On a whim

[Sarxis]

I bought Dark Avatar yesterday. I needed a 4x fix for some time now. And because I saw DA for $20 at my local Target retailer - and had also just been reading up some of the reviews/info on this expansion - I figured I'd give it a go.

Of course.. I just need some game time to do so :P

[Asmodean]

You'll love it At least if you liked Dread lords, you'll love this one

Asmodean

[Island Dog]

Great. Keep us updated on how it goes!

[Solver]

Make sure to give regular posts with your impressions

[Maasu]

I'd say DA was the best impulse buy i've ever made, however id be lying as it was by no means an impulse buy.

[Hydro]

DL was an impulse buy for me and a somewhat unlikely one at that since I really didn't like GalCiv1. But I liked DL so much that DA was a shoe in.

Hope you enjoy the ride!

Hydro

[Sarxis]

I never really played the original or GalCivII (besides a very short stint with the demos). But I looking forward to this one.

Will keep you posted

[Hydro]

**tap tap tap**

Any impressions yet?

[Sarxis]

I am currently in Cork (Corcaigh) Ireland performing with the Wayne State University Concert Chorale in an international choir festival.

Haven't had the time yet :P

However? I do not currently have a job other than school.. and the summer semester is here. I'll have a little time to play when I return to the States!

Been looking forward to my first game since I made the purchase.

[Sarxis]

Finally got a chance to start a 'proto' game. Got into about 25 turns so far, and am liking the very first impressions tech rate is nice, and the options are looking very fun as my space empire advances. I am liking the fact that I have to seriously pace my budget and planet developments, and can't just build at will. That is a big plus.

I haven't encountered the AI yet, except for the fly-by of a few scout ships. Will keep ye posted.

[Hydro]

Excellent!

Hope to hear your observations.

Hydro

[Island Dog]

Great job! Looking forward to the follow-up.

[Sarxis]

Finished my first game the other day. Already started a second.

Played the first one with a medium galaxy, four opponents, minor races on, tech trading on, but kept the AI on a 'medium' setting for the first run through.

Was a lot of fun I have to admit! Had been fiending for some space 4x for a while, and had to pass up some of the other recent releases due to not being impressed with demos. The game is streamlined well, which seems to be the trend these days with strategy games - they just aren't as complex (and frustrating) as they used to be. But there's still depth in GC2, which should keep things fun and fresh with each game I suspect.

A few interface issues could be fixed, but they are so insignificant to not warrant a protest. There are also some very interesting and fun features, such as the senate, the galactic council (UP), and the choice of ethics, but I digress...

The first game went well for me, of course, because the AI just was not aggressive at all, even though it did have a military advantage. I played as the Altarians, and was neighbored by the Terrans (team) as well as the Arcaens(?) and the Torians. Because my military and logistics techs were fair, I decided to decimate the Torians and eat their civilization for lunch. Two things were to my advantage during the war: I had a sizable invasion bonus due to the extraordianry troop training I had researched (they were taught the way of Tir-Quan.. hiyah!!); I also had uncovered a precursor ranger class warship that was heavily armed with misilles and mass drivers.. two weapons lines the Torians were not defensible against. So even though I had primarily reserached beam and shield technology myself, I had the advantage.

After I had 'annexed' the Torians, I researched pretty much all 'influence' related technologies and proceeded to assimilate the entire galaxy through Influence Starbases. That was quite fun. And because of rally points features, it made construction and modification of starbases quite easy.

But now it is time for a much more serious game. This new one has me as the Iconians, and I already have a decent start with my homeworld and four other ~PQ8 planets colonized right off the bat. But just about everything is randomized, even the AI intelligence levels. I also shut off tech trading, which should be interesting. We will see how I fair in this one

I give this one 4.5 out of 5 stars.

[Hydro]

You got a Precursor Ranger! I've played dozens of games and I've never even seen one!

Oooh. I need to fire up a game!

I'll be interested to see what you think of the game with tech trading off. That's the only way I play now.

I also haven't bothered with rally points. I suppose I really should figure that out...

Hydro

[Sarxis]

One of the neat things about rally points: once you assign starports or ships to it, you can move the RP around the map, and the ships will change course to the new location even if they were already en-route! This came in handy when I was pumping out constructors to build those Influence Starbases. Once a base was maxed out with influence modules, I would just reassign the rally point to a new location, and all my knew constructors being built from the assigned planets would change course.

Yeah, tech trading off is always an interesting dynamic. Gives me less to trade with the AIs, and also forces the player to be more selective on what is reasearched.

[Island Dog]

Glad to hear your reactions. Keep us posted on your progress.