Space Empires IV vs. Galactic Civ

Asking this on the GalCiv forum, what answer do you expect?

I think GalCiv is the way better game. The AI amazes me every game and I'm still playing on normal difficulty and getting creamed.

GalCiv has a very extensive techtree and some real nice ships like the ones you just mentioned. Besides that, new ships will come out constantly as we'll be seeing a shipeditor real soon.

Space Empires IV is a good game but suffers from an weak AI. GalCiv is also a good game and the AI is probably the best one I have every encountered in ANY game in existence.

Get GalCiv.. its the better game

Rob

Depends upon what you like.
In my opinion SEIV is a very good game, huge tech tree, customization of ships like mad. Racial config, tactical turn based combat, or strategic.

Problem is that the only real way to win the game is to wipe everyone else out. My experience only. As soon as you reach a certain power level, races that have been your ally just turn on you.

So while it is good in many ways (can't beat having the Vorlons or Imperial Star Destroyers as your race ships), it is lacking.

This depends on your style. SE4 is extremely detailed and is the common "spreadsheet in space" game. It has about as much detail as anyone could possibly want, and then if not, it is completely modifyable. But, the graphics are pedestrian, as is the sound. Good example is combat which is plain-jane. Tough to get the immersion factor from this game. Additionally, the AI is a little weak.

GalCiv is graphically more pleasing, more rich, and more immersive. It is not as complicated, or is as complicated but presents it better. AI seems very strong and diplomacy is actually quite convincing. Combat is better than SE4, but it does not allow for the management of what components exist on what ships.

I have found GalCiv much more _entertaining_ than the more complex SE4.

-Anx

Both are very good games. If you don't like micromanaging at all, get GalCiv.

~SDC~

Hmmm, from other sources I've read, it would seem that Galactic Civ is the way to go with them as well. Thanks for your responses.

Buy them both...I did. I'm not sorry for it either.

~SDC~

I own both and enjoy both but if you can only get one go with Galactic Civilizations. Both are fun games but this is the better of the two in my opinion.

~SDC~

I've never heard of the game "Space Empire IV", where can I get it? Also, I find manual for Starship Unlimited not very imformative. I can't figure out the game play unlike GalCiv which was very easy to get into but hard to master. Is Space Empire IV has complicated game rules and incomplete manual?

SEIV comes with a very nice manual. For Starships Unlimited I ordered the manual from Kinkos.

To order SEIV goto http://www.shrapnelgames.com

~SDC~

I have played SEIV (Space Empires IV) since its beta back in August 2000. I love the game, but have to agree that the unmodded AI leaves a lot to be desired.

However, there are many mods out that have dramatically improved the AI.

One other thing that is great about SEIV are the available mods and ship sets. Visit my site to see the Star Trek ship sets that I have developed, and links to other ship set sites for Babylon 5, Starwars, and others. ( http://galileo.spaceorts.com/~william/index.html )

Comparing SEIV to Galciv is not fair to either game. Both games are top notch and are heavily supported by the developers. Both games offer great play and excellent depth. Both games are as equal and seprate as 4 X games can be. SEIV has detail and excellent game play with multiplayer support. Galciv has great game play and excellent eye candy. I like both of the games and would recommend that you get the Demo for SEIV from www.malfador.com and buy GalCiv. After a couple of months buy SEIV. Trust me, you will want too.

There is no way to say you will prefer one over the other.
I like Starsships Unlimited as a nice quick game.
SEIV Gold is good, but lots on MM and Aaron is very good at making the players happy.
I have only played a bit of Galciv, but it seems to have some fun to it and Brad seems to be on top of it.
Me I have to have all space 4x games, even the bad ones.
I should mention that Andrew of Starships was very accessible when the game was shareware.

Well, I had bought SEIV about three weeks before GC came out, and enjoyed it a lot.

Then GC came out, and while I still want to play SEIV, I somehow never got around to it anymore...

I have that same feeling. Although SE4 and even Moo3 have it's appeal. And even Anno1503 is calling to me I somehow do not seem to get around to playing any of these games since I've gotten Galciv.

(anyone tried Anno1503? I'm thinking of getting it as a nice in-between)

~SDC~

Any one remember Rebellion and Birth Of The Federation? What about Stars, and that dismal game that came out in Sept 2000 - Reach For the Stars? Then there is IG and IG two. I heard that IG 3 was renamed, what I don't recall.

Reach for the Stars 2000 was indeed a collasal disappointment. But the original...Outstanding. On the early Mac at least. In those days PCs didn't have mice and the PC version was a huge annoyance to navigate...but the game...still one of the best.

That and Spaceward Ho.

Starships unlimited is still one of my favorites. Quick pace with a focus on starship combat. Like very much watching the combat play out. Even with the somewhat pedestrian graphics, it just clicked for me. Before seeing it mentioned here, I thought I may have been the only one who enjoyed it.

Starships has nice quicker games.
SEIV requires dedication and patience.
GalCiv is nicely in between, offering good quick games, and detailed longer games.

Still favor GalCiv, especially for its AI and remarkable support (and this forum), but I always find myself still playing Starships.

-Anxiety