Never played a 4x before. Should I get it?

NefariousBRR · 05-25-2012, 12:57 PM

Hey everyone, I've been looking at this game recently and it looks really interesting. I've never played a 4x type game before, but I've played a fair amount of Civ 5 and have some experience with the space stage of Spore (if that counts for anything, haha) so I feel like I wouldn't be totally in the dark. Would this game be a good place for me to start in this genre? Is it worth the money to simply get into the alpha at this point?

Many thanks.

Tarus · 05-25-2012, 02:16 PM

its a very good game by now... you can buy it

EnvoidNul · 05-25-2012, 03:06 PM

It's very much like Civ, although lacks a little of its personality. It is still a good game, just don't expect quite the same level of progression feel due to no movement through different eras, less feeling of exploration due to being very macro, no connection with your populous, no advisors or any real feeling of interaction between species you meet. Combat also lacks a little bit of strat in comparison due to lack of terrain, although does try and balance this with 3 attack phases. Tends to lack in the animation department a bit too, UI is nice enough but expect a lot of plain system like prompt boxes with text telling you things.

It's an alpha so hopefully we'll see a bit more fleshing out, it is as deep of a game as you want to make it and it's polished in spite of how it probably sounds. If you enjoyed Civ you should enjoy this, and I still feel despite some shortcomings it is well worth the purchase.

jimrad1 · 05-25-2012, 05:17 PM

You will be right at home, if you like Civ 5.

.

Dyers Eve · 05-25-2012, 11:17 PM

Might want to consider picking up Sword of the Stars complete (1 not 2) if you can find a sale on it. Paying for a game without a demo that is in alpha is risky. You can get a ton of games for $25 on amazon right now. That being said, I'm watching Endless Space with interest and may prepurchase when it gets closer to being finished.

deanco · 05-26-2012, 02:58 AM

I'd echo the sentiment that the game is not finished yet. But I'd say this would be a good game for you because it flows really well, the turns just keep moving along and there are usually interesting decisions to make at each step of the way. If you don't mind playing an unfinished game, get it now while it's cheap.

Haldur · 05-26-2012, 11:26 AM

I can't tell you if you'll like this game or not -- I personally do like the game, but I've played lots of different 4X games prior to this.

I'll list Some others you may want to try as well, that are really good. Some of the older ones are available from Gog.com (Good Old Games)
Master of Orion (1 and 2)
Master of Magic
Sword of the Stars (I can't recommend SotS 2, to be honest)
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
Civilization 4
Sins of a Solar Empire (not among my favorite games, but that's because I prefer turn-based)
Galactic Civilizations

Of the above SMAC, MoO, MoO2 MoM, and SotS are the ones I most recommend. SMAC, I feel is one of the most underrated 4X games of all time. Don't bother with the Alien Crossfire expansion -- it's not necessary and doesn't really make the game any more fun to play, imho.

Darkhawke · 05-26-2012, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haldur

I can't tell you if you'll like this game or not -- I personally do like the game, but I've played lots of different 4X games prior to this.

I'll list Some others you may want to try as well, that are really good. Some of the older ones are available from Gog.com (Good Old Games)
Master of Orion (1 and 2)
Master of Magic
Sword of the Stars (I can't recommend SotS 2, to be honest)
Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri
Civilization 4
Sins of a Solar Empire (not among my favorite games, but that's because I prefer turn-based)
Galactic Civilizations

Of the above SMAC, MoO, MoO2 MoM, and SotS are the ones I most recommend. SMAC, I feel is one of the most underrated 4X games of all time. Don't bother with the Alien Crossfire expansion -- it's not necessary and doesn't really make the game any more fun to play, imho.

Ive played all of the above and imo Distant Worlds is better than all of them for a 4x game.. But you MUST get the 2 expansions with it..But also not to take anything away from Endless Space , it is also shaping up to be a great addition to the 4x genre

fantomzed · 05-26-2012, 07:30 PM

If you're new to 4x games, get it. I did, and I LOVE IT. It takes a while to get boring too.

YahooElite · 05-27-2012, 09:15 AM

Sins of a Solar Empire Trinity may be a better starting point due to price and all it has to offer, main differences being its a Real Time Strategy, whereas Endless is turn based.

