Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

let's hope it doesn't stay dead forever.

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

Another good review for GALCIV:
http://firingsquad.gamers.com/games/...ew/default.asp

They Say:
"GalCiv is easily the best 4X game right now and the best that we’ll see for years to come. "

THEY HAVE NOT REVIEWED SE4!!!

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

I just might have to go out and buy GalCiv now.

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

doesn't seem to have a demo, though.

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

If you didn't like the Civilization series of games, you will not like GalCiv, as it is basically Civilization in space. Conversely, if you did like Civ, you should like GalCiv. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

And, of course, it has nothing on SE4 as the best 4X game.

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

Having played a few dozen hours of both the unpatched original Galactic Civilizations and the current patch, I must say that it is shaping up rather nicely. Within the Last few weeks of release, it's had two patches which have added many new things and tweaks which are nice. Even the original release is nice and playable...I finished two games on that alone with no issues. The promise of additional tweaks and patches and added support is always a good thing (as we all know http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif ).

Apparently there is a customization option available where you can add new ship designs and such, but I haven't looked into it yet. On their website (www.galciv.com), there are already several user-made events you can throw in there.

There are a few things I miss in GalCiv that SEIV provides plenty of, such as ship design and combat. It is very strategic and simplified, with units attacking one-on-one (a stack of fighters will die against something bigger unless you have enough to whittle away at his hit points). Everything is streamlined and straightforward, including the interface, making it easy to access everything and anything you want with as few clicks as possible.

On the surface, it doesn't seem very deep, and advancement of your two dozen or so statistics of your empire/race is strictly in new structures/abilities that affect percentages a few points at a time. Although by the end a Dreadnought may totally outclass those Defenders you had at the beginning, it doesn't bear as much impressiveness. It leaves a sort of ho-hum-it's-a-REALLY-upgraded-starfighter feeling.

Mostly where it shines is in the AI. They're smart, efficient, and remember things. I was surprised when I got a message from a race groveling for peace, saying that they know they started the war, but didn't know I'd fight back so hard. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif Diplomacy and trade is very well done, and they consider these things before invading your systems. There is a little bit more of tweaking and optimizing economic stats than I'd like, but it is also intuitive and eventually becomes second nature to keep yourself in the black.

It was definitely worth my money, because it does have a lot of replayability. I have a few games going because it's interesting to see how the stats I chose and AI settings I have (they're increasing as I get better...I'm not good enough to play it on anything higher than 'normal' right now) affect the game.

I agree with Fyron, though, SEIV is still better. For me, it's about the fact that when I go into battle, it's with MY ships that I handcrafted through the years that I'm kicking alien butt, and not some generic ships with my att/def/hp bonuses. SEIV lets you win your way, and GalCiv lets you win one of their 3 ways (although provides you with a very wild ride in the meantime).

Sorry about the lack of MOOness...I'm not touching that one. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

zen

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

Don't buy MOO3 till they release 2 patches. I'm a huge fan of both MOO1 and MOO2, and I even kinda like MOO3, but I haven't touched it after the first week it came out. There is a good game somewhere underneath the horrible UI, and I am sure a couple of patches will help me find it.

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

Try Alpha Centauri by Sid Meier. ITs been around for a while, so you can prob pick it and its expansion up for pretty cheap. Its similiar to Civ games, but it has the important note that you still design the units... no prefab units, which is nice.

It also has an excellent political engine, and in my eye it is one of the greatest games ever made, and I also believe it would fit into the 4X genre...

I strongly reccomend you atleast try it. Many a night was completly lost playing this game.

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Many a night, eh...try many a week on my end http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

It's also relatively easy to modify (i said, relatively...) as it's data files are aldo in text format. I still lose a few weekends to it every so often.

Re: Recycle Old Threads Drive Canceled!
 

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">WOW! Finally an AI that does not have the usual style of "I hate you because you are nonAI and will attack you any time I like without any reason even if I have less chance than an ant trying to strangle an elephant"