What a nice little gem! I had never played any of the Space Empire series until I saw them on sale for a few bucks. I loved MoO2 and other turn based space games so for a few bucks, why not give these games a shot. To my surprise, this game has a lot of good things going for it. Enough so that I found myself looking beyond the horribly outdated 2D graphics and enjoying several hours of non-stop fun. If you like micro managing a space empire in a turn based environment, give this a shot. I prefer this to Space Empires V because it runs a lot smoother, faster and frankly the 2d graphics of this one beat the chunky 3D of SE5 by a longshot. Tons of good mods out there too... too bad most of them aren't finished because they all went to SE5. Ship design, planet structures, tech trees, star destroying... it's all here folks.

It's a good thing I'm not married because this game could be considered legitimate grounds for divorce. It's the best game in its genre I've seen in a long time. Space Empires IV has a lot going for it, not the least of which is its underdog status. The publisher, Shrapnel Games, is a small little outfit that sells quality niche strategy and wargames exclusively online. Even more remarkably, the "developer" of this game, Malfador Machinations, is essentially one guy (Aaron Hall), programming the game in his spare time, after his regular job. Flipping through the credits you can see there's a couple others that helped out with some art and programming, and about thirty (!) people credited for playtesting, with nary an executive producer in sight. Certainly makes you think about the way they do some things in this industry, doesn't it?

I, personally, prefer this to SE:V. The game comes much less buggy and doesn't really need mods to fix it like the fifth did, aside from maybe an AI tweak. The 2d interface also feels more informative and homely and the tech tree doesn't have any of the 1% performance increase per level nonsense

As for the game itself, it is a pretty great 4X, having a good deal of complexity and depth whilst still being easy enough to learn and understand. The ship design screen allows you to optimise ships to your liking, which opens up some interesting strategies in combination with the turn-based tactical battles. Diplomacy is lacking in comparison to the fifth, but on it's own is adequate to add a lot of intrigue to dealing with other races.

A true classic!

The graphics are, to be polite, functional. Dated could also describe them. They are, however, clear.

The graphics are not the selling point of this game, however. That lies in the deep gameplay, extensive research tree, the ship design process, and huge array of options.

As a 4x space game, I have never played better. Sword of the Stars comes close, and is better in some ways (especially graphics), but I find SE4 to be a bit more involved and fulfilling.

If you enjoyed empire building games in the past won't be disappointed by what Space Empires IV offers. You get it all - a massive galactic map ready to be explored and conquered, planets to colonize and exploit, completely customizable ship designs, and alien races trying to expand their influence.

Space Empire IV also has a ship designer, which allows you to run combat simulations with your prototypes and the alien ships, helping you to refine your designs to best meet the alien threat. There is plenty of flexibility in those designs too, because Space Empires IV has an extensive technology tree with a vast array of weapon options available.

Overall a great space conquest turn based strategy game. Very flexible play style, with lots of player created content as well.

I fully agree with the 2 reviews above. SE4 is a classic game by modern standards. Meaning it is playable but looks like a museum piece. To the enthusiast however, this game is a true jewel, thanks to the modding capability. But others will prefer more polished competitors.

Space Empires Four was released almost a full decade ago. However even though it is now what I would consider an 'ancient' game it still stands out as a classic of the genre and a masterpiece of its time. It has the largest tech tree I've ever seen in a 4x game and sports an undeniable level of nostalgic charm. To boot the game can be customised and modified with ease. I would hesitate to recommend this game to most people even though I like it because it is quite dated.

PROS:

- Classic old game

- Massive tech tree

- Can be customised and modified with relative ease

CONS:

- Somewhat weak AI

- Dated graphics [lack charm]

An underrated gem.

If you're searching for modern 3d graphics with explosions and particle physics, prepare to be sorely disappointed. However, if you're looking to satisfy your inner megalomaniac, look no further.

Space Empires 4 allows you to control all facets of your fully customisable race and expand from a single homeworld to a vast galactic empire.

You are responsible for everything from research and ship design to exploration and warfare.

Technology choices allow you to build ships, starbases, troops, fighters, weapons platforms etc. etc. each can be tailored for your own style of play with a variety of weapons, armour, shields and other exotic components such as cloaking systems with varying strengths and weaknesses.

A new weapon can change the tides of war in an instant, to keep your edge you must research counters to enemy technology. You can also deconstruct and analyse enemy ships, but doing so will cost you a valuable vessel that might be needed on the front line.

The intelligence system allows you to steal technology, sabotage enemy ships, planets and facilites, incite rebellions on planets or mutinies on ships.

Do you conquer an enemy planet with troops? destroy everything on the surface with a bombardment from space? kill the population with a virus or neutron bomb and capture all facilities intact? or blockade the planet and deal with the enemy through the games diplomacy system? There is no right way to play, it's entirely up to you.

The game really shines in multiplayer, a human opponent always provides a more interesting challenge and with several players in a game alliances and scheming become even more important.

A multiplayer game can be played on a single machine through the hotseat option if needed.

Also worth mention are the numerous mods available, and the ease with which you can mod the game yourself. Most of the files in the game can be accessed with notpad and are laid out with the modder in mind.

The game is not without its flaws: The AI is not the smartest by any means, the graphics are basic and the general look of the game gives it a 'spreadsheet' feel.

At this price I can only recommend this game to anyone not put off by the basic graphics and sound. The low requirements also allow play on the vast majority of machines that would struggle with other games.