X3 or X4 (advice sriously needed.)

[Rosenloev.1]

I need some help here. (please)
I'm writing this post here, because I assume that most, if not all, of you have previously played the X3.
I bought the X3 Terran Conflict and haven't even begun to scratch the surface of it yet and now I read about the X4 which should be so much better.
I'm more of a single player type of guy. I like the exploring and trading more than fighting space battles (I'm 64 and the wildest combat simulator I have is the IL2 ;-) )
What is your advice. Should I stay with Terran Conflict, or would I be happier buying the X4?

[Tapasvi]

Originally posted by Rosenloev.1:

I like the exploring and trading more than fighting space battles

In this case, my advice is to play them both, depending on the mood.
The only downside of this is the price, but it's another topic.

[Dexinition]

I am 57 and I have played all since start. I have focus a lot on X3 because the storyline is pretty nice.
After there was rebirth that was a false start (for me) but has the good thing to serve as a basis for X4.
I am enjoying a LOT X4 but at start I was really annoyed cause the storyline was missing at fisrt.
Now there is one and Egosoft is working on mission that will come with cradle of humanity (I am really waiting this extension cause of it)
Second, for me the graphics are so nice in X4 that, when you have played it, it’s difficult to get back to X3 because, if you like exploring, you will be stuck many time contemplating the sky .. really
For me X4 has started to be really impressive with split extension and I am sure that the surprise with Terran will be huge .. even with the communication even done ..
Don’t hesitate.. go for X4

[Ryzer]

X4

[bloodymonarch]

Originally posted by Rosenloev.1:

I need some help here. (please)
I'm writing this post here, because I assume that most, if not all, of you have previously played the X3.
I bought the X3 Terran Conflict and haven't even begun to scratch the surface of it yet and now I read about the X4 which should be so much better.
I'm more of a single player type of guy. I like the exploring and trading more than fighting space battles (I'm 64 and the wildest combat simulator I have is the IL2 ;-) )
What is your advice. Should I stay with Terran Conflict, or would I be happier buying the X4?

If you have a computer capable of playing X4, grab X4. It is better than X3 at this point, but still has more content coming.

[mmmcheesywaffles]

I played over 13k hours of X3 and in later years I used the TECGS SSC script to make the game balance match my variable playing skills [health matters sometimes reduce my ability to play with suitable concentration.]

My preferred style of play is to act as a scavenger, collecting loot and only fighting when I'm in the mood. I seem to be in the mood sufficiently often that I achieved 1 step down from XTreme.

When X4 came along it could not really match the fun and playability of X3 partly due to bugs and partly due to hardware limitations. X4 simply needs a lot more resources.

So... to answer you .... I recommend x3 and the SSC script [available on the Egosoft website] if your machine is too stretched by X4. otoh.... if your machine can handle the game well, X4 has already reached a state that surpasses X3 visually and incorporates so many of the wish list wants I had for X3.

For now do take a good look at some of the extensive let;s play vids avaialble for X4. There is enough scope in X4 to keep you busy for years I recommend people like Captain Collins; Tobel Plays; Werit and numerous others.

However, when watching the vids you need to consider that some elements of gameplay and menus have been updated and many new changes to X4 make the game even easier to play.
Whichever game you choose you will probably enjoy it. I and many others certainly do :D

[Berserk Slayer]

Definitely start on X3. Terran Conflict is a magnificent game, full of atmosphere and wonder, but you might slightly ruin it for yourself if you play a later version first.

It would be a crying shame to miss out on a proper first play through of TC in my opinion.

[Gregorovitch]

I'll just copy a reply I made to a similar post, @OP, hope it helps.

Most X3 vets are of the opinion that X4 is a better game by some margin now. There are a few dissenters, as Oddible points out, but generally the view is X4 > X3.

The stand out features of X4 are the massive improvement in station building, the new truly dynamic economy and the jaw dropping (by comparison to X3) visuals. Beautiful sectors that are much bigger than X3's and a higher proportion, in fact most all of them, being hand crafted and unique (X3 had a lot of sectors but a much higher proportion were cookie cutter and virtually cut & paste). But most all of the rest of X4 surpasses X3 now too, those are just the highlights.

To be be fair the things X3 still has over X4 are:

* CLS (this is replaced by station manager's AI = somewhat less player control of ships)
* wider variety of weapons and ships
* more sectors in raw number terms.

Also to be fair these are some of the things the nay-sayers don't like about X4:

* Keeping the economy going can and usually does require player intervention, some don't want to play the economy game.

* Piracy/capping play style, although it works early-mid game, is not so good later. Sucks to be a pirate, he 

* There is a lot more general aggro, invasion, argie-bargie going on in X4 like everywhere, not just in certain restricted areas. Some don't like that 'cos it interferes with peaceful trading. Sucks to be a peace loving humble merchant I guess.