If you have a decent PC go for Sins, if not go for Endless.

Not saying dont get Endless at some point, just giving an opinion if you are new to these types of games that Sins would be a good start..

Endless has a bit of a learning curve.

Think of it like 1 of the Civ games, but in space but without the depth of Civ..

shrug

mooneri · 05-27-2012, 02:18 PM

hehe civ 5 IS 4X strategy. First Civilization may even be genre defining game

mooneri · 05-27-2012, 02:19 PM

Oops double post.

Foojo · 05-28-2012, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkhawke

Ive played all of the above and imo Distant Worlds is better than all of them for a 4x game.. But you MUST get the 2 expansions with it..But also not to take anything away from Endless Space , it is also shaping up to be a great addition to the 4x genre

I am tempted to try it, but the problem with distant worlds is that I would have to buy it from Matrix games. I don't particularly care for them. They overcharge. As far as I am concerned, the game might as well not exist.

Haldur · 05-28-2012, 02:41 AM

Also, it's real time, and I tend to prefer turn-based games.

Kordanor · 05-28-2012, 06:29 AM

Distant World costs 33,99+21,99+21,99= 77,97 EUR
That's not just overpriced, that's insane.

If you want to start with a 4X Space game which is up to todays standards I would recommend Galactic Civilizations 2.

"Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition" on steam for 14,99 EUR
The one, but very big disadvantage of GalCiv2 is that there is no multiplayer mode. Of course that only applies if you are into mp.

The one big thing I miss in Endless Space quite a lot is the exploration aspect. It's like playing a game of Civ with cities only (=Solar Systems). I miss to just fly around and find habitable planets like "Oh, wow, after 30 turns I finally found a gaia planet, this will be my new "capital""
In distant world it doesn't make too much of a difference. You can only hop from one solar system to another (not fly freely into space) and basically all of the planets are habitable anyways (while not from start on, still from a very early stage). And I think this makes it more of a "stylized" game, a little bit like a card game with planets on it, if you know what I mean.

While they are not all into the alpha yet, I like the races quite a lot. While most games and universes just have different "human races" with different skins and attrbutes (make a strage forehead and get angry -> you get a klingon; make pointy ears and a fact based mind -> get a vulkan) endless space was very creative here. Go to their page and read the race overview. It's quite awesome and creative.

05-25-2012, 12:57 PM	#1
NefariousBRR Join Date: Jul 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 1	Never played a 4x before. Should I get it? Hey everyone, I've been looking at this game recently and it looks really interesting. I've never played a 4x type game before, but I've played a fair amount of Civ 5 and have some experience with the space stage of Spore (if that counts for anything, haha) so I feel like I wouldn't be totally in the dark. Would this game be a good place for me to start in this genre? Is it worth the money to simply get into the alpha at this point? Many thanks.

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05-25-2012, 02:16 PM	#2
Tarus Join Date: Mar 2009 Reputation: 1 Posts: 16	its a very good game by now... you can buy it

05-25-2012, 03:06 PM	#3
EnvoidNul Join Date: Oct 2011 Reputation: 19 Posts: 93	It's very much like Civ, although lacks a little of its personality. It is still a good game, just don't expect quite the same level of progression feel due to no movement through different eras, less feeling of exploration due to being very macro, no connection with your populous, no advisors or any real feeling of interaction between species you meet. Combat also lacks a little bit of strat in comparison due to lack of terrain, although does try and balance this with 3 attack phases. Tends to lack in the animation department a bit too, UI is nice enough but expect a lot of plain system like prompt boxes with text telling you things. It's an alpha so hopefully we'll see a bit more fleshing out, it is as deep of a game as you want to make it and it's polished in spite of how it probably sounds. If you enjoyed Civ you should enjoy this, and I still feel despite some shortcomings it is well worth the purchase.

05-25-2012, 05:17 PM	#4
jimrad1 Join Date: Sep 2008 Reputation: 282 Posts: 1,062	You will be right at home, if you like Civ 5. .

