Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars is a turn-based strategy game that lets players take control of one of 10 playable races who can compete or coexist with other AI controlled opponents across vast galaxies.

In the game, players manage their empire, colonies, technological developments, ship design, inter-species diplomacy, and combat. In Master of Orion, players typically begin the game with a colonized home world in their solar system. Utilizing colony resources such as Credit Income, Research, Food, and Production, the player can grow their empire, expand their fleet, explore new worlds, increase their resources and trade, and combat other races. Victory is achieved by eliminating all other opponents, winning a vote for peaceful unification or having the highest score at the end of the last turn.