Galciv2 v SE5

Ive been reading the articles about Galciv2 with interest as I really
enjoyed playing Stars! and Space Empires 4. I would like to know how it
ranks against SE4 and how it will possible fare against SE5 which is due out
shortly I believe. I really liked the flexibility of SE4 the most in that
you can fight in lots of different ways - using minefields, stealth,
carriers, crusiers, drones, etc etc Can you do all that in Galciv2 ?

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Regards
Nats

'It's life, Jim, but not as we know it'

Yes, I was wondering this very same question myself. By the way SE5 is
due out in April.

I think that they're very different. In GalCiv2 you have a fully 3D
ship creator that has very unique design capabilities; and you do have
starbases but they're barely changeable. No minefields, satellites,
drones, etc. Also no tactical combat, you get the battle results and
that's it.
Whereas SE4 (and I suppose SE5 as well) has a not-so-beautiful
designer, but much more components, you can create a great deal more
types of objects, and there's tactical combat.
In general IMO GalCiv2 allows lesser freedom, but doesn't have so much
"number crunching", and is a very enjoyable experience.
SE4 is more like a spreadsheet, you have much more freedom in what
you're doing, but graphics are pretty obsolete. Overall, it is a very
enjoyable experience.

The best thing you can do is to lay your hand on GalCiv2 now, then try
SE5 as well, and we'll see who wins. It might just happen that they'll
get along nicely, as they're not that close to each other as they might
seem to be.