Theodotus

A space 4x game that will stay on my hard drive permanently. It presents the player with numerous meaningful choices, such that I'm scheming about my strategy in my current game at all times. The combat system gives the feeling of a real combined-arms experience. Planet specialization requires in-depth planning. I've played just about every space 4x ever made, and this is the best so far. (The graphics aren't as beautiful as something like Endless Space, but the depth of the game systems more than make up for that.)

For me, this game is something I've waited a long time for. Space 4x games are my favorite genre, and I've played a lot of them. Endless Space is the first game since MOO2 that gives me the space 4x experience I've kept searching for. In brief, it makes me feel like I'm actually participating in the development of a spacefaring civilization which is expanding out among the stars. The first thing that contributes to this is the graphics, which are not only beautiful but which also somehow make me feel like I'm actually present in some galactic map room examining the lay of the land. Connected to that is the design of the star systems -- having multiple planets gives a feeling of realism and enhances suspension of disbelief, and the various planetary anomalies make each system seem sufficiently different and unique that suspension of disbelief is enhanced. Then there is the tech tree, which is not only relatively extensive but which most importantly also provides me with a feeling of "being there," in that the things in the tech tree strike me as areas of research which would actually be pursued by a starfaring civilization. And the descriptions of the various techs and unlocks are well-enough written that they also make me feel like I'm actually involved in a story of future history. Added to that is the backstory, which to me is excellent -- the first I've encountered in a long time that strikes me as something more than a rehash of tired, old sci-fi cliches. As for the race design, it seems to me that there is enough distinction to make them feel different when played. The combat, for me, is good enough. I like the visuals, and the card mechanic allows me to feel like I have some input. Personally, I'm glad it's not more involved than it is -- I don't play these games to feel like a space admiral, I play them to feel like a space emperor. Which means civilization development, not space battles, is my prime focus. All in all, I think I'll be playing ES for a long time to come. And I can't put into words how glad that makes me.