It's only here because galciv is coming back and they are getting a piece of the market by making a bunch of hype over this...dlc. Their planet based games are getting old and boring and space themes keep it fresh, although the final frontier modd doesn't inspire confidence in their abilities to make a GOTY.

I once got civ 5 but there was a problem with the activation. With the reviews I've heard from players I feel its for the best I never played it. Civ 4 was the best in the series anyway. IMSO.

MOO is dead, civ is screwing up, but galciv is still making consistent titles. SD doesn't screw around with spin off titles years after the original either.

(Yes I do have something against fraxis and sick sid.)

DARCA

Nice find, so here's the first glance observations.

It appears to be using the same engine.  2.5D graphics means no true land terraforming elevations like classic SMAC, so they inserted an additional map layer of satellites in an attempt to fill that void.

All factions starting with an interchangeable theme choice for improving replayability suggests Derek's 4x design philosophy has had an effect on professional game designers since the days of Fall from Heaven 2 and its religion system.

The intro trailer has welcoming yet slower vibe and communicates a soft laid back feel versus SMAC.

I think It is.

There are also many mods based off it.  I used to play Master Of Mana , which is a heavily modified FFH2 mod.  At the time I considered it my favorite CiV IV fantasy mod. It was still in development.  But is possibly one that pushed the idea the furthest with summons, strategic spells, terraforming and all kind of other crazy stuff.

http://www.masterofmana.com/

As for this topic, I know I will want to play this game but I am not getting my hopes up regarding it being SMAC 2.