Civilization-like Sci-Fi games?

[tkioz]

I'm a huge fan of the Civ games, and only recently I came across Warlock - Master of the Arcane, yeah I know I'm behind the times, and was totally stoked to see a Civ type fantasy game (though i wonder how they got away with making it so much like Civ) and was wondering if there were any Sci-Fi style games like it that are relatively recent?

I've tried a number of games, stuff like Sins of a Solar Empire (great game, but far too combat heavy), Endless Space (it was waaaay too menu heavy, was like playing a spreadsheet), but haven't really found anything that "clicked" like the Civ games have for me.

Any recommendations?

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Galactic Civilizations 2 would be right up your alley. It's basically Civ 3 with a sci fi skin and a ship editor. It's also a lot of fun.

Edit: Also, the genre is called 4X. If you do a search on 4X games, you'll find a /ton/ of games that fit in the same general mold, with civ being on the simpler end, and things like the Space Empires series playing out like spreadsheets with graphics. It all depends on what you're in to.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

The obvious answer is Alpha Centuri, although it's not exactly recent. I haven't played it myself, but my understanding is that it's basically Civ 2 in space. It's even made by the same developers.

 

[Windcaler]

Best one Ive ever played was Master of Orion 2. While its graphics are laughable today the mechanics of being able to custom build a race and then your empire is still amazing and better then anything thats been released in the last several years

 

[thiosk]

Well, distant worlds and its two expansions constitute something, I understand that dw: legends is the current pinnacle of 4x space gaming, but its a 50 dollar entry with the discounts.

I've been into city builders lately, and anno 2070 just pissed me right off with some drm related progression issues.

Despite a recent sci if renaissance, I still can't find a game I want to play.