I've never played Galactic Civilizations. I loved the concept, I enjoyed Imperium Galactica 1 & 2, MOO 2 and the Civilizations series. GalCiv was, in comparison, always like an excel chart. Rather dry but full of possibilities. So, after I've heard of a new GalCiv, I wanted to give it a try and joined the club.

So far, the basics implemented in the alpha are fine. Good UI, organized and good to handle, nice graphics (though I would like to see a more realistic approach (see also Brad Feedback 050514.pdf), great score (though it shouldn't change with each opened screen) etc.

BUT

one thing is still there: The excel feeling. Just look at the planet screen. I know, there will be a new version soon, but after looking at the newest beta pics in the founders vault, I don't see a real change. What I would do? Make it 3D, so that you can get a feeling for the colony. Remember Total War: Rome? You can visit your cities, you can see them growing. Becoming more alive. In GalCiv, you see a few icons representing buildings. That's it. I'm well aware, that the map of a 4x game has to be practical. But there should be moments (at least in my opinion), where the galaxy becomes alive. Where you can feel the magic of being out there. Old games couldn't do it (MOO), newer ones tried it (IG2), other genres (Total War, Civilizations) do it in a much better way.

The same goes for the ships. Spaceships are cool. Well, why implementing a ship designer if not for their coolness. So, why are they being presented in such a dry way ingame? How to solve it? Being able to zoom in and LOOK at them, FEEL them, would be a start.

Conclusion: I know this is an alpha. I know MANY things are missing. I just hope, that Stardock will find ways to implement life into this universe. That way I could manage a universe and live in it at the same time. Immersion should be part of this game. Well, at least in my opinion. What do you think?