”

The feature list:

◆ Encounter unique tactical challenges in every mission, with dynamically generated maps, victory conditions and foes;
◆ Develop customizable armadas for tactical plans with modular spaceship design;
◆ Expand Federation influence by coming to the aid of each planets citizens, using their unique abilities to enhance player fleets and hinder opponents, as well as building improvements on worlds to increase capabilities and resources;
◆ Lead a fleet to distant worlds and help civilizations defeat pirates, protect colony ships, destroy rogue AI and more;
◆ Declare victory by conquering threats to the galaxy, uniting a plurality of worlds through a Federation or leading constituents to push scientific frontiers.

Those who own Civilization: Beyond Earth will get access to cross-connectivity as well as unlockable bonuses, including new planet types and missions.

On the mobile side of things, Starships is only compatible with the iPad 2, iPad mini, and up.