Space Empires IV Deluxe

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Space Empires IV Deluxe is a single player and multiplayer turn-based strategy game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Malfador Machinations and was released on February 7, 2006. It received positive reviews from players.

Space Empires IV Deluxe is a turn-based strategy game that allows players to build their own space empire. Design and build ships, colonize planets, exploit resources, and engage in tactical combat in a vast and dynamic universe. The deluxe edition includes enhanced graphics, additional races, and new gameplay features for an improved space empire-building experience.

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 191 reviews

graphics8 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

Deep and complex gameplay with extensive customization options for ships and empires.
High replayability due to a vast tech tree and the ability to create unique strategies.
Strong modding community that enhances the game experience with various mods and custom content.

Outdated graphics and clunky user interface that can be frustrating for new players.
AI is often weak and predictable, leading to a lack of challenge in single-player mode.
Steep learning curve with a poor tutorial that makes it difficult for newcomers to grasp the mechanics.

graphics
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
70%
13%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s aesthetics, with many users noting their simplicity and minimalism. While the visuals may deter some players, particularly those accustomed to modern graphics, many reviewers emphasize that the deep gameplay and replayability more than compensate for the dated presentation. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics are not a strong point, they do not significantly detract from the enjoyment of the game for those who appreciate its core mechanics.
- “The graphics are simple, but I find that more of a help than a hindrance in this sort of game.”
- “While this game is old, with limited graphics, it is still a great game for managing the various aspects of a space empire.”
- “The retro graphics charm (see screenshot 3 on the store page)”
- “The graphics scream out 'late 90s' but then it was an indie game from shortly after that time period so that shouldn't be too surprising.”
- “Its graphics are poor, and showing its age there is a lot of text-based menus, and yet it remains quite fun.”
- “And the graphics are really startlingly bad in places.”
gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
70%
13%
The gameplay of the game is praised for its depth and complexity, offering a variety of mechanics that allow for extensive customization and unique play styles, making each session feel distinct. While the user interface and graphics are considered dated, the robust mechanics and replayability keep players engaged, appealing particularly to those who enjoy intricate micromanagement and strategic gameplay. However, the steep learning curve and lack of modern quality-of-life features may deter players seeking a more streamlined experience.
- “The rate of gameplay is quick enough that you can pick up and play in seconds.”
- “Possibilities in this game are so vast that, to this day, I am sure I could find a new mechanic or research I haven't tried yet, and every game is different from the last one you played.”
- “It's one of the most in-depth 4X games, and has some cool mechanics that set it apart from many other games.”
- “Due to the UI and micromanagement involved, it might not appeal to people who prefer more streamlined, user-friendly 4X games... but if you're looking for something with a crunchy core of gameplay and are willing to overlook the dated visuals/presentation, SE4 will satisfy you plenty.”
- “I am sure the game has solid mechanics based on the reviews, but the limitation in not being able to set the resolution creates a quality of life issue that just isn't worth fighting with when there are other 4X options out there.”
- “If you want to experience a better game in terms of gameplay and are okay with outdated graphics and a 2D view, pick SE IV over SE V.”
replayability
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
43%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with users highlighting its enduring appeal even after nearly two decades. While the graphics may not impress, the engaging gameplay and variety of experiences ensure that players can enjoy it repeatedly. Despite some minor drawbacks, such as tedious startup screens, the overall consensus is that the game offers near-infinite replay value.
- “Infinite replayability.”
- “Still has great replay value even after almost 2 decades.”
- “Many exist, they are all fun, and contribute greatly to the near-infinite replayability of this title.”
- “Is the game replayable?”
- “The graphics may not be a strong point of this game, but the gameplay and replayability are pretty decent.”
- “It's so replayable.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the excellent ambient soundtrack that enhances the experience, while others criticize it as basic and uninspired, describing it as repetitive and disconcerting. Players appreciate the option to replace the music with their own files through modding, but overall, the soundtrack seems to lack variety and depth.
- “A huge grognard mess of a game with an excellent ambient soundtrack to complement it.”
- “This is very easy to replace with your own music files, though, after modding only a few lines in settings.txt.”
- “The music is extremely basic, but the gameplay itself is really nice and can compete with that of Sins of a Solar Empire.”
- “Disconcerting atonal electronic music.”
- “As for music tracks, they feel very uninspired, as if someone fell asleep on their synthesizer and turned their head around every few seconds. The few tracks there are become very repetitive, to the point of being annoying when that's all you've been hearing for hours.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The atmosphere in the game is intricately tied to the management of different races and planet types, requiring players to utilize atmosphere-specific technologies for early colonization. However, as the game progresses, this aspect can become monotonous, with later technologies enabling players to easily transform any planet into highly productive environments, diminishing the initial strategic challenge.
- “The game beautifully manages different races and atmosphere types across various planet types, creating a rich and immersive experience.”
- “In the early game, you must utilize atmosphere-specific technologies to settle on different worlds, which adds a layer of strategy and depth to the gameplay.”
- “You have the freedom to choose the type of atmosphere your species breathes, along with unique technologies and traits, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.”
- “In the early game, you need atmosphere-specific technologies to settle on different worlds and build resource buildings (either cash, science, or production), but this becomes boring quickly, as later technologies allow you to simply turn any planet into 250% production edens.”
- “Speaking of differing colonies, atmosphere types should also be factored in.”
- “The management of different races and atmosphere/planet types feels underdeveloped.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, users report a generally stable experience with the game, highlighting its fast performance and clean user interface, with many noting it is largely free of bugs. However, some players have encountered bugs, suggesting that frequent save points are advisable.
- “Not only is it fast, it has a simple and neat UI and is bug-free (at least for me; I haven't found a single one in 10 years).”
- “Pretty buggy, so saving the game is a must every turn.”
- “Cheap and fun, but essentially free of bugs and glitches.”
- “And so much less buggy.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, often requiring hours of micromanagement to achieve victory, despite the AI being relatively easy to defeat. While some controls and pacing issues contribute to the grind, the game still offers significant replayability and enjoyment overall.
- “The AI also isn't particularly good and in non-cheating mode can be easily won (well... after several hours of tedious micromanagement, of course).”
- “This is a fun game, although some of the controls are counterintuitive (play the tutorial; it's a bit tedious but it helps), and there are some pacing issues.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate the humor in the game, noting that its unpredictable nature keeps the experience fresh and entertaining, as there always seems to be new comedic elements to discover.
- “The humor in this game is so clever and unexpected; it keeps you laughing while you explore.”
- “I love how the game constantly surprises you with witty dialogue and hilarious situations.”
- “Every time I play, I discover new jokes and funny moments that make the experience even more enjoyable.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Users note that while the game offers improved graphics, it may come with occasional bugs and inconsistent performance, suggesting that players who prioritize visuals might be willing to overlook these optimization issues.
- “The optimization in this game allows for a smooth experience even on lower-end hardware, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
- “I appreciate how the developers have focused on optimization, ensuring that the game runs efficiently without sacrificing too much in terms of graphics.”
- “The game offers various settings to optimize performance, allowing players to tailor their experience based on their system capabilities.”
- “If you want better graphics and can tolerate occasional bugs and sluggish performance at times, go for the version.”
- “The game suffers from severe optimization issues, making it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
- “Despite its potential, the optimization is so poor that it detracts from the overall experience.”