Stellaris End-All

I really want to get it on console but I also really don't want to do without the 2.0 and 2.2 changes.

I got it on Xbox as well, but am waiting for at least the Utopia update before trying it out.

So what are the changes that make it important for people to wait? Should someone new to the game care? Does it add depth, story, UI differences? etc.

Basically the entire planetary management system has been overhauled, along with significant portions of the economy. It requires you to take a whole different approach on how you set up your empire's economy and how you trade for resources. The interface is also much more streamlined.

Budo wrote:

Basically the entire planetary management system has been overhauled, along with significant portions of the economy. It requires you to take a whole different approach on how you set up your empire's economy and how you trade for resources. The interface is also much more streamlined.

Thanks folks for the information. Do the upcoming DLC's each of a upgrade of the things you mention Budo? (there is one DLC out now for Console edition and a couple more in the pipeline. Not sure if this brings it close to the PC version).

The 2.0 patch basically redid the full game.

Big sale on via the paradox store too if there is some DLC you don’t have yet. I think I might pick up megacorp and get into it again. Not really played much since Apocalypse was released.

Sorbicol wrote:

Big sale on via the paradox store too if there is some DLC you don’t have yet. I think I might pick up megacorp and get into it again. Not really played much since Apocalypse was released.

I pre-ordered the game but it didn't grab me at release. I've been waiting for the longest time to give it a legitimate shot, and have been cherry picking DLC when it's been discounted. I just grabbed the four I was missing (Megacorp, Apocalypse, and couple of the older ones) and am thinking to jump in as well.

The version 2.0 update changed the whole game dramatically. While I sad to see the different propulsion styles go, to be honest the warpgate method was so unbalanced it wasn’t fun once you’d got your head around the game. Moving everyone to starlanes and allowing galactic topography made a big improvement (for me) and I though it became a much better game. There is just about enough to do mid game now as well while you wait for the end game crisis to occur.

The crux of enjoying Stellaris is to treat it as a galactic story telling engine. While you can ‘win’ the game, it’s not really the point.

Sorbicol wrote:

The crux of enjoying Stellaris is to treat it as a galactic story telling engine. While you can ‘win’ the game, it’s not really the point.

I'd equate that with the Crusader Kings 2 experience then. Sometimes the best games are the ones where the whole thing falls apart on you.

Godzilla Blitz wrote:
Sorbicol wrote:

The crux of enjoying Stellaris is to treat it as a galactic story telling engine. While you can ‘win’ the game, it’s not really the point.

I'd equate that with the Crusader Kings 2 experience then. Sometimes the best games are the ones where the whole thing falls apart on you.

That's all Paradox games.

tboon wrote:
Godzilla Blitz wrote:
Sorbicol wrote:

The crux of enjoying Stellaris is to treat it as a galactic story telling engine. While you can ‘win’ the game, it’s not really the point.

I'd equate that with the Crusader Kings 2 experience then. Sometimes the best games are the ones where the whole thing falls apart on you.

That's all Paradox games. :)

Not to derail this too much, but I think that might be a current weakness in Imperator: Rome. I wonder if the game has too much stability once you get to a certain size.

Does EU4 have that element of nations falling apart? I haven't played enough to know yet.

And what about Hearts of Iron?

I really should play Paradox games more.

Godzilla Blitz wrote:
tboon wrote:
Godzilla Blitz wrote:
Sorbicol wrote:

The crux of enjoying Stellaris is to treat it as a galactic story telling engine. While you can ‘win’ the game, it’s not really the point.

I'd equate that with the Crusader Kings 2 experience then. Sometimes the best games are the ones where the whole thing falls apart on you.

That's all Paradox games. :)

Not to derail this too much, but I think that might be a current weakness in Imperator: Rome. I wonder if the game has too much stability once you get to a certain size.

Does EU4 have that element of nations falling apart? I haven't played enough to know yet.

And what about Hearts of Iron?

I really should play Paradox games more.

EU4 does for sure. In HoI, due to the timespan of the game and its focus on being a "wargame", it is less likely to happen but it can.

I should just direct-link my PayPal account to Paradox.

