Decent Recent 4X Games!

[elvor0]

So I'm in the market for a new 4X game, but I'm having trouble finding one that ticks all the boxes for me, I've been playing a LOT of Sword of the Stars 1, and the combat in that is second to none for me, (or at least recently) but the empire management is almost none existant.

I had a look at Total Biscuits Endless Space and the empire management seems a lot more interesting, but the tech and battle components seems very spartan, and after the full on combat in SOTS, I'm not sure I can get into it, saying that though, I'm sure someone who's played it can tell me more about it. So anyone out there know of any games that straddle the line between decent combat and empire management, or heck maybe even a game with proper combat AND great Empire Management?

(As a side note, the search function isn't working for me, so if there's a 4X thread already I do apologize )

 

[Tallim]

I'd normally suggest Space Empires IV at this point although not sure it is *quite* what you are looking for. Never got into 5, just seemed a bit off.

 

[Jandau]

Galactic Civilizations 2 - Best space empire 4X game ever made. Only downside is that combat is totally automated, but the empire management and such is second to none.

 

[DustyDrB]

Gal Civ 2 is the golden standard. If you can stand really aged games, check out Masters of Orion 1 and 2 on GOG. I do like Endless Space, but they do need to tweak some things. And that's well within the realm of possibility, as the devs for it are still actively making changes and really listen to the community.

 

[elvor0]

Gal Civ 2 is the golden standard. If you can stand really aged games, check out Masters of Orion 1 and 2 on GOG. I do like Endless Space, but they do need to tweak some things. And that's well within the realm of possibility, as the devs for it are still actively making changes and really listen to the community.

Good old Master of Orion 2, played the second one to death, and was the first game I had for PC I think, same on keeping an eye on endless space, I know a lot of these games tend to get a lot better as they patch em up, and it seems to be the closest I'm gonna get to a balance between combat and management.

From what I remember MoO2 had the right balance, or at least to my young self, of having to manage population and stuff, alongside having some kick ass turn based combat, black hole generators for the win!

I did love the management in Gal Civ 2, but the automatic combat sort of killed it for me >< I think I've been spoiled with SotS to be honest, as I suspect the majority of the target audience for 4X games are likely not looking for massively deep combat, otherwise I might as well go play something else, but I prefer a mix of the two rather than a focus on one.

 

[pffh]

Just going to use this thread since you mentioned SOTS. Has anyone played Sword the the Stars 2 recently? Has it been patched enough to be playable? What about good? I love the first game but am holding off on the second before it's been sufficiently patched.

 

[Aeshi]

Star Ruler might be worth a look at, but it's pretty complex even for a 4X game.

 

[Da Orky Man]

Sins of a Solar Empires is pretty good. Available on Steam too.

 

[Denamic]

Sins is one of the go-to game of the genre.
Solid game and relatively modern, in case you're hesitant to play the golden oldies that may not have aged very well.

 

[Tallim]

Ok I'm gonna pop up again out of left field and suggest AI War. It's a little out there in terms of genre as it plays a bit like an RTS but it isn't *technically* as everything you do is really part of a grand strategy.

Also the AI is pretty damn good. Just don't piss it off too much - Actually a major part of the game. You can't expand like crazy and just destroy/capture everything you want or the AI will realise you are a major threat before you are powerful enough to take it on and it will send ships on mass to annihilate you.

To the games credit the enemy consists of 2 AI, they don't attempt to play like a human because they are AI (in game). To start with it just appears that all the AI does is poke you a bit with the odd ship and send large waves of fleets to aggravate your planets when you start drawing its attention. After a while though it starts being genuinely sneaky.

You need to adapt to each game as not everything is available and the AI tactics, and thus yours, vary from game to game.

It's a weird game and it isn't for everyone but you can try the demo which is pretty sizeable in itself, has all the interactive tutorials and you are allowed to play a campaign for 3 hours although the AI level is locked on easy.


I only just started replaying it (came out in 2009) because the 4th expansion is in beta now

Also it has up to 8 player co-op and that is really fun.

EDIT for link to website:http://www.arcengames.com/w/index.php/aiwar-features

 

[Zantos]

Endless Space is definitely worth a look in. I don't have much to compare it to in the genre, but I've gone from barely ever playing these games to 24 hours in the past 2 days.

 

[Krantos]

Galactic Civilizations 2 - Best space empire 4X game ever made. Only downside is that combat is totally automated, but the empire management and such is second to none.

/thread

So many options and playstyles available in that game.

I once won a diplomatic victory with a race that only ever built one warship. The got all their money and influence by trading, converting, and bribing the other races. The Korx and Drengin were pretty much my best friends since they could be convinced to go to war on a moment's notice. I played weapons dealer and supplied both sides with the superior tech that I could research since I didn't need to maintain a fleet. The other races were too busy fighting each other the worry about me. They seemed quite glad to turn the reigns over to me to stop the constant wars.

*maniacal laugh*

 

[lacktheknack]

Galactic Civilizations 2 - Best space empire 4X game ever made. Only downside is that combat is totally automated, but the empire management and such is second to none.

You just made me buy it right here and now. I HATE micromanaging combat, so absolutely EVERYTHING about this sounds tailor-made for me.

 

[Baralak]

I was gonna say Master of Magic, or Age of Empires: Shadow Magic, since I prefer fantasy over sci fi.

 

[The_Lost_King]

Sins of a Solar Empires is pretty good. Available on Steam too.

That isn't as much a 4x as a RTS with a 4x scale.

 

[CommanderL]

Star Ruler might be worth a look at, but it's pretty complex even for a 4X game.

holy crap another person has played star ruler Starruler is amazing and there is no end to how big the maps can get and you can desugn your own race endless space is also good

 

[Monsterfurby]

I'd recommend...

Endless Space, if you want a meticulously balanced, very gamey experience more akin to a puzzle than to a simulation of interstellar politics.

Space Empires IV and V, if you want the exact opposite: a simulation of every sci-fi franchise out there (potentially), depending on how your tech and designs develop, which however plays out at a rather slow pace.

GalCiv 2, if you want a more Star Trek-like experience based around resource control and smart diplomacy, with an AI that does actually offer some personality and smarts.

Star Ruler, if you don't mind something that's rough around the edges, has dumb AI and no diplomacy to speak of, but offers a huge challenge of its own.

Sins of a Solar Empire, if you prefer epic battles and huge moddability and are more on the tactical side of things. This is the only game where I have seen a Wing Commander-like "fighting retreat" play out in a fun and engaging manner.

Aurora, if you're either into roguelikes or extreme detail. This game actually calculates how much oxygen the atmosphere within each of your ships contains. My favourite part about it: you can award promotions and medals to each individual character within your empire. Someone called it the Dwarf Fortress of 4X games, and I tend to agree.