Love this game as well! 4 of us played 2v2 on a cabin trip to the mountains last summer, and the game took 7-8 hours because both sides kept stepping away from the table to plan our next steps. Some of the funnest gaming I’ve ever had. We play without the retrofitting rule also, and have never felt like we were missing out.
Love this game! This is a hidden gem. It is one of my favorite 4x games. It has minimal bling but the gameplay is superb. It had a retro feel, but once you get into it you quickly realize the innovations that place it at another level. The "spread sheet" might not be elegant, but it sure does work. I have played this game with the requirement that all ships need to upgrade at a spaceyard and also with the experience level for individual ships and would not play it any other way. Also as a bonus, this game shines at solo as well!
Best 4X game out there, if you ask me. :-) Have you ever considered playing it with Talon? I know you can technically mix the two games together, but I don't know anyone who ever actually tried the games that way yet.
I have Talon, but I haven't tried mixing them together yet. I have considered doing a massive Space Empires 4x/Talon playthrough for the channel, but haven't marshalled the time or mental resources together yet to pull it off
This game is based on the Malfador Machinations Space Empires computer game series. I own Space Empires 3, 4, and 5. The ship and component graphics of this game are straight out of SE4. While 4 is my favorite, I still enjoy playing 3. 5 is really bad, the AI can't handle the updated game systems. While the upgraded graphics and the real time combat are nice, it seems to be beyond the AI's ability to comprehend.
Yes, I thought it was related, but I didn't want to say so in case I was incorrect about it. It's funny how sometimes the earlier versions of the game really are the best in the end, isn't it?
If this were to relaunch with some quality of life improvements and new visuals...on Kickstarter it would absolutely KILL IT. Sadly, GMT will never ever allow for that to happen and therefore it will remain more niche than it should.
The replicators expansion did some of that. It would be thing to see what could be done to improve it. Overall. I'm sure there are some intrepid graphic designers who would do a great job, though!
Keep an eye on GMT's website - as soon as it hits 500 pre-orders, they will do another print run. Even if you don't get it from them, it will turn up in game stores again after that. Here is the site: www.gmtgames.com/p-979-space-empires-5th-printing.aspx
@@LegendaryTactics Is there any reason NOT to buy 4th Edition/Printing and wait for 5th? I'd rather not cross-reference a bunch of errata but your quick video pushed me over the finish line to go ahead and get this and I will primarily play SOLO. I don't mind the book keeping, in fact kind of like it oddly enough.
Did you make those graphics of the planets and asteroids etc, yourself? Or is that a third party creation? An expansion?! I love it. I have the game, but would love those larger graphics. Thanks in advance. Oh, you didnt mention that there is an actual Space Empires digital game...so to say it's like Stellaris is fine, but really, its a board game of the original digital game. I'm sure you knew that, probably because a lot of people still havnt heard of the old game of SE5.
Oh no! The bookkeeping isn't horrible, it's just what I like least about it. Perhaps you could try the game on Board Game Arena (where it is currently free to play) where it is all automated for you? That way, you could get familiar enough to teach it
@@LegendaryTactics I got tired of referencing three different rule books after the last expansion, so I put together a Master Rule Book and posted it on BGG. 👍
So they made a digital implementation of a boardgame that is itself a physical implementation of a digital (SEIV) PC game?? SEIV on a PC is a great game btw.
Well, yes, I guess it is! GMT produced the board game, and a developer for Board Game Arena is recreating the board game online. It is completely circular. Maybe we'll get a board game of the digital implementation of the board game which was itself a digital game. The circle of life...
Space Empires 4x refuses to accept that it's a board game and insists on doing things that are just unfeasible for a board game. It doesn't work. The digital implementation on BGA on the other hand works.
Yes, the bookkeeping is unwieldy, but the game otherwise plays just fine. The only thing with the digital implementation that I don't like is that it is hard to keep track of which level of technology each ship has (assuming they need to retrofit at a shipyard). I keep forgetting and sending underpowered units in to their untimely death.
Love this game as well! 4 of us played 2v2 on a cabin trip to the mountains last summer, and the game took 7-8 hours because both sides kept stepping away from the table to plan our next steps. Some of the funnest gaming I’ve ever had. We play without the retrofitting rule also, and have never felt like we were missing out.
That's great!
Love this game! This is a hidden gem. It is one of my favorite 4x games. It has minimal bling but the gameplay is superb. It had a retro feel, but once you get into it you quickly realize the innovations that place it at another level.
The "spread sheet" might not be elegant, but it sure does work. I have played this game with the requirement that all ships need to upgrade at a spaceyard and also with the experience level for individual ships and would not play it any other way.
