The 4X genre is a personal favorite, and I've played many, many different 4X games. I've played most all of the space 4X games out there. I have spent hundreds of hours on them, and I've learned what makes them deep, engaging, meaningful, memorable, and fun. Distant Worlds Universe tops my list of favorites. The graphics are 2D, and fairly simple. The user interface is complex. The learning curve is very steep. Planet management is a bit lighter and less involved than other space 4X games. Why then do I put it at the #1 spot? I have a lot of reasons. Grand Scale. Galaxies can have up to 1500 stars, each with their own system of planets, asteroid fields, resources, ancient artifacts, ruins, and the occasional primitive civilization. Sprinkled between those stars are anomalies, space monsters, abandoned star bases, derelict ships (which you can repair or salvage for research), a rich history of a galactic war that happened centuries ago, and a looming threat of the return of a savage species. Control Customization. You can take full control and micromanage every little detail throughout the game. Or, you can handle a single starship flying around the galaxy while the AI handles everything else in your empire. Or anything in between. Heroes. Leaders, ship captains, fleet admirals, planet governors, scientists, spies, ambassadors. Each with their own set of perks and drawbacks. Espionage. Distant Worlds Universe has the most involved, compelling, and choice-rich espionage system of any space 4X. Each mission requires that you send one of your hero spies (no nameless, disposeable spies in this game!), and a mission failure is a very real loss. Ship Design. Scientific Research. Exploration. Combat. Race variety. Diplomacy. Resource mining/management. Planet-destroying super weapons. Fuel management. Race-unique win conditions. This game is a dream for those who love this genre. Buy this game. Play it. Love it.
When I attempt to download this DLC, I get a 403--Forbidden page.
