BTS Expansion

[Mart]

I post it here, cause I would like to know opinion of SMAC players on BTS expansion. I played demo, that sci-fi one and did not quite like it, but maybe I have to try to play more. Planetary systems are a bit chaotic for me.
And how about other features - how do they work? Is it worth investing some bucks and time?
Thanks!

[binTravkin]

Try the actual cIV, not mods. It's good imo!

[Maniac]

Since the SMAC mod for Civ4 of which the first prototype will be released in a month or so, is using Beyond the Sword, you should definitely buy BtS. Also the Fall from Heaven mod, currently the best reason to play Civ4, is also converting to Beyond the Sword.

[PJayTycy]

I just bought my copy today. I payed only 17 €, civ4 and warlords were also still being sold, but I didn't check the prices for them.

[N35t0r]

I love the new additions to the game. Espionage especially.

[Kataphraktoi]

Meh, buy it. But IMO it only adds the complexity\polish that i would have expected from the first cIV. Also they seem to rely on mods way to much fortheir content ideas now....

[Kataphraktoi]

Could be just me but it seems alot faster too Ive been playing huge maps now(on a puny 512 ram, 2.3 ghz )

[N35t0r]

Also, I highly recommend Aggressive AI. Teh stacks! Teh MONSTROUS stacks!

[Mart]

So for some time I have BTS. Although in the beginning/mid of my first BTS game I can already tell, that espionage and often random events (those where you can decide the outcome from several choices) are very nice.
Also forts serving as cannals are great! Up to 2 of them making a longer one - though I haven't tested it yet.

Kinda no going back to vanila civ4, that I did not like that much.

[Kataphraktoi]

Espionage is a great addition to the game, one that allows me to beat out even emperor level economically now without major conquest. In short, its another place for suckers to spend money while i focus on the important things-the AI will rack up millions(literaly) in unspent espionage Another reason why SMAC mechanics are better than civ4-it allows alot more room for errors whereas civ4 virtually forces you into a mold. Now if they put out another xpack with another ten useless sliders to divert AI attention i could try outteching deity...



''Success involves focusing on the fundamentals and ignoring everything you can.'' -blake