Star systems are connected via a series of cosmic strings which allow ships to travel rapidly between neighbouring systems. Players colonize different star systems, which in turn contain up to six planets.

The game plays out on a randomly generated galaxy map with room for up to eight players/AI per game. To win, the player must be the first to meet the requirements for certain victory conditions, such as Economic, Diplomatic, Expansionary, and Supremacy victories. In Endless Space the player chooses one of ten unique civilizations, or can choose to create their own, to expand their interstellar empire and conquer the galaxy.