Hello guys,

I just put in a bunch of time with Distant Worlds + both expansions and published a review: http://www.oneguytoomanygames.com/2013/03/distant-worlds-expansions-review.html

Hope it helps someone and let me know if you have any questions.

G'day Rob,

That's a very thorough review with some interesting angles.

Might not totally agree with all that you've said but I like how you've presented your opinion. The economy and resource over abundance, as you've indicated, is definitely a weak spot in the game.

There's a new expansion out soon that promises to address a few of your concerns. Have to wait and see.

Well done.

Cheers,

Plugger

Excellent review, quite indepth and informative.  I love the game, with all the expansions, but I understand your conclusion that others will not like it at all.  The ability to micro-manage or macro-manage, or many, many combinations of both, is the games biggest strength.  But again, good job!!

Thanks guys.

I don't know if there is some magic combination of automation that would increase my enjoyment or not. It's one of those games I wish I liked more. I like to be in control of things in, so I don't really like automating but some things really need to be automated. How much automation do you guys do? I am trying to get people to share their automation settings in this thread, but so far no takers.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3289703

Great review.

Like you i wish the game would click-but it hasn't. It seems to be playing me rather than I play it. The automation is just too much-and the GUI and trying to figure things out seems like a chore I keep putting off. The spaceships themselves are offputting. it reminds me visually as an assualt on my senses. they just don't seem like spaceships but rather giant icon bug things moving unatuarally around,zipping in and out or whatnot.

Then of course once again we have hampsters in spacesuits.

I'll have to devote some more time to it. Maybe when the next expansion hits.

I played it when it first came out, I can't even remember how long ago. I am definately a sandbox type person, so this game really spoke to me. I love living systems that go about their business whether you are there or not. I remember how alive the galaxies felt: how independant worlds could rise to power and powerful civilizations brought low. It felt like a cycle that would just keep going.

Unfortunately, in the early versions lacked balance in key areas, especially in tech development. Hard to remember my gripe exactly, though. I also remember that my system couldn't handle large games or late game, medium size games. The space battles weren't bad, but they really could have used some spice. I am not sure how much the game has changed since then, but I will dive in again sometime soon. Hopefully the game has evolved and fixed many of these problems.

Originally Posted By robc04 (19 MAR 2013 7:31pm)

Thanks guys.

 

I don't know if there is some magic combination of automation that would increase my enjoyment or not. It's one of those games I wish I liked more. I like to be in control of things in, so I don't really like automating but some things really need to be automated. How much automation do you guys do? I am trying to get people to share their automation settings in this thread, but so far no takers.

 

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3289703

 

There's also the middle ground setting - having your "advisors" recommend builds or actions to you when they think you're falling behind in that category. 

I tended to use that setting first, in areas that I had previously left automated, before taking over full control myself.  It helped get a picture of how & what pace the AI took with it before when they have to get your approval (or just let you adjust it/say no).  That does give it more of a rulership feel, too.

Well for me the game is like Norbsofts Gettysburg/Antietam in Space. I like the fact it can pretty much play itself and then I can jump in and play any part of it I want to and as much as I want to like in Norbs games. I tend to play the scout and colony ships at first with a few minor adjustments to capital ship buildings and let the ai control the rest until I see a need for more human input. I also do the diplomacy and trade route setups.

The only gripe I really have about it is the AI of course as usual is on the lite side of things as in it's not too bright most of the time. If anything the evil races need to be more aggressive towards the human player. I can build a vast space empire pretty easily every game I've played and of course once you get to that point in the game there's no chance the ai is going to make a comeback. But,, even so there is some fun in getting to that point. One will have their fair share of events and wars.

G'day Rob,

I've found with Distant Worlds that the more you automate, the less game you have.

Doing the whole lot manually keeps you engaged and interested. At some point your empire grows so big that this isn't feasible but by then you've run into the 'huge piles of  money' and 'unlimited resources' issues and you're ready to start a new game anyway.

