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Space Empires: IV pc Game Reviews
Space Empires: IV
Critic Score
Metascore: 79 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.6 out of 10
based on 13 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 29 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

PUBLISHER: Shrapnel Games
DEVELOPER: Malfador Machinations
GENRE(S): Real-Time Strategy
PLAYERS: 16
ESRB RATING: RP (Rating Pending)
RELEASE DATE: November 7, 2000

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
Yahoo! Games
A must-have for any fan of this genre and is easily my selection as strategy game of the year so far.
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90
Computer Games Magazine
The element that sets Space Empires IV apart from other games in the genre is common sense, which is the glue that binds its components together.
Read Full Review
90
IGN
It's a good thing I'm not married because this game could be considered legitimate grounds for divorce. It's the best game in its genre I've seen in a long time.
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85
Electric Playground
It is a well-done game and is very addictive but everything is just too flat.
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81
GameSpot
A superb strategy game. It's definitely the most sophisticated space-empire game available right now. If you're serious about space strategy, you can't afford to miss it.
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80
Armchair Empire
SE4 biggest strength is the ability to flip a variety of options before the game even starts.
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80
Gamers' Temple
Space Empires IV does an excellent job of providing the detail-happy player with an engrossing and engaging game.
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80
PC Gamer
Not for everyone, but turn-based space-sim fans will be hooked. [Mar 2001, p.92]
70
CNET Gamecenter
The game is perhaps a bit too complex, and the graphics--while functional--do little to pull you into the universe. Nevertheless, this game's a keeper.
70
ActionTrip
Complexity, configurability, a large number of technologies and freedom in designing new units will provide a lot of fun hours of play.
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65
GameZone
If, however, animation means little to you, and you are looking for a solid, space civ game that requires chess-like moves, this program may be exactly what you are looking for.
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64
Media and Games Online Network
This game is for the strategy gamer and those who love space scenarios. This is a game that will really get you going.
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57
Game Over Online
The game has one glaring hole that has to disