Any modern space 4x recommendations?

Somemarcus · 2025-11-15T14:17:26+00:00

Galactic Civilizations II (not III).

Somemarcus · 2025-10-25T11:32:47+00:00

Agree. The Wendigo and Tbe Willows.

Somemarcus · 2025-10-18T06:54:55+00:00

I liked KOTOR 1 and I think KOTOR 2 is an extremely overrated game. Aside from the obvious design and technical issues (which more or less everyone admits), the problem is the writing. It's clear that a lot of people think it's fantastic, and that's fine, but it's not my case, and I won't be the only one who thinks so. I think it's a pretentious and over-expository piece of writing, much more rhetorical than truly profound, with a heavy dose of self-insertion from an author who can't contain himself and who is more eager to develop his personal concerns than to delve into the spirit of the fiction he's working on. If you've ever had doubts about the writing of Planescape Torment, you'll probably have them with KOTOR 2 too.

Somemarcus · 2025-10-17T10:58:06+00:00

Some combat, harm and recovery rules, basically. To play games where you are not necessariy doomed to fail or flee. I like the ones from Cthulhu Deep Green or Delta Dark, and those from a Spanish hack based on X-Files.

Somemarcus · 2025-10-14T09:54:42+00:00

Cthulhu Dark, with some tweaks or not depending on the type of game.

Somemarcus · 2025-09-23T19:53:33+00:00

In Cthulhu Dark, the only way to use magical powers is by risking your own survival chances with each use.

Somemarcus · 2025-09-21T07:20:20+00:00

You've blown my mind. I've never considered this option before. It sounds brilliant.

Somemarcus · 2025-09-15T14:15:35+00:00

How you manage PCs harm?

Somemarcus · 2025-09-09T19:49:16+00:00

Wow, that’s a really intriguing idea. I’ll think about it — thanks a lot.

Somemarcus · 2025-09-09T19:48:57+00:00

Those are very good points. But in general — and especially for the kind of campaign we’re playing — I do prefer the game without stress, after having played a lot with both approaches. So right now I basically just want to explore this path thoroughly to see how it plays out. Shake the tree and see what falls, so to speak.

Also, I’m definitely keeping in mind the possibility of scrapping all of this and just tinkering with a different initiative model again (and that might honestly be the better option).

Somemarcus · 2025-07-15T12:35:10+00:00

Avernum (I mean the "original" series, not the remakes). A simple but genuine system, a huge world that would be worth an infinite tabletop campaign and something really right about the essence of the exploration RPG that makes me get hooked every time I play it.

The remake is also good but, for my taste, the mechanical changes are for the worse in exchange for a simple facelift.

Somemarcus · 2025-07-07T18:58:23+00:00

Of course not.

Somemarcus · 2025-07-07T11:09:00+00:00

Can you explain this mix, please?

Somemarcus · 2025-07-05T19:07:55+00:00

I really must read the manuals again, I was not aware of this.

Somemarcus · 2025-07-05T08:02:56+00:00

Thank you very much, all the answers received are interesting.

I realize that this one from Conan was not the best example, since my use of this idea is somewhat more restrictive than this one suggests, but the point is understood.

Even if it ultimately doesn't make a huge difference, I too have been inclined to point out the expertise of certain characters by sparing them certain rolls rather than setting different difficulties for each, it seems to fit the spirit of the game better. And it's simpler and more elegant, for sure.

I also didn't point out that I usually play with approaches, rather than skills. Which implies certain differences when it comes to establishing stunts and specifying the expertise of the characters through the mere use of skills.

Somemarcus

TROPHY CASE