Project Space Sector

[Anguille]

I agree that the expression "spiritual successor of" has been overused. I'd just like the guys to do what they want and enjoy. The point i guess is that there never has been any game that truly played and felt like MOO2 and even less MOO1 (which is still my fav 4x along with BotF). Lord of Rigel is imho the one that might be the closest to it...we shall see soon.

That being said, the description of the game seems promising as it includes most of the things i like in a 4x and i have to say that i have a preference for a) turn-based b) no starlanes. Now, we haven't seen any screenshots so far so i am still positive.

PS: i also would like to see some real alternatives to CIVILIZATION and real sequel to Star Trek: Birth of the Federation. These games would be top on my wishlist.

[Jarhead0331]

Do the majority of 4x gamers really want another MOO2? I think when it comes down to it, the answer is probably, no. The genre has long surpassed MOO2 and gamer expectations have drastically changed since the days in which MOO2 was released. I think if MOO2 was released today, it wouldn't be such a critical success, and it certainly wouldn't revolutionize the genre. Martok's point about stellaris and distant worlds is what I'm talking about here. Those games succeed because they took a chance with a new formula. They developed a game wi mechanics that are outside the box of traditional 4x. Look at the recently released MOOIV...it's the latest "spiritual successor" of MOO2. It's a good game, that is to say, there is nothing overtly wrong with it, but it's boring. There is nothing new and exciting about it. It is just MOO2 with new graphics and only some subtle changes.

Developers need to be encouraged to break the old molds and come up with something fresh.

[Martok]

Well-said, Jarhead -- all of it.  I couldn't agree more. 

[tgb]

. Look at the recently released MOOIV...it's the latest "spiritual successor" of MOO2. It's a good game, that is to say, there is nothing overtly wrong with it, but it's boring. There is nothing new and exciting about it. It is just MOO2 with new graphics and only some subtle changes.

Developers need to be encouraged to break the old molds and come up with something fresh.

Which is why MOO 3 is a more interesting game than NooMOO, in spite of it's (many) flaws.

I was in touch with the Lords of Rigel developers not long ago, and the one thing I found out is that combat is real-time, so as fas as being "closest to MOO 2", I have my doubts.  Stars in Shadow might come the closest, other than the cartoony graphics.  I like them, but I can see where many may not.

I broke down and got the EA release of Endless Space 2 last night.  I just fired up my first game this morning, but so far, incomplete as it is, it's better than a lot of 4X titles out there.  Purtier, too.

[Anguille]

I am not sure what we are talking about. An exact copy of MOO2 or a game with the same concepts? I want to have a game with MOO's concept but with new or deeper features like a better diplomacy, a deeper use of the Senate, better exploration the use of special ressources (like dilithium in STbotF) and so forth. And i think that Stellaris and Distant Worlds do it in many ways. My problem with these games is that they are real-time. It's fine and i like them but i can only really relax when the game is turn-based (apart from the battles). 

New MOO is still missing a lot of features of MOO2 so it's still very much a MOO light to me. I like it but it still has some way to go before it gets there (if it gets there). The use of starlanes has been imho a big point of dissatisfaction. I hope that the upcoming patch improves it. Overall, i think that new MOO could/should have been a lot better but the company that made it just wasn't up to the task....a combination of this team (artwork and UI) with the one behind MOO3 (concepts and ideas) would have given us a great game. If they had really tried to improve on MOO1-MOO3, the reception would have been much better.

Which is why MOO 3 is a more interesting game than NooMOO, in spite of it's (many) flaws.

I fully agree. But it's still MOO but with expanded aspects to it. Most of the base concepts of the original game are still there (exploration, science, spying, senate, different type of victories etc).

I was in touch with the Lords of Rigel developers not long ago, and the one thing I found out is that combat is real-time, so as fas as being "closest to MOO 2", I have my doubts.  Stars in Shadow might come the closest, other than the cartoony graphics.  I like them, but I can see where many may not.

Ok for the turn-based battles but overall, it seems to me that Lords of Rigel has the concept the most similar (leaders, planet view, senate, no starlanes). I really don't mind real-time combat as long as i have enough time and space to have an impact. Stars in Shadow is indeed very close in concept.

I am still waiting for Endless Space 2. As much as i think that the first game looked fantastic and had great music, as much do i find the game boring to death. It's a game for which i have invested a lot of time hoping i would love it but without success. Pretty is not enough.

[undercovergeek]

You know...after playing Children of a Dead Earth, I think an "empire management" or 4x taking place in our solar system only would be cool. Taking certain asteroids, moons, etc to mine the needed minerals, taking over low earth orbit, etc.

aurora

[mikeck]

You know...after playing Children of a Dead Earth, I think an "empire management" or 4x taking place in our solar system only would be cool. Taking certain asteroids, moons, etc to mine the needed minerals, taking over low earth orbit, etc.

aurora

Not quite. I mean I've played Aurora but it is really a story building game. You can make it whatever you want and there is nothing like it...but not a conventional space 4x. Looking at games like Solar Wars that JH pointed out. Doesn't look very polished and graphics are ...bad...but something like that.

I don't know, just some space 4xs or strategy games other than "have planet: find more". My point was just that everyone is trying to be the next Moo2. Stop. That's Moo2. Be something new

[Sparhawk]

I spent quite a bit of time with Aurora. In fact I was quite mesmerized. I think there would be considerable support for a game similar to Aurora but with graphics and a more developed UI. I felt a real sense of adventure playing the game, a feeling I get from no other.