Works for me.

Cheers,

Plugger

Originally Posted By Nefaro (19 MAR 2013 10:09pm)

 

There's also the middle ground setting - having your "advisors" recommend builds or actions to you when they think you're falling behind in that category. 

 

This is largely what I do. 

I manually control diplomatic actions and creating fleets/strike forces, while I automate ship design and non-fleet military operations (i.e., where explorers, escorts, and construction ships go).  The rest I set to "Suggest".  I personally find this to be close to my ideal balance. 

Originally Posted By Nefaro (19 MAR 2013 10:09pm)

 

I tended to use that setting first, in areas that I had previously left automated, before taking over full control myself.  It helped get a picture of how & what pace the AI took with it before when they have to get your approval (or just let you adjust it/say no).  That does give it more of a rulership feel, too.

 

Agreed.  Definitely helps with the immersion factor (which is already considerable)! 

If I could change one thing in DW, it would be to allow placement of ficilities that you build. It drives me crazy that they are just randomly placed.

Originally Posted By Swatter (19 MAR 2013 7:58pm)

The space battles weren't bad, but they really could have used some spice. 

The battles do lack something. Too much "pew-pew" and ships need to be almost on top of each other before they engage in fire. Fleets don't follow orders very well either. I send them to refuel and there always seems to be one ship in the fleet that never refuels before the fleet decided to take off to an emergency.

I have been interested in this game for a while now but turned off by the intimidating price tag.  I have not read too much negative about it since the latest expansion, however, and one thing is for sure - the editor over at spacesector.com loves the game.  Here is his review:

http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2011/12/distant-worlds-legends-review/

Generally I trust his opinion, but it is always good to see what other people say that don't have affiliate links

Originally Posted By claes (20 MAR 2013 7:07am)

I have been interested in this game for a while now but turned off by the intimidating price tag.  I have not read too much negative about it since the latest expansion, however, and one thing is for sure - the editor over at spacesector.com loves the game.  Here is his review:

 

http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2011/12/distant-worlds-legends-review/

 

Generally I trust his opinion, but it is always good to see what other people say that don't have affiliate links

 But, like I said, the game looks amazing.  Space based 4X is my favorite genre, but I haven't seen anything I have enjoyed too much since Gal Civ II.  Have played a bunch of ES (Endless Space) but I am always thinking that there is something missing when I do.  I hope to pick up Distant Worlds on a sale sometime and try it out.  It may just be the game that fills the void in my gamersoul well, until Gal Civ III comes out whenever that will be.

DW is a very different beast compared to GalCiv2.   There's a lot more going on.

Some people think it's too much, but I prefer such games that have a lot to it.  Didn't like the GalCivs much just because they weren't terribly extensive and felt rather light to me.  I'm not sure what you'd think of DW, but if you enjoy 4X then you should definitely give it a shot!

I like a lot going on too, and felt that like Civ there was a decent amount of leverage in GalCiv depending on how far down you wanted to micromanage, but I have heard a lot about DW and look forward to playing it when it goes on sale again.  Thanks for your post.

Do you (or anybody) happen to know how often Matrix puts the DW franchise on sale?  The price for me any other way is WAYYYY too restrictive, what with the base game being $39.99 (for the download version) and each expansion being $24.99!

$90 is a significant investment for a single video game, and more than I have spent on any other game - more in fact than I have ever spent on many games put together; and from what I understand (correct me if I am wrong) you want at the bare minimun the Legends expension, which as per Matrix:

Please note: Distant Worlds – Legends REQUIRES ownership of the original full Distant Worlds game, including theReturn of the Shakturi expansion.

Note that I understand the need for smaller studios and publishers to charge a little more, and if the end result is a game with as much quality as DW is touted to have, than I will pay the extra dollars every time and then some for the quality.  There is really no subsitute for quality coding in strategy gaming; slipshoddy AI and inferior worksmanship will ruin a game and franchise easily. I do, however, know that Matrix does have sales I am just not sure when or where to find out as I don't see a price-drop notification on the website unfortunately.

