The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread

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The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 4:36:50 AM

lordxorn

Posts: 768
Joined: 12/6/2009
Status: offline

Ok,

I see some people browsing here and checking out what Distant Worlds is all about and see some are still on the fence.

My purpose of this thread is for all of Distant Worlds owners to chime here in on this thread, and your reply will mean you are recommending Distant Worlds to anyone who has yet bought it.

I also ask for a quick comment on why you are recommending a buy for Distant Worlds, and the only rule is that you not repeat what has already been said.

so I will start with,

1. This game is a Definite Must Buy because it is the freshest and most complete 4x to come out in a long time
2. On top of that it was accomplished by a small development team, and a medium sized publisher
3. This game has brought back the same awe, and wonder that I had when I first played MOO, MOO2.
4. The support for the game has been world class, and the involvement with the community.

Post #: 1

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 5:21:41 AM

lancer

Posts: 2963
Joined: 10/18/2005
Status: offline

Goodaye,

I'd chime in here and add that this is one of the very few games that I've bought when it first came out of the gate that wasn't a bug-filled disaster and that has provided a lot of enjoyment even before it was quickly patched.

This is an innovative game design that has come out of left field. It's chock full of new 4X ideas that are surprisingly well presented and executed. It's a little like finding a book on a subject of which you've already read a lot about and being surprised by the fresh approach and new thinking that none of the other books touched upon.

It's not a simple game and does require some time to get to grip with the tools provided in order to make them work for you rather than against you. However the game is presented in a very friendly format and goes out of it's way to ease you up the curve.

It's also a game system that you are able to bend into many different forms until you find your sweet spot. Very few - if any - 4X games are as bendy as this one.

Finally it's an enormous amount of fun and has great potential for future development with a lean and hungry developer and an experienced publisher behind it. Given the interest on the forum here it's a fair bet that sales are going well and that the future bodes well for all.

Cheers,
Lancer
(and no I don't live in the Land of Sheep or know Elliot/Codeforce)

< Message edited by lancer -- 3/29/2010 5:25:18 AM >

(in reply to lordxorn)

Post #: 2

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 5:37:30 AM

mllange

Posts: 527
Joined: 2/5/2005
Status: offline

Generally it is a good game out of the gates, not a must buy however and perhaps even a 'give it some time for further refinement' if you're on the fence and not a devoted fan of the 4X genre. The implementation of almost every screen and build queue are lacking, and management of an empire of any real size quickly becomes a major chore if you don't automate everything, (and where's the fun in watching the game play itself?).

In all, I would buy the game if you love the genre and want something new to play. If you don't fit in that category and don't have money burning holes in your pockets, I'm sure it will be a much more refined product a few months from now and will cause you less frustration if you wait.

For those who enjoy supporting hard-working new developers, like myself, this is an excellent candidate for your support.

_____________________________

There's a simple answer to every complex question - and it's wrong.
-Umberto Eco

(in reply to lancer)

Post #: 3

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 6:14:53 AM

lordxorn

Posts: 768
Joined: 12/6/2009
Status: offline

Thanks for the opinion, however this is a buy thread.

In a reply to your comment though, I kindly say you are mistaken.

I totally disagree when you say the implementation of every screen screen and build queue are lacking. This couldn't be further from the truth, because every screen has tons of functionality that help you run your empire. I admit it has taken some time to get used to the mechanics, but there are so many "AhHas!" that I have been discovering by reading the forums and playing the same time. (The game alt-tabs fine. =-))

It is also kind of a paradox where you say management of an empire of any size quickly becomes a major chore, but then applaud the game for the automate feature it could play itself?
So which is it, the game is a chore to manage or no fun because it is too automated. You blindly leave out the fact that you can customize the automation features to your liking.

Have you played the Hearts of Iron series? That is a great series that no strategy gamer should go without, however it takes alot of management. However it still manages to be fun, and it has no where near the automation features of DW. The AI in HOI3 has certainly fell short because you have no chance of winning any wars, where you admit DW management AI can practically run your empire.

I totally disagree where you say that it needs some refinement, if we were talking about Armada then I would agree with that assessment, however Distant Worlds is much more refined and has already received two patches.

