Why no updated version?

[wm.j.olson]

Why is it that developers of space/empire games have been unable to do what IG2 has done here? Either they have space combat with stick figures in one dimension; or you can't control the ships in combat only watch them; or if there's three-dimensional combat there's no sophisticated planet-side building; or if there is ground combat it's stick figures or stupid looking holographic representations in stilted combat.

IG2 managed all of these with early generation graphics. City building. Planet-side units in at least two dimensions; planet development. Space exploration. Research tree. Ship/tank designing. 3d space combat with ships you can direct. I keep waiting/hoping someone will come up with a game that puts all the elements together in a sophisticated package with latest generation graphics in a galaxy setting that isn't a bunch of dots as planets linked by space lanes instead of sailing through the void of space. Sort of Star Wars: Empires at War meets Homeworld 2. It appears no one is interested or capable. Boo. Hiss.

[Sticky Wicket]

I agree 100% and have been saying the exact same thing for quite some time now.

[Saracen26]

I would imagine, if THQ Nordic find a decent and competent team to make an actual sequel to IG2 they could pull it off.

But then I'd be happy with an IG2 remake in all but name, races, and a shiny new set of campaigns. Put in some quality of life improvements, some tightened gameplay and a new engine brought more up to date and some tweaks here and there. It's all this franchise needs. Then clone the rest by the way of mechanics, planetary management, etc. Why fix the formula if it isn't broke?

I would buy it. I would buy it hard!

[Sticky Wicket]

Most developers of modern space 4x titles seem to think they only have to concentrate on one aspect to make a game...?

I have never been particularly impressed with Stellaris at any stage of It's development , but the last time I tried it out again 3 months ago their planetary interface has now been relegated to unimaginative boxes! even less immersive than it used to be. I doubt I will ever re-install it again. GC3 has no complex combat mechanics, despite a thread on their page with an overwhelming number of people asking for it.

This game beats those 2 hands down, and it's 20 years old!

The only game that seems to be incorporating the same kind of elements as IG is Interstellar Space Genesis, although people have said that whilst the planetary interface is immersive there is a distinct lack of complexity.

I would be very interested in an IG3 if it were designed along the same principles as IG2.

[wm.j.olson]

Hear, Hear! But, given how many years have gone by and how many space-based games have appeared, no advances have been made in the genre, comparable in complexity, say, to the Total War franchise. Interstellar Space is a shadow of IG2, with disappointing graphics and one-dimensional combat.

[Kursah]

ISG has potential, but isn't on the same level yet. I don't expect it to match all the elements IG had. I do hope it keeps getting updates, content and polish and there was mention of updating/adding mechanics as the game matures. I've put about a dozen hours into it, and plan to go back at some point.

Polaris Sector isn't a bad one, but ground game is just numbers which is a bummer. It does combat pretty well...but its all 2D sprites, for some that's meh. And to play it you really gotta like wargaming. Cool ship design though... ship design tetris sorta. I enjoyed that and the research elements.

I'd love to see an IG2 remake or IG3 or even an indie-inspired IG-style game. Honestly I think I'd prefer the last one at this point, not thinking we'll ever see a THQ follow up.

Though I say the same about Sword of the Stars 1, I'd love to see it remade as well, at this point it might be best to hope there's an indie inspired title rather than a Kerberos driven remaster. I will say both SOTS and IG2 will have permanent spots on my systems, there's still nothing else that does what they did, at least that I enjoy as much.