Star Wars: Empire at War Vs Galactic Civilsations II: Dreadlords.

The whole point of the collectors edition is to get people to commit early. This helps them judge the profit margin and get people sucked in before reviews come out. That being said, I preorderd galciv2 because I love this company. I KNOW they will make any problem right and I trust them. I will never preorder anything unless the company is like Stardock.

And because you posted in the forum you must want my opinion . If you dont you get it anyway.
StarWars games have a pretty terrible history. When they are good they are awesome and when they are anything less they arent worth the two cents it cost to make the CD. The problem is that people cant hold back because StarWars is so cool. I know I have been sucked in. My firm policy on all StarWars related games is to wait for as many reviews as possible and possibly two patches. It is just too risky. You could get a giant piece of crap instead of a sweet gem, like GalCiv2.

I KNOW you wont be disappointed with GalCiv2 but I cant say that for SW: Empires at War. Stardock will do what it takes to make any problem right. Stardock is totally open and trusts you to make good decisions. You have to respect any company that doesnt treat you like a criminal (not the norm).

dunno demo of SW EAW was nothing special and to me i didnt really liked the gameplay too much, imho rise of nations still beats the next crop of RTS's including SW EAW but the thing bout demos is that they tend to not give justice to how good the game can be since well, there just small demos kinda like beta V will never give justice to the full version

so id go with GalCiv2 just because u get stuff from preordering, you know its good, and there is nothing that stops you from buying SW EAW later if you stil want to after reading the reviews but if you dont preorder galciv2 you dont get the goodies

One thing to think about is that they are two very different style games.

I have downloaded and played the SW:EAW demo just last week so I do know how the basics of that game works now. It's pretty much like Command & Conquor or Starcraft. It's a Real Time Strategy game where you build units and take over territory. There is the added dimension of space combat which is pretty much like the ground combat of said games. It does have multiplayer so you can play against your friends if you are into that. Star Wars is cool and I'm a big fan but the demo didn't sell me when I started comparing it to what I've read here.

"Galactic Civilizations is a turn-based sci-fi strategy game" so this means there will be more thinking involved. A lot more in my opinion. There is a story in the campaign version that sounds very interesting as well. You also will have all the little nitty gritty details and numerical stats and can micro manage if you want to (thankfully you can adjust how much). GalCiv2 sounds like it has more details than you can shake a stick at, although many of us like to do quite a bit of stick swinging. You get to design your own ships and thus can enjoy a creative outlet you won't find elsewhere. There is no multiplayer with GALCIV2, although they may release an add on later. This means there is more meaty details in the game.

Personally, I'm not big on RTS because I hate loosing to kids with faster reaction times and mouse control. I do enjoy them from time to time when I just want to get in quick and blow stuff up. For the long haul playability, I choose turn based. I would like to mention that several of my friends pre-ordered SW:EAW but I have chosen to put my money here on GalCiv2. This is a game that you can sink your teeth into and I'm snappin' like a rabid dog.

I am fairly new to the Stardock world so if I have said anything incorrectly here I appologize. Maybe one of the Beta people can correct me.

Maybe this will help in your decision.

I've never thought to play SW:EAW. However, I've played computer games for about 2 decades now and the only 2 companies that I would pre-order a game from are Stardock and Blizzard. Otherwise, I'll wait for the reviews.
I've played hundreds of random galaxy GC1 games for years. However, I haven't played any of the beta of GC2. But that hasn't stopped me from pre-ordering GC2 because I saw the free *huge* updates for GC1 for a year. GC2 will be very enjoyable out of the box and will get better with age!

This is actually something of an unfair comparison. The most obvious reason is that GalCiv II is turn based while mepire at War is real-time and has a completely different interface than seen in the Dread Lords. Empire at War also does not offer full-scale galactic control or much in the way of colonization, next to nithing in the way of a trade/merchant or diplomacy system...things that 4X strategy gamers ttrhive and depend on. Master of Orion II is a prime example of this.

A more fair comparison would be GalCiv II to Civilization IV or Empire at War to Homeworld, in my opinion.

*punches god-damn spam bot in the stomach*

*turns to the others*

You all know this is an advertising spam bot, right?

