Comparison with Alpha Centauri?

[bawenang]

Hi, I've seen a lot of the reviews that bashed the game and comparing it to Civ5. I haven't bought the game but planned to. However, I decided to wait for a while after reading the reviews. But I don't think comparing this game with Civ5 is not exactly comparing apple to apple. Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri is the better comparison IMHO. So for those who played both games, how does this one fare?

FYI, I'm a long time player of Civilization franchise. Loved 1st-3rd, hated the 4th because I feel it's more dumbed down, got the 5th in the library with all the DLCs but haven't played it yet. And I loved Alpha Centauri a lot more because I'm a scifi fan and the plot involving the voice of the planet was awesome.

[Chrille]

It´s more CIV5 with some elements of AC. But I have a feeling that with a couple of DLC´s and such it will be like 50/50 or something..atleast I hope so.

[Ryika]

Comparing BE to AC is like comparing Arnold Schwarzenegger to an actual actor. He's fun to watch, but at the same time you know his movies aren't exactly going to be filled with depth and immersive acting. Same is true for BE, it's lacks the depth, customization and storytelling and character of AC, so if BE loses the comparison to Civ5, it gets wrecked when compared to AC.

I think it's still a fun game, but it doesn't sound like it's what you're looking for. There's a demo on the workshop...

[Delekhan]

Frankly, in terms of gameplay, depth, look and feel, they're totally different games.

Alpha Centauri wins on depth, gameplay, and the sheer awesomeness of possibilities open to you as a player. And you'll also get learn a bit about philosophy and theoretical science if that kind of thing interests you.

Beyond Earth clearly wins on look, feel, music, sound, and overall flow. It's fun and delightful in a superficial sort of way, but lacks personality and depth. Watching my colony grow and become advanced and awesome is pretty well done in Beyond Earth. However after a couple of games everything feels more or less the same.

[bawenang]

Thanks for the replies guys. So, to sum it up, it's not worth it as of now? Okay then, I'll wait some more and just gonna buy this on a bundle or if there's a 50% or more discount.

[Mansen]

If you like Civ V and want a slightly different theme - That's what you'll get.
But you're paying full Civ V release date price for what could be summed up as a "Theme Scenario" (Much like the Steampunk one that came bundled with the game)

[Drasca]

BE has no soul. Wait for updates & sales. There's a lot of rough edges right now.

[zgrssd]

You can always just try the free Demo! That is what it is there for ;)

It has been said by the developers that "this is not Alpha Centauri 2" nor "Civ 6". It is a clear spinoff of Civ 5 with elements of AC, but that is about it.
Overall it aims for quality over quantity. In cities, population and military units alike.
The aliens are also not going to be a longterm issues as in Alpha Centauri, as they are affected by the human arms race.

Also of course the game is only at launch state. We gotta wait for the first patch and the expansions to see where this game is realyl going, as with all Civ's before this one.

[Black Hammer]

Wait for it to go on sale. If you enjoy Civ 5 and AC, continue to enjoy those games, because this is in no way an upgrade to either of them.

[SamBC]

It doesn't anything like the narrative. It's much more self-made story with some hook points in the game.

It's not intended as a SMAC followup, though they make some nods and hope that players of SMAC will enjoy it. It's its own game.

[spacealf]

Civ IV was a great game.
Out of 22276 User Ratings - 8.8
http://www.gamespot.com/sid-meiers-civilization-iv/

Beyond Earth is different, with Quests, not probably as much variety except with Planets, and depends on how the player views how to play the game. It is a basic game in that sense, but also Civ IV had 2 expansions that made it better, so that is all I remember is Beyond the Sword.

So Beyond Earth seems kind of bland.

But there are different Win conditions so to try everything and 8 AI players although 4 more can be added or some doubled up or some deleted for a new game, it is alright to play.

May seem boring to others because like always it take a while in turns to get started down the path which may be confusing with the Tech Web in the game.

Other than that and probably a patch coming out, it still works for a new game better than some other games that come out.