I agree elevation and Line of Sight in tactical combat would make this game perfect.... Of course, if done right but i'm sure Stardock could make it happen...
Beakie
I wouldn't say 'perfect.' Better still would be using hexagonal tiles, at least in tactical combat ... one diagonal tile move = one vertical/horizontal tile move violates Pythagoras. The sum of the squares of the two sides attached to the right angle of a right triangle are equal to the square of the hypotenuse; the length of the hypotenuse is thus significantly longer than the length of either side; thus, diagonal moves in a square grid are unequal to horizontal/vertical moves. A hexagonal tile grid would fix this, as the distance between the centers of adjacent hexagonal tiles are all equal, regardless of which direction.
Im going to go out on a limb here and say...
Everyone always wanted tactical combat in GalCiv. Just picture all your soldiers as space ships and you now have GalCiv + Tactical Battles.
Your use of "everyone," intentionally or not, is arrogant and demeaning to each and every player who does not want what you state everyone wants. Please refrain from using the word "everyone." While I did, yes, enjoy tactical combat in Master of Orion II, I did not miss it being missing in GalCiv II. While I agree it could have been improved (I especially don't like that every round is equal and everyone gets a shot every round, with no regard to relative speed, maneuverability, weapon ranges nor accuracy), the notion of ships fighting on their own without the player having direct control over every move made or shot taken does not detract from a space TBS to me. Your use of the word "everyone" in wanting 'tactical combat,' then, excludes me from the 'everyone' group. What, then, are you calling me if you exclude me from being a member of everyone? No one. :/
I am sure that was not your intention, but I wish more people -- and you are certainly not the only one to abuse the word "everyone" -- would take some thought and consideration before using such an extreme word.