How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II?

[Hugh Manatee]

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).