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Ok, bought it and my impressions

 
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Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 5:58:52 AM   
Warspite3

 

Posts: 210
Joined: 3/31/2005
Status: offline 		First, I am a bit lost but in a good way. This is NOT another "been there done that" type of game. It is very original and thats a great thing! I am finding bits of many types of games wrapped into one here. I have seen tiny parts of galciv2, ai wars, sins, lost empire, se5, armada 2526 and even civilization all in this game at one point or another. The developers had to have been a team of guys who have played these games since the early days of 4x space games through to now. I have not grasped it yet, not a huge learning curve just a different one. Also, I am not sure what it is but I have found it to be extremely addicting even though I am not sure what all I am doing quite yet. I can't say it stands above armada 2526 yet but it appears to stand on its own in a different sort of way so it is actually hard to compare to be honest. In fact what does one compare it to? There is nothing like it because it has all the tiny pieces into one game. It seems it has to be compared to several games. Its not a GalCiv2 or a MOO2 nor is it a SotS or Sins, I don't know what the heck it is Believe it or not, it even reminded me of something like X3 or space force rouge universe at times with all the ships travelling back and forth. I can tell you, i played, its very late I have work tomorrow and will not get much sleep from playing. In the end, this has to say one thing... its a winner

_____________________________

-Warspite3-
Post #: 1
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 12:16:44 PM   
Gertjan

 

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

ts very late I have work tomorrow and will not get much sleep from playing

I'm having similar problems

Why do you like Armada so much?

(in reply to Warspite3)
Post #: 2
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 12:28:39 PM   
pndrev

 

Posts: 42
Joined: 3/10/2008
Status: offline 		Yep, it's different. I've also played pretty much any 4X space game since the original MoO - or at least all turn based ones and a select few realtime games. I was quite sceptical about the realtime aspect of this game, but I find the automation (and the fine granularity with which you can deactivate it) fascinating. Having the civilian sector completely independent was a great idea IMO.

My only gripe is that it should be turn based. :D

(in reply to Gertjan)
Post #: 3
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 2:44:23 PM   
JudgeDredd


Posts: 8573
Joined: 11/14/2003
From: Scotland
Status: offline 		I do think, even with the slowest setting, things are going at quite a pace. Turn based I could handle better I think

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(in reply to pndrev)
Post #: 4
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 3:40:21 PM   
Igard


Posts: 2282
Joined: 3/29/2010
From: Scotland
Status: offline 		I'm just now learning ways to improve my efficiency.

I don't like having too many advisors suggestions. When I'm performing an important task, I don't like getting distracted. So I don't use suggestions for ship building. Instead, I open the construction yards screen. This pauses the game giving me the time I need without distractions.

It's all about getting used to the tools at your disposal. I guess on a grand epic scale, as this game is, that turn-based is probably the most efficient means to rule your empire, but there are ways to manage your time better with this game.

(in reply to JudgeDredd)
Post #: 5
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 5:39:08 PM   
ASHBERY76


Posts: 2136
Joined: 10/10/2001
From: England
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

I do think, even with the slowest setting, things are going at quite a pace. Turn based I could handle better I think


I do not understand the moaning about the real time gameplay where you can pause give orders and change the speed of the game,just like in Europa Universalis.Most turn based game have loads of “pass” turns with little to do.

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Post #: 6
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 6:01:37 PM   
Veloxi


Posts: 126
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline 		I'm loving the game. I've been playing 4X games since the 80's, and my favorite one, honestly, is Imperium Galactica II, which is a real time game. This one is actually giving IG2 a run for its money, IMO. It seems to combine a lot of disparate elements from games I love, such as exploration from Starflight, conquest from the MoO and IG games and adds their own littlw twist to it. Really very enjoyable.

_____________________________

If it has a spaceship in it, I'll play it.

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Post #: 7
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 6:38:39 PM   
Gertjan

 

Posts: 698
Joined: 12/9/2009
Status: offline 		Do you still play IG2?

