Animorganimate

In short, **** 2 is very shallow for a modern 4X space game. Its main focus is combat, which isn't necessarily a problem, but when that combat requires the same rush-tactics each game, **** 2 feels less like a 4X game and more like a turn-based Starcraft clone. Again, that's not necessarily a bad thing, but if you're looking for more strategy and more than one dimension in your 4X games, **** 2 should be a last resort. I'm giving it a 4 because I do think it can be improved, if only slightly. Here's hoping the developer puts the work in required to make **** 2 more like a 4X and less like a chore.

I'm very surprised by Star Ruler 2. 4X space-strategies are my favorite genre of game, and even though Star Ruler 2 is different than the type of 4X games I usually play (Distant Worlds is currently my favorite, but I've played almost everything else and enjoy MoO, GalCiv, Space Empires, etc.), SR2 is actually a breath of fresh air. The resource management and diplomacy are presented in such a unique way that at first I thought it would be too radical. Instead, I'm finding it to be a type of evolution for the genre that I hope to see implemented in other games. There are some things to consider when deciding if this is your type of $X game, however. SR2 is more combat focused and doesn't cater to the micro-manager lovers out there, but that's all a design choice and not necessarily a flaw. SR2 achieves what it sets out to do. I never played Star Ruler 1, so I'm not sure how different the sequel is from its predecessor, but I am loving SR2 and can't wait to sink many hours into it. Great job Blind Mind!

I was not expecting Divinity: Original Sin to be this objectively great. I've played most of the old Divinity games (but haven't necessarily completed them), so knew I liked Larian's game design; lore; humor and what-not . . . but Original Sin isn't just a great Larian or Divinity game. Divinity: Original Sin is exemplary of what a near-perfect CRPG should be. My favorite CRPG from back in the day is Arcanum, and also I love the other top-rated RPGs (Baldur's Gate series, Fallout series, etc), but Original Sin has quickly become not only my GOTY, but one of my top 3 favorite RPGs of all time. Everything from the turn-based combat with reactive environments; to the characters and humor and lore; to the exploration and immense satisfaction of completing areas . . . Original Sin is almost perfect. The only real issue I have found is NPC chatter is somewhat repetitive and happens during conversations. That's it. I know Larian will fix that in a patch at some point though, so that's why Divinity gets a 10 from me.

Distant Worlds has ruined me for other space-based 4X-strategy games, which is a genre I love more than any other. I try to go back to GalCiv and MoO once in a while, but nothing matches the scale and minute level of control that Distant Worlds offers. I'll be playing this for years to come.

Distant Worlds has ruined me for other space-based 4X-strategy games, which is a genre I love more than any other. I try to go back to GalCiv and MoO once in a while, but nothing matches the scale and minute level of control that Distant Worlds offers. I'll be playing this for years to come.

Distant Worlds has ruined me for other space-based 4X-strategy games, which is a genre I love more than any other. I try to go back to GalCiv and MoO once in a while, but nothing matches the scale and minute level of control that Distant Worlds offers. I'll be playing this for years to come.

Distant Worlds has ruined me for other space-based 4X-strategy games, which is a genre I love more than any other. I try to go back to GalCiv and MoO once in a while, but nothing matches the scale and minute level of control that Distant Worlds offers. I'll be playing this for years to come.

Bugs aside this review is based off the gameplay and design choices alone. Rebirth really shouldn't be considered an 'X' game. If Rebirth had been a new, independent franchise looking for a home on consoles, it would be a mediocre game at best (that's why I gave it a 3). But by slapping the letter 'X' on the box, Deep Silver has essentially **** its fanbase in buying a bad game. I have a hard time believing this game was initially designed to be an 'X' game in the first place. I feel like Rebirth was being designed for a different purpose and only later did it become Egosoft's problem. I look forward to a few years from now when this whole thing is forgotten about and a proper X4 is delivered to us.