I just got Megacorp in the anniversary sale over the weekend. Now this. It never stops!

I just said the other day, "well now that Imperator is out and Bloodlines 2 is on the way I guess we'll see a lot less new stuff for Stellaris."

Silly boy.

I just bought. Being a huge MoO2 player, this one slipped under the radar. I'm such a wimp, though. I felt there was so much to learn that I played about 10 years, then started a game with no AI. Just to get a feel for the game without the duress of additional players.

Then I read about the "Slop Pot" over at RPS, and recalled what somebody said about "always roleplaying Paradox games" and regretted having no AI.

wickbroke wrote:

I just bought. Being a huge MoO2 player, this one slipped under the radar. I'm such a wimp, though. I felt there was so much to learn that I played about 10 years, then started a game with no AI. Just to get a feel for the game without the duress of additional players.

Then I read about the "Slop Pot" over at RPS, and recalled what somebody said about "always roleplaying Paradox games" and regretted having no AI.

Use this game to learn the mechanics, then start a new game. Think of it as a learning game.

Never be afraid to have a learning game where you learn the mechanics. Paradox games, despite their reputation, are really not that hard to play but there are some things you need to understand how to do and how the systems fit together. Once you have that go start a "real" game.

And don't be afraid to start over. Play as much as you want of a given game and start over if you feel like you have learned some more. Have fun and enjoy the ride.

Thanks, tboon, I am enjoying the unexpected small delights in the "we've found x" and just making stories out of them. What I don't quite understand is when a particular thing (like these space amoebas or the crystalline space hulks) are "finished". Maybe I shouldn't care, but it just seems once in a while, especially the crystalline ones, I get a "oh, they've done a thing, and we get 5% on something". It's really nice.

I had some trouble with skipping over some of the research when it was "difficult". I was backtracking with my two science ships. Now I have five, and probably could put two more to use (as MY galaxy is so empty).

You're missing out on the other empires, yes...though does that include the precursors?

But you'll have to deal with the crisis yourself.

Gremlin. It's got the fallen empires or stagnant empires. And there are missions for the Cybrex (I probably spelled that wrong.) I've heard of the crisis, and will probably get steamrolled, as I don't have a strong military. Just enough to crush mining drones.

I'll be playing a bit less for a while as I'm about the last person in the City of Heroes revival party.

There are several pre-cursor races, I’m assuming these two are new one specific to the DLC?

If I've dropped spoilers of any sort, it was unintentional. I'll be more wary.

Budo wrote:

I just said the other day, "well now that Imperator is out and Bloodlines 2 is on the way I guess we'll see a lot less new stuff for Stellaris."

Yeah, definitely don't count on that. Certain games with a long list of DLC and lifespan, like CK2, have probably finished all their DLCs or they will receive far less DLCs in the future, but Stellaris has a long way to go before it reaches that point. They'll probably be doing 2-3 DLC per year until at least 2022 for it.

Well, spent the last week or two playing this. It’s taken me much longer than I was expecting to get my head around planet management (I’m having hideous unemployment/homelessness issues with my Borg assimilators) but it’s much better than the old tile system. It’s the first time I’ve played with Distant Stars too. A little disappointed that generic anomalies haven’t had more added to them, on the other hand the new ‘minor’ leviathans are fun and there does seem to be more to do mid game again. The L Gates are a nice edition too. The great khan I held at bay and then killed while trying to escape (I’ve never managed that before) and now I’m twiddling my thumbs waiting for the end game crisis.

I did get a bit confused by the empire admin cap until I realised by the time you realise you are way over it it doesn’t really matter.

Really enjoying the changes to be honest.

Noooooo! Stellaris (actually all Paradox stuff I think?) Steam sale this weekend. Most of the older stuff is ~50%, with Megacorps only being 20% (iirc). Last thing I need is more Stellaris DLC that I may never get around to. Then again sale..

God damn it. First time in ages I don't get the unbidden as the end game crisis. that's because, with 20 years to go before the score victory gets achieved, there has been no End Game crisis. I might go and poke the Dassanu just so something happens........