(in reply to Veloxi)
Post #: 8
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 6:41:17 PM   
Veloxi


Posts: 126
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Gertjan

Do you still play IG2?

Last time I played it was maybe a year ago. I revisit it every so often, so yeah, still do. :)

_____________________________

If it has a spaceship in it, I'll play it.

(in reply to Gertjan)
Post #: 9
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 6:48:06 PM   
lordxorn


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

ORIGINAL: Gertjan

quote:

ts very late I have work tomorrow and will not get much sleep from playing

I'm having similar problems

Why do you like Armada so much?


I second this question, because I have completely stopped playing Armada.

(in reply to Gertjan)
Post #: 10
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 7:29:38 PM   
Tanaka


Posts: 4378
Joined: 4/8/2003
From: USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Warspite3

First, I am a bit lost but in a good way. This is NOT another "been there done that" type of game. It is very original and thats a great thing! I am finding bits of many types of games wrapped into one here. I have seen tiny parts of galciv2, ai wars, sins, lost empire, se5, armada 2526 and even civilization all in this game at one point or another. The developers had to have been a team of guys who have played these games since the early days of 4x space games through to now. I have not grasped it yet, not a huge learning curve just a different one. Also, I am not sure what it is but I have found it to be extremely addicting even though I am not sure what all I am doing quite yet. I can't say it stands above armada 2526 yet but it appears to stand on its own in a different sort of way so it is actually hard to compare to be honest. In fact what does one compare it to? There is nothing like it because it has all the tiny pieces into one game. It seems it has to be compared to several games. Its not a GalCiv2 or a MOO2 nor is it a SotS or Sins, I don't know what the heck it is Believe it or not, it even reminded me of something like X3 or space force rouge universe at times with all the ships travelling back and forth. I can tell you, i played, its very late I have work tomorrow and will not get much sleep from playing. In the end, this has to say one thing... its a winner


I concur having a blast here kinda reminds me of WITP AE in space EUIII style! Very cool! I am at times lost but learning and enjoying the whole process along the way! Now if only we had carriers and fighters!

_____________________________


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Post #: 11
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 7:34:32 PM   
HsojVvad

 

Posts: 1036
Joined: 3/24/2010
Status: offline 		To the OP, this game can be compared to something. It can be compared to Europa Universallis and Hearts or Iron series. These games came out a while ago with the real time and pause whenever you want. Also these games were very buggy, but Paradox works really hard to fix them. At least DW isn't as buggy as these games were when they first came out, but CF works really hard to fiex what ever bugs do come out.

One thing I hope about CF is that they support the game like Paradox and Stardock do for thier games. Even after GCII came out, they kept on adding features when they didn't even have to do it. Hell they even have a 2.0 version wich makes the game play different than the vanillia flavour.

(in reply to Tanaka)
Post #: 12
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 8:23:30 PM   
Mark Weston

 

Posts: 188
Joined: 2/5/2005
Status: offline 		I reckon the closest comparison is Sins of a Solar Empire. Both games are interesting and different because they break out of the rut the genre has landed in by being hybrids of the RTS and 4X style games. Sins is much closer to the RTS end of the scale, with a very simple colonisation and economics game and an emphasis on battle tactics and pretty explosions. DW is much more about the economics, diplomacy and long-term strategy. But I reckon if you like one you'll probably like the other.

(in reply to HsojVvad)
Post #: 13
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 8:30:44 PM   
Tanaka


Posts: 4378
Joined: 4/8/2003
From: USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Mark Weston

I reckon the closest comparison is Sins of a Solar Empire. Both games are interesting and different because they break out of the rut the genre has landed in by being hybrids of the RTS and 4X style games. Sins is much closer to the RTS end of the scale, with a very simple colonisation and economics game and an emphasis on battle tactics and pretty explosions. DW is much more about the economics, diplomacy and long-term strategy. But I reckon if you like one you'll probably like the other.


