How Much Does It Cost to Collect the Full Hyperspace Ecosystem?
Right now, the full Hyperspace ecosystem costs $145.98 if you buy every piece Petersen Games currently sells: $96.99 for the Standard Edition core game plus $48.99 for the Nova Expansion Packs. That's the whole catalog. Unlike Cthulhu Wars, which spreads across a dozen-plus faction and Great Old One packs, Hyperspace is a two-box collection today.
That simplicity is worth knowing before you shop. You won't find a scattered list of add-ons to chase down, and you won't find a bundle discount either. Here's what each piece actually gets you, and where the total comes from.
What's in the $96.99 Hyperspace Standard Edition core game?
One box, one complete game. The Hyperspace Standard Edition ($96.99) is a 2-4 player asymmetric strategy game built around interstellar expansion. You take one of four alien civilizations, build an empire, fight over resources, and research technology, all without an upkeep phase slowing the table down. Each turn is three actions. That's it.
Designed by Sandy Petersen, the same designer behind Cthulhu Wars, the core box supports up to six players once you add the Nova expansion. No faction pack purchase is required to field all four starting civilizations; they ship in the box, ready to play.
What does Nova add, and what does it cost?
Four new civilizations for $48.99. The Nova Expansion Packs bring Automata, Salps, Starspawn, and Zepzeg into the game, doubling the roster from four civilizations to eight. Nova also includes everything needed to push a game from four players up to six, so it solves two problems at once: more matchups and a bigger table.
Each new civilization plays by its own rules. Automata leans mechanical, Salps are built around a planktonic hive strategy, Starspawn pull from Lovecraftian horror, and Zepzeg round out the set with their own asymmetric path to victory. If your group has run through the four starting civilizations a handful of times, Nova is the natural next purchase.
Is there anything else in the Hyperspace ecosystem to budget for?
Not as of today. Search the Petersen Games store for "Hyperspace" and two products come back: the Standard Edition core game and the Nova Expansion Packs. No separate faction packs, no dice sets, no map expansions the way Cthulhu Wars has built out over a decade of Kickstarter campaigns. The Hyperspace expansions and add-ons guide covers this same ground in more depth if you want the full context on how the line compares to the studio's other ecosystems.
One thing worth flagging directly: a product called "Startopolis Nova Box" exists in the store and is explicitly labeled by the retailer as not being a Hyperspace product, despite the similar name. Don't let that one land in your cart by mistake. If you're deciding between Petersen's two flagship lines in general, the Cthulhu Wars full collection cost guide shows just how much larger that ecosystem has grown by comparison, and the core vs. Nova civilizations breakdown digs deeper into what changes at the table once you add the expansion.
What does the full collection cost, all in?
$145.98 for both boxes at today's listed prices. That figure doesn't include shipping. In-stock orders process within 48 hours (two business days, Monday through Friday). US orders ship via USPS Ground Advantage, typically 2 to 5 business days in transit. Canadian orders ship via DHL Ground, typically 3 to 7 business days in transit. Rates are calculated at checkout based on destination, weight, and size, and there's no standing free-shipping offer, so build that into your budget on top of the $145.98.
Prices change. Confirm both figures on the live product pages before you check out, since listings and promotions shift over time.
Is the full Hyperspace collection worth the price?
Depends on how much your group values asymmetric variety. Hyperspace launched in 2020 as Petersen Games' return to space-themed design, built in the 4X tradition of explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate, with civilizations drawn from Sandy Petersen's own background in zoology rather than the usual humanoid sci-fi tropes.[1] Meeple Mountain's review of the game points to the same thing that drives most Hyperspace purchases: the fast turn structure and alien asymmetry hold up across repeated plays, which is exactly what Nova is designed to extend.[2] The 4X genre itself has a long track record on tabletop and in video games of rewarding replay over a single session, which is the whole reason a genre built on eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate keeps players coming back for another round.[3]
A $96.99 core game that gets replayed with four different civilizations already earns its keep. Adding $48.99 for four more roughly doubles your matchup variety for about half the cost of the original box, which is a fair trade if your table plays regularly.
What's the smartest order to buy in?
Start with the core game. Play the four starting civilizations enough to know how the asymmetry actually plays out before you add more of it.
- Hyperspace Standard Edition. Play through the four starting civilizations first. This is a complete game on its own, and it's the only required purchase.
- Nova Expansion Packs. Add this once your group wants more matchups or needs seats for five or six players. Four new civilizations, four new playstyles.
- Check back for new releases. The Hyperspace line is small today, but Petersen Games has grown Cthulhu Wars from one box into a dozen-plus expansions over time. Watch the product pages if you want to stay current.
Ready to see current pricing for yourself? The Hyperspace Standard Edition core game is the place to start, and the Nova Expansion Packs are right there when you're ready to double your civilization count.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the full Hyperspace collection cost?
$145.98 total for both currently available products: the $96.99 Standard Edition core game and the $48.99 Nova Expansion Packs. That's before shipping, which is calculated at checkout.
Is there a discount for buying the core game and Nova together?
Not as a bundle. Each product is sold separately at its own listed price, and there's no standing free-shipping offer. Check both product pages for any promotion that might be live before you order.
How many civilizations do you get with the core game versus Nova?
The core game ships with four civilizations. Nova adds four more (Automata, Salps, Starspawn, Zepzeg), exactly doubling the roster to eight and adding support for up to six players.
Do I need Nova to play Hyperspace?
No. The Standard Edition core game is a complete 2-4 player experience with four asymmetric civilizations. Nova adds variety and player-count headroom; it doesn't fill a gap in the base game.
Does the $145.98 total include shipping?
No. In-stock orders process within 48 hours, then ship via USPS Ground Advantage in the US (2-5 business days) or DHL Ground in Canada (3-7 business days). Rates are calculated at checkout based on destination, weight, and size.
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