Easy Fix = More fun

from GalCiv2 Forums
I've been a big fan of 4x games for ages and so far am really enjoying GC2 but there is always room for improvment...

One of the things I enjoy most about 4x is the eXploration aspect. Yes, GC2 does impliment the greyed out map feature at the begining calling out for you to explore unknown territory to find those great anomolies and habitable planets, but because I can see where the stars are, half the fun of the exploration element is taken away. Also, being able to see the zones of influence before I've fully explored the map or even come in contact with a Civ is another kill joy. If you can see clearly all the territory of all the other players, whats the point in exploring that sector. You can count on there not being any unfound anomolies or habitible planets, that is certain.

I understand that I could choose to not use those reveal functions when I play the game, but I also know that the AI can and will so I had better do the same if I plan on having any chance of winning.

What I suggest is this: Simply an option at the beggining of the game to allow you to turn off any information about a sector unless you've explored it. That would of course go for the AI as well. It would also be great and usefull to then be able to trade maps with other civs.

I would imagine it wouldn't be too hard to do this, and for me at least, put the X back in exploration.
8,929 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
At least hide the other civilizations influence zones. I don't think they should hide the stars though, you can see stars from a long way a way in real life ... heck, you can even tell if planets are orbiting them with todays technology.
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Yup the influence zones showing up does remove some of the fun in finding the other races, Esp when you know where to find them all
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
At least hide the other civilizations influence zones. I don't think they should hide the stars though, you can see stars from a long way a way in real life ... heck, you can even tell if planets are orbiting them with todays technology.


I agree totally with this. You should be able to see stars by sector and even planets - just not their quality until you physically encounter them. But the AI culture borders should definitely be removed.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Maybe create a tile improvement called Space Telescope that allows the ability to see those things but make it so it has to be researched.
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I second that (remove influence on minimap)
Spoils fun and even if the AI sees the same, the human player will take more advantage from that knowledge.
So just remove it.

Stars should be visible. Would be to unrealistic...
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Influence refers to more than just soem magical boundary. It's an area over which you can pick up stuff like communicatiosn (Radio/tv sihgnals) of a particular civ. Area where you can find their long range scientific probes and satalites and such.

Personally It doesnt bother me much.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Silly solution, but just turn off the "stars" in the minimap (and the planets). The only downfall here is you can't see your own systems on the minimap ion this case. But then again, if it's spoiling your game being able to see the stars, it may be worth having to left-click + scroll around to view yuor planets.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To further the point of Astax, part of the backstory is that we've already met these civilizations. I would think that while being in communication with them we'd have some notion of where they are.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To further the point of Astax, part of the backstory is that we've already met these civilizations. I would think that while being in communication with them we'd have some notion of where they are.


That may be but it's kinda sad...I guess that makes this a 3X game since the exploration part barely exists?
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Exploration is almost always a very short period of time, in games such as these.

Regarding the topic, I think that what one can see on the minimap should be tied more to espionage.
Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Quite the opposite. In my experience with other 4x games, exploration can still be going on well into the game. But in GalCiv2, the stars/planets/influence being revealed from the beginning is coupled with VERY long range ships ... and that these two things together rob the game of its 'exploration' experience.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
IMO stars should all be visible from the begining, just go outside tonight and look at the sky, stars are all visible to the naked eye. Planets and influence on the other hand should have to be discovered. Also I somewhat disagree that there is nothing left to discover early on, I was still discovering systems with minor civs late into a game (huge map) Obviously if you play a small map you will find everything early same as any 4x game.

But in GalCiv2, the stars/planets/influence being revealed from the beginning is coupled with VERY long range ships


Must be a different game then I have becuase my early ships cant go very far at all, infact it takes quite alot of reshearch to build ships that can far away from your own boarders. On a huge map half way through the game I still am unable to reach 1/3rd of the map.