Funny I tried Sins and did not like it but I have fallen in love with DW. I was also bored with GC1 and GC2. The DW living world has grabbed me and I love the storylines and roleplaying. For some reason the Stardock space games always bored me and they did not have that engrossing rich soul. This game grabs me and has that soul Ive been looking for! Loving it!

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Post #: 14
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 8:33:59 PM   
Veloxi


Posts: 126
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline 		I just recently got Sins as well (on a space-game kick, if it has spaceships, I'll play it, and Sins was one of the very few I hadn't played yet) and while I like it a lot, DW feels much more...alive...complete...

_____________________________

If it has a spaceship in it, I'll play it.

(in reply to Tanaka)
Post #: 15
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 8:36:54 PM   
alarikf

 

Posts: 17
Joined: 3/30/2010
Status: offline 		Hi all,

I'm a Space Empires 4 refugee (you know the story, SE4 rocked, SE5 un-rocked, and disillusionment set in rapidly). And today I stumbled upon DW. My question is this: for someone like me, is DW the answer to my quest for the "next SE4"? Just to give you some context, I also greatly enjoy Europa Universalis, Dominions 3, and EVE-Online...

Any and all illumination would be appreciated! It certainly sounds like DW is what I'm looking for...

Another question I have is: is DW as moddable as SE4 was? Can we expect a robust modding community and lots of fun mods likely to come?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

AMF

Ps: Hey, are there any other refugees from the old SE4 shrapnel forums that I might recognize here?

(in reply to Tanaka)
Post #: 16
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 8:39:38 PM   
Veloxi


Posts: 126
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline 		I loooooooooooved SE4. Looooooved it. DW is a different animal since it's real-time and seems to have a larger scope (I could be wrong there) and also allows to automate much of what was manual in SE4. I'd have to say though if you liked SE4, give DW a try.

_____________________________

If it has a spaceship in it, I'll play it.

(in reply to alarikf)
Post #: 17
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 9:06:14 PM   
PDiFolco

 

Posts: 1200
Joined: 10/11/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: alarikf

Hi all,

I'm a Space Empires 4 refugee (you know the story, SE4 rocked, SE5 un-rocked, and disillusionment set in rapidly). And today I stumbled upon DW. My question is this: for someone like me, is DW the answer to my quest for the "next SE4"? Just to give you some context, I also greatly enjoy Europa Universalis, Dominions 3, and EVE-Online...

Any and all illumination would be appreciated! It certainly sounds like DW is what I'm looking for...

Another question I have is: is DW as moddable as SE4 was? Can we expect a robust modding community and lots of fun mods likely to come?

Thanks in advance for any advice...

AMF

Ps: Hey, are there any other refugees from the old SE4 shrapnel forums that I might recognize here?

Well, me, I haunted mostly Dominions forums !
About your q, yes and no ... I mean DW plays totally differently of SE, Stars, or even Dominions, all being quite mm-intensive !
DW is different, you're not a godlike being telling everyone what to do, you just try to manage "strategic" things and let the rest roll.. very funny, but sometimes frustrating !
So far I like it quite much, even if it crashes still too often (even in 1.02), and the lack of autosave is then a real killer, as play is too engrossing to remember to quicksave regularly...

(in reply to alarikf)
Post #: 18
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 10:15:30 PM   
Veloxi


Posts: 126
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline 		I posted some intial impressions on my blog if you'd like to read 'em. :)

_____________________________

If it has a spaceship in it, I'll play it.

(in reply to PDiFolco)
Post #: 19
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 10:18:13 PM   
HsojVvad

 

Posts: 1036
Joined: 3/24/2010
Status: offline 		Well if you like 4X space games, and like Europa Universallis, then you should like this game. DW plays like EU and Hearts of Iron. The big difference, is when you click on your unit in HoI or EU you don't get the big arrow of where it's going, but you can pause any time you want, and issue orders.

I liked EU and HoI2 but didn't play them much because there was too much troops that didn't feel like they were mine and I didn't know what to really do with the. While the game does the same, You can choose how advanced you are. Even if you pick the ealries level of advancement, you still have a few mining bases and 2 star systems that you know about. Sometimes your mining bases will be in other star systems.

