Newb in every sense w/ a question.

[Panoply]

Hello All,

I am very much a newcomer to the world of PC or other electronic games. I say this because it will help you to answer my question.

My question is, how hard is this game to play for someone with little experience playing these types of games. I did play Civilization IV and LOVED it. Mind telling me the difficulty of this game relative to that one? Just in general ease of play?

I've got it but won't open it unil I'm sure I can play it.

Thank you, very much,
Panoply

 

[Petek]

Hi Panoply,

Welcome to CFC and the Alpha Centauri forum!

Since you've played Civ4, you'll find lots of similarities with Alpha Centauri (usually called SMAC for Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri around here). You build Colony Pods (= Settlers) to found bases (= cities). You build Formers (= Workers) to improve the land. You build Facilities (= Buildings) to improve your bases and Secret Projects (= Wonders) to improve your faction (= civilization). You build military units to defend your bases and attack other factions, and so on.

Civ4 is based on history, while SMAC is based on science fiction, so some of the terms might be unfamiliar, at first. I'd have to say that the two games are similar in overall complexity, but that's just an opinion. I suggest that you jump in a start a game at the lowest difficulty level. You might want to choose to play as the Peacekeepers, an all-around faction that can play various styles. If you like warmongering, choose either the Believers or the Spartans.

If you run into any problems or have any questions, feel free to post here. You'll find plenty of friendly experienced players who will be glad to help you. Also look at some of the prior threads. Several threads within the last year or so contain tips for new players.

Hope you find this information useful.

Petek

 

[Buster's Uncle]

There's definitely a steep learning curve at first, but nothing a cIV palyer can't roll with in a few games. Good luck, and welcome.

 

[Panoply]

Thanks Uncle & Petek,

Your help was, well, helpful in the extreme.

I'm still not going to open it as I've one more question - one I should've included in my first post. That question is: Does this game come with a manual? If yes, how helpful is it?

 

[Petek]

Thanks Uncle & Petek,

Your help was, well, helpful in the extreme.

I'm still not going to open it as I've one more question - one I should've included in my first post. That question is: Does this game come with a manual? If yes, how helpful is it?

You're welcome. The answer to the question about the manual depends on which version of the game you have. Some of the earlier versions come with a printed manual, some of the later ones with an electronic version, and some with no manual at all. If you can describe what you have, we probably can advise you on this matter.

The manual is useful in that it contains material that's not in the help files, but you can learn how to play the game without it.