I am really looking forward to playing this game!!!!

Thanks for your time whether you know or not.  I enjoyed your comments immensely, and especially the hyperlinks; I was able to easily link to reviews for other games that I have been wondering about.  You have a solid voice.

They're supposed to be releasing a third expansion very soon, and they have put the previous expansions on sale the last couple times that happened.  I don't recall how much off, but whatever it may be is sure better than the big $25 for expansions.

I still only have the first expansion (not the 2nd) since I haven't been playing space 4X much in awhile.  But if they put it up for sale, when the new one is released, I may grab them both.

I think they usually have 1 or 2 sales during the year. The have definitely had a holiday sale (Black Friday - Christmas). I think the base game was about $25 and the expansions were $15-20, because I think the base game + both expansions were around $60.

Originally Posted By claes (21 MAR 2013 8:51pm)

Do you (or anybody) happen to know how often Matrix puts the DW franchise on sale?  The price for me any other way is WAYYYY too restrictive, what with the base game being $39.99 (for the download version) and each expansion being $24.99!

 

As Nefaro and robc04 said, Matrix does a holiday sale, as well as Distant Worlds + expansions going on sale when a new expansion is released. 

So when Shadows (the third expansion) comes out -- Matrix is hoping for an April release, but they haven't confirmed it yet -- look for the base game plus the first two expansions to drop in price for a week or two. 

Originally Posted By claes (21 MAR 2013 8:51pm)

$90 is a significant investment for a single video game, and more than I have spent on any other game - more in fact than I have ever spent on many games put together; and from what I understand (correct me if I am wrong) you want at the bare minimun the Legends expension, which as per Matrix:

 

Please note: Distant Worlds – Legends REQUIRES ownership of the original full Distant Worlds game, including theReturn of the Shakturi expansion.

In fairness, I wouldn't say the Legends expansion is truly "necessary" per se.  (Heck, I'm not even sure I would say RotS was a "must-have", as I can say with all honesty that I enjoyed vanilla Distant Worlds on its own merits.)  It does vastly improve the overall experience to the point that I can't imagine playing the game without it, but I wouldn't say it was essential. 

In fact, the only real reason I would say you should really pick up even Return of the Shakturi is because of the improved UI; the interface in the original game, while still workable, is admittedly somewhat clunky and not terribly intuitive.  The other features it adds -- such as the Shakturi storyline/events and carriers/fighters -- are fantastic, but it's the revamped interface that makes RotS somewhat necessary IMO. 

All that being said, I of course heartily recommend picking up both expansions if/when you're able. 

Originally Posted By claes (21 MAR 2013 8:51pm)

I am really looking forward to playing this game!!!!

 

Let us know when you do!  I think you'll be very happy once you've picked it up.  

I'm echoing what's been said but...

• 33% off is a standard Black Friday through mid January sale at Matrix.
• DW price will drop to promote the new expansion due out this year.
• If you want to try the game soon you could buy just DW and get a good feel for the game.
• Return of the Shakturi vastly improves the UI.
• Legends impoves tech tree and adds leaders.

I have all 3 games of the series so far and have only invested $60 and some change. Not bad considering but I usually don't pay so much for gaming anymore. I was intrigued by the amount of play the AI did for the player and it turns out I like it a lot because of it. It's as I said Norbsoft in space to me and sometimes I just don't feel like doing too much. Another game simular is The X3 series whereby you can just park your main spaceship in space somewheres and control all the action from one spot. You can setup patrols and search fleets andnot have to do much at all afterwards but buy new fleets and replacement components for your ships and spacestations.

At any rate unless the AI is VASTLY IMPROVED in this next expansion I'm not going to buy it. There's already enough stuff to do what the game needs now is a better and more aggressive AI. But, don't all of them?