About GalCiv, I have purchased games with rave reviews ...

from Stardock Forums
and have been entertained for a reasonable amount of time. So I naturally I am a little concerned about purchasing a game that is getting a
"not exactly ground breaking" review.

Admittedly, I am a Moo2 fan and was ecstatic when I heard Moo3 was coming out. (sorry about the comparison for you GalCiv purest's but Moo3 fans have been greatly disappointed and inevitably will be coming here in hopes of what Moo3 should have been. Get over it.)But when I started seeing the pre game shots of Moo3 I quickly lost interest. I stumbled across GalCiv when reviewers started pointing to it as an alternative to the oft delayed Moo3 and have to say that the overall screen shots of the game are remarkably similar in feel to Moo2. Not having played the game I cant help but notice the many comparisons to Moo in this forum. I have been lurking here forum for several months reading the posts and wondering about your overall impression of the game. (Yes I read the Overall Impressions thread, all five replys)

From what I have read so far it sounds like people are saying, "it is basically ok, no glaring errors, nothing really special, if you want to play some kind of space game I guess you'll like it."

What kind of experience is this? Is it fianally a triumph when someone puts out a game that doesnt absolutely reak?

It seems like gaming developers have hit a wall in creativity. My all time faves i.e. Privateer 2, AOE, MechWarrior, Moo2, all have had underwhelming copycat followups in Freelancer, Galactic Battlegrounds, Mercenaries, and Moo3. Quake, and Unreal, besides graphical improvements, have not changed since the inception of Doom. Are there no new ground breaking ideas? What an abysmal year for gaming.

I would be willing to plunk down the cash for GalCiv, though the lack of Multiplayer really turns me off. I am intrigued by the Multiverse concept and this innovative feature is something worth rewarding. (I think they did that in SWGB by scripting actual players from AOE.)Truly innovative and far better would be to do the crowd pleaser and combine MultiPlayer and the Multiverse for both camps. There is nothing more devious than the human mind and I am afriad no AI can do justice to that, so the game just cannot be that replayable without some sort of human interaction.

I am hopeful when reading about the developer support and am half writing this with the hope that a developer will read this and give it some thought. If nothing else perhaps someone will see with what passion gamers are waiting for true innovation in these dark days.

Until someone answers this call there is always the old 7 day buy and try from Gamestop. Yes my friends, Dark Days indeed.

LZ

804 views 11 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
When MOO2 got reviewed on Gamespot, it received an overall score of 8.7. The GalCiv review came out today and it got an 8.4. The scores are not that far apart. But, ultimately, it's up to personal preference. And remember, a demo will be coming out shortly so u can try before u buy.

Personally, I love this game and would recommend it to any fan of 4X Space Strategy games. But that's just my opinion. Some people liked MOO3. I didn't. So, it all comes down to personal tastes.



~SDC~
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
I have both games and like them both. There's just a more personable feel to GalCiv. I feel like my choices truly make a difference. It plays differently and requires a bit of a different mindset than MOO3 but I enjoy the challenge. I won't tell you to get it, because I'm sure you were burned on MOO3, but you should definitely check it out. It's one of my favorite games.
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
it's just an extremely well made space 4X strategy game with exceptional enemy AI. it does not really "push the envelope" or "break new ground", but AFAIK that was not the intention of the developers to do so.

if that appeals to you, buy it. if you're not sure, wait for the demo.

cheers

h
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
One could argue that it's "pushing the envelope" in AI, one of the least advanced elements in all of gaming, as far as I'm concerned. It's the main reason I was interested.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Please see my thread here: http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81866
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
"From what I have read so far it sounds like people are saying, 'it is basically ok, no glaring errors, nothing really special, if you want to play some kind of space game I guess you'll like it.'"

Keep reading. You'll find much more positive reviews than that. I have, at least.

Even so, if you're that concerned then you might want to wait for the demo.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Is this post (the original one) a joke? Have you even been reading this forum? There are TONS of posts literally praising this game (everything about it) and praising the amount of developer support it's received. If you don't see that, you're either blind or trolling. End of story.
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
knonfuzed- he may have been getting his info from another board (if you get my drift) which would not have alot of praise for this game but would say its OKAY at best. He's not necessarily a troll, maybe he just didnt have the time to read all the good things on THIS forum.
Lordzero_ I agree about the lack of creativity in this hobby but thats a sad fact of life. Its now big money (relatively speaking) and few companies who bankroll game makers want to take a chance on anything. Thats why you get pablum and lowest common denominator stuff and abysmal clones yada yada yada. Does GalCiv push the edge? No. Is it good? In my opinion yes. Especially iof you are looking for great AI. If you are looking for something that has never been done before in a computer game...you may have to wait a LONG TIME. Especially if you also want that NEW THING to actually be worth playing.
Read more. Get the demo when it comes out. Then see for yourself.
Cheers.
Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top
Heh.. what I was thinking knofuzed. Gamespot reviewer tilts it at '9'.. and I would tend to agree. And the longevity of this game is pretty much assured with continuing support and bonuses, as well of course, as mods when the editor is released.

Bottom line. It is 40 bucks. If 40 bucks means that much to you, and you don't want to listen to what is for the most part overwhelming positives for this game, simply wait for the demo to be released in April, and judge for yourself. There is PLENTY of info on this site that should completely decide you one way or the other. This isn't the ultimate, most bestest perfect 4x game ever.. if that is what you are looking for. You'll be waiting for awhile if you are. It is an excellent 4x game with Civ attitude. It is fun, and it works, 'nuff said.

fleabitfox
Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top
Once more into the void.

It should be arriving tomorrow at Gamestop here. I was teetering on the edge, but from your posts it seems worthy of a try. I will be picking it up then. If it is all that you are saying I will be looking forward to seeing your names in the Multiverse.

Thanks for the input.

LZ