The last few days I've had a huge craving for 4X-games. I bought and downloaded Master of Orion 1, 2 and 3, and Sins of a Solar Empire Trinity, looking forward to countless hours of 4X-fun.
 
A couple of days has passed since I downloaded them, and I've clocked in maybe one hour on these games, combined. I play through half of a tutorial, click through the rest not bothering to read anything, and start a new game. Play 10 minutes and get bored. Why is this? I love Civilization and Alpha Centauri, why can't I have fun with these?
 
Maybe they're too complicated. Or the systems are too old and cumbersome for my tastes. Or that the research is too sci-fi. No, I think it's just too complicated.
See, what I really like about these games is the research. A wealth of possibilities to tailor your own empire, and maybe discover something cool that will give you an edge over your enemies. In Civilization, most of the research is heavily grounded in reality. You see 'Horseback Riding', and you immediately understand what that gives you. 'Advanced Steel Alloy lvl 3'*, not so much.

So, my question to you, my millions of followers; Is there a game like Civilization in terms of research? Where the research is simple to understand, maybe hard to master. Where I don't have to read a research-description 5 times to get what it does.

I need something to tide me over until Civ 5 is released. Hmm, or maybe a while longer, since my computer can't run Civ 5...


sahest