(in reply to mllange)

Post #: 4

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 6:41:59 AM

incbob

Posts: 727
Joined: 6/23/2004
From: Columbia, Missouri
Status: offline

Have you ever wanted to run an galactic empire? If you have this is your game. I feel like the emperor in Star Wars ordering my ships around.

One thing that I really like is what some people have explained as it being the "living" feel. The background actions of the private sector are not distracting, but make you feel like the universe is actually living and moving without you.

(in reply to lordxorn)

Post #: 5

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 7:15:19 AM

mllange

Posts: 527
Joined: 2/5/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: lordxorn

Thanks for the opinion, however this is a buy thread.

Which is exactly why we don't need the immature fanboy attitutude, Lordxorn. Presenting a one-sided, Pollyanna view of the game will only lead to disappointment from those with unrealistic expectations if they buy the game expecting perfection and gaming Utopia. Let's give them a bit of realistic perspective while we're at it, eh?

quote:

In a reply to your comment though, I kindly say you are mistaken.

I totally disagree when you say the implementation of every screen screen and build queue are lacking. This couldn't be further from the truth, because every screen has tons of functionality that help you run your empire. I admit it has taken some time to get used to the mechanics, but there are so many "AhHas!" that I have been discovering by reading the forums and playing the same time. (The game alt-tabs fine. =-))

Let's list a few aspects of the game that need further refinement:

Refueling,
Visual queues on anything wider than a system level to indicate where battles are happening,
Upgrading existing designs to implement new technologies, (especially mid-to-late game when you have hundreds or thousands of ships),
Colony management mid-to-late game, (again when you have scores to hundreds of planets and a screaming long list to scroll through),
Color management; ever fight against an empire that is the same color as your empire? Major confusion!
Most of the screens could use improvement, small windows that don't scroll horizontally, no comparison information, ship components not sorted, etc...
etc...

We could go on, of course, but that's not the point. Most of these are listed in the wishlist thread(s) and will probably be added or refined over the next few months, which is why I mention that anyone who isn't already burning to buy the game could wait a while until things improve.

quote:

It is also kind of a paradox where you say management of an empire of any size quickly becomes a major chore, but then applaud the game for the automate feature it could play itself?
So which is it, the game is a chore to manage or no fun because it is too automated. You blindly leave out the fact that you can customize the automation features to your liking.

Have you played the Hearts of Iron series? That is a great series that no strategy gamer should go without, however it takes alot of management. However it still manages to be fun, and it has no where near the automation features of DW. The AI in HOI3 has certainly fell short because you have no chance of winning any wars, where you admit DW management AI can practically run your empire.

Let's just say that you and I have vastly differing opinions in terms of what is enjoyable in a game. Watching the AI play is anything but fun for me.

quote:

I totally disagree where you say that it needs some refinement, if we were talking about Armada then I would agree with that assessment, however Distant Worlds is much more refined and has already received two patches.

Can't speak to Armada and it wouldn't matter if I did. If you compare DW to, let's say - GalCiv II - Twighlight of the Arnor - you'll see that finding what you are looking for and getting to the information you want and need is much easier in GalCiv II; it is a more refined product at this stage. Of course, it has been patched, expanded and overhauled countless times over the last few years, which is to be expected. There are those who are looking for that kind of experience, and I simply want to point out that we're not quite there with DW at this early stage. Perhaps a few people would prefer to be informed rather than pursuaded.

< Message edited by nim8or -- 3/29/2010 7:18:58 AM >

_____________________________

There's a simple answer to every complex question - and it's wrong.
-Umberto Eco

(in reply to lordxorn)

Post #: 6

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 8:32:45 AM

lordxorn

Posts: 768
Joined: 12/6/2009
Status: offline

Well I was trying to remain civil in my reply to your trolling, but since you throw out "fanboy attitude" I will call your reply what it is, TROLLING.

Why don't you start a Haters Thread then, I explained clearly the purpose of this thread.

quote:

Original: nim8or
"Which is exactly why we don't need the immature fanboy attitutude, Lordxorn. Presenting a one-sided, Pollyanna view of the game will only lead to disappointment from those with unrealistic expectations if they buy the game expecting perfection and gaming Utopia. Let's give them a bit of realistic perspective while we're at it, eh?"

