Matrix Games Forums

I just bought Distant Worlds and the Return of the Shakturi expansion on Jan 1. I, too, had been watching Das24680's Let's Plays on YouTube since before Thanksgiving, trying to decide whether to purchase it or not. I was pretty sure I would before the sale was over after watching the videos. After I bought DW and RotS and installed them, I watched Das24680's Let's Play RotS series, again. This time I took notes. The notes are really helping me learn the game. I scan through them every once in a while while I'm playing to remind me of things I should or could be doing, and how to do them.

I'm enjoying the game. I have most of the options set on automatic, but I'm doing enough myself that it's fun. I was surprised when my first game ended quickly and abruptly with a victory. My AI did most of the work, though. I hope I can find a way to make the game a little harder to win. I was expecting to lose big time. I'm playing my second game and I'm currently slightly in the lead.

Next step is deciding whether to purchase Legends. I'm only hesitating, because I'm currently over my "game budget". I'll probably buy it next week, though. I have access to the kid's college fund. [;)]

ORIGINAL: RockKahn

I'm enjoying the game. I have most of the options set on automatic, but I'm doing enough myself that it's fun. I was surprised when my first game ended quickly and abruptly with a victory. My AI did most of the work, though. I hope I can find a way to make the game a little harder to win. I was expecting to lose big time. I'm playing my second game and I'm currently slightly in the lead.

Try increasing the amount of time before victory conditions apply (last game setup screen). I found it quite easy to win after 20 years. Increasing this to 50 or 100 years allows the AI to develop more. Later on in the game it's a bit of a tug-o-war to maintain the top position in the victory screen.

Turning off all victory conditions and playing sandbox mode (conquest only) can be a good challenge too.

Next step is deciding whether to purchase Legends. I'm only hesitating, because I'm currently over my "game budget". I'll probably buy it next week, though. I have access to the kid's college fund. [;)]

I bought all three so I've never played without the legends expansion. I may install another instance of the game and check out playing the vanilla and RoTS versions without legends. Hmmm.. Yes, that should be quite interesting! [:)]

Today, the kid's college fund. When the Shadows expansion comes out... cancel summer camp! [;)]

ORIGINAL: StarLab


I bought all three so I've never played without the legends expansion. I may install another instance of the game and check out playing the vanilla and RoTS versions without legends. Hmmm.. Yes, that should be quite interesting! [:)]

I wouldn't recommend it, I was playing DW+ROTS then bought all three for my girlfriend, took us ages to work out that the resources were nerfed in Legends, going back makes it easier but harder to go back to Legends.

Darkspire

ORIGINAL: Darkspire

ORIGINAL: StarLab


I bought all three so I've never played without the legends expansion. I may install another instance of the game and check out playing the vanilla and RoTS versions without legends. Hmmm.. Yes, that should be quite interesting! [:)]

I wouldn't recommend it, I was playing DW+ROTS then bought all three for my girlfriend, took us ages to work out that the resources were nerfed in Legends, going back makes it easier but harder to go back to Legends.

Darkspire

Thanks. Point taken.

However, I do have a virtual machine under Linux running windows so I should be able to install there without touching my initial installation. Should be a nice activity for a dull Sunday at some point. [8D]

I learned to play by setting everything to automated, and getting a lot of problems. Then I turned the automation caused problems and slowly learned. Now I manage the economy and fleet of 151 colonies of 112 stars.

Edit: I started playing on that game again, and now my empire is 462 planets on 304 systems. I finally know how to play dw. I should probably get the expansions now.

I just played the game...like I always do... "sink or swim."