Stellaris

[DrazharLn]

<snipped from a staff room thread>

I stayed up all night playing stellaris instead I'll do it tomorrow if I get up in time.

[Unorthodox]

Id read some rather crappy reviews on stellaris...bugs getting fixed, or just personal taste? 

[DrazharLn]

I haven't encountered any significant bugs, just some text that references the wrong object (science ship instead of planet, for example). And transport ships weren't explained at any point, which was a bit confusing.

The game definitely needs work, but it's gameplay changes it needs, not bug squishing. The planned patches here might give you an idea of what's missing: http://www.pcgamesn.com/stellaris/stellaris-patch-clarke-asimov-heinlein

IMHO, it needs a better narrative, which they could drive with more and better interaction with the AI empires (which is pretty dry at the moment), longer and more interesting event chains, and doing something with the factions mechanic.

In terms of mechanics, I think it probably needs better combat. There's too much in favour of the blob, there are too few controls and some important stuff like scouting is too micro-ey.

[DrazharLn]

Paradox have a good track record of improving their games post release, with a lot of content coming for free, so I'm not too bothered by the slightly skeletal release.

I might not come back to it for a few months, though.

[vonbach]

I tried it and maybe the game is an acquired taste but Stellaris is just tedious.

[DrazharLn]

That was my first impression, but I got into it a bit more and enjoyed it. As with most PDS games you need to make your own objectives to have fun, and you have to be willing to overlook some flaws.

It's definitely unfinished, though. Recommendation: come back later.

[Vishniac]

It's definitely unfinished, though. Recommendation: come back later.

We are later.

I follow their forums from time to time, their fancy sci-fi names for big updates and what have come with them: hive minds, cybernetic civilizations, Dyson spheres, planet killers...
Anybody playing?

And a more practical question relative to all their games:
Paradox likes to make a lot of expansions but, if I buy a game, do I:
- get the basic game (currently patched of course) and I must buy which expansions I desire?
- get the basic game and all the existing expansions with it?

By the way, how does it work with these expansions: do you play with one at a time or do you install them all and they are just improvements to some mechanics or some nations (like EU4 expansions about China, Russia, Central Asia,...)?
That's not clear for me.

UPDATE: Paradox gives a special Easter discount on many games and expansions till April 3.
https://www.paradoxplaza.com/on-sale/?utm_source=forum-owned&utm_medium=social-owned&utm_content=banner-top&utm_campaign=papl_plaza_2018329_pla_easa

[bvanevery]

I have read many reviews of various titles on the Reddit /r/4Xgaming.  Stellaris I was told is "Grand Strategy RPG".  I had wondered if RPG might mean it has narrative ala SMAC.  My 1st impression is that it does not.  Seems more like it has stat management for leaders and researchers.  Is that more or less correct?  You worry about whether your science guy is leveled up, or your Governor gal, or whatever.  Or if you don't level up these people, you select from an available pool of candidates?
 

[Syn]

Stellaris is like any other Paradox game. The story is what you make of it. Great RPing potential, with the AAR-potential to boot, but if you're not creative or otherwise not into that kind of gameplay then it'll just be a game and nothing more to you.

[vonbach]

Stellaris becomes far better with mods. Such as the "automatic exploration" mod. Its a slow paced game so you can listen to podcasts
or add music so you can listen to Johnny Cash while you play. The game has definitely grown on me.

[Buster's Uncle]

There's actually a somewhat-active Stellaris community at WPC in the Paradox sub w/ AARs and MP and stuff.  Tell 'em BU sent you.

[E_T]

Patch 2.2/Megacorp DLC patch notes.  Comes out next week.

https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/stellaris-dev-diary-136-2-2-le-guin-patch-notes.1132161/&sdpDevPosts=1

Also a few LP's are up
ASpec's     MegaCorp - Interns Inc. Part 1 (Shipping Xeno Resources Is our Specialty)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIISSvfo5io

Quill18's    Stellaris: MegaCorp -- Mom's Friendly Robot Company - Ep 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8TGqN_zNz4

The 2.2 patch and the Megacorp expansion are both released on Dec 6th.

[E_T]

I definitely like it as it's one of the few games that will play on my current laptop (Civ 6 won't even load on it).