Newb: Buy the expansion from the start?

[JonBrave]

OK, so I've waited this long to buy DW, and now I see the expansion is out.

So, never having played it, do I need to (i.e. be advised to) shell out (UK, download) the £13.99 for the expansion right now on top of the £18.99 for the original right from the start?
I mean, is the "experience" of the expansion improvements such that I must have it, or can/should I start out on just the original first?

And, BTW, the site goes on about a discount for either or both together or whatever till Jan 4th, but that's talking US dollars, does any of this apply to my UK sale? I'm trying to understand if I need to click the button right now! Hoping for some swift observations, many thanks.

[WoodMan]

I would advise buying the expansion right from the start.  Its a great improvement in my opinion, and the UI is much better.  As for the stories you can choose to play the original, expansion, both or neither.  I would recommend both, even for a first time player, the stories go together well and make sense happening at the same time.

[Setekh]

Grab both, I did myself a week ago and haven't stopped playing yet.
I even made a custom shipset for it! [8D]

[JonBrave]

Hmmm. I have to say, I have zero interest in any story lines for any games. I am quite happy just playing build-a-random-empire or "skirmish", if I want a story I'll watch a film [;)]

While I think of it, I wish to play it on my home PC. Which is horrendously under-powered. I reckon it's 5 years old, XP, 1Gb RAM (hey, I play TBS with 2D sprites...). I *know* it's going to struggle to keep up with DW, is the expansion any worse (or better) on requirements, or just the same? I guess it'll give me time to think, which I prolly need anyway. It copes OK with Sins of a Solar Empire (my only other RTS!), but I think DW will frown on it...

[Howard Mitchell]

ORIGINAL: JonBrave

Hmmm. I have to say, I have zero interest in any story lines for any games. I am quite happy just playing build-a-random-empire or "skirmish", if I want a story I'll watch a film [;)]

In the original Distant Worlds you can't turn the storyline off, so certain events always occur. As WoodMan says in the expansion you can play with a 'vanilla' galaxy if you want to.

I can't answer your question on PC specification, but as a game DW is 101% engrossing, I thouroughly recommend it. Just say goodbye to your familiy before you start playing, you may not see them for a while...

[WoodMan]

The larger galaxy sizes require 2gb ram to play (well at least it recommends that in the new game screen anyway).

[gwgardner]

ORIGINAL: JonBrave


While I think of it, I wish to play it on my home PC. Which is horrendously under-powered. I reckon it's 5 years old, XP, 1Gb RAM (hey, I play TBS with 2D sprites...). I *know* it's going to struggle to keep up with DW, is the expansion any worse (or better) on requirements, or just the same? I guess it'll give me time to think, which I prolly need anyway. It copes OK with Sins of a Solar Empire (my only other RTS!), but I think DW will frown on it...

I run DW on a $400, two-year old, bottom of the line laptop, no problem. I do prefer small galaxies, however, never tried it with a large one.

[Krob]

Just don't put long range scanners on any of your ships if you'd like to use the galaxy map.


K

[ehsumrell1]

ORIGINAL: JonBrave

While I think of it, I wish to play it on my home PC. Which is horrendously under-powered. I reckon it's 5 years old, XP, 1Gb RAM (hey, I play TBS with 2D sprites...). I *know* it's going to struggle to keep up with DW, is the expansion any worse (or better) on requirements, or just the same? I guess it'll give me time to think, which I prolly need anyway. It copes OK with Sins of a Solar Empire (my only other RTS!), but I think DW will frown on it...

You should be fine JonBrave as long as you have a separate video card (not motherboard integrated,
although some may work) and stay at size 700 star galaxies or less. Other wise you will most
likely get a LOT of "lag, drag & freeze" as I like to call it. [8D]

[DrApostle]

I just bought the game a couple of weeks ago and I think the expansion has helped me tremendously. I bought both and love it!

[gmot]

Totally agree - game is much better and enjoyable with the expansion. Not that it was bad before - it was excellent.

[JonBrave]

OK, OK, OK, I get the message! [:D]
The tip about "requires expansion to get out of story line" suits me fine!
Thank you to all, I shall get my wallet out, sigh...

[Setekh]

ORIGINAL: JonBrave

OK, OK, OK, I get the message! [:D]
The tip about "requires expansion to get out of story line" suits me fine!
Thank you to all, I shall get my wallet out, sigh...

You'll thank us once you've played 'em for a few days.

[JonBrave]

Done, and it actually worked with the new on-line purchase provider, no more DR!
PLUS, the unbelievable satisfaction of only paying the Government a mere 17.5% for the privilege, ahead of the 20% [8D]. Almost worth the purchase in its own right...

[the1sean]

Welcome to the community JonBrave [:)]