best space strategy game

[nokhor]

whats the consensus out there for the best space strategy game?

by space strategy i don't mean a RTS like starcraft or a tactical game like homeworld, but a game with exploration, different alien cultures, long term technological research, fleet battles etc.

[Crandaeolon]

Dunno what the consensus is, but Space Empires IV Gold gets my vote. Site (with demo version of the game): http://www.malfador.com/

SE V is currently in beta, so the best may get even better soon! ~D

[Thoros of Myr]

Master of Orion 2 is supposed to be quite good. Unfortunatly I've never had the chance to play it. Still looking for it in bargain bins occasionally.

[sharrukin]

Master Of Orion 2 was a very good game (MOO3 was NOT!) How does it compare to Space Empires IV? Are they similar types of games?

[Crandaeolon]

Quite similar, yes. Space Empires is an order of magnitude more complex with zillions of diplomatic and strategic options and makes a fantastic PBEM game, whereas Orion2 wins in the flavor and "soul" department. The Three Kings of space strategies are IMHO:

1) SE IV G: the deepest and most complex, though lacking in eye-candy and spice. Very suitable for a PBEM game with human opponents; SP AI is quite competent, but the races are rather bland, so human beings are useful to create some of the missing flavor. (There are a plenty of fan-made mods though, including the usual StarBabylonTrekWars and other sci-fi settings.)

2) Master of Orion 2: no introduction needed, I hope. The old gold standard of 4X games. Diplomacy is MoO2's most lacking department, and of course the game is already very old. You'll need some tricks to get it working on modern machines. And I'll second sharrukin's warning: do NOT get MoO3!

3) Galactic Civilizations: No tactical combat and no multiplayer, but GalCiv is a damn fine singleplayer game for a somewhat civilizationish experience in space. It has the best interface and most pleasing looks of the three, as well as ample amounts of flavor (it has a plot, sort of. :tongue2:)

Also, both Space Empires V and Galactic Civilizations 2 are in the beta phase right now. Dominions 3 (a fantasy strategy game) should be quite far in development and entering beta soon... looks like this summer will be a true festival for turn-based strategy gamers! ~D

[hrvojej]

Space Empires IV Gold gets my vote as well. Production values are not great by today's standards, but gameplay should still be very solid, I think (I haven't played it in a while).

[nokhor]

thanks for the tips fellas. will give the SE IV demo a try.

[Fragony]

What no Homeworld? If you haven't played it stop whatever the hell you are doing and run out to be buy it! I still fire it up from time to time, and after 4 years the graphics still amaze me!

[Spino]

What no Homeworld? If you haven't played it stop whatever the hell you are doing and run out to be buy it! I still fire it up from time to time, and after 4 years the graphics still amaze me!

Ja, Homeworld is a great game but it's essentially a linear, scripted RTS whereas I this thread is devoted to space strategy games of the empire building '4X' variety. 4X as in eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate!