Distant Worlds 2 is, ultimately, a game that it’s crucial that you meet in the middle.
Consequently, it’s one that I can only partially recommend.
But I really do recommend it for that part.
I owe you all an apology, in fact.
That in itself gives us a positive angle to start with, at least.
But too often, in its present state, its problems are things only its developers can fix.
For the record, I’ve apparently been lucky.
Codeforce have been patching issues steadily since release, and there’s little doubt that much will continue.
Above all, there isn’t enough clarity in where your money’s actually coming from.
The notifications in particular need work.
There are tools to filter messages, but they’re all or nothing.
Because I have no more idea than you do where Braka 2 even is.
Braka 2 doesn’t exist, in fact.
I just stopped paying attention to most place names hundreds of messages ago.
Finding things can be a chore.
There are no search options for DW2’s hundreds of planets.
The dynamic icons at the bottom of the screen, meanwhile, aretoodynamic.
Zoom into a star system and any planets and starbases there appear at the bottom, which is great.
You see what I mean?
Here’s an example.
The tools are there, is the thing.
The idea isn’t to have the game play itself, but to give guidelines for the AI.
The private economy is a clue, really.
I failed to do this for ages because I hate taking losses.
But you’re gonna wanna accept them.
Your fleet of 15,000 strength might struggle against one of 13,000 strength because your pilots were idiots.
But rather than micromanage the fight, you should build redundancy into the system.
High level solutions to compensate for low level shortcomings.
And the more you do so, the more gratifying it becomes.
Sure, that sounds like trouble.
Good idea, assistants!
I permit an investigation.
This is what leadership is, sometimes.
It’s not coming up with all the ideas yourself, it’s evaluating them.
DW2 is about that, too.
you’re able to control everything, but outside the early stages, you shouldn’t.
It’s better to prioritise, to focus on what you want to set up right now.
Perhaps it’s that new colony in the nebula.
Perhaps it’s time you reorganised your home fleet composition.
Perhaps you’re concerned the Boskara will invade, so it’s time to fix your sensor web link.
Why should you deal with that?
Youcan, but it’s better to supervise a little, then step back.
The little pioneer must become a governor, then an emperor, and must leave pioneerish things behind.
And onthatbasis… it needs another draft, but I’m still enjoying it.
If you were hoping for a revolution, it isn’t here.
But it is a considerably improved update of Distant Worlds, and frankly has no direct competition.
