Some games have mechanics that seems eternal

Jul 1, 2015 22:49 GMT  ·  By

My biggest problem with Galactic Civilizations III has nothing to do with the core mechanics of the title but with the kinds of reflex that the turn-based strategy genre tends to create in my gamer mind.

I recognize them when I engage with the new Stardock title as well as when I play Civilization IV: Revolution or Alpha Centauri, the classic Firaxis title.

What happens is that after a few campaigns during which I become adjusted to the core mechanics and develop a basic strategy I tend to choose the same starting factions and the same initial moves in order to try and improve them and execute a perfect game.

In Galactic Civilizations III that involves using the Terrans at the start, focusing on planet development and influence technology while attempting to grab as many worlds as possible.

I am sure that there's a way to use this approach and to avoid military defeat at the hands of the Drengin and going bankrupt at the worst possible moment.

Executing the same strategy, with slight tweaks, using almost the same initial strategy fills me with comfort at first and then frustration sets in when the results are not the ones I was hoping for.

And that's why I will take a break from Galactic Civilizations III for a few weeks.

Turn-based strategy is best when mixed with other genres

All that free time will probably be occupied by Massive Chalice from Double Fine, a game that makes it impossible for me to go to my comfort zone.

The development team uses a turn-based structure for the combat of the title but there are a lot of semi-random elements elsewhere that any kind of initial plan I can create will have to be significantly modified as time progresses.

The time span covered by Massive Chalice is 300 years and the pace of the game means that even between two successive engagements the changes to my characters are big enough to force me to come up with new ways to approach the challenge.

I would like to see the expansion that are undoubtedly coming to Galactic Civilizations III introduce more random elements and more major player choices that will make it impossible for players to simply try and perfect the same approach as they play, forcing them to exit their comfort zone.

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