[OT] Space 4X TBS game?

[Heretic Apostate]

Anyone know of good space turn-based strategy 4X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate; most Civ-type games) game?

Basically, I'm looking for a game that has tech trees, standardized starships (no plug-and-plays, I'm TERRIBLE at making my custom ships; thus, MOO2, Ascendancy, Space Empires, and a few others are out), and minimal empire maintenance and/or VERY good governors (I want to focus on 4X, not micro-managing my colonies; thus, Star Trek: Birth of the Federation is out, though it was VERY close to what I'd like--except that the Defiant class didn't cloak, dang it, except with a hacked file).

Anyone know of a game like that?

 

[Vaxalon]

I don't think it exists.

Most 4x games include the "exploit" aspect, which you seem to want to leave out.

 

[Greatwyrm]

Master of Orion 3. It's not due out for a few months yet, but it sounds like what you're looking for.

 

[tmaaas]

Master of Orion III is due out sometime after September and may fit what you are looking for.

The designers are trying to develop deep, immersive gameplay without saddling the player with chores they don't want. There is a great deal of emphasis on minimizing the 'micromanagement' necessary in most TBS games.

While you can design your own ships, fight your own combats, etc., the plan is to make such tasks optional and to have a good enough computer AI where it isn't necessary to do so to win.

I think it would be definitely worth checking the reviews on this game about a month after it is released and seeing if it sounds good. Also, by then, the inevitable first patch or two should already be out.

 

[Heretic Apostate]

Yeah, I'm waiting on MOO3 and on GalCiv. Both of them sound like they'll be fun.

Main thing, though, is that they're not due out for at least six weeks, they're still full price, and I am poor and bored right now.

 

[Moon_Goddess]

Despite your reservations I still say Space Empires, you have to make your own ships but it's not hard. Heck dig around the communities and I bet you could find some ship designs saved ready to import.

Of Course I'm biased, I've been a SE fan since the beginning.


Edit, Heretic, have you ever been involved in the Space Empires online comminuty before? I used to be very deep into it and your screen name seems familiar to me.