I don't know about 4x being the future, cause its a niche market. There's always going to be FPS and RTS and RPG/MMORPGS.

The future does look bright. I suspect many strategy gamers will take a look at GC2. There will always be the dedicated and hardcore faithful strategy gamers but a game like this that looks good and plays good is going to draw new people to the genre.

GC2 is not similiar to EaW at all in regards to gameplay. EaW is an RTS, like C&C, Ground Control, and all those other standard RTS titles; Galciv 2 is a turn-based 4X strategy game like Civ 4. I'm not sure why this is even a popular discussion, besides pimping EaW on these forums.

I'm getting both.

I've been waiting for a RTS which doesn't just follow the same old formula (how fast can you build something so you don't get rused?)... and through playing the EaW demo (along with the mod that unlocks more) I really think that it delivers at that - at least its better than Force Commander (yeah, I was dumb...bought that game years ago because it was Star Wars).

Since EaW and GC2 are such different games... they'll just be played when I'm in different moods.

I am back. Thanks for the replys. I am not comparing the two on similarity. I am comparing them on which one to buy since I want a good strategy land/space empire aspect game. I am leaning towards Galciv 2 was is shocking because I at first wanted SW:EAW so bad and am an avid fan of the movies (I love it but I not a person to buy all things SW )

I am a indie fan. I know some indie Teams like Darkhorizons. I am also a fan of 3d graphics, high level graphics, innovation, and level of detail. I also love that I could customize my ships and race details. Thats actually the only reason why I want it so much.

I wish the next logical course would be better overall 3d graphics/animations, land battles, multiplayer modes and more all round level of detail for atmoshere. Of course thats were scale would come in. Not to mention buildings of more variety like more special centers for your empire`s civilians, military and even politicians. And seeing supply lines in space probadly with escort, seeing ships going to a planet via a Cutscene/Load Scene which shows said vehicle going thru the atmosphere. And appearing over a city or outpost. And seeing a busy city/Outpost with craft building stuff and going about their daily routines. And lets say an enemy destroy and 5 fighter wings follows you. The city will stop being busy and all the flying craft will go into different buildings. And the city defends itself whether it is land platforms or fighter wings. And thats only for a low level planet. A high level will have orbital platforms, lots of different ships, some space/land ships etc. BTW there should be at least one map for the whole planet. It does need be a big map. Every thing could be a tad small. The devs could add zooming abilities. The map could be a normal Large Strategic Map with different land masses with mountains etc and seas/oceans in 3d with moving parts even climate/weather even day/night like effects. But everything is on a small scale. If the enemy does follow you or go into the atmosphere. If its detectable a cutscene/loading Scene will show the vehicles going thru the atmosphere and on a declining angle head for a major structure to attack. If its like cloaked or stealth it would be undetectable until it atop a structure or near land almost in firing distance it will just be seen cruising along over the land.

Sorry Ranting again. I have a better well longer and more detailed theory of doing this on this scale even making it 3d with sky and seeing ships come out of the clouds (after the cutsenes/load scenes). This is just an example of land if it was more functional, 3d and a place to do battle (visually). If its done on a small but very detailed scale it shouldn`t be too hard for the devs to place it into Galciv 3 or an expansion pack.

OK OK I will stop ranting but I have to add one thing and thats "Space". As I said before small (not too small even
zoomable) third person scale is key like the way its being gone in the game now. But I wonder if asteroids/nebulas/planet`s rings/comets even Suns/Moons are being use for "Timed" tactical/strategic effect or even things to avoid. Thats added gameplay. So I think the devs have a good base now to be even better next time.

I used to look for indie games to deliver some desires of wanting to be a Emperor/Commander. Thats my ultimate goal. I wish that some day forums and In-game multiplay chatrooms are linked. So if you are a great player or do something really awesome like making the best of the best look like noobs. It should be posted both on the forums and MP chats like a Daily Galactic News Reel/Newpaper. And having chats about it. And making challenges to other players and having all of that stuff glorified and posted on the Daily Galactic News Reel/Newspaper. Thats what I want to feel that I am not alone in the universe but in a very competitive arena of many players and wanting people to hear about the great feats I have done in the past week or day.

