Greets,

You won't have much of a problem Firstly, I only play offline too, and while there is no campaign (yet) all the varying options, teams, speeds, resources mixed with random maps and scenario style maps make the sandbox fun to play.

Don't worry about it being a clickfest. It isn't if you don't want it to be. Not only are there speed options, with slow being sleepy speed for me (and I very much dislike clickfests) but you can pause if you really want to, issue orders and then unpause. The empire tree makes everything accessable too. No frantic scrolling and clicking non stop required.

Your thoughts about a fun game seem strangely familiar Short answer; yep, based on what you've said, grab it.

Sorceresss did you just say Disciples!? That's sealed it for me, Stardock can have my money now, I submit.

caveat: 1)i only play this online. 2)I've played way more different titles of board games than i have computer games.

i love 4X play, and i got SOASE for the chance to get that experience online. i was put off RTS as a kid as i was terrible at Total Annihilation and froze when ever i saw unidentifiable swarm flocking my way. Analysis paralysis.

which is why i love 4X, when i make that inevitable click that reveals a swarm of shh coming my way, i can tweak everything in preparation to deal with it.

SOASE gives me this time as well. a bit too much time sometimes, to be honest, but in the single player you can fast forward. and there's actually plenty to fiddle with in the mean time. (tip: scout!)

in regards to research, diplomacy, economy, culture:

research: enough to keep you happy and be manageable in real-time, though no where near a typical 4X.

diplomacy: basic. but i think it is in any game and never bother. that is why i play online, so i can do all that properly.

economy: works for me, some people can game it a bit at the moment, but i don't believe the AI does, so again you should be fine.

culture: haven't really used it, takes an age to spread and longer to actually flip a planet, but again you can fast forward.

if you want another rich in depth 4X, this ain't it. if you want to do what you really do in a 4X and under the pressure of time and only become manic when your jumping around fighting several battles in 5 different solar systems (there's a beautiful mechanic that means that's the only time it approaches the mania of a typical RTS) then this should push your happy button.

hope that helps and to one day see you across the stars online

MrL

p.s. feel free to ask if you have any specific questions on the game

just to echo ColdSteelRain:

if you are looking for another rich in depth pure 4X game, galciv2: twiglight of the arnor would defiantly be the way to go.

I totally agree with you Demonic Spoon and it most likely is MY fault that I don't have the quick thinking skills to employ the strategy. It doesn't help change the fact that I just don't enjoy being forced to do everything that fast, and it does often seem to me like selecting all of my units and clicking attack on enemy units one by one so fire is focussed just beats any other strategy in the RTSes I've played.

It's far more an RTS game than a 4X game, if you're not an RTS fan I'd avoid it. If you want to make sure, wait a couple of weeks for the demo and give that a try. Gal Civ 2 in real time it's not, more like a really slow hybrid of Homeworld (sans story) and Supreme Commander. I wish I'd waited for the demo myself.

On the other hand, I can't recommend Gal Civ 2 and its expansions enough as a deep, thoroughly enjoyable 4X TBS game that is entirely focussed on the multiplayer experience (it has the best AI I've ever seen in a game of its type). I suspect it'd be a much better match for you than Sins.

Hi Breegle,

as i've said i've only played online. but where this game really takes of is on the large multi-star maps.

on the smaller maps it's about moving you SHIPS around a planet to win the combat. usually it's the majority of both your fleets, so if you win well you win the game. this is when it plays alot like a typical RTS.

on the larger maps it become about moving you FLEETS around the stars. once your empire is up to speed you'll hardly ever zoom in to micro a battle, it becomes more about your fleets composition and you managing to get them where they need to be. lots of room for strategy

simply the game shines on it's scale. galciv is a great game but what i found lacking is once i've built my fleet up and the get into combat, i just get to sit and watch while it plays out. and graphically it's not worth it. SOASE let's me do the same thing, has far superior graphics AND let's me take part.

so, try a larger map and give your self time to learn the UI (this again really shines once you're dealing with multiple stars)

MrL