I like the game. It is sure a hard-core game considering the number of Excel-style tables you deal with and the impossibly large tech tree (I researched it all BTW), but I really liked the game. The real time tactical battles are cool stuff, especially early on in the game when every level of every tech matters.

Later on when my empire is big and I am way ahead of competition tech-wise I can blow up their ships no problem. The AI seemed OK - it did lock-up sometimes, but it sure was not as retarded as Civ V. It took over systems, it set up sensible defenses and it would go after your jump systems, so it was kind of important to defend them.

Obviously there is always a pivot point when you get ahead and then it is a matter of out-researching and out-producing your smaller opponents.

More importantly: I got SE V for like 9 bucks...

thank you both so far.

The AI on SEV is good now, you say?

Hmn, I didnt realize that many people preferred SEIV. I do not know if I could even get a copy over here (Germany). In which ways does it play better than V? I had imagined V was better because of all the customization possible .... but if you could add anything, please do... thank you

Be careful.

Try the SEV demo first. The game does not work well on Vista or Windows 7. You will get a frame rate of about 7 to 9 frames a second. It's a well documented problem if you check around on Steam or other  forums. I would buy it too if it worked better on 7.

SEIV is supposed to have better AI than SEV.

I'd like to third or fourth the suggestion of trying out IV over V. SE: V was ambitious, but it was also plagued with bugs, somewhat faulty mechanics, and some balance issues. And the worst UI I've ever seen in a 4x title. All in all, IV is still a sleeker, cleaner and more user-friendly title with solid mechanics.

Not that V is all bad. I appreciate a lot of the ideas like system supplies, hex grids, the scanner revamp, and the changes to research.

Root around for a demo for either game, and see which you like better.

But damn, that Interface....

If you end up not liking Space Empires V, you could always try Sword of the Stars.

Get Distant Worlds instead. By far the best 4X game at the moment.

I loved SEIV but never enjoyed SEV. I played the SEIV Star Trek mod a lot.

Another vote for Sword of the Stars.  I am really enjoying it.

Hey thanks. Still haven't been able to find SEIV, but do have the SEV demo. I am currently sweating my way through the microscopic text. It looks like there is a LOT of attention to detail, and to micromanagement. If it's more micro than Dominions, I might have to pass.

What strikes me as particularly bizarre is that during the tutorial, in which, obviously, nothing happens, I never get more than 6 fps!! I cannot imagine the cause for that, my machine runs fairly demanding games without a problem. It inhibits scrolling, which I have to do a lot of.

If I find SEIV at a price similar in price to the copy of SEV, I will surely pick it up, you can't cry over 6 euros.

Yep, thats exactly why SE IV is way better than SE V. It has some bugs too, like integer overflows in some places, but overall it is very stable since its sprites-based instead of 3D.

Seems to be most stable in a windowed mode; but sadly, I cannot find a way to readjust the window (make it larger), and it's just too small to play in windowed mode. Odd!