Didn't we have like hundreds of thousands of topics like this? LoL

I also say GalCiv 2, just like I said in the other topics... It's because I think gameplay is better, with a better story, better graphics and a lot more easy to cooperate than Space Empire 5.

I only played the demo of SEV for a little while, and the impression I got was that it was a very big game with lots of "stuff" in it, but it was also micromanagey, repetitive, unbalanced, and the AI was weak. If you play GC2 at gigantic/abundant and wish the game was bigger and longer, then you might like SEV, but it didn't appeal to me at all.

Fairly equal in certain areas from what i could try out in the demo of previous SE versions.

But what SE-V lacks-ed, it gains in complexity (huge technos tree, navigation a little tedious, interface overclocks anyone's blinking eyes, and so on) when GC2 has very well balanced features; it's deceivingly simple enough to allow a quick learning curve, produces excellent interaction (Again, with such AI algorithms it's highly expected in all aspects of tactical steps), manages player's activities in great lenghts, combines powerful micro-managing assets, has superb graphics, customizing overload does the trick, etc.

The verdict tilts slightly towards GC2 for much more reasons than just the game itself though. Steady code, swift fixing of bugs (at first, SE-V was indeed, plagued with real dumb errors - maybe it has been fixed by now - dunno.), SDC support, staff and programmers are (somehow) accessible and willing to listen to peoples's suggestions.
I'd say about a 55/45% ratio.

- Zyxpsilon.

What nullspace said.  I too played the SEV demo, and I was almost overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff in it -- there's so many buildings, techs, ship componenents, etc., that I admittedly found the prospect of having to try to make decisions about what to build/design/research to be pretty daunting. While I realize that such a plethora of goodies to play with probably appeals to quite a few strategy gamers, it was simply a bit too much for me.

I much prefer GalCiv's more streamlined tech tree and build list. It's deep and complex enough to be satisfying, but not so much so that I become buried under an avalanche of minutae. In addition, I second what Zyxpsilon said about Stardock providing both a more complete (i.e., bug-free) product, as well as superior support & service after that fact. Even after four years, I continue to be astonished at the committment Brad & Co. have given to both their games & their fans -- both in terms of post-release work, as well as the access we have to their persons -- and I suspect I will continue to be so in the future.

I Liked SE III, and IV. But V left me cold so Gal Civ2 all the way.

SE IV is the best in Aaron Hall's line. But GalCiv II R O C K S !

(Resistance IS futile)

Two words: Customer Service.

SEV is more moddable, but GC2 is superior in nearly all other aspects. What really ticks me off about SEV however is the absolute resistance to acknowledge bugs. I actually bought SEV a while back and am unable to play it because of graphical glitches. After sending in several reports (no answer) and no useful help on the forums ('tough luck') and several patches that address only balance issues (only nobody plays vanilla anyway), I decided to not bother with SE titles any more.

GC2 already is a great game, and what I've seen in the TA beta so far it only gets better. Really looking forward to Stardocks 'Not MoM'.