* the fleet AI is......idiosyncratic. It works OK if you fight your fleets like the devs intended, but some don't want to do that, they want their ships to do exactly what they want them to do, which of course sometimes they don't. Your ships also tend to take their sweet time doing things which tests some players patience. Of course the AI fleets behave exactly the same, it's a level playing field, so if you understand that it's easier to embrace the way it works.

* The X4 equivalent of X3's Universal Traders, Autotraders, are not really viable in X4 'cos you require high level pilots which are next to impossible to get and can't be systematically and reliably trained. In X4 you don't use Autotraders, you build mining stations and trade station instead. But some don't like that, they don't want to build stations.

But if

a) you are into building a business and a navy and relish a bit of action when the slaving over the spreadsheets get a bit tiresome

b) you are happy to adapt to the changes from X3 and not get too upset about them

c) you are into the idea of playing a big part saving the galaxy from what is a significant Xenon threat (much bigger than X3) as well as a serious problem with Holy Order of the Paranid zealots which the factions probably won't be able to cope with without your help.

then I would say go for X4 without hesitation if you loved X3, the only reason to delay would be to wait for the new Terran DLC to drop Q1 2021 (supposedly) 'cos I would say that's going to really put the top hat on it.

[gamyng]

Untill X4 is really finished, I'd play X3 Albion Prelude with Litcube's Universe and StarWars (SWLU) ... just to learn how to play X3 LU Mayhem

[mirasstone]

hej, 40+ old X vet here.
I bought into X4 early and I still have just managed to put some 100+ h into it.
I must have spend a mutible of that in X2, and (all estemate) more then 1000 h into X3 (possibly much more). I even played XBF once to get them all.

My maine gripe with x4 (XR is a prove of concept at best and was refunded, never will go there again) are:

The X Universe (up to X3 AP) had a story wich was conected and alive. I bought my X3TC coppy with a book even wich fit gracefully into the story. With X4 most of that has been lost on the way.

X3 had not only the 5 alien races, but all of them had subgroups and factions, Then there was diverent pirate factions, Humanity was divided into 2 distinct cultures because of a long time of seperation and the Goner where the religious muppets of the verse.
All these came with ships that where either completly different or where augmented to fit the need of the new owners.
In X4 we paid for one of the major races (splitt) already, will now (or might not) do so for the humans and still the boron are completly none existant (oh one, ah now I think I got it, this is Susi (finaly found) ).

Now ships are of corse only one thing missing here, the weaponry is about half I think of what it was in X3, and as you could install any weapon of any race in any ship if it had the slots, the loadouts and configurations where many more then what x4 has to offer.

Of corse there is a good amount of mod´s out to remedy much of that, still the other x-games came with more diversity and imersion (IMO) from the shelve then x4 has (and propably will have with the new dlc) for the forseably future.

All in all X games had a major modding comunity and all took a wile after release to be playable. So by now I guess X4 is stable enough, I just would still go back to X3 with a few mods rather then play X4 atm.

This was by far my faforite, as it brings back the x2 ships (as MK1) as well as make the galaxy much bigger:

https://forum.egosoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=304158

Hope this helps, and dear egosoft, with all the good things you did with X4, for me the loss of so much lore and story makes it hard to like it. (it´s like star treck with no klingons jeez)

cheers

[Axeface]

FYI, Albion Prelude is terran conflict with fixes and more content, I would really recommend AP over terran conflict.
As for x4 vs x3, they are quite different experiences now - ide say play either (but play AP not TC).

[arrak]

X3 Albion Prelude all the way worth gold :)

X3 = You are free to play the game whichever way you want to.

X4 = You have to play that game, the way they meant it to be played.
And you get a hard slap in the face, if you play it the way it is Not meant to
be played :)

X3 is the game for the Explorer, with lots and lots of juicy things and secrets to be found.

X3 is for the trader and economist, that wants Exell sheet table reconing for 100% proof
of what went where, for what money. And for 100% controll and knowledge of who
does what etc etc. And in corolation the autocommands are avalable for your pupose
Its a gamer mathematical and scientifical game, if you are interested in BWL.

With X4 you have a "swimmy" vague overview. Not knowing the details.
Not possible to know.

With X3, you can continue your first game-start forever.
With X4 you Have to "restart" your game many times. Factum.

If you loose your "adiction" for X3 TC some day..... you shall be ripe to start with X4 ;)

Edit: Big plus for X4, is that you can have a shipyard in early game if you want.
And of caurse, they perfected boarding to make it mega fun to board :)

[Sentient Entropy]

I think X3 is in a better place at the moment. If the 4.0 release for X4 goes as well as planned that might finally put X4 on top, but for the time being it's too buggy and with too many rough edges for me to recommend it.

[Xenomorph]

Both are nice, but X3 is billions more mature because how much effort was put into it over the years. Take it for a spin, spend some time with it, try some mods, it'll be worth your time.

[Dreamer]

X3AP + Litcube's Universe is clearly worth playing so I would start with that.

[Rosenloev.1]

Thanks every body.
Your comments has really been a great help.
I think I will continue with X3 Terran Conflict and the AP for a while till I get the hang of things.