Sell me about the game

[geckoman1011]

So Im kind of interested in getting this game but I dont really know what kind of game this is or if it suits my interest. Ive tried a few reviews but they have all been a bit lacking.The biggest pro for this game that I know of is that its a Paradox game, so its probably deep.

Just to tell you a little about myself and what I enjoy in games, I love strategy and hate micromanaging. I generally prefer playing military over economics, and economics over diplomacy. I have a tendency to paint the map rather than limit scope or goals. I also like building cultures (think Civ V kinda) and seeing my values lead to success rather than my skills. (not sure if this is even useful info, but its there anyway)

I know they just announced a new DLC and that major changes could be coming, but I thought the best way to see if the game might fit me would be to talk directly with fellow paradoxians and to start a conversation that would help me make a decision since the reviews were useless.

This isnt much to go on, but I hope to at least start a conversation that will lead to good questions and dialogue that will help me make a decision.

 

[General Retreat]

Sounds like you'd have fun running a xenophobic militarist empire of fanatic purifiers. Try and paint the map exclusively with your specie, no room for foul aliens. Diplomacy is a non-issue for obvious reasons, and the fact that the entire universe hates your guts makes strategically managing your wars vital (divide and conquer, or they'll all ally up and crush you).

 

[safe-keeper]

There is some micro-management, particularly managing pops and buildings on planets. When your empire grows to a certain size you have to relegate planets to AI "Sectors" that have a great deal of autonomy, and this mitigates the micro, but at the same time the sector AI doesn't work that well.

Peace-time in Stellaris is a bit dull at the moment come mid-game, so if you prefer warfare I suppose that's just a good thing .

Personally, I love the game, but that's in a large part for its depth and story content, and 1.5 will make it even deeper. If you prefer 4X-games that are strategy-heavy with a focus on combat and war, it may not be for you.

Maybe you could watch some Let's Plays on YouTube to get a better idea of what gameplay is like. Also read Dev Diaries here on this forum if you haven't already.

 

[Horror In The Deep]

Well, from what you said I can make a conclusion that you should try Stellaris

You said that you prefer plaing millitary over diplomacy/trade. That`s good, couse right now war in Stellaris is beter than diplomacy/trade.
War is good. Not "brilliant" but good. I know, that there will be many people here, who will tell you that war in Stellaris is "just one clash of two blobs, which determine everything!" Personally, as for my 200+ hours in the game I never encountered this. Fleet combat is quite interesting, despite AI is... well, it`s improving))

Ground Invasions are a bit boring... then you are attacking. When you are on defence, and should carefully chose which army to build on besieged planet - ground combat becomes interesting as hell).

Ship designer is good, and I often find myself in need of redesigning my fleet against specific enemy.

In comparison - diplomacy works OK, but is to simplified.
Trade is... well, it is. This is probably best thing I can say about it. It is simplified to death and boring(

As for "building cultures (think Civ V kinda) and seeing my values lead to success rather than my skills" - well, this is the best part) Stellaris has a wonderful race/empire creation,
the main feature is "Ethos", which are basically values of your Empire. And they DO matter.
Two of my best games were played with empires, differed only one ethos point (Millitarist-Pasifist). Trust me, It was entirely different games.
And with coming patch you could change them during campaign. So, if you (unwisely) start game with Fanatic Pacifist bugs. and half of your Empire was conquered and enslaved by some evil monkeys... well, i guess your bugs might reconsider their commitment to Eternal Peace)
You may also wait for a nearest expansion. It reworks internal policies (and it looks fantastically deep and interesting), and bring "Traditions" to game. Traditions you take during campaign, choosing what direction your Empire should move. Exploration - if you think, that your people should be more like Proud Scholar Race, Prosperity - ifyou think they need a bit of a boost in merchandise, and so one. So, for NOT ANY MORE Pacifist bugs you can now choose "Supremacy" to represent their new taste for conquests)

Aside from all of this... well, Stellaris has beautiful early game. Each time you start in new, procedurally generated galaxy. And each time you have no idea, on what will you find6 and what aliens meet. Exploration in this game is truly exiting.

And, in general...there one thing in which Stellaris is better than any other game i played so far.
It could create stories. Not for you, but with you. the very best campaigns of Stellaris I played, was the one which I started as an empires I would actually care for. And in the end I truly has a feeling that I have created their history.

Hope this would help you)

 

[Repeats]

Why ask us to sell the game for you. Just go watch any of the Youtubers who are playing it. If it looks interesting, try it out. I personally am watching Aspec's Mankind Prevails series that is pretty good.