--added by markg---
You can now post your GalCiv review in the Directory!
Feel free to include the Yin formula score below or just post your opinion
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I developed a similar scheme to the one below for reviewing Civ3 months ago. To my way of thinking, you need only to look at the Gamespot score for GalCiv to see that in Gameplay, Value and Tilt all got 9's, but since sound and graphics were rated lower, the final score is just 8.4.
Well, what if sound and graphics don't really matter to you? What if what you *really* want is great gameplay and value? Well, then, *your* score of the game would be much higher.
In that spirit, I offer you
Yin's Incredible GalCiv Rating Machine! Just select the answers below that matches most closely how you feel on various parts of gaming. Keep a running score. At the end, you'll be magically told whether or not GalCiv is going to be your cup of inter-galactic tea!
Please post your results and tell me how full of B.S. (or how right on target) I am.
[Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only. Neither Yin Co. or its subsidiaries, wholly or partially owned, bear any responsibility for your decisions regarding a purchase of GalCiv!]
AI:
[-2] I don't really like a challenge in my games. I play to win -- easily-- without having to invest time in analyzing all the nuances and such..
[-1] I am not a hard-core gamer in this respect and would likely find even lower-level AI just fine.
[0] A game's AI is important, but as long as it's adequate to challenge me for a few weeks, that's fine.
[+1] A strong AI is crucial, though I know well that eventually I'll find ways to beat it.
[+2] I want an AI that will continue to crush me no matter what human strategies evolve over the next several months.
STRATEGY/TACTICS
[-2] If I can't outfit my ships and control the tactical playing field, I don't see the point.
[-1] I like strategic thinking but also want the challenge of tactics brought to bear.
[0] I'm content to take whatever the designers give me with no real preference for strategic v. tactical demands.
[+1] I'd really rather not bother with tactical considerations that involve great investments in time to, for example, outfit my ships or control them minutely in battle. Rather, let me focus on the bigger strategic picture.
[+2] I want it all! Superb strategy AND superb tactical options.
INTERFACE
[-2] An interface that requires more than a click or two isn't worth using.
[-1] If there are more than a few extra clicks involved where they needn't be, I'd likely become annoyed over time.
[0] As long as I can figure it out, I'm fine.
[+1] I willing to work through a few annoyances, but the overall UI experience needs to be one in which I have quick access to the information/buttons that matter most to gameplay.
[+2] I need a UI that never makes me search for anything.
GRAPHICS
[-2] I have the latest video card for a reason.
[-1] I can put up with dated graphics, but it will certainly drop my interest level no matter what.
[0] Clean graphics are all I need.
[+1] I enjoy some nice eye candy, but as long as the graphics don't hinder gameplay, I'm happy.
[+2] The graphics should completely immerse me in the experience, almost as if I were there!
SOUND/MUSIC
[-2] I have a killer 5+1 speaker system for a reason.
[-1] Weak approximations of sounds and repeating tracks annoy me to some degree.
[0] Serviceable is fine.
[+1] I need at least some decent sounds/music in my games, though eventually I'd probably play my own music.
[+2] I'd like the sounds and music to be so good that I'd almost play the game for no other reason but to hear them!
MULTI-PLAYER
[-2] Without it, count me out.
[-1] I'd give it a try without multiplayer, but I'd likely stop playing soon in any event
[0] I just want to play!
[+1] If the AI is good enough, I could care less about multiplayer.
[+2] The AI and multiplayer experience should be equally strong, so much so you can hardly tell the two experiences apart.
PACING
[-2] I don't think turn-based games will ever achieve the pacing I need.
[-1] If I discipline myself, I can work through the slow parts, but it is something of a burden.
[0] A mix of slow and fast-paced moments is fine.
[+1] I like most every turn to involve an important decision of some kind, though I understand there will be stretches of build up between tense action.
[+2] Each and every turn should keep me on the edge of my seat!
BUGS/SUPPORT
[-2] Computer gaming companies should be held accountable for supporting their games, and I'll return a game at the first sign of a problem in this area. Further, I refuse to download large fixes or updates.
[-1] When I see a bug or lacking content that I feel should have been included, I give the developer a few weeks to fix it, though it annoys me to have to download this stuff after I've already paid my money. In the end, if the process drags, I move on.
[0] All games have bugs and lacking features to some degree or another.
[+1] I want the out-of-the-box experience to be as problem-free and complete as possible, but I also expect the developer to address problems and periodically release fresh content at no charge in a timely manner over some weeks and months.
[+2] Great games should not only have *no* bugs, but the subsequently released updates should make the gaming experience as new and exciting as the first few days of play!
_____
[-16 to -9]: Run, don't walk from GalCiv. In fact, strongly consider dropping your interest in this genre (and maybe computer games in general) because it obviously causes you too many hard feelings when things don't match your expectations.
[-8 to -2]: GalCiv will have just enough annoyances to you that there's a good chance its place on your computer will be short. At times it will be an enjoyable experience, but at other times you'll have a sinking feeling that you should have spent your money on something else.
[-1 to +1]: GalCiv will neither disappoint nor inspire you. Chances are you'll have it on your hard drive a good long while, but you won't find yourself particular eager to load it up each day, and other games will increasingly take more of your time. No harm no foul.
[+2 to +14]: Congratulations! GalCiv is absolutely bound to be a wonderful experience for you. No doubt you will be playing this game and enjoying the updates for months and months. While it might be too early to say, there's every reason to believe you'll be using "GalCiv" in your conversations years from now just like you might now with
MOO 1 and 2.
[+15 to +16]: Please sell me a ticket to the planet you live on! In your world, game developers are Uber Gods capable of programming stuff that's barely below the Essence of Life itself...
as I imaginated...
