Space Empires 4: Does it suck, or do I suck?

[fast]

Answer: Both, probably.


So I've just tried to get into Space Empires 4 again for what might be the fifth time. Still can't seem to get any amount of momentum going - at least to the point where I want to continue playing, like in the Civilization games.

I make and customize an alien race (many customization elements, a plus early on) and then, once thrown into the game, the sheer amount of possibilities lying before me like Islamic virgins is so overwhelming that latent OCD kicks in and I quickly realize that there is no way I can manage this perfectly. Shortly thereafter my cursor finds the X towards the top right of the application window--it's all downhill from there.

Maybe I should read a guide.

Maybe I should have learned to read before I dropped out of school.

Does anyone here like this game? Any tips for a new player?

 

[DakaSha V]

it sucks

 

[agentorange]

 

[Raghar]

Both.

Actually, the main problem is it's too easy and feels like sandbox.

 

[fast]

me too thanks

Both.

Actually, the main problem is it's too easy and feels like sandbox.

I must not be there yet.

Is it even worth playing, or would I be better off just sticking with Alpha Centauri or Civ?

I haven't played many 4X games, admittedly. I have a copy of AoE2 or 3 in my desk that I haven't installed; maybe I should quit bullshitting and play that.

 

[Tiospo]

It is a good game. I like to load up the old games from time to time if they are good enough. Like this one.

 

[tindrli]

Answer: Both, probably.


So I've just tried to get into Space Empires 4 again for what might be the fifth time. Still can't seem to get any amount of momentum going - at least to the point where I want to continue playing, like in the Civilization games.

I make and customize an alien race (many customization elements, a plus early on) and then, once thrown into the game, the sheer amount of possibilities lying before me like Islamic virgins is so overwhelming that latent OCD kicks in and I quickly realize that there is no way I can manage this perfectly. Shortly thereafter my cursor finds the X towards the top right of the application window--it's all downhill from there.

Maybe I should read a guide.

Maybe I should have learned to read before I dropped out of school.

Does anyone here like this game? Any tips for a new player?

well play it again. it seems like its too easy untill you realise youre fucked up. at least with Mods.. vanilla is vanilla

 

[Raapys]

It's quite decent, but the base content is absurdly generic. That's why most people prefer mods. Sadly, the mods sometimes break the AI(mods are usually designed for MP).

For a straight up single-player experience though, I'd say there are better options to ease you into space 4x. Like for instance the legendary MoO2.

 

[DakaSha V]

dune wars

 

[fast]

It is a good game. I like to load up the old games from time to time if they are good enough. Like this one.

I do the same with a good number of games. Sometimes the nostalgic feeling is all I'm after.

It's quite decent, but the base content is absurdly generic. That's why most people prefer mods. Sadly, the mods sometimes break the AI(mods are usually designed for MP).

For a straight up single-player experience though, I'd say there are better options to ease you into space 4x. Like for instance the legendary MoO2.

Masters of Orion, right? that's a good recommendation. I've seen it on GOG but never paid it any mind.

dune wars

do you ever post more than two words? is that a thing?

Dune Wars looks neat- thanks for the recommendation.

 

[Lone Wolf]

SEIV has the kind of flexibility that only a game like Star Ruler (and SR2) offered the player.

You could make worldships, lay minefields, manage thousands of ships, blow up star systems, start up new suns, create planets, create Dyson Spheres, create ringworlds, create and extinguish wormholes etc. etc. etc.

You could set yourself up as an ancient Vorlon-style empire in a galaxy of young races and then move in mysterious ways, blowing their shit up arbitrarily, until they advance enough to challenge you.

... but get mods.

 

[Galdred]

Actually, I found the game better suited for MP than SP:
I prefer MOO2 in SP, but in MP, you don't have to read a book while other players fight their space battles, which is a big plus, and the sheer amount of customization is not wasted when you can leverage it against other players.
But I don't know whether it is still possible to find games, and PBEM means it can take forever to get one completed.

 

[Norfleet]

It's quite decent, but the base content is absurdly generic. That's why most people prefer mods. Sadly, the mods sometimes break the AI(mods are usually designed for MP).

The AI is pretty broken out of the box, really. One thing it's good at is immediately conceding, though: It has this amusing quirk where at one point in the game, everyone will decide to spontaneously declare war on you because you're too powerful. And then they immediately surrender.

Actually, I found the game better suited for MP than SP:
I prefer MOO2 in SP, but in MP, you don't have to read a book while other players fight their space battles, which is a big plus, and the sheer amount of customization is not wasted when you can leverage it against other players.
But I don't know whether it is still possible to find games, and PBEM means it can take forever to get one completed.

SEIV seems like it would be really hard to MP, given how battles work. Or do you just not HAVE battles, completely gutting the game? SEIV was definitely not designed for fully functional MP.

 

[Galdred]

SEIV seems like it would be really hard to MP, given how battles work. Or do you just not HAVE battles, completely gutting the game? SEIV was definitely not designed for fully functional MP.

The battles work a bit like in the Dominions series actually: You tell your ships how they are supposed to behave, the opponent does the same, and they are automatically resolved following your orders. The order system was simpler than in Dom IIRC.