Should I buy SMAC?

[Ohwell]

Hello! I have civ 3, and I hear alot of things about SMAC that seem really cool, but will I be dissapointed? Should I buy or not?

 

[Ohwell]

And what about Alien Crossfire? Is that worthwhile?

 

[TresXF]

well, smac is a scifi-game - civ3 not. if you like scifi you should get it (~10 euro). the only alternative is the ancient master of orion2
the game-system is a mix of civ2 and civ3. grafix are somewhat strange. but ai, techtree and diplomacy very cool.

the smax add-on is not necessary (imho). the original has the better background story and is much more 'realistic'. on the other hand smac/smax will be sold as 'planetary pack' edition - so you don't have much choice.
check out the budget/special price section of http://www.okaysoft.de to get it.

 

[Ohwell]

Thanks for the advice, It seems like a cool game and I want it.

 

[spycatcher34]

Real cool game. If you can get it, well get it. Excellent diplomacy and vraity in AI. I very much so reccomend it.

 

[Ohwell]

Thanks! I am getting the game tomarrow or so. Firaxis did say that the Expansion isn't being sold anymore, but hopefully Ebay will have it

 

[Ohwell]

SHould I buy SMACX? I don't want to spend 20 dollars on it if it sucks, Ebay sucks.

 

[spycatcher34]

I dont like it but thats not anything. You should see if you like SMAC first.

 

[Nuke on a Stick]

I loved SMAC. Absoulte keeper of a game. That being said, you can do without the expansion most likely. The Aliens are disturbingly overpowered. If you play as them, you will win 100% of the time. You don't play as them, they will be your only struggle. You might dig it, but I couldn't.

 

[Ohwell]

Hmm, based on what you two tell me, it sucks . Since you both have it and don't like it, I will follow suit. Actually, I played a demo for SMAC and one for X, I liked the first better. Caretakers? Get real. Thank you both

 

[MummyMan]

Not to say that i don't like SMAC, but isn't this a bit of a biased discussion? If you ask if you should buy SMAC in a Smac forum you will obviously get Pro-SMAC answers because people who participate in a Smac forum obviously like the game. If I were you i would read reviews on the game. I for one like the game tremendously but found myself wanting something more like Civ 2, but that is only because i prefer a more historical game like Civ3. I liked it because the stuff in it could be possible and had a good story and cool options, the Unit Workshop for instance. But i would only buy it if you could get it for a low price. I wouldn't consider buying Alien Crossfire. If they took it of the market it must suck.

 

[Dreifels]

Originally posted by Ohwell
Hello! I have civ 3, and I hear alot of things about SMAC that seem really cool, but will I be dissapointed? Should I buy or not?

Yes, and also Alien Crossfire. (watch that you'll then download the right patches)

The best strategy game I bought within the past 2 years, including Civ3.
Lot of micromanagement, a little difficult to learn at the beginning, but then it makes *great* fun.

Within the past 5 years my favorite games had been:
Civ II, MoO II, SMAC, SMAX (and NOT Civ3)

As you're in Germany, look at Saturn or Mediamarkt for SMAC(X) or at ebay.de

http://alpha-centauri-stuff.cjb.net/

 

[Joben]

about Alien Crossfire: I saw that some ppl here dont like the plot or think the aliens are overpowered etc. (I dont agree with that pesonaly)
but anyway deffinitly get it.
It adds many options for the factions and the alien life is a lot more interesting.
few more techs, base facilitys and unit equipment too.
But considering they are both cheap and generaly packaged together now
its sorta a moot point. get them both and see for yerself.


SMAC is on my very short list of my favorite games of all time.
Games that are more than just fun to play but are works of art and
have influenced how i view the world.
(For the most part because of its realistic speculative sci-fi and the
thought provoking way in which ppl idiolidgies influence their actions
and relations with others. (o yeh and one of the things that is SERIOUSLY
lacking in Civ3: the awsome voice quotes from historical and in-game sources
for each technoledgy and the first time you build each facility.))

 

[Joben]

Originally posted by MummyMan
I wouldn't consider buying Alien Crossfire. If they took it of the market it must suck.

You are overestimating the inteligence of the conssuming public.
Sadly its more often about recognized licences and pretty box art than actual quality.

Is SMACX totaly new awsome stuff different from SMAC? no not realy but
its an expansion pack. It suposed to just add some good stuff;
in that respect it succeds well.

 

[Dreifels]

Originally posted by MummyMan

I wouldn't consider buying Alien Crossfire. If they took it of the market it must suck.

You're talking about things you don't know right.

Originally posted by Joben
You are overestimating the inteligence of the conssuming public.
Sadly its more often about recognized licences and pretty box art than actual quality.

SMAC(X) still is able to buy (if you look at the right distributors)

Is SMACX totaly new awsome stuff different from SMAC? no not realy but its an expansion pack. It suposed to just add some good stuff; in that respect it succeds well.

SMACX an enhacement is, well done, including SMAC. And SMAC(X) still gives much more fun to play than Civ3 in its original version, is much more tested and much better balanced.

Within the past 3 years I never have seen an other game (including Civ3) that made so much fun and for such a long time without frustrating. Expecially in multiuser by IP.

For me SMAC(X) still is the best game issued within the past 3 years.

 

[Sukenis]

I did not care much for the expansion either, but one thing it does have the is great is a better faction editor. While you can customize your own factions in the original, the expansion makes it MUCH easier. How much this is worth depends on how much you want to change things. I like everything as is so I did not buy the expansion, ut if you like to make your own things them the editor is nice.