Altarian Prophesy: comparative reviews

Trifna · February 28, 2004, 17:00

Hi,
I didn't played the Altarian Prophesy expansion yet, but I'd be curious to have a bunch of reviews comparing it to the original GalCiv. I also think it may interest a few other persons

PS: Would it be useful to put this thread sticky for a while?

LDiCesare · February 28, 2004, 17:32

(I doubt making it sticky would help considering the traffic here.)
From the beta (mind you, it's till a beta so it's slightly bugged and incomplete):
I didn't test the editor because it crashes my computer. Supposedly something to do with the version of DirectX. Since all games I buy include the required patch, I consider it's up to Stardock to tell me where exactly I'm supposed to get it so I won't upgrade until they do so.

Now the real stuff:
There are a few good options that the original has not:
-Random map size, random frequency of yellow stars. If you like random games, this rocks, particularly the frequency.
-Two more races. Just that. I suggest changing their default alignment (good) to something nastier. It's just two more races, really. Makes the game easier as one of them is bound to lag behind the others in some area, so it's easier to trade techs when all of them are around. I haven't seen any specific strategy of them yet, so I don't know if they are competitive or not (i.e. are they as dangerous as Altarian ai or as pitiful as the Yor?).
-More ships: Totally useless from my point of view. I only use AMMs and combat transports anyway. Some are supposed to have some special abilities but I never saw them.
-Pre made maps: some of them can be challenging. Interesting, but I don't think those which are available right now are the most interesting one could design. Still, it's interesting.
-Generally nicer User Interface.

Overall, the game play doesn't change. You have more ai's and some nice options for game startup. The ability to play scenarios is nice, but there is no scenario yet, only maps and modified victory conditions.

Trifna · February 28, 2004, 19:05

Do you think that the 2 new races will be nice on bigger maps, where they can expand and perhaps have a bigger role?

notyoueither · March 3, 2004, 00:10

It's time I got this game. How do I go about it when I don't use credit cards?

Trifna · March 5, 2004, 23:51

I know that there's a way and that the developers are ready to manage some ways (some posts asked that some time ago). Checks, money, I don't know.

Ask in their forums and you should get an answer, perhaps by CariElf (one of the devs).

PS: If you didn't knew, for something like 30 bucks more, you get all the games they produce + the ones they'll produce in the next 18 months. I know I appreciate.

Spaced Cowboy · March 9, 2004, 19:21

In the us, it is in stores, and getting cheaper by the minute. NYE, I hope you are referring to the game, and not he expansion

PLATO · March 12, 2004, 00:15

Quote:

Originally posted by Spaced Cowboy
In the us, it is in stores, and getting cheaper by the minute. NYE, I hope you are referring to the game, and not he expansion

Product Name: Galactic Civilizations: Altarian Prophecy [CD]

Shipped today!!!!

Trifna · March 12, 2004, 23:17

On www.galciv.com's webpage, it is written that Altarian Prophecy just entered public beta yesterday. So how could it be in stores?

GalCiv (original) is in stores though. But the developers are paid many times more when someone buys directly from them.

PLATO · March 13, 2004, 20:35

I haven't got it in the mail yet, but they have shipped mine. Seems like it should be more than a beta