Is Space Empires IV Worth Buying? - Page 2

Instar · #11 February 4th, 2001, 08:15 PM

"It's pretty crap. "
Disagreee, the game is wonderful without mods (or with if you want)

raynor · #12 February 4th, 2001, 08:52 PM

I played Civ, CivII and Alpha Centauri. I think each one is a great game. Civ was a DOS game with not too many frills. It had VGA graphics but that's about it. CivII added slightly prettier graphics and better music and nice cinematic sequences for these special projects called 'Wonders'. The first time through the game, I watched every movie but then I skipped over them to get back to the gameplay. Alpha Centauri had similar quality graphics and sound and the movies. It added some neat sound effects to combat. The first couple of games, I left that turned on. But after that, I turned it off so that combat would resolve faster so I could get back to the gameplay.

Then, by chance, I read about SEIV on http://www.gamespot.com and downloaded the Demo. Finally, I thought, here is a program author who really 'Gets' it. He realized that a lot of us strategy gamers think the eye-candy and 3D sound is pretty impressive the first few times through the game. But after that, we just turn it off so we can get on with the game. He realized that he would probably make us happier if he instead wrote a deeper and more detailed game.

If you want all that glitz but don't care to play a very deep and detailed game, go checkout Imperium Galactica. This game has the graphics and sound but no depth. I played one game but not a second. I still have it and would probably *GIVE* it to you if you lived nearby.

What SEIV does that is so much more incredible than anything I could have ever imagined is allow you to customize the game. Hmm... don't like the way the Xiati race's ships look like? You can replace them with ships that look like Star Wars, or Star Trek or Babylon 5 or whatever. You can also customize how races behave--what they research, what the build, etc. You can even change fundamental rules of the game. Isn't that amazing?!? Do you know how hard it is to create a game that lets you change so much?!?

Bottom line: if you 'claim' to like playing strategy games, then you are made a liar if you don't buy this game.

Hymirl · #13 February 4th, 2001, 08:58 PM

The only thing that needs help is the AI. Otherwise I think the game is pretty well balanced, apart from the explosive warheads, which aren't damaging enough to be worth it.

God Emperor · #14 February 5th, 2001, 01:31 AM

Taipan,
As a fellow Aussie, I too had that decision to make around christmas time and was baulking at the cost. Even through Chips and Bytes the price was more than I would normally pay.

In the end, the discussions about patch 1.19 and the modibility (???Is that a word??) of the game convinced me to take the plunge. I havent regretted it for one moment.

As the others have said, the AI is weak due to a number of blind sides but the degree of modibility means that you can largely overcome the AI's blind sides. Add a few house rules to that and you can have some very fun and challenging games.
I was addicted to MOO2 for about 2 years (played across modem with a friend)but am finding this game even more addictive (I seem to spend a third of my time in amongst the txt files thinking of new fun mods!).
Bottom line is, if you enjoy the demo, long term I dont think you will be disappointed.
Short term, there are so many mods available, that I reckon you will have many fun and enjoyable games (and thereby get your moneys worth).
As I said, long term, this a game that will be unlikely to gather dust due to its modibility (that word, or non word, again!).

As you gather I have become a convert (addict?) to this game but I've tried to be objective as possible with my summary and pretty much agree with the other comments people have made.

Drake · #15 February 5th, 2001, 02:57 AM

Modifiability.

It's a great game. Has some balance problems, but it's easy to modify, and will probably keep you occupied a while if you like Civ, MOO, Stars!, etc...

-Drake

Taipan · #16 February 9th, 2001, 02:14 AM

Hell, the thread is still going. I would of thought it would of died a natural death by now.

raynor, I come from the same "game play" line. Had Civ on my old Amiga (gathering thick dust under my bed), and then onwards to Civ II & AC. Thats what has attracted me to the game. I'm not that desparate for "eye candy", and I like the idea of being able to mod the game to suit. Imperium Galactica (I) was one game which I bought after reading great reviews from so called experts. Big disapointment. Very, very buggie, and my dog found it had a new small sliver disc shaped toy in it's kennel a few weeks later.

jimbob55, it is nice to see another view on the game. Glad for your input. Thanks

God Emperor, a fellow Aussie!..Didn't expect any else in Oz would of had the game.

Haveagoodday

Taipan

Lochaber · #17 February 9th, 2001, 05:11 AM

Taipan you need to recount..thats 2 aussies who have this game...I am another Aussie who splurged on the money during Xmas time.
And its everything everyone has commented on in the Last thread...I dont need to revisit the good and bad points with all the testimoney everyone else has give the game.
Costs us Aussies an arm and a leg but worth every dollar...one thing to warn you about is the delivery time can be a bit longer than expected when ordering...took 13 days to get my copy!!