Distant Worlds -- A new 4x space strategy game

[Martok]

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I think I'm even more excited for this game than I was for Armada 2526 (which -- make no mistake -- I've continued to enjoy). In fact, I suspect this is the most pumped I've been for a space 4x title since the release of Galactic Civilizations 2 back in 2006!

The release of Distant Worlds is just a few days away -- either March 23rd or 24th, depending on how a couple last-minute details work out -- and there's been a virtual frenzy of anticipation for it at a number of other gaming sites I frequent. I don't want to hype it up too much just yet (since I obviously won't have the game in my grubby little paws for another several days), but this one really does look good.

One caveat: Distant Worlds is in real-time; it's not turn-based like most space 4x titles. While this admittedly makes me a little nervous, it doesn't sound like it's going to be a twitchy click-fest -- a number of the game's beta-testers have described DW as being somewhat like the Europa Universalis series set "IN SPACE", which I find encouraging.

I'll try and post my opinion/impressions ASAP (although I anticipate wanting to play it for at least a few days before I do so)!

[seireikhaan]

Europa Universalis in space? Hmm... As long as they have the Almighty Pause Button, things should hopefully not get too hectic. I'm assuming there's a slider on speed too. Real time's make me nervous, I can't handle clickfests.

[Martok]

Europa Universalis in space? Hmm... As long as they have the Almighty Pause Button, things should hopefully not get too hectic.

Yes, the game does allow you to pause. And you can issue orders (or do just about anything else) while the game is paused.

I'm assuming there's a slider on speed too.

I don't know if it's a "slider" per se, but there are five different speeds you can choose from (and which you can alternate back & forth on as the game's progress warrants). I believe the speed settings are: 1/4, 1/2, 1x (which is the standard/average), 2x, and 4x.

Real time's make me nervous, I can't handle clickfests.

Same here. I sympathize entirely too much that statement.

Fortunately, the beta-testers for Distant Worlds are almost all veteran posters at Matrix Games' forums -- who are themselves a long-time and respected developer/publisher of niche strategy- and war-games (most of which are turn-based) -- and nearly all the beta-testers have repeatedly said (with strong emphasis) that DW is *not* a click-fest in the tradition of Starcraft or Command & Conquer. In terms of pacing, most of them have said it definitely compares to Paradox games....and in a good way.

[Meneldil]

Wow, I was planning to buy Sin of a Solar Empire, but I might chose Distant Worlds instead. The game indeed looks great, and I'm craving for more outter-space stuff after playing Mass Effect three times :D

Is it known whether they'll be different races with differents tech trees and UI, or only cultures a la EU3 ?

Edit: Wow, and start systems are actually star systems, with a star and various planets orbiting around. The systems in Sword of the Stars and SoaSE seemed a bit meh.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

There is a built in Game Editor? Wow, I think I like this game!

[Subotan]

This looks very interesting. I'll be keeping a close eye on this. Thanks for the heads up

EDIT: Oh wow, the developers actually sound like the guys from Flight of the Conchords. Great footage too

[frogbeastegg]

I'll try and post my opinion/impressions ASAP (although I anticipate wanting to play it for at least a few days before I do so)!

I'll allow you a week. If we don't have some impressions by that point then I will [assorted comedy threats here]

The game almost sounds too good to be true.

[Martok]

I'll allow you a week. If we don't have some impressions by that point then I will [assorted comedy threats here]

Right-o, then. I shall immediately commence quaking in my boots.

The game almost sounds too good to be true.

I concur. In fact, that's a big reason why I'm trying very hard to remain at least somewhat skeptical and not over-praise the game before I've actually played it. There's so much wonderful-sounding stuff regarding Distant Worlds that it seems hard to believe sometimes.

In any case, I should be finding out in a few days how close to the hype the game actually gets. Here's hoping!

[Martok]

For those interested, a new video discussing combat is now available.





To me, battles look....okay. They appear a bit lacking in depth, but then I probably would say that being the owner of 3 Total War games (and having played 5 of them).

In addition, the battles aren't as important to me as the other features this game has. So long as things like the macro-management, diplomacy, AI, and automation tools work as advertised, I don't think I'll be complaining too much.

[Ibn-Khaldun]

If there is one thing I don't like then it is the sound of weapons.

[Martok]

Incidentally, Matrix has announced Distant Worlds has gone gold, and that it will be available for purchase through their website either tomorrow or Friday. (I'm rather desperately hoping it's the former, as I have tomorrow off, and then I have to work all damn weekend.) Soon, my precious, soon....

Also, one of the beta-testers has posted an "AAR" on ship design. It's actually pretty neat: Ship design is very detailed -- probably more so than any strategy game I've yet played -- there are a lot of decisions to make about what to put into your ships/bases/stations, a lot of balancing and trade-offs to be made. Of course, you can also let the helper AI take care of ship design for you, at which (by most accounts) it's actually pretty competent.


Uff-da, the waiting for this game is killing me. GAH!

[Subotan]

The ship sprites remind me of Baldur's Gate. Which may or may not be a good thing.

[Subotan]

Is it any good?

[Beskar]

One thing I dislike about "god of everything" games is the amount of management that you sometimes have to do, in many ways, I would like the be the god we love as in "for seven days, I create what I think is good, then I have the day of rest as I watch everything play out".

One example of this is Spore. I would have liked many words to simply build up by themselves and just run themselves without me constantly having to be there at their beck and call.

[Subotan]

Spore disappointed in so many ways it is impossible to list them all in a single sentence.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

The first stage was the most fun (but the shortest) :(

[Meneldil]

Wow, after reading a few AARs, it seems this game is a real killer. I haven't played it yet, and the point of an AAR is to make your game sounds cool but... so many random events, so many things to do. It looks like you can write a bread and butter sci-fi book based on your current game.

It looks like Mass Effect on a macro level :D I'll probably get it when I'm done with all my current games (which will be in quite some time, saddly).

[Martok]

Is it any good?

Too early to tell yet. I just finished the tutorials -- I wound up having to work a half-shift today, and therefore wasn't really able to get into the game until about an hour ago. I will start a proper game after supper.

One caveat: This game appears to be pretty deep, a result of which is that it seems to have a somewhat steep learning curve. Fortunately, the tutorials and the PDF manual seem to cover most of what you need to know (and the AI automation is a HUGE help), but it's still a bit daunting at first. Just fair warning for you guys....