Just got a notice on a update for my Alpha Centauri at GOG and it now includes the Alien Crossfire Expansion free with update.... Merry Christmas :)
PE
Yeah, I'm really pleased about this. I've owned SMAC for a long time, but never managed to get hold of Alien Crossfire. Can't wait to have a go.
I can't believe we have yet to see a remake of this classic game, either from Meir himself, or some sort of tribute game from another developer.
Awesome news!
Quote from: Huw the Poo on December 20, 2012, 04:12:39 PM
Yeah, I'm really pleased about this. I've owned SMAC for a long time, but never managed to get hold of Alien Crossfire. Can't wait to have a go.
It improves the game 100% IMHO.
Technological advance is an inherently iterative process. One does not simply take sand from the beach and produce a Dataprobe. We use crude tools to fashion better tools, and then our better tools to fashion more precise tools, and so on. Each minor refinement is a step in the process, and all of the steps must be taken.
Chairman Sheng-ji Yang, "Looking God in the Eye"
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimages3.wikia.nocookie.net%2F__cb20100608042060%2Fsidmeiersalphacentauri%2Fimages%2Ff%2Ff0%2FChairman_Sheng-Ji_Yang.jpg&hash=0ae42aea8dd5d9167699291cac734d13423e9b38)
Evidently, GOG has had this for awhile. I tried to buy it and got a message I already had it. What's new?
Quote from: Bismarck on December 20, 2012, 05:53:27 PM
Evidently, GOG has had this for awhile. I tried to buy it and got a message I already had it. What's new?
They have integrated the Alien Crossfire Expansion into the game. You will have to re-download the full game and install.
PE
Roger that. Thanks.
I remember attempting to play this around 2000 or so? Just couldn't get into it.
Perhaps I should pick it up for a future rainy day? I dunno.. is it really that much more deep than the Civ games are?
All I need is a little convincing. ;)
Quote from: Nefaro on December 20, 2012, 06:40:31 PM
I remember attempting to play this around 2000 or so? Just couldn't get into it.
Perhaps I should pick it up for a future rainy day? I dunno.. is it really that much more deep than the Civ games are?
All I need is a little convincing. ;)
With the expansion, IMO it is the best of the Civ games in the series and for $2.99 for both the game and expansion is a great deal. It is a little slow at first, but there are so many great things like customizable units, great diplomacy, cool environment, and factions etc.... dated but very serviceable graphics. With the expansion included, it makes it a for sure purchase for me.
I also highly recommend King of Dragon Pass.... excellent game.
PE
Quote from: Nefaro on December 20, 2012, 06:40:31 PM
I dunno.. is it really that much more deep than the Civ games are?
I'm speaking from memory here...I bought it again on GOG but haven't played it yet.
It's
at least as deep as Civ, since superficially it's Civ on an alien world. There are major differences though. Designing your units, for one. The much smaller number of factions, with each having their own style, makes for a deeper diplomatic game in my opinion. In Civ each race was basically a matter of which techs you begin with and which unique unit you have. In SMAC they just feel more like actual nations. The diplomatic game is also helped by the UN-style panel; every now and again you can vote on new laws, such as banning terraforming etc. Put it this way...usually in strategy games I don't give a damn about diplomacy, I just kill everyone. But in SMAC I love playing it diplomatically.
Then there's Alpha Centauri itself, a strange alien world with suitably sci-fi events and its own indigenous life forms that you can interact with (I'll say no more on that point but...well, think of Dune ;)). You really feel like you're adapting to and conquering a strange place. The tech advances are very interesting and the game is littered with cut-aways to bits of lore whenever certain milestones are reached.
I wish I could say a lot more, but it's been many years since I last played (although I think I have the weekend sorted now!). All I can say is that I like the Civ games, but I
love SMAC. It's sci-fi Civ but with elements of Dune, and proper story, and excellent diplomacy, and ALIENS!, and...just buy the damn thing will you?! If you like Civ you
cannot go wrong!
There are three Alpha Centauri novels (Centauri Dawn, Dragon Sun, Twilight of the Mind) by Michael Ely.
One Graphic Novel (Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri: Power of the Mind Worms).
http://www.firaxis.com/smac/images/graphicnovel.swf (preview)
And a GURPS source book
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/books/alphacentauri/
Huh, I didn't know that. Are they any good?
OMG
must have it.