IGN 6.6 Review

[AstralWanderer]

Rather than a lack of "focus" I would suggest that SE has rather a "generic" feel to it, due to lacking a strong background story and atmosphere. The likes of Imperium Galactica, Haegemonia, Homeworld and Galactic Civilizations all had a background with a campaign to complete which provided players with a good introduction to the game.

SEV's introduction is pretty non-existent and the tutorial only seems to cover a quarter of what it should, leaving new players to learn by experimentation (which is where a second-rate AI probably becomes a bonus...). Producing an exciting scenario (let alone a campaign) would be a time-consuming task needing imagination, storytelling skills and thorough playtesting so it is understandable that basic game design/UI issues should be given priority - however does SEV offer enough in terms of event scripting to allow modders to produce their own campaigns?

[President_Elect_Shang]

A lack of background? Man you are talking main stream generic games here. That has never been SE, if you want background and scripted story go play StarFury. It’s very clear from your post you have never played any of the SE series before. The lack of background, the completely open script is what makes SE so darn powerful. Anyone of us ANY-ONE-OF-US can step in take this game and recreate it in any style or fashion we want! In fact we need not keep it as a space based game. With the right pics and some work you could make this an island adventure. Now how the heck does that qualify as “generic”?

[SunDevil]

Atrocities said:
Well everything he learns in SE V will help him with SE VI.

Sorry. But this was said a ton of times when SE IV was released in its buggy very similar state back in 2000.

[AminMaalouf]

Some of the older lads and maidens may remember what worlds of quality have once separated EU I to EU II.

[Atrocities]

Rather than a lack of "focus" I would suggest that SE has rather a "generic" feel to it, due to lacking a strong background story and atmosphere. The likes of Imperium Galactica, Haegemonia, Homeworld and Galactic Civilizations all had a background with a campaign to complete which provided players with a good introduction to the game.

You make a good point here, but I over looked one important thing. Those games had the benefit of a large teams working on them. SE series has only had one man, Aaron, and his focus has always been on programing. SE is a franchise dedicated to in depth game play. Its up to the players to make their own back stories for their races and many have.

Pretty much the only back story you need to know is this:

"The year is 2400.00 and the galaxy awaits exploration. Who could have ever imagine the wonders and horrors to come. Where peaceful exploration and diplomacy fail, conquest begins. Immerse yourself in the role of leader of a great Galatic Empire, or vast Intersellor Alliance. Explore the technology, build ships, and colonize the galaxy as you battle against other bloodthirsty races for absolute power."

[Raapys]

Even games such as MoO2, which had more people working on it, didn't go for a story-line approach, though. Imperium Galactica had some story-based setup, which was alright I guess. I wouldn't mind it for SE either, but I don't want it so much as to prefer Aaron worked on that instead of improving the actual gameplay mechanics and AI, which really needs alot of fixing. I do hope there'll eventually be a release of a good map/scenario editor( think Aaron mentioned something like that in an interview?).

Some sort of 'space monsters' or other drastic, potentially gainful, events would really spice the game up a bit, though. MoO2 really had a *huge* boost in the fun-factor with Antaran attacks and the Antaran Gate thingy.

[President_Elect_Shang]

Atrocities said:
Pretty much the only back story you need to know is this:

"The year is 2400.00 and the galaxy awaits exploration. Who could have ever imagine the wonders and horrors to come. Where peaceful exploration and diplomacy fail, conquest begins. Immerse yourself in the role of leader of a great Galatic Empire, or vast Intersellor Alliance. Explore the technology, build ships, and colonize the galaxy as you battle against other bloodthirsty races for absolute power."

And that’s just the Stock background story! Each mod presents something new even if it is minor there is always a new direction, flavor, theme, whatever label you care to apply! How does this grip you?

“Your people are hungry for growth and the stars are beckoning them to step forth and break your earthly bonds. But the stars can be cruel teachers; breaking those students who are unwilling to learn. Will your empire learn and rise to the top or will they be ground into oblivion under the heel of another? StarFire; let the race begin!”

Generic indeed! Grrrrrr

[Fyron]

AstralWanderer said:
Rather than a lack of "focus" I would suggest that SE has rather a "generic" feel to it, due to lacking a strong background story and atmosphere.

Which, incidentally, is one of it's biggest strengths; it's not saddled down with some cheesy story that detracts from the gameplay. It allows you to come up with your own stories, unencumbered by "official" muck. Even MOO had hardly any "story" to it, which was good. Just some general background stuff is all you need.

[Suicide Junkie]

Atrocities said:
Why can't they simply make a smart game, like SE V, and give the players the options to dumb it down or not?

Like my Rock, Paper, Scissors mod?

[Raapys]

Oooo, nasty. Are they upgradeable?