Also as a bonus, this game shines at solo as well!
I agree with everything you said! Thanks for watching!
Also love SE4X and totally agree about the bookkeeping. The BGA implementation has really helped make it more accessible.
Yes, it is shaping up to be an excellent way to play the game!
Best 4X game out there, if you ask me. :-) Have you ever considered playing it with Talon? I know you can technically mix the two games together, but I don't know anyone who ever actually tried the games that way yet.
I have Talon, but I haven't tried mixing them together yet. I have considered doing a massive Space Empires 4x/Talon playthrough for the channel, but haven't marshalled the time or mental resources together yet to pull it off
I've been eying this up on BGA, might give it a go
It's good! Play the advanced game if you can, as it gives you a lot more units and variety
This game is based on the Malfador Machinations Space Empires computer game series. I own Space Empires 3, 4, and 5. The ship and component graphics of this game are straight out of SE4. While 4 is my favorite, I still enjoy playing 3. 5 is really bad, the AI can't handle the updated game systems. While the upgraded graphics and the real time combat are nice, it seems to be beyond the AI's ability to comprehend.
Yes, I thought it was related, but I didn't want to say so in case I was incorrect about it. It's funny how sometimes the earlier versions of the game really are the best in the end, isn't it?
first: why game on the videos picked as Stellaris?
second: Space Empires VI (YES Computer game) doko?
If this were to relaunch with some quality of life improvements and new visuals...on Kickstarter it would absolutely KILL IT. Sadly, GMT will never ever allow for that to happen and therefore it will remain more niche than it should.
The replicators expansion did some of that. It would be thing to see what could be done to improve it. Overall. I'm sure there are some intrepid graphic designers who would do a great job, though!
Any advice on getting a hold of this title?? Would love to play it but can not find a copy
Keep an eye on GMT's website - as soon as it hits 500 pre-orders, they will do another print run. Even if you don't get it from them, it will turn up in game stores again after that. Here is the site: www.gmtgames.com/p-979-space-empires-5th-printing.aspx
@@LegendaryTactics ok thanks!
@@LegendaryTactics Is there any reason NOT to buy 4th Edition/Printing and wait for 5th? I'd rather not cross-reference a bunch of errata but your quick video pushed me over the finish line to go ahead and get this and I will primarily play SOLO. I don't mind the book keeping, in fact kind of like it oddly enough.
Did you make those graphics of the planets and asteroids etc, yourself? Or is that a third party creation? An expansion?! I love it. I have the game, but would love those larger graphics. Thanks in advance. Oh, you didnt mention that there is an actual Space Empires digital game...so to say it's like Stellaris is fine, but really, its a board game of the original digital game. I'm sure you knew that, probably because a lot of people still havnt heard of the old game of SE5.
It's an expansion. Adds a lot to the emersion within the game to be honest. Takes it above little chits to a better level of beauty for a space game.
Kudos from 444 Gematria!
Thank you!
I've had a copy of this game on my shelf forever but the book keeping puts everybody off. never played a round :(
Oh no! The bookkeeping isn't horrible, it's just what I like least about it. Perhaps you could try the game on Board Game Arena (where it is currently free to play) where it is all automated for you? That way, you could get familiar enough to teach it
Love this game!
Me too! So good!
@@LegendaryTactics I got tired of referencing three different rule books after the last expansion, so I put together a Master Rule Book and posted it on BGG. 👍
So they made a digital implementation of a boardgame that is itself a physical implementation of a digital (SEIV) PC game??
SEIV on a PC is a great game btw.
Well, yes, I guess it is! GMT produced the board game, and a developer for Board Game Arena is recreating the board game online. It is completely circular. Maybe we'll get a board game of the digital implementation of the board game which was itself a digital game. The circle of life...
I love this game. I just wish it would look better.
The Replicators expansion did improve the aesthetics a bit with the full hex tiles, but yeah, miniatures would have been cool
Space Empires 4x refuses to accept that it's a board game and insists on doing things that are just unfeasible for a board game. It doesn't work. The digital implementation on BGA on the other hand works.
Yes, the bookkeeping is unwieldy, but the game otherwise plays just fine. The only thing with the digital implementation that I don't like is that it is hard to keep track of which level of technology each ship has (assuming they need to retrofit at a shipyard). I keep forgetting and sending underpowered units in to their untimely death.
it absolutely does work, hence why after all these years its still being printed purchased and played as well as new expansions still being added.
It's completely feasible. The game is actually streamlined in comparison to the older simulation games that inspired it.