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Probably a dumb question. But I thought I saw some posts that suggest you should try and play with the original version or one of the earlier expansions as you learn the game. I currently have the original game installed and the first two expansions (not shadows). When I launch the game, it just gives me the option to play DW Legends. How would you start a specific game with the original or the first expansion or I am just not thinking about this correctly and you just play with all the combination of installed expansions? Thanks.

The expansions are all basically upgrades to the original game, improving and adding to it. You'll have the features of all the expansions, though when creating a new game you can turn off expansion-specific story lines on the Victory Conditions screen at the end.

ORIGINAL: Raap

The expansions are all basically upgrades to the original game, improving and adding to it. You'll have the features of all the expansions, though when creating a new game you can turn off expansion-specific story lines on the Victory Conditions screen at the end.

ah...that makes sense....so the only place to make specific expansion choices is in the story lines area. Thanks for the quick response.

No! Start with Shadows as the original yukky UI would make it actaully harder to learn.

ORIGINAL: ASHBERY76

No! Start with Shadows as the original yukky UI would make it actaully harder to learn.

Is the UI that much different? If so, any chance you can tell me or point me to a post where it talks about all the UI differences? I haven't purchased Shadows yet since I really did not get much into the previous versions so I was playing them first to ensure it would spark enough interest for me to purchase.

You should install all the expansions you have for the additional features and improvements. Let's say you are upgraded to the Shadows level, if you want to play things in original release and challenge order, you would do the following in terms of the storyline:

1. Only enable the Original Distant Worlds Storyline
2. Enable the Original Distant Worlds Storyline and the Return of the Shakturi Storyline
3. Enable the Original Distant Worlds Storyline, the Return of the Shakturi Storyline and Disasters
4. Try Playing in the Age of Shadows as an Empire (keep the other storyline options on for the epic pre-warp to Return of the Shakturi storyline)
5. Try Playing in the Age of Shadows as a Pirate faction

ORIGINAL: Grim.Reaper
Is the UI that much different? If so, any chance you can tell me or point me to a post where it talks about all the UI differences? I haven't purchased Shadows yet since I really did not get much into the previous versions so I was playing them first to ensure it would spark enough interest for me to purchase.

Return of the Shakturi includes the greatest UI improvements, Legends and Shadows each add a few more. In general I would install all the expansions you have, then use the galaxy settings to play without the later storylines if you want to play the game as it was with just the base game or the first or second expansion.

Regards,

- Erik

I'm new to DW but I have all the expansions, I simply choose "Play as Normal Empire in the Classic Age" in the first screen. In the Victory Conditions screen you can even disable "Shakturi story events", basically you going to be playing the vanilla game story but with the benefit of Shadows expansion with the most up to date game engine.

Hi Peter, yes that's exactly how I would start if you have the entire series.

Few other things I did in my current (2nd game, first game was abandoned after few hours), I have modified all the empires as well as mine to start in "pre-warp" era...I like to start from the beginning and with basically nothing. I did actually left the "Shakturi story events" by default, hopefully this won't bite me in the rear later on. I have also started as human and gave my first starting base - excellent in terms of resources - just because I'm new to the game. For victory conditions, they are not triggered until year 99

ORIGINAL: Peter Fisla

I'm new to DW but I have all the expansions, I simply choose "Play as Normal Empire in the Classic Age" in the first screen. In the Victory Conditions screen you can even disable "Shakturi story events", basically you going to be playing the vanilla game story but with the benefit of Shadows expansion with the most up to date game engine.

I must be blind that I don't see this option in my game's 1st screen. Is this only available with Shadows installed?

I *think* the Shakturi story is partly based on the overall tech level and or military power of the entire galaxy, so starting low won't bite you in the rear, it will just delay the time until it happens. Not 100% sure though.

ORIGINAL: Grim.Reaper

ORIGINAL: Peter Fisla

I'm new to DW but I have all the expansions, I simply choose "Play as Normal Empire in the Classic Age" in the first screen. In the Victory Conditions screen you can even disable "Shakturi story events", basically you going to be playing the vanilla game story but with the benefit of Shadows expansion with the most up to date game engine.

I must be blind that I don't see this option in my game's 1st screen. Is this only available with Shadows installed?

The "Play in the Classic Age" is part of Shadows, but you can turn the Return to the Shakturi storyline on and off ever since Return of the Shakturi was released. If you don't see either, it means you are on just the original Distant Worlds with no expansions.

Regards,

- Erik