CTP vs. SMAC - Alpha Centauri Forums

  Alpha Centauri Forums
  The Game
  CTP vs. SMAC

profile | register | prefs | faq | search

Author Topic:   CTP vs. SMAC

lucifer posted 07-07-99 10:55 PM ET
I was thinking about buying CTP, but I wanted to know what other people thought of it before I did. So, to get to the point, my main questions about it are:
1)Is it better than(I don't see how that could be possible, but i still wonder), as good, or worse than SMAC and why?
2)What does it have that SMAC doesn't?
3)Is it too much like Civ2 or is it an actual sequal(I hope that's how you spell it) like SMAC?
4)What percentage rating would you give it and why?
I'm not trying to be demanding and say, "You have to answer these questions if you respond." I'm just trying to give you a few ideas on what I was questioning about the game. Thanx to all who reply
OldWarrior_42 posted 07-07-99 11:07 PM ET
Lucifer... I would be happy to sell you my copy. (I hope that doesnt give it away as to the quality, doh)
OldWarrior_42 posted 07-07-99 11:07 PM ET

JayPegg posted 07-07-99 11:38 PM ET
I will offer two choices for your answer, 1)swearing at the product when I relised all it was doing was taking up space on my hard drive or 2) a kinder gentler version.
1)**** you! See you in **** you ******* piece of ****. I hope you crawl back to that ******* pile of **** you call ******* home you ******* product! die you ******* **** bucket! die!
2)-soud of jay clicking on uninstall and breaking the cd it tiny shards and starting up SMAC -
googlie posted 07-07-99 11:55 PM ET
Lucifer:
Over at Apolyton.net there's a huge family of CtPers, but there are also some good old threads (you'll have to set your post search to 100 days) re SMAC vs. CtP
I bought CtP, installed the Celestial Dawn patch, downloaded the CtP patch, and played it a few times. The game is terribly unbalanced, even with the patches. As a result I just don't play it anymore. I don't find it fun.
But thousands do. Read the threads over there and form your own conclusions.
G.
jimmytrick posted 07-08-99 12:00 AM ET
Based on the reviews from people herein, my copy of CtP is still in shrink wrap. It is destined to become a Christmas present for my cousin
But, I am thinking hard about Test of Time. I would like to hear from youse guys on that one. [due in september]
googlie posted 07-08-99 03:25 AM ET
jimmytrick:
Again, pop over to Apolyton.net, and click on the civII series of topics, on CivII Test of Time
They've even got one of the lead game designers posting every other day or so on various tweaks/enhancements etc.
Lokks like a winner (but of course so did CtP before it hit the shelves )
Googlie
Resource Consumer posted 07-08-99 04:24 AM ET
Lucifer,
Buy CtP?
Don't even think about it. I did and look what it's done to me.
Save your money.
1001100110001 posted 07-08-99 11:08 AM ET
1. SMAC is better: eaiser to play with, better balance, nicer interface, better techs, better wonders, list continues...
2. Bad balance, better music and sound, brighter graphics, Earth doesn't fight back with voracious mindworms.
3. N/A. Sequel? no. Too much like Civ2? no. It's so different from either that it plain stinks.
4. SMAC=93%. CTP=79%
I got SMAC when it came out in January. I'm still playing it, albeit not as much.
I got CTP last month. I'm not playing it anymore, even with the patches.
Freddz posted 07-08-99 11:18 AM ET
I think SMAC is better, but not by much, since SMAC is so damn like Civ 2. CTP is actually more of a new game. I can say it more like this: if you can stand some of the geeky units, well, consider buying it. And, give the interface a chance if you buy it, it isn't nearly as bad as it seems right at the start.
If you want a closer comparison, go look in my thread: "Firaxis merges with Activision!". I think it's down here in this game forum somewhere. A few guys thought that comparison pretty good.
Purple posted 07-08-99 04:52 PM ET
I'm still playing both SMAC and CTP, although the latter is more like work than play.
SMAC is definitely the superior game--everything seems to fit. I expected to be put off by the SF setting (hard to relate to nonexistent technologies compared to the historical setting of Civ), but the logical system of advances and units made it more accessible and enjoyable.
CTP seems like it's designed by committee: a lot of good ideas pasted together. The interface is a huge stumbling block at first, but as you learn it, it becomes merely tedious and awkward. Carpal tunnel syndrome is definitely a hazard. Despite all its shortcomings, however, I find myself morbidly fascinated with it and keep going back, hoping to like it better.
Play the SMAC demo to get a shallow dip into the depth of the game. CTP has promised a demo, but so far it hasn't appeared.
To close this thread, click here (moderator or admin only).


