TDG: Space Empires 4X 

Oh the horror of un-clipped corners!!! THE HORROR!!! :P

Just bought this and combat commander europe. Never did I think I would be transitioning from plastic minis to chits. But here I am. This review change my mind thanks Cody

Very well explained, big thanks to you good sir..greets from germany

I recommend that you use the rule where you have to go back to upgrade your ships. It gives the game a much more gritty feel, and there are more agonizing choices. I also think that it slows down the leader a bit. Space Empires 4X won't hit my table as often as Eclipse, because my non-wargame friends LIKE Eclipse. ;-D Warm regards, Rick.

Solid review, and it is a good wargame. My heart, however, still belongs to the grandfather of 4X games: Stellar Conquest. Some of the bigger differences? * Fixed game length (44 turns), fixed spectral class star hex map * Random card draws to determine useful planets in orbit around the star (1 or more colonizable planets) * Fewer ship types (colony, scout, fighter, corvette, death star), d6 based combat table of attacking unit type vs defending unit type (no attack order letters) * Movement must be direct path star-to-star, instant upgrade tech (since counters don't have unit designations to differentiate, but people house rule no upgrading automatically - the units have nothing but a picture, a ship type name, and a number representing how many of that ship are stacked together... so Colony 20 is a colony ship that is carrying 20 population to plop off at a new homeworld, while Deathstar 3 is a fleet of 3 Deathstars... or Dreadnaughts, depending on the version you play) * 3 tech tracks (one for ship movement, one for ships and colony defenses - which include missile bases and planetary shields, and one for other stuff like being able move freely in deep space or build factories or colonize barren worlds) * Planets/colonies are mineral rich and boost Industrial Production (IPs) * 70s/80s graphics and production quality (still a mounted board, but two bifold rather than one quadfold board) * Play style changes with player count (more players means more clashing and conflict unless you artificially restrict the board, 2 players means low conflict, and 3 players means someone will most likely get sandwiched and be in trouble unless it is a peaceful game). * ...and the biggest factor is that victory is based on how many Terran and Subterran worlds you control at the end of the game. That last point is a big one. It means Stellar Conquest is a civilization game while Space Empires 4X's "win by killing a foe" is definitely in the wargame genre instead. Wargames aren't my wife's cup of tea, so I'm waiting for the new solo stuff in the next expansion before this gets play. I was disappointed that the scenarios didn't change the victory condition, and I may house rule this someday (after getting some play experience with the system). Still, if you have not yet tried this classic out and aren't scared of a bit of extra book keeping and the notion that players might develop planetary shields to make unassailable colonies, you need to get a used copy (they are surprisingly affordable and available) and give it a try. It does run a bit longer though (maybe up to twice as long, so in TI3 category of play time). Oh, as to the neat combat, have you ever tried 7 Ages? I don't think its diceless combat system would work here, but it is neat. Essentially all units for an empire have two values (players control multiple empires to earn them glory, discarding them when they aren't glorious enough for them any more - anywhere from 2 to 7 empires per player depending on player count). The first value is front-line combat strength, the second value is ranged (back-/support-line) combat strength. Players secretly allocate units 1 to front line, 1 to back line, 1 to front line, 1 to back, etc for 1 to total units available from their "reserves" (units in the battle). Draw a card, add that number, and highest value wins; ties mean both sides are wiped out. A Tactician leader means you survive ties, a Strategy leader means you get to draw 2 cards and choose the value you want to use. Surviving units go to spent units. Once all units are spent, you get a disordered token and put the spent units into your reserves. A unit can retreat once a foe is disordered. For each disordered token, an attacker gets to count extra attack from a unit. Basically, its all about mitigated luck from card draws and committing sufficient troops, and then reading an opponent and knowing when and with how many to attack with. Its an awesome combat system, but horrible for solo play. (Check you Callasmar's - AKA The Lonesome Gamers - videos on this if you are curious to see how it plays. Its my favorite Civ Game, but its hard to find people willing to commit to playing it.) All this said, just because I find the other two games better in some way doesn't mean SE4X is a bad game - its an awesome game that I think most will prefer to the two I mentioned, but my tastes and my wife's play style means the other two are more likely to get to the table. Now to see if I can find anyone who did any play review with the first expansion...

