A couple of questions before I buy.

[ttomm46]

Hi

I've tried the demo for SE4gold and it seems pretty cool.....(tried SE3 too but the tutorial takes forever.)

Right now I'm playing Galactic Civ which seems cool....

My questions are :!1, one reviewer claimsit's hard to even finish a game of SE4..Is this true.

Next It's 44.95 which is a pretty fair Investment.Is it worth that much?..Is it easy to learn and immersive?

[Fyron]

It is quite easy to finish a game of SE4. The micromanagement in the end game when you control 3/4 or more of the galaxy can get somewhat high, but it is definitely a lot better than games like MOO2 in that department. The ability to add ships to the construction queues of dozens of planets at once, set automated way points to gather your ships together, fill queues, etc. helps to alleviate much of the worst of the micromanagement. And what deep strategy game does not get heavy in micromanagement in the end game anyways?

SE4 is most certainly worth 45 dollars. It is easy to learn, but you will always find that there is more to learn, as it is a deep game. It is very immersive.

Then, it is one of the most moddable games, ever. There are numerous mods out there that make it like buying a whole bunch of games for 45 dollars.

[ January 19, 2004, 02:07: Message edited by: Imperator Fyron ]

[Baron Grazic]

Welcome to the forums ttomm46.

Sorry I haven't played GalCiv, so I can't compair them, but to answer your SE questions.

Yes, it can be hard to finish a game depending on the game settings. If you start a game with 255 systems with 20 players (either human or AI) the game will take a long time to finish, but if you use a small map, then the game is pretty quick. For example, I just finished a Play-by-Web game against Slynky and even though we are on opposite sides of the world we finished in less 10 days and 70 turns.

As for the price, for the amount of hours I've played the game against other humans on PBW (http:\\seiv.pbw.cc) let alone solo its has been the one of the best purchases I've done.

You won't be let down by the game...

[Karibu]

What I am about to say here is only my opinion. However, I have to give you word of warning. I have been playing whole MOO series and a dozen other similar games and Space Empires IV of course. single play in SEIV sucks badly. The AI is not that good (it can fight you only with bonuses), computer opponents seem sterile and you get to war with all of them sooner or later (propably sooner).

However, the reason I hang here and like this game is that it's multiplayer abilities are beyond comparison. There is dozens after dozens mods for the game, which are not even hard to make and no two games are EVER similar. I am talking about SEIV PBW (Space Empires IV, Play by web) where is all the time dozens of games going and you can choose one or several to join in and start playing against humans. If you like multiplaying, SEIV is definately your "best buy".

However, welcome to the forums and form your own opinion of the game

SEIV Play by Web

[Master Belisarius]

Originally posted by Karibu:
single play in SEIV sucks badly. The AI is not that good (it can fight you only with bonuses)

I know that you wrote it's only your opinion, but can't avoid to write my own opinion here, ok?

Don't think the SEIV AI sucks badly!!!

For example, I think the AI of Moo3 sucks badly because can't give you a fight even with hard bonuses. Moo and Moo2 (I loved those games) AI's sucks badly if you consider that the AI cheat a lot.

Then, considering the SEIV AI doesn't cheat, can't agree that sucks badly.
Sure, it's not Deep Blue but using the TDM Modpack and AI bonuses, think still can give you a fight.
I consider myself an experienced SEIV player, and stil I play (and sometimes lose)games against the AI.

Originally posted by Karibu:

and you get to war with all of them sooner or later (propably sooner).

Agree here with you.

Also, I agree that the multiplayer makes this game GREAT.

About the TTomm46 questions: just want to say that after more of 2 years playing SEIV, it's the game with the best money spent / time playing ratio! (Second should be Moo2).

I like Galactic Civilizacions and this game has a better AI than SEIV. Interesting, but can't remember the Last time I've played this game (maybe 4 months!) but still I'm playing SEIV...
Anyway, I think GC it's a good game but less deep than SEIV.

[Cipher7071]

I'm going to give you the short Version of my opinion on this. SEIV is not for weenies. The learning curve, in terms of getting used to how everything works can be rather steep at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's one of the best games out there.