Interested in SE-V -- differences to GalCiv II?

[Fyron]

SE4 _suffers_ in ship design? What? Its quite superior to the 97% useless slot layout of SE5... If it had the inner/outer/armor lists of SE3, it would be perfect.

Regarding AI requirements, you would be better off with SE4 and the TDM mod (which just alters AI). AIC and Carrier Battles also have some good AI, but are widely divergent from the stock tech tree and best saved til after you become familiar with the game. AI has never been one of SE's particular strong points, though mods have been able to make it fairly challenging. SE5 has some AI related mods in the works, but as of yet they lack the amount of refinement that SE4's mods developed over the years.

[aegisx]

I think tactical combat is the big difference. Ships and how they are built really matter, rather than being simple different name and power rating. You have to decide whether you want, for example, range vs power. Some weapons only affect shields, some only armor etc There is so much variety compared to GC2 and the decisions are very important.

[onomastikon]

I see, thanks for these replies so far.
I hadnt considered getting the older game vs. the newer, since I only uncovered reviews for SE-IV (by Bruce Geryk no less) after reading these posts. It really is nearly 8 years old?!?!
I didnt know that AI was redone on mods, ok. I will try the demo.
If SE-V hasnt been "fixed" by now (I mean simply bugfixes, not improved AI etc.) then I doubt it will be in the next year.
That's too bad, since it appeared that there were really a lot of neat choices to be had in SEV.
If I am understanding you correctly, SEV and SEIV are also, like Dom3, basically for MP play. I am afraid that I will have to look elsewhere then. Aren't there any good SINGLE PLAYER 4X games out there with decent AI??

[Fyron]

6 years old.

SE5 has had a ton of bug fixes since release. Pretty much all of the major bugs have been fixed.

SE4/5 are not multiplayer-only. With the right setup, the AI can give you a run for your money.

[Suicide Junkie]

As a good example;
In Carrier Battles mod, I'm playing with NO BONUS AIs on team mode. Last game, my fleets were destroyed and I started losing ground to the AIs just before turn 50. I'm doing a little better in this second game because the galaxy is bigger and most of the AIs are just at the outermost fringe of their supply range when they meet my ships at the fringe of mine.
I've been playing since last millenium, and it is nice to have a game in which I really don't know if I will win or not despite my BEST efforts on all fronts.
http://www.shrapnelcommunity.com/thr...&Number=531519

Everything is always better in multiplayer, because you face creativity rather than brute force.
You don't see 700 ship battles against the AI http://imagemodserver.mine.nu/other/...an1_turn08.jpg