How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II?
 

I enjoyed Galactic Civilizations II but would not be interested in Space Empires V if it was very similar, since there is no point playing another game that is basically the same with only minor differences.

Is Space Empires V different enough to Galactic Civilisations II to be worth playing?

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

The military side in SEV is huge jump compared to GC2,so yes get it.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Uh man i personally dont think that someone who likes GC will like SE and vice-versa. GC is just SO simplified in every aspect, it almost makes me cry.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Well I like both so......

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Ya people who tend to love GalCiv II simplicy are turned off by the depth of game play and replayablity of Space Empires IV and V. No if you like Galciv 2 chances are you will find SE V too much of a game for your tastes. But don't get me wrong, GalCiv 2 is a very good game, it just lacks the depth that SE V has.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

They're very different, SE5 is much more detailed. In GC everything just gives additionnal "bonuses", here you have really new stuff when you got new tech, up to sun blowing items.
Ship building is a real design exercice not for the ship looks but for its role/armament, and you've real tac combat, not just a non-interactive movie.
OTOH in SE5 the AI sucks big time http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

If you don't mind a little reading, we have a comparison review.

Short answer: yes, they're different enough to make it worth playing both.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Well, TC didn't ask if he would enjoy SEV if he liked GC2, he asked if they were different enough that they aren't just cloned, they aren't similar in many respects it seems. Get SEV for the eventual multiplayer epics that will be played over PBW and PBEM(as I recall GC2 doesn't have multiplayer right? There's reason enough to take a spin at SEV, test your strategic abilities against real intelegence). Also ship design seems much different, SEV has tons of weapons and components making for detailed ship designs and strategies, but each ship of a class looks alike(all the destroyers look the same no matter what you put on them, however if you have enough skill with a 3D modeling program you can make your own ships), where in GC it seems much simpler but you can interchange the looks of each ship. The complexity in ship design leads to more complex combat encounters, you can even customize the AI scripting of your fleets in the strategic combat mode or control them directly like in a RTS(except you can pause the action periodically to set up their orders). Also you can tweak the rules in SEV by altering the data files creating your own mods and adding your own sounds and art, there are already some interesting mods out and more are sure to come(it's like getting several games in 1).

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

I have both games and I enjoy them both. SE V has far more depth thus the games are far more involved. I enjoy GalCiv2 for simply afternoon playing but depend upon SE V for my meat and potato's 4x gaming.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Good comparison article, Baby-arm.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Excellent article Baby-arm. You should be commended on it.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

You should play the Startrek mod for GC2, it rocks.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Space Empires V is a space war game with empire building elements. GalCiv is an space empire building game with war game elements. I played the demo of GalCiv2, and it has a lot to recommend it. Space Empires V could learn a lot from GalCiv2, to add more depth to the empire building parts of the game. Unfortunately, GC2 suffers from absolutely the worst strategic map I have ever encountered and I couldn't play the damn thing beyond a few turns.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Very nice article Baby-arm.
Only thing lacking is any mention of multi-player.
Can you play against other humans with the other 2?

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

GC2 doesn't do multiplayer. I don't think SoTC does either, but I might be mistaken.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

GalCiv2 doesn't do MP, but Sword of the Stars was very much designed with MP in mind. Some say it's the best part of the game.

And thanks for the compliments on the article, guys. I'll be sure to pass them along to the author (Stefan aka YourConscience).

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

I don't see much similarity between the SE series and the GalCiv series at all, beyond both being 4Xers set in interstellar space.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Whoa, thanks for that link.

Re: How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II
 

Ok, I found out why I find GalCiv2 boring:
It takes too long to develop a valuable combat ship.
In SE4, you can research all the way to destroyer very easily, to start producing a low tech design, and later upgrade it.
In GalCiv2, it takes forever just to get a corvett hull.