This is one of the best 4x games that go under the radar for so many people due to its bland presentation. So many players are enamored by minis these days.

There's a jazz for everyone, Cody. you'll find yours. Now i have to find Space Empires! great review!

Have you heard of the variant where you win by destroying the home world of the person on your left (or right)? That way you have one person you are attacking and another person you're defending against and there isn't a ganging up concern.

That was helpful for me. I've had this one on my wish list and while it does sound as good as I expected, I think I won't be adding it to my collection. The war game aspect does appeal to me but I'm trying to limit my inventory. I play TI3 regularly, I have Exodus Event Horizon on the shelf and unplayed and Sandy Petersen is designing a 4X space game as well. I'd like to try this one out for sure but it'll be someone else's copy. Thanks Cody!

Oh! I see you finally figured out what was lacking in this game: a good Jazz player! This game is my favorite game of all times. I remember being frightened by the bookeeping years ago but once I tamed this beast fear turned into lifetime love. My collection is almost 500 games now and this one is still the one I like the most. Once you add the expansion there is no going back, it adds so many cool things to the game I can't recommend it enough. It is THAT good. I hope you try it soon. Very good Jazz session by the way (sure, the review in between was nice too).

I don't think I'm going to buy this game, but that has to be some of the best box art of all time.

I haven't played SE4X yet, but from watching your video, (at 5:28) it appears that the grouping used for combat based upon alpha designation is the same system used by Columbia Games for their block wargames. Except I don't know which came first.

Just found and watched this one. I hope you covered the Close Encounters expansion. Need to check.

Best review of this game! Thank you :)

This game looks excellent! Yet another game on my "To Buy" list... my wife is not going to be happy.

Speaking about 4x, how would you compare SE4X with Star Trek Ascendancy?

Excellent review.

I dont know if you mentioned it but whats the play time for 2 players once you know what you are doing?

How long is a game for 2 or 3 players?

First of all Thank you, because i discovered this beautiful game and Talon as you were so strongly recommending them. Just a question: i find difficult sometimes to bring this one to the table because of its lenghts. What variant do you suggest? Auto-update of the ships plus victory condition 2 enemy colonies? mainly we player 2 players. Thanks a lot and good luck with your phd.. is this one of those that you'll bring with you?

Just out of curiosity, did you ever get around to trying Close Encounters or the much newer Replicators for Space Empires 4x?

I just ordered this and glanced through the rulebook on BGG. The big info that seemed to be missing in there was setup instructions, and most importantly, HOW TO WIN. I found it very odd that they would bury the lede like that. Could you explain the victory conditions you are aiming for? Is the system 100% scenario-based or is there a default game mode?

Apologies if this is answered later in the review (I'm only half way through so will correct if this is addressed) but how is the game as a solitaire game? Would you say it's worth it as a solo experience?

Jazz: Music for people who don't like music.

It was a must-buy for me if there wasn't pencil and paper need for tracking stats..

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T LIKE THE UTAH JAZZ ANYMORE?!

does this game have any association with the video game?

If you're looking for a game that's "kooky" I guess this is it.

I had o idea you were good at Sax...

1) what happened to R2-D2?; 2) You really weren't trying to blow your own horn were you? 3) The horn does give you a Clinton-esq sense of appeal!; 4) I always thought you had a family friendly channel, now you are showing sax and and talking chits...

You lost me at "Bookkeeping Phase" lol

This game looks a bit outdated , scary and lots of booking games. I dont think it is under rated its just super nitch.

Stop saying 'kooky'!

Ugh. Fiddly, gamey, block-game done wrong in a setting where the block-game mechanic makes no sense. You can't build more of this ship type. Why, because I have too many? No, because you have them in too many places! What?!