Something for the experienced civver?

[Solaristics]

I've been playing civ games for what seems like forever, and I feel like I've seen it all. Loved SMAC, and enjoyed most of the innovations in Civ V, but I'm on the fence about Pandora. I've been waiting for a successor to SMAC since I wore out SMAC, but is this still work in progress, and a bit bare-boned, or is it really offering something that will excite the jaded gamer? I'm tempted to wait until an expansion, as I've still got plenty of play left in my current 4X games. I'm sure I'll get this eventually, but I wonder if it is still a bit early (from a feature perspective): from reading the comments here it sounds like a stripped-down SMAC. Opinions?

[robc04_1]

I think Pandora is a solid 4X 'Civilization-type' game. It adds some new ideas while leaving out some others. It does feel lighter than say Civ IV, but I think there is room for Civ IV and Pandora on someone's hard drive. Sometimes it is nice to play something a little different. There are some features that do give Pandora its own feel, despite some obvious comparisons to Civ games. If that is worth a $30 investment to you, that is your call, but I feel the game is fun now and different enough to make it worthwhile. I don't feel it displaces Civ IV as my favorite 4X game of all time, but it is solid.

[eyegore]

I think Pandora is miles beyond Civ5 in challenge and far beyond SMAC as well. Nether game had an A.I. that regularly stomped you. Pandora on the other hand will make you rethink, and rethink again on strategy. Your likely lose several games before you win.

Another significant difference is the factions are truely different. Civ games all factions play, and are basically the same except in name. Here each faction has an idealogy and they play to that strenght and weakness.

Some Bells and whistles aren't there...like teraforming options (raise/lower terrain, etc) but units upgrade and can be customized and renamed-everything is moddable and the game will only grow deeper as new expansions come out.

It is an exceptional game for the price.

[Gizuria]

I've kind of grown stale with Civ V as the AI just can't do war. It's a shame as otherwise, it would be the most awesome 4X game ever. If this game can do war, I might be tempted to take a deeper look. But where am I going to find the time?[:D]

[Solaristics]

ORIGINAL: eyegore

Nether game had an A.I. that regularly stomped you. Pandora on the other hand will make you rethink, and rethink again on strategy. Your likely lose several games before you win.

Is this because the AI is making clever moves, or just because it is getting bonuses the player isn't? From the brief bits of war I saw on the OutofEight playthrough, it didn't seem that smart to me. I'm happy to be wrong about this, as I'm always on the look out for above average AIs!

[balto]

It is cheating. It is not clever at all.

[FroBodine]

Do you have some examples to share of this cheating, please? I am still on the fence about getting this game, and am interested to hear as much about the AI as possible. Thanks!

[eyegore]

I've seen no evidence of cheating myself. Things like endless resources or unlimited units ...etc would be things I'd be looking for. I just have not seen anything like that.

I'll give a quick example of what I experienced last night when i started a new game with the Ecologic faction. About turn 55 The military faction declared war on me. I had barely explored beyond my borders. in fact I had just gotten the tech that let me do sat scans..so i had no idea even where they were located. He showed up at one of my border cities with a stack that equaled a strength of 22. This seemed normal to me being turn 55. If he had a much more powerful stack I'd say the A.I. was cheating, but at 22 I was able to pull 3 units from neighboring cities...leaving their strength garrison below 12...and fend him off...barely with one unit left. After that he offered up a peace deal...which told me he just lost the bulk of his army. Since I did not know where he was I accepted the deal. I really was not in a position to really go on offense anyway. He had really decimated most of my force as well.

that example tells me two things. The A.I. was about at my level with units ...so no signs of cheating, and he also did a smart move after his forces were defeated.

This is why i play strategy games. I like being challenged...and Pandora has done that in the 6 games I've played. I almost won last nights but someone squeaked a military victory ...my next game i'm turning off all victory conditions as I'm interested how that will play out. But right now I can say the A.I. expands well, will bounce on you if you do not keep up militarily and I haven't seen any obvious cheating. But not I'm just 6 games in..with more experience i may start seeing some things I haven't yet...but I hope this example helps.

[Solaristics]

ORIGINAL: eyegore
But not I'm just 6 games in..with more experience i may start seeing some things I haven't yet...but I hope this example helps.

Yes it does, thanks. I look forward to reading some more if you have any in your next few games.