Stellaris VS Polaris Sector

shodan · February 01, 2016, 11:44:49 PM

What do you guys think about Stellaris VS Polaris Sector? I thought Polaris Sector was going to be a graphically updated Distant World games but the galaxy and planets view really disappointed me. Then saw Stellaris which seems to be the better game at this point. What do you guys think about them?

Anguille · February 02, 2016, 04:44:33 AM

It's very hard to compare:

Polaris Sector, like Distant Worlds, is mostly the work of one guy (not the same guy though). While they are both real-time, they are also very different in terms of gameplay mechanics. Polaris Sector uses starlanes and there's a lot less automation as in Distant Worlds. I think it's going to be an interesting game and i especially look forward to the battles.

On the other hand, Stellaris has a much bigger team and budget. This is a big game with lots of work on graphics, gameplay etc....it's going to be more complex than Polaris (doesn't mean the gameplay will be better though). It's going to be very interesting because they want to bring new elements to the 4 genre, while Polaris Sector seems to be a classic 4x. One big difference is also the fact that you don't control battles.

tgb · February 02, 2016, 06:28:01 AM

Polaris is a bog-standard SF 4X game. Stellaris seems to be more EU4 in spaaaaace.

bbmike · February 02, 2016, 06:31:38 AM

Quote from: tgb on February 02, 2016, 06:28:01 AM
Polaris is a bog-standard SF 4X game. Stellaris seems to be more EU4 in spaaaaace.

And I think EU4 in spaaaaace could be a very good thing.

Anguille · February 02, 2016, 07:34:08 AM

Quote from: tgb on February 02, 2016, 06:28:01 AM
Stellaris seems to be more EU4 in spaaaaace.

Yeah, but it still seems vague to me. For now, it looks very much like a classic 4x with a twist.

shodan · February 02, 2016, 06:50:34 PM

I'm interest to see how both turn out. I really wanted to like distant worlds but could not get past the 2d graphics, expecially on the ships so was hoping polaris sector was a sequel to it. Love EU4 so yes also excited to see how EU4 turns out in a space type theme.

sandman2575 · February 02, 2016, 07:01:57 PM

Quote from: shodan on February 02, 2016, 06:50:34 PM
I really wanted to like distant worlds but could not get past the 2d graphics

Distant Worlds in a 3D setting, along the lines of Star Ruler2, would pretty much be my ideal Space 4X game. I find it perfectly enjoyable in 2D, but when I play, part of me is always thinking, "man, this would be perfect if it were just 3D..."

Can't wait for Stellaris. I think Paradox is going to deliver something special here (and fingers crossed for Hearts of Iron 4 as well 8))

tgb · February 03, 2016, 04:52:16 AM

I usually get lost in those 3-D maps. A 2-D option would be nice for us fogies.

Anguille · February 03, 2016, 05:00:41 AM

Quote from: tgb on February 03, 2016, 04:52:16 AM
I usually get lost in those 3-D maps. A 2-D option would be nice for us fogies.

I prefer 2-D maps as well. I like the concept of 3-D maps because it makes it more real but think it's really hard to implement well...i always have headaches when playing SOTS.

Pete Dero · February 03, 2016, 11:46:19 AM

Polaris sector preview by Das24680 :

Full playlist : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGB6RkFB7ZmMGgwvYw_-Fh_XoQeKeU7j2

Barthheart · February 03, 2016, 12:18:51 PM

Every time I see screen shots or vids from Polaris Sector, all I can think of is that they've lifted or copied the planet building art from the old dos 4X game Ascendancy...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascendancy_(video_game)

???

Martok · February 03, 2016, 05:50:07 PM

In a nutshell, it appears Stellaris is going to be the deeper, richer game. In contrast, Polaris Sector is the more conventional -- and therefore accessible -- game.

Not only is Stellaris trying something different compared to most space strategy games, but, being a Paradox title as well, it's naturally going to have a steeper learning curve. Now it's doing a *lot* of cool things that we've not really seen in the space 4x genre before -- including things that are long overdue (and make me salivate like nobody's business!) -- but by its very nature, the game (like Distant Worlds) is almost certainly going to be somewhat difficult to get into.

Polaris Sector is almost certainly easier to pick up and play, as it follows the more standard formula familiar to veterans of the space 4x sub-genre. Not that it's entirely unoriginal -- for example, the colony blueprint system is nice, and I especially like how research works (needing to work on both Fundamental and Applied Sciences to unlock techs) -- but the game, while fun, isn't revolutionary (like Stellaris appears to be).

Boggit · February 04, 2016, 08:23:53 PM

It sounds like Stellaris is worth a look if Martok is excited about it. O0

Martok · February 06, 2016, 12:59:08 AM

Quote from: Boggit on February 04, 2016, 08:23:53 PM
It sounds like Stellaris is worth a look if Martok is excited about it. O0

Heh. Thanks Boggit. :)

In fairness, though (and unfortunately), just because a 4x title has captured my attention doesn't mean it's going to be any good. I've gotten excited for at least a few games that turned out to be duds (Legends of Pegasus immediately comes to mind), or (as in the case of MORE) got stuck in eternal development to the point of bordering on vaporware status. :-[ I've since worked to be a little more critical and discerning when a new 4x title is announced -- to the point that I often won't even mention games in development here anymore unless/until they're released (AND in decent shape) -- so hopefully any recommendations I make going forward will be a little more useful/meaningful.

All that being said, Stellaris truly does look & sound pretty amazing. I haven't been this pumped for a space strategy game in a little while now; I really hope it turns out as good it appears to be!

Boggit · February 06, 2016, 06:19:36 PM

Quote from: Martok on February 06, 2016, 12:59:08 AM
Quote from: Boggit on February 04, 2016, 08:23:53 PM
It sounds like Stellaris is worth a look if Martok is excited about it. O0
Heh. Thanks Boggit. :)

In fairness, though (and unfortunately), just because a 4x title has captured my attention doesn't mean it's going to be any good. I've gotten excited for at least a few games that turned out to be duds (Legends of Pegasus immediately comes to mind), or (as in the case of MORE) got stuck in eternal development to the point of bordering on vaporware status. :-[ I've since worked to be a little more critical and discerning when a new 4x title is announced -- to the point that I often won't even mention games in development here anymore unless/until they're released (AND in decent shape) -- so hopefully any recommendations I make going forward will be a little more useful/meaningful.

All that being said, Stellaris truly does look & sound pretty amazing. I haven't been this pumped for a space strategy game in a little while now; I really hope it turns out as good it appears to be!

I still reckon it's safer to rely on the instinct of someone really into the genre than not to! :) I trust you Martok! :o(nothing quite like putting the pressure on... ;)) I got Homeworld complete on Star's and JH's recommendation - both aficionados - and it's great.