But I say get it. This is like EU and HoI in space. What more can I say?

(in reply to PDiFolco)
Post #: 20
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/30/2010 11:57:00 PM   
licker

 

Posts: 46
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ASHBERY76


quote:

ORIGINAL: JudgeDredd

I do think, even with the slowest setting, things are going at quite a pace. Turn based I could handle better I think


I do not understand the moaning about the real time gameplay where you can pause give orders and change the speed of the game,just like in Europa Universalis.Most turn based game have loads of “pass” turns with little to do.


Meh, some of us just don't like real time under any circumstances. We tolerate it if the rest of the game is otherwise good, but imagine how much better it would be in a proper turn based package.

Of course the trouble with DW and EU is that there is just too much to do/keep track of. Automation helps, as does simply playing enough to become completely familiar with all the nuances, but the problem becomes that if one finds the real time aspect too annoying or complex or whatever then one doesn't ever get to that point. For what it's worth, I really want to like DW, and am giving it a fair shake, but I do believe that eventually I'm going to dislike the real time aspect enough that I'll wind up shelving it, just like I did to EU2 (I never bothered with EU3 or HOI or any of those others for this reason).

And of course I don't understand why people who love the pausable real time think it's actually superior to a well designed turn based system, but to each their own.

[my feeling is that some people find it easier to deal with the messages when they come in a batch at the start of a turn, rather than when you feel as though you need to constantly be pausing the game to look at everything that pops up now and then, you may feel there is little difference, but again, it's a personal thing how people like to respond to 'events']

(in reply to ASHBERY76)
Post #: 21
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/31/2010 12:04:08 AM   
Veloxi


Posts: 126
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline 		Hey, people like what they like and don't what they don't. There are, thankfully, plenty of games in this subgenre which are both turn-based and real-time that everyone can play something they like. :)

_____________________________

If it has a spaceship in it, I'll play it.

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Post #: 22
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/31/2010 12:15:45 AM   
licker

 

Posts: 46
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Veloxi

Hey, people like what they like and don't what they don't. There are, thankfully, plenty of games in this subgenre which are both turn-based and real-time that everyone can play something they like. :)


Of course there are, but it's more fun to remind everyone of the differences

(in reply to Veloxi)
Post #: 23
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/31/2010 4:24:40 AM   
Warspite3

 

Posts: 210
Joined: 3/31/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Veloxi

I'm loving the game. I've been playing 4X games since the 80's, and my favorite one, honestly, is Imperium Galactica II, which is a real time game. This one is actually giving IG2 a run for its money, IMO. It seems to combine a lot of disparate elements from games I love, such as exploration from Starflight, conquest from the MoO and IG games and adds their own littlw twist to it. Really very enjoyable.


Oh yeah, I know IG2 that was a fun game I used to love it. I still have it but have not played it in a while. I know all about the hearts of iron series that others mentioned on here, awesome WW2 game especially the 3rd one. DW game reminds me just a tad bit of that but not too much. So it appears my observations are kind of right, many do feel DW is a collection of several great games into one. A couple others asked why I like armada well I like armada for many reasons, its just a great game and that last patch, boy did it do a number! I remember many late and long games just having a blast playing it. I love to sit and watch my troopships moving in to land the troops on the planets... "gentlemen, prepare your troops for surface attack". Then the thing about me is I like GalCiv2, Sins, SotS, Lost Empire, SE5, all of them I think are great games. I had MORE then my share of fun with every last one of them. Now we have yet another great game, DW. I am in trouble once again, its late and I need to get in bed!

@Tanaka, I have WitP but not AE yet. You can bet that is on my "too buy" list and I love the pic of the japanese cruiser in your sig


< Message edited by Warspite3 -- 3/31/2010 4:37:22 AM >

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-Warspite3-

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Post #: 24
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/31/2010 8:24:44 AM   
BobRock

 

Posts: 2
Joined: 3/31/2010
Status: offline 		Only to say... this game rocks !!!

