In the universe of 4x sci-fi games, there's a galaxy's worth of choices, from the intricately detailed to the straightforward and easy to conquer. Over time, I've found my way back to three stalwarts on my PC: Star Trek: Birth of the Federation (BoTF), Master of Orion II (MOO2), and Galactic Civilization II: Twilight of the Arnor. Each of these titles brings something special to the table, offering that perfect blend of strategy, diplomacy, and space exploration that can keep me hooked for hours. They're not just good; they're stellar (pun intended).
Now, don't get me wrong—I'm not one to shy away from the newer stars in the 4x cosmos like Stellaris, which is a fantastic game in its own right. But here's the rub: the ever-expanding universe of DLCs. Stellaris, for instance, is practically swarming with them. Each DLC promises to add layers to the game, which is tempting, but when you tally up the cost, it's like buying a whole new game—several times over. You start with a $40 investment and before you know it, you're staring down the barrel of an additional $400 just to get the full experience.
It seems like in recent years, the gaming industry has taken a cue from sports franchises, where the pursuit of the almighty dollar often eclipses the love of the game. Publishers push out DLC after DLC, betting that we're all too hooked to stop now. It's a strategy that's as effective as it is frustrating, turning what should be a complete gaming experience into an endless series of paywalls.
Am I wrong?