05-25-2012, 11:17 PM	#5
Dyers Eve Join Date: Nov 2011 Reputation: 36 Posts: 144	Might want to consider picking up Sword of the Stars complete (1 not 2) if you can find a sale on it. Paying for a game without a demo that is in alpha is risky. You can get a ton of games for $25 on amazon right now. That being said, I'm watching Endless Space with interest and may prepurchase when it gets closer to being finished.

05-26-2012, 02:58 AM	#6
deanco Join Date: Dec 2008 Reputation: 22 Posts: 90	I'd echo the sentiment that the game is not finished yet. But I'd say this would be a good game for you because it flows really well, the turns just keep moving along and there are usually interesting decisions to make at each step of the way. If you don't mind playing an unfinished game, get it now while it's cheap.

05-26-2012, 11:26 AM	#7
Haldur Join Date: Nov 2010 Reputation: 156 Posts: 975	I can't tell you if you'll like this game or not -- I personally do like the game, but I've played lots of different 4X games prior to this. I'll list Some others you may want to try as well, that are really good. Some of the older ones are available from Gog.com (Good Old Games) Master of Orion (1 and 2) Master of Magic Sword of the Stars (I can't recommend SotS 2, to be honest) Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri Civilization 4 Sins of a Solar Empire (not among my favorite games, but that's because I prefer turn-based) Galactic Civilizations Of the above SMAC, MoO, MoO2 MoM, and SotS are the ones I most recommend. SMAC, I feel is one of the most underrated 4X games of all time. Don't bother with the Alien Crossfire expansion -- it's not necessary and doesn't really make the game any more fun to play, imho.

05-26-2012, 07:30 PM	#9
fantomzed Join Date: Apr 2010 Reputation: 0 Posts: 12	If you're new to 4x games, get it. I did, and I LOVE IT. It takes a while to get boring too.

05-27-2012, 09:15 AM	#10
YahooElite Join Date: Nov 2008 Reputation: 782 Posts: 6,954	Sins of a Solar Empire Trinity may be a better starting point due to price and all it has to offer, main differences being its a Real Time Strategy, whereas Endless is turn based. If you have a decent PC go for Sins, if not go for Endless. Not saying dont get Endless at some point, just giving an opinion if you are new to these types of games that Sins would be a good start.. Endless has a bit of a learning curve. Think of it like 1 of the Civ games, but in space but without the depth of Civ.. shrug

05-27-2012, 02:18 PM	#11
mooneri Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 22 Posts: 234	hehe civ 5 IS 4X strategy. First Civilization may even be genre defining game

05-27-2012, 02:19 PM	#12
mooneri Join Date: Dec 2009 Reputation: 22 Posts: 234	Oops double post.

05-28-2012, 02:41 AM	#14
Haldur Join Date: Nov 2010 Reputation: 156 Posts: 975	Also, it's real time, and I tend to prefer turn-based games.

05-28-2012, 06:29 AM	#15
Kordanor Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 4 Posts: 30	Distant World costs 33,99+21,99+21,99= 77,97 EUR That's not just overpriced, that's insane. If you want to start with a 4X Space game which is up to todays standards I would recommend Galactic Civilizations 2. "Galactic Civilizations II: Ultimate Edition" on steam for 14,99 EUR The one, but very big disadvantage of GalCiv2 is that there is no multiplayer mode. Of course that only applies if you are into mp. The one big thing I miss in Endless Space quite a lot is the exploration aspect. It's like playing a game of Civ with cities only (=Solar Systems). I miss to just fly around and find habitable planets like "Oh, wow, after 30 turns I finally found a gaia planet, this will be my new "capital"" In distant world it doesn't make too much of a difference. You can only hop from one solar system to another (not fly freely into space) and basically all of the planets are habitable anyways (while not from start on, still from a very early stage). And I think this makes it more of a "stylized" game, a little bit like a card game with planets on it, if you know what I mean. While they are not all into the alpha yet, I like the races quite a lot. While most games and universes just have different "human races" with different skins and attrbutes (make a strage forehead and get angry -> you get a klingon; make pointy ears and a fact based mind -> get a vulkan) endless space was very creative here. Go to their page and read the race overview. It's quite awesome and creative.