First of all if you even played Armada you would understand why I am definitely recommending DW over Armada. Also you misused the term Pollyanna CHECK THIS. This game is superior to Armada in every which way you can define a 4x game. Matter of fact, with the current state of the 4x market, it is the best option at the moment. I would venture to say that my words will be proven true in the months to come, because I believe Matrix has a sleeper hit here.

quote:

Original: nim8or

Let's list a few aspects of the game that need further refinement:
Refueling,
Visual queues on anything wider than a system level to indicate where battles are happening,
Upgrading existing designs to implement new technologies, (especially mid-to-late game when you have hundreds or thousands of ships),
Colony management mid-to-late game, (again when you have scores to hundreds of planets and a screaming long list to scroll through),
Color management; ever fight against an empire that is the same color as your empire? Major confusion!
Most of the screens could use improvement, small windows that don't scroll horizontally, no comparison information, ship components not sorted, etc...
etc...

Refueling can be a major pain if you don't put any of your ships on auto. Otherwise having my fleets set on manual is easy enough to manage. Your missing the whole point about having the fuel mechanic in a 4x where it kind of reminds me of hex based type games, and adds a whole new dimension to your strategy. I am sure a patch is coming to fix this one. Is it enough to not recommend a buy, NO.

Visual queues for battles galaxy wide, and you complain about the colors blending in together between empires? You are truly bipolar. So you want visual queues plastered all over the galaxy screen for every battle talk about overkill, did you not notice the pop ups, or scrolling event list notifying you of battles occurring? Plus you would be crazy to try and watch and personally track every combat that takes place.
The work around for this is that I will only manually control a few main invasion fleets, and then auto the rest of my military forces. So all the little skirmishes that don't need my attention, will be taken care of by my forces on auto.

I am guessing you leave all your ships on manual, then maybe you didn't notice that ships on auto will retrofit, or retire, when you upgrade existing designs. The benefits are some tech bonuses, and of course economy bonuses because the civilian side orders new ships from your ship yards.

How is colony management different then say Gal Civ when you also have list of colonies to scroll through? TROLL

Ship Components are sortable by clicking on the tabs.

quote:

Original: nim8or
Let's just say that you and I have vastly differing opinions in terms of what is enjoyable in a game. Watching the AI play is anything but fun for me.

Again I already eluded earlier to your bipolar-ism. You make it sound like there are only two options for the game, auto or manual. This is furthest from the truth, as you can decide to leave many or few things to the ai, like building ships, fleets, new colonies, suggest new treaties, and so forth.

So why would someone be forced to watch the AI you TROLL?

Comparing GalCiv2 is unfair because like you mention it is a more refined product because it is a SEQUEL you TROLL. It would be more fair to compare DW to GalCiv1, and I would even say if both were released today I would still prefer Distant Worlds.

Why?
Combat is vastly superior
Economy has more depth
Real Time
Grander in Scope

< Message edited by lordxorn -- 3/29/2010 8:35:30 AM >

(in reply to mllange)

Post #: 7

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 12:33:22 PM

Erik Rutins

Posts: 37503
Joined: 3/28/2000
From: Vermont, USA
Status: offline

lordxorn,

While I appreciate the support nim8or was not trolling and we have no objection to him voicing his point of view. I realize you had a specific goal in mind for this thread, but I think you need to let people voice their opinions per our forum rules, even if you disagree with them. In fact, the person I saw getting most personal here was you, in your post above. Keep it civil, no personal attacks. As long as people remain civil, we have no problem with it, so please shake hands and get along.

_____________________________

Erik Rutins
CEO, Matrix Games LLC

For official support, please use our Help Desk: http://www.matrixgames.com/helpdesk/

Freedom is not Free.

(in reply to lordxorn)

Post #: 8

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 1:28:19 PM

ypsylon

Posts: 114
Joined: 7/15/2007
Status: offline

I will add one more reason - in case somebody is thinking about it.

If you want to buy Supreme Commander 2 over DW. Please don't do this!!! Buy DW now and SC2 if they lower price to like 5$.

There are issues in DW, it is not perfect, but it is a good product.

(in reply to Erik Rutins)

Post #: 9

RE: The Ultimate Buy Recommend Thread - 3/29/2010 2:37:05 PM

Gertjan

Posts: 698
Joined: 12/9/2009
Status: offline

Issues are minor I must say. The giant scale is cool and manageable (although it is very busy on the screen ;0)
Battles are great as well!

(in reply to ypsylon)

Post #: 10