I think the Demo is...

from Stardock Forums
Pretty good, but I have some questions. I read about the updates in Galciv 1.1 and I've been reading a lot in this forum and also in CDG so hopefully these aren't too dumb:

In the demo I researched 35 techs, discovering 62 in total. I read there are 150 techs in total, and that the tech research rate has been sped up in general. Doesn't that make it too easy to complete the tech tree in a larger galaxy? I'm only playing in a small with 12ish planets and I've completed 20% of it already... is that right?!?

Regarding expansion, if you have a 15x15 grid galaxy and the AI knows where to colonise, isn't it too easy to get hemmed in and be unable to expand even on easy difficulty levels? I know you can crank out plenty of colony ships quite fast but without many scouts they would just ruin expansion wouldn't they?

Replayability. I like lots of stuff in the game, and I can see a lot of effort has gone into many things including little details, and also things like mopping up at the end of the game and such like. But, I found that any empire needs to spend to develop, so I always find I'm building my economy to increase output. Is this strictly true? I've read about using influence, and I could imagine trying to flip planets or build the odd bunch of star fighters but can you really do this without a strong economy first?

I also read stuff about the various mods, but it seems most mods are either unfinished, or there are problems with unusual side effects once in-game creating unbalanced gameplay. Besides the new Altarian Prcy. official mod are there any other official mods? Or is there somewhere that has reviewed completed mods that are workable and install without messing things up? There's a lot of info. but a lot of it seems outdated or otherwise no longer correct and for a newbie it's not all making an awful lot of sense.

Sorry it's such a long message, but even if you could post a short reply with any direct answers to the above I'd be very grateful.

Thanks,

- Steve
182 views 5 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
1) Research: As you up the level the AI will be researching fast so beating it will be hard. I choose the tech i need to achive what vicotry i'm going for (Conquest, Cultural) and then start spending my ressources elsewhere. I other words no

2) You can choose +speed as a starting pick which will give you an advantage to the AI. Furthermore it is possible to see the AI cultural influence in a sector (without exploring it) and thereby figuring out where to rush to. Yes this is a crusial phase of the game.

3) You are right a strong economy is extremely important, but this can also be achived thru trade which doesnt require quite as much technological development. You can play the AI's of to war against each other and thereby getting them to trade with you (and receive additional income)

4) On the most respected players (Lord Megatron) in the Metaverse (community) has been doing and organizing mods and they can be used without any problems (one in hundred games has problems submitting to the Metaverse). Furthermore this area is in rapid development since Lord Megatron formed his own empire and starting as unofficial mod-approver.

This game is great and will give many hours of entertainment, but it might take some time (it did for me anyway) to learn more than just the basics of the game and the community is unmatched.

I hope to see you here in the future
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Hello Steve

In the demo I researched 35 techs, discovering 62 in total. I read there are 150 techs in total, and that the tech research rate has been sped up in general. Doesn't that make it too easy to complete the tech tree in a larger galaxy? I'm only playing in a small with 12ish planets and I've completed 20% of it already... is that right?!?
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I don't really know the demo so I can't really tell about the tech tree in it. But In the many games I've played, I've yet to search the whole damn thing :) . In my lateste game (medium galaxy, tough)I could have finished the game twice already, but I want to see the thing to the end. So I guess it requires a bigger galaxy (large or huge) to really finish the tech tree before the "end" of the game. But probably some better players can disprove me on that :) .


Regarding expansion, if you have a 15x15 grid galaxy and the AI knows where to colonise, isn't it too easy to get hemmed in and be unable to expand even on easy difficulty levels? I know you can crank out plenty of colony ships quite fast but without many scouts they would just ruin expansion wouldn't they?
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Nope. At first I had trouble getting to habitable planets before the AI, but with experience, even in tough (the highest difficulty I played) I usuallu grab more planets than the AI


Replayability. I like lots of stuff in the game, and I can see a lot of effort has gone into many things including little details, and also things like mopping up at the end of the game and such like. But, I found that any empire needs to spend to develop, so I always find I'm building my economy to increase output. Is this strictly true? I've read about using influence, and I could imagine trying to flip planets or build the odd bunch of star fighters but can you really do this without a strong economy first?
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Trade will get to be the most important part of your economy. I get usually 2/3 from trade revenue. Which weights heavely in your decisions to go to war, specially if your enemy is allied to your main trade partner: the loss of the trade can be a big hit. A lot of possibilities there, in strategy, etc. Games can be very diferent from one another.

I also read stuff about the various mods, but it seems most mods are either unfinished, or there are problems with unusual side effects once in-game creating unbalanced gameplay. Besides the new Altarian Prcy. official mod are there any other official mods? Or is there somewhere that has reviewed completed mods that are workable and install without messing things up? There's a lot of info. but a lot of it seems outdated or otherwise no longer correct and for a newbie it's not all making an awful lot of sense.
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When you buy the game, you get a bonus pack with more techs and ships. And soon there is the alterian profecy and scenario editor. There are many mods, ie UP decisions and random events made buy users. there are some guidelines to be followed so that your score is accepted in metaverse. I think they're are planning on organising the mod library and classifying the stuff. And it is pretty easy to make thelm yourself.

Sorry it's such a long message, but even if you could post a short reply with any direct answers to the above I'd be very grateful.
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No problem. I hope this helps :)
Enjoy the game, its really worth it.
If you are thinking of buying it and thje altarian prophecy, maybe you should check out the Drengin.net

~SDC~
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Forget to check the thread again until now, I see you both replied within 1 hour of me posting it! :-)

Thanks to both of you for your replies, you've each given me a reminder or an extra insight into parts of the game I forgot when writing my post, or hadn't realised yet. You've both been very helpful!

Now I just have to decide if I'm going to go the whole hog and get drengin.net or whether I just go for GalCiv for now and see how it works out.

Thanks again,

- Steve
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
Steve Holgeth,

You're welcome. You'll see that if you have other questions, just ask, and you'll probably get a answer from some player. I was amazed by the friendly atmosphere in this forum :)


#3 by Citizen Steve Holgeth - 1/2/2004 9:05:07 AM
Forget to check the thread again until now
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I guess you mean the new year party was pretty good ;)

~SDC~
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Now I just have to decide if I'm going to go the whole hog and get drengin.net or whether I just go for GalCiv for now and see how it works out.
End of quote


I forgot to add.
Drengin.net gives you access to whatever game stardock has developped during your subscription. You also get to have access to the beta version of the galciv expansion (AP) and of the patches. If you think you will want the expansion, it may be worth it. I think there was the possibility to "upgrade" to drengin, once you had galciv. Maybe you should check out if it's still possible.

I mentioned Drengin in my initial post because I was really surprised by Stardock support and presence in this forum. So I when I have a chance to praise them, I do :)

~SDC~