Not appropriate but Need to ask here.

[Larsenex]

I have all expacs here of DW, which I love. However I am wondering if Sins of Solar empire is worth looking into.

Does anyone here have any experience with 'Sins of a Solar Empire'?

I am not interested in online multi player.

Any info would be good and if not cool i can delete this thread.

[Cjuero2011]

It depends on what you want in a strategy game. SoaSE has some good points if you like action and limited choices (as far as designing your ships/etc goes) - from the moment you start the game things are happening. The political system is there, but not a fully fleshed out one - you have pirates, but you know about them right away and can 'contract' them for 'hits' on other empires. There is a sort of economy but only 3 resources (4 if you count credits) that you need to worry about.

DW has the whole strategic layer to its advantage - you can design as much or little as you want, you have broader political options, a full economy that has many factors (galactic resources, war time, etc) and a more (to me) in depth tactical feel.

I own both and have played both extensively, but the only game I keep returning to lately is DW - it just feeds my tactical 4X need better than SoaSE.

In short: SoaSE is more of an Action 4X, DW is more of a traditional 4X (in the vein of MOO/STARS/Space Empires/etc).

Many of the people on these boards will say to choose DW (Matrix fans are fans indeed ) - I say that it is up to your playstyle.

[Larsenex]

Thanks for response!

[Mesthione]

SoaSE actually brought me into the space 4x genre years ago. It has a great balance of RTS and 4x, although as mentioned by Cjuero it is really more of a RTS overall. The graphics are gorgeous, the research tree is nice, and there are even relics....but games will take you 4-8 hours MAX if you try to stretch it and diplomacy is shallow. You won't regret buying it, but if you are looking for an experience like DW you will be disappointed.

[AstroCat]

How's it compare to that Endless Space game? I am curious about that one as well. For the record, I'm really digging Distant Worlds, I could see spending a good amount of time having fun with it.

[Larsenex]

I have both Endless Space and Gal Civ II, I really enjoy both but there is something about DW that always brings me back.

[Mesthione]

@Astrocat,

SoaSE is less 4x than ES, if that gives you any reference. ES is turn-based, has heroes, a much larger research tree, and vastly different combat and diplomacy. SoaSE really shines in comp-stomping multiplayer with a dedicated friend.

[Mansen]

SINS is more akin to your run of the mill RTS - You can end a game incredibly fast even on large maps. It also has some glaring issues with pacing and balance in my opinion - I could easily dominate both singleplayer and multiplayer with friends using only capital ships (which have special abilities - kind of like heroes in RPG games).

It's not bad - but it never gave me much replayability. Neither did ES for that matter due to the way combat is handled - I get impatient and auto-resolve fights which makes the game less interesting.

[necaradan666]

Had a lot of fun with Sins, it's definitely worth buying, but a couple bad points:

Sins has zero storyline apart from the intro video, no campaigns or scenarios or anything. Granted you don't get much more in DW.

the Rebellion expansion advertises new playable factions but in reality the same three are just copy/pasted and renamed rebels, their only difference is one or two techs in their trees.

[AstroCat]

I meant to say I was digging Distant Worlds in my above post. So, Sins is really just a space RTS but Endless Space is more of a real turn based 4x game. I think I will stick with DW for now but might have to check out ES at some point. I admit I like to kind of get into RP'ing my empire in these games, so the more flavor the better for me.

[Rosseau]

In my very humble opinion, Sword of the Stars collection beats out the Sins games. They are good, but just like Mansen says, very RTS-ish.

I have gotten my feet wet with Endless Space and StarDrive. But I am wondering if I will be disappointed in the long-term. If anyone has an opinion on that, feel free to share.

For newcomers, you can get the DW experience for just about the price of Endless and StarDrive combined. That is a good deal anyway you look at it.

[jamthree]

Galciv = broken economy once you figure the game out, not to mention its just a poorly modeled game mechanic which the developers themselves admitted and the way that game works it basically just breaks it

SoaSE - Its a great game but the system layout and maps just don't make sense as "space", that being said its a really fun game with interesting ships and techs and the 3D battles look pretty god except for the stop and shoot aspect. It also has a very playable multiplayer and playing co-op is alot of fun. Oh and I don;t know what nec was talking about rebellion gives you titans which are awesome.

SOTS - These are the pinnacle of the genre but they are deep complex games (that don't appear that way on the surface) and things are intentionally obfuscated, like you have to read the wiki to really understand the breadth and scope of racial bonuses just as one example, if you gotta know all the ins and outs of your strategy games 100-200 hours will put you at a point where u really understand the game. Sots also has great multiplayer and supports teams and co-op so if you can find a friend its alot of fun

Endless Space - Sooo much promise for an easy to learn Civ style space 4x to replace Moo, the rock paper scissors(also a flaw with Galciv) combat gets beyond frustrating and the techs aren't balanced and the cool techs you get right before you win the game and don't really get to use them, plus they have never added team play to multi or single player which essentially means no co-op

[adecoy95]

i wouldn't really call SOTS deep in certain areas, its tactical level is brilliant, but its strategic level leaves a lot to be desired, but if you want the total war series in space, that game will deliver it to you and then some.

endless space is a solid game with challenging difficulty levels, but its a standard game, you will get a good number of hours out of it but then it just kinda gets samey at the end.

i never could find any redeeming qualitys about galciv, its just not an interesting game, elemental seems to continue the tradition.

sins of a solar empire is also a decent game, and its a quicker play than most of the other options here

[jday305]

This forum actually makes me want to look into DW now. I really enjoyed Galatic Civ II and can see from others responces that DW may be worth my while; I actually have only been looking at none futuristic games from Matrix. Thanks Larsenex for bringing this subject up.

[AstroCat]

Are you talking about Sword of the Stars II: Enhanced Edition when referencing SOTS, just wanted to make sure which version you mean? And for those that like SotS, how do you like Distant Worlds, which is the game I'm currently getting into. Most of these games are a big time commitment to really get into so I want to make sure I picked the "right" one.

[Rosseau]

You picked the right one. I think people are referring to SOTS original through Argos Naval Yard dlc. SOTS II was a disaster, I believe. Thanks for comments on Endless Space. I am trying to come to grips with StarDrive. We need to remember that DW series has undergone years of polish and will continue to be improved upon. Not sure ES or SD will be improved in that fashion.

[Rtwfreak]

SINS = RTS clickfest DW= rts clickfest only if you want it to be. I love how DW lets you set the pace of play. Distant Worlds wins by a 18 furlongs in a 6 furlong race.