Looking for a good space 4X game; any suggestions?

[Saladfork]

First off, I already have Sins of a Solar Empire, and I like it a lot, but I've gotten a little burnt out on it lately.

Also, I heard about this game called Endless Space, which seemed realy cool up until I looked up some footage of the combat, which I really don't think I'll like. If anyone here has played Endless Space, is the combat more fun than it looks?

I've considered Sword of the Stars, but the first one hasn't come very well recommended to me so far and the second is apparantly a complete disaster.

I'd try Masters of Orion 2 if I could get dosbox to work on my computer, but so far I haven't had much luck with that.

Any other ideas or recommendations?

 

[Kahunaburger]

Have you played Alpha Centauri? Game of the Year all years if you ask me.

 

[mikecoulter]

I think you should take a look at EVE Online.

 

[Terratina.]

Three words: Galactic Civilisations 2.

 

[Batman]

black prophecy?

 

[Saladfork]

Have you played Alpha Centauri? Game of the Year all years if you ask me.

Looked it up. Sounds interesting; might just check that out.

I think you should take a look at EVE Online.

That's an MMO, not a strategy game. Also, I already tried it and I didn't like it.

Three words: Galactic Civilisations 2.

I looked it up and it looks very promising, but I can't find any kind of explanation as to how the combat works.

 

[Tallim]

If it's just for solo play then Galactic Civilisations 2. No contest from anything else.

 

[endtherapture]

Imperium Galactica 2.

An old but awesome game.

 

[loc978]

Well, there's always the Sins of a Galactic Empire mod... it definitely changes the game enough to make it feel new.

 

[Iwata]

Try the old classic Ascendancy. Also, it's worth insisting on trying to get Master of Orion II to run.

I think you should take a look at EVE Online.

Nnnnoooooooooo, no, no, no, no... ooooh, boy, don't do this, by any means. It's not only an MMO, but the worst example of an MMO you can find! Seriously, I have a friend who got turned into a douchebag by this game! That's a unique honour!

Also, it's not 4X by any means.

 

[Hal10k]

Three words: Galactic Civilisations 2.

I looked it up and it looks very promising, but I can't find any kind of explanation as to how the combat works.

It's more focused on grand overall strategy than battles. Confrontations are decided based on stuff like weaponry, defenses, size & number of ships, etc. There's no participation by the player once combat begins. You should still give it a shot; the AI is absolutely brilliant.

 

[Liberaliter]

I would also recommend Galactic Civilizations 2, it can consume entire evenings without warning.

 

[GiglameshSoulEater]

Oh! Sins of a Solar Empire. Very, very good gameplay.

It is amazing, and available on steam.

A sequel is coming out (SIns of A Solar Empire: Rebellion) so it may be worth waiting. I can't remember how long he delay is until release.

 

[The Madman]

I'll echo others in saying Galactic Civilizations 2, it really is one of if not arguably the best space 4x game out there. I'm a bit amazed you haven't already bought it if you're interested in the genre, it's not that big of a genre after all.

If you want to go ye olden school style Master of Orion 2 and Alpa Centauri are sort of the golden classics as well, and certainly worth looking into. If you're having trouble getting them to run buying them from GOG.com is always an option as they generally get these things working for you out of the gate. Haven't bought either of the above games from them myself so can't be absolutely certain, but I've had no troubles with gog in the past and the games pages say their versions are modern PC compatible.

 

[SomeBrianDude]

Have you played Alpha Centauri? Game of the Year all years if you ask me.

Seconded. 1000 times, seconded. I've lost weeks of my life to this game, and will fight anyone who claims I wasted my time to the death.

OT: If you're into the open-source scene, you might want to give FreeOrion a look. It's inspired by the Master of Orion series, but apparently isn't a clone, more a kind of open-source homage. I've never tried it, but a lecturer recommended it to me when I mentioned FreeCiv in a report I wrote. I really need to get round to trying it.

 

[Predalienguy]

Should try out star ruler...

 

[shrekfan246]

Oh! Sins of a Solar Empire. Very, very good gameplay.

It is amazing, and available on steam.

A sequel is coming out (SIns of A Solar Empire: Rebellion) so it may be worth waiting. I can't remember how long he delay is until release.

Very first line of the OP said he already had it...

Which means I don't have anything to recommend either, because I'm not really all that big on strategy games.

 

[Scars Unseen]

Here's another option:

Distant Worlds [http://www.matrixgames.com/products/379/details/Distant.Worlds] - This game is a real time(but not in the frantic RTS meaning of the term) 4X game that is pretty neat in that several of the traditionally fiddly micromanagement parts of the game have AI ran automation available(that can be turned on or off at your discretion). This allows you to focus more on empire management rather than getting bogged down with every single system, planet and so on. One interesting side effect of the game being real time is that the planets actually orbit the system's star.

The game got some mediocre reviews on release, but has gotten progressively better through patching and the two expansions. Of course the downside is that you actually have to buy said expansions to get the most out of the game.


Distant Worlds - Legends Review [http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2011/12/distant-worlds-legends-review/]

 

[octafish]

Maybe consider buying the MOO1+2 pack from GOG? They come wrapped in DosBox so all you need to do is click the shortcut. I don't mind spending a little money for a helpful result. Or you could keep messing with DosBox, it is worth it either way.