I find it a different and revolutionary space game.
Go on

bye

(in reply to Warspite3)
Post #: 25
RE: Ok, bought it and my impressions - 3/31/2010 10:48:26 AM   
Gertjan

 

Posts: 698
Joined: 12/9/2009
Status: offline 		Late in bed, I had that last night
I'm interested in SE4, how micro management intensive is it. What is it focus, strenghts and weakeness, how does it compare to DW and Galciv2/Sins?
BTW I like Sins a lot, and the AI has really improved (and is though, as stardock is know for making good AI) + the new mini expansion has a focus on diplomacy.
I would be willing pay for expansions for DW (but please first fix the remaining minor issues with patches and include players' feedback).

(in reply to BobRock)
Post #: 26
Initial thoughts on learning/playing DW. - 3/31/2010 6:08:04 PM   
drillerman


Posts: 455
Joined: 2/11/2010
From: Blighty
Status: offline 		I found that I needed to turn all the automation off so I could do things myself. When I first started playing and all the automation was on I was totally confused and felt out of control. Everything was happening around me without me actually knowing what was going on.

I have now started on a small 500 star game with 1 colony and only 1 other empire at a distance just so I can learn how to move ships, navigate menus, give orders and actually see what I've done happen! So when I find a good planet to colonize, build a colony ship, send it on its way and see it colonize it I know I have done that, ie. so I know I am at least doing it right, albeit very slowly. Once you have done that a number of times you soon get up to speed and what seemed like a major step then becomes very easy.

I think someone else said it already but I do feel that automation actually hinders you learning the game. Automation is a powerful tool but I think the game needs to be fully understood before setting it loose and it also needs to be reigned in at times.

Like a lot of people on this forum I too have played most if not all 4X space strategy games over the years with my first one being Starflight on the Sega megadrive. My favorite, up to now maybe, was Ascendancy (shame about the AI, even with the "Antagonizer" patch).

It was just something about the epic size and scope of this game that made my jaded spider senses tingle and that doesn't happen very often now.

I too am confused, but in a good way also but I just keep chipping away at certain portions of the game until it becomes second nature and then move on.

To summerize then: While I'm learning the game I turn automation off, start with one colony on one planet with one distant empire in a small galaxy. I do everything myself so I am actually learning how to play and not watching the AI play the game.

This way I feel in control and can readily see the fruits of my own labour. While this approach won't win any games in the long run it will bring you up to speed and help you to understand the game.

While this may not work for everyone, try it, it certainly helped me.




_____________________________

Huh?

(in reply to Gertjan)
Post #: 27
RE: Initial thoughts on learning/playing DW. - 3/31/2010 6:12:11 PM   
Veloxi


Posts: 126
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline 		Nice comments, drillerman. Might try to play a new game without automation. ;)

And not to be a dick or anything, but Starflight toooooooooootally wasn't a 4X game, it's more of an adventure/RPG game set in space. ;) Totally agree with ya on Ascendancy though, loved the hell out of that game.

_____________________________

If it has a spaceship in it, I'll play it.

(in reply to drillerman)
Post #: 28
RE: Initial thoughts on learning/playing DW. - 3/31/2010 6:20:28 PM   
drillerman


Posts: 455
Joined: 2/11/2010
From: Blighty
Status: offline 		Hi Veloxi,
You are right about Starflight and I also wonder if Ascendancy would hold up today if they could just sort out the AI, I think it could.

_____________________________

Huh?

(in reply to Veloxi)
Post #: 29
RE: Initial thoughts on learning/playing DW. - 3/31/2010 6:21:50 PM   
Veloxi


Posts: 126
Joined: 12/15/2002
From: Los Angeles, CA
Status: offline 		Ascendancy still does hold up, IMHO. I played a couple of games recently, even with the AI I had a very good time.

_____________________________

If it has a spaceship in it, I'll play it.

(in reply to drillerman)
Post #: 30
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