If the game's gotten a bit stale, that's probably because you've gotten better at it and it's not as much of a challenge for you.
The super abilities and mega events make the game more interesting, and usually a bit harder for the player, as well. Less well-documented changes include:
- The increase of size and cost of engines, which slows your fleets down and gives the AI more of a chance to counter your moves.
- Factories produce fewer 'hammers', so you have to plan your builds more carefully.
- Tech trading, freighter trade income, and the diplomacy ability have all been clamped down to the bone. You won't be able to keep the AI off your back so easily with diplomacy any more, and you'll have a hard time getting techs from them.
- Your economy in DL is a Ferrari. In DA, you have to run the same race in a Ford Escort with sprung suspension and busted headlights.
There are more, mostly more subtle changes. I like the difference and will probably not switch back to DL for a long time. On second reading, this may not be a good 'sell'... but all in all it has brought new life to the game for me.
Spore. When you absolutely, positively got to kill every motherfrakker in the galaxy. Accept no substitutes.