Hop to:

Contact Us | Alpha Centauri Home

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Version 5.18
© Madrona Park, Inc., 1998.

Author	Topic: CTP vs. SMAC
lucifer	posted 07-07-99 10:55 PM ET I was thinking about buying CTP, but I wanted to know what other people thought of it before I did. So, to get to the point, my main questions about it are: 1)Is it better than(I don't see how that could be possible, but i still wonder), as good, or worse than SMAC and why? 2)What does it have that SMAC doesn't? 3)Is it too much like Civ2 or is it an actual sequal(I hope that's how you spell it) like SMAC? 4)What percentage rating would you give it and why? I'm not trying to be demanding and say, "You have to answer these questions if you respond." I'm just trying to give you a few ideas on what I was questioning about the game. Thanx to all who reply
OldWarrior_42	posted 07-07-99 11:07 PM ET Lucifer... I would be happy to sell you my copy. (I hope that doesnt give it away as to the quality, doh)
OldWarrior_42	posted 07-07-99 11:07 PM ET
JayPegg	posted 07-07-99 11:38 PM ET I will offer two choices for your answer, 1)swearing at the product when I relised all it was doing was taking up space on my hard drive or 2) a kinder gentler version. 1)** you! See you in you *** piece of . I hope you crawl back to that *** pile of you call *** home you *** product! die you *** ** bucket! die! 2)-soud of jay clicking on uninstall and breaking the cd it tiny shards and starting up SMAC -
googlie	posted 07-07-99 11:55 PM ET Lucifer: Over at Apolyton.net there's a huge family of CtPers, but there are also some good old threads (you'll have to set your post search to 100 days) re SMAC vs. CtP I bought CtP, installed the Celestial Dawn patch, downloaded the CtP patch, and played it a few times. The game is terribly unbalanced, even with the patches. As a result I just don't play it anymore. I don't find it fun. But thousands do. Read the threads over there and form your own conclusions. G.
jimmytrick	posted 07-08-99 12:00 AM ET Based on the reviews from people herein, my copy of CtP is still in shrink wrap. It is destined to become a Christmas present for my cousin But, I am thinking hard about Test of Time. I would like to hear from youse guys on that one. [due in september]
googlie	posted 07-08-99 03:25 AM ET jimmytrick: Again, pop over to Apolyton.net, and click on the civII series of topics, on CivII Test of Time They've even got one of the lead game designers posting every other day or so on various tweaks/enhancements etc. Lokks like a winner (but of course so did CtP before it hit the shelves ) Googlie
Resource Consumer	posted 07-08-99 04:24 AM ET Lucifer, Buy CtP? Don't even think about it. I did and look what it's done to me. Save your money.
1001100110001	posted 07-08-99 11:08 AM ET 1. SMAC is better: eaiser to play with, better balance, nicer interface, better techs, better wonders, list continues... 2. Bad balance, better music and sound, brighter graphics, Earth doesn't fight back with voracious mindworms. 3. N/A. Sequel? no. Too much like Civ2? no. It's so different from either that it plain stinks. 4. SMAC=93%. CTP=79% I got SMAC when it came out in January. I'm still playing it, albeit not as much. I got CTP last month. I'm not playing it anymore, even with the patches.
Freddz	posted 07-08-99 11:18 AM ET I think SMAC is better, but not by much, since SMAC is so damn like Civ 2. CTP is actually more of a new game. I can say it more like this: if you can stand some of the geeky units, well, consider buying it. And, give the interface a chance if you buy it, it isn't nearly as bad as it seems right at the start. If you want a closer comparison, go look in my thread: "Firaxis merges with Activision!". I think it's down here in this game forum somewhere. A few guys thought that comparison pretty good.
Purple	posted 07-08-99 04:52 PM ET I'm still playing both SMAC and CTP, although the latter is more like work than play. SMAC is definitely the superior game--everything seems to fit. I expected to be put off by the SF setting (hard to relate to nonexistent technologies compared to the historical setting of Civ), but the logical system of advances and units made it more accessible and enjoyable. CTP seems like it's designed by committee: a lot of good ideas pasted together. The interface is a huge stumbling block at first, but as you learn it, it becomes merely tedious and awkward. Carpal tunnel syndrome is definitely a hazard. Despite all its shortcomings, however, I find myself morbidly fascinated with it and keep going back, hoping to like it better. Play the SMAC demo to get a shallow dip into the depth of the game. CTP has promised a demo, but so far it hasn't appeared.