That is the only way I see they bettering themselves for a Galciv 3 or expansion pack and getting a 8.5/9 out of 10. I am
also liking it here you guys seem cool and the devs sound very cool so I think I will go pre-order that Galciv 2 and Be the
first Ming the Merciless. And Thats my online game name. No one touch it or I will destroy you when Mutliplayer comes a
knocking.

Cya La8ers,
MZ0

Citizen Woofy XII

WTF you call me a spammer? I was just conveying my feelings on which game to buy. I basically wanted you guys to convince me why I should buy Galciv 2.

How dare you call me a spammer. In all my years of talking on forums no one ever called me that and I feel very ashamed you would. On my first blasted day here. That was in very poor taste man.

MZ0

Matrixzer0,

Have your carefully checked what features are in this game (see here https://www.galciv2.com/infoguide.aspx )? Because in GC2, you won't have:
- control on tactical battle
- multiplayer
- elaborated ground battle (just 2 armies fighting each other)

Matrixzer0,

I am getting both. The game play will be different enough that it will in no way be like buying the same game twice.

However, if I was forced into making a choice (as you seem to be), it would be GALCIV 2 because turn based space 4X strategy is what "floats my boat". My impression and expectation is that GALCIV 2 will be the best of that type of game .

But I must say that the demo of SW EAW is impressive. It will be a fun game to play when I am in the mood. There is a reason they, for example, sell both Almond Joy and Mounds chocolate bars.... "sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't"...

Here is one thing I consider carefully when buying a game based on a liscense from a popular movie or book or series.... would it be a fun game without the liscense? Clearly some SW based (and Star Trek based and Marvel based.... etc) games have been dogs. SW EAW appears to me to be a good game on its own right.

But, sorry, my heart belongs to another... GALCIV 2 is my GAL!

I played the EaW demo and, well, it is - nice. I liked the space battles a lot for the flavour, but the rest seemed a little boring.

I basically wanted you guys to convince me why I should buy Galciv 2.

Well that shouldn't be too hard...
The great Ai
The fabulous support offered by stardock
The great AI
The various weapons systems (and defenses)
The great AI that will adapt itself to your ships (weapons and defenses) so it is more effective.
The designing of the ships (which I previsously thought would annoy me, and I must admit now that I spend a long time doing it and it is great).

I'm not a big gamer, and don't have much time for it. I came back to games with shogun total war, then medieval total war series then galciv and rome. But since the expansion pack for galciv1 I've been keeping informed on galciv2, and 20 minutes after the download was available, I was downloading it. Suffice to say, I find this game very good. (and I've only been playing the beta so far, which has some missing fonctionalities, a few bugs, no multimedia, etc. And yet, it is great fun to play with).

I'd say, if you like TBS , galciv2 looks like a must have. I don't know about the game you mentionned, I'll check it out, but I'm already waiting on medievalTW2, which has a lot of potential

Have your carefully checked what features are in this game (see here Link )? Because in GC2, you won't have: - control on tactical battle - multiplayer - elaborated ground battle (just 2 armies fighting each other)

Phoenix, I think he specifically said he was posting where should the realm of 4X space games should go next, not mentioning the GalCiv2's features. Next time I would read more carefully if i were you



Back on topic, I personally would buy GalCiv2 first cuz of the added goodies, and when you get nuff money, buy SWEaW, so I'd say buy both



Monc34

Thanks Monclova for having my back

I am next going to start a thread on what small stuff can Stardock add that will make the game better.

Well, I am into a "conquer the galaxy" game of SW EaW. To tell the truth, it is a good game that I could enjoy so much more if I were not waiting for GALCIV 2. And, I think that by this time next week, I will hardly be touching it. But I do think that sometime in the future I will probably do more with it. The graphics are cool, and gameplay isn't typcal for real time strategy for the most part (there is a "skirmish" mode I have not tried yet that may be of a more frantic race to build that is typical of RTS games.. but the campaign and the conquer modes are not so much like that.

TBS is my preferred type of game anyway, so I am looking forward to next week when my itch will be scratched.