How similar is it to Galactic Civilizations II?

[dgg9879]

I enjoyed Galactic Civilizations II but would not be interested in Space Empires V if it was very similar, since there is no point playing another game that is basically the same with only minor differences.

Is Space Empires V different enough to Galactic Civilisations II to be worth playing?

[AAshbery76]

The military side in SEV is huge jump compared to GC2,so yes get it.

[Ragnarok-X]

Uh man i personally dont think that someone who likes GC will like SE and vice-versa. GC is just SO simplified in every aspect, it almost makes me cry.

[AAshbery76]

Ragnarok-X said:
Uh man i personally dont think that someone who likes GC will like SE and vice-versa. GC is just SO simplified in every aspect, it almost makes me cry.

Well I like both so......

[Atrocities]

Ya people who tend to love GalCiv II simplicy are turned off by the depth of game play and replayablity of Space Empires IV and V. No if you like Galciv 2 chances are you will find SE V too much of a game for your tastes. But don't get me wrong, GalCiv 2 is a very good game, it just lacks the depth that SE V has.

[PDF]

They're very different, SE5 is much more detailed. In GC everything just gives additionnal "bonuses", here you have really new stuff when you got new tech, up to sun blowing items.
Ship building is a real design exercice not for the ship looks but for its role/armament, and you've real tac combat, not just a non-interactive movie.
OTOH in SE5 the AI sucks big time

[baby_arm]

If you don't mind a little reading, we have a comparison review.

Short answer: yes, they're different enough to make it worth playing both.

[Hugh Manatee]

Well, TC didn't ask if he would enjoy SEV if he liked GC2, he asked if they were different enough that they aren't just cloned, they aren't similar in many respects it seems. Get SEV for the eventual multiplayer epics that will be played over PBW and PBEM(as I recall GC2 doesn't have multiplayer right? There's reason enough to take a spin at SEV, test your strategic abilities against real intelegence). Also ship design seems much different, SEV has tons of weapons and components making for detailed ship designs and strategies, but each ship of a class looks alike(all the destroyers look the same no matter what you put on them, however if you have enough skill with a 3D modeling program you can make your own ships), where in GC it seems much simpler but you can interchange the looks of each ship. The complexity in ship design leads to more complex combat encounters, you can even customize the AI scripting of your fleets in the strategic combat mode or control them directly like in a RTS(except you can pause the action periodically to set up their orders). Also you can tweak the rules in SEV by altering the data files creating your own mods and adding your own sounds and art, there are already some interesting mods out and more are sure to come(it's like getting several games in 1).

[Atrocities]

I have both games and I enjoy them both. SE V has far more depth thus the games are far more involved. I enjoy GalCiv2 for simply afternoon playing but depend upon SE V for my meat and potato's 4x gaming.

[Caduceus]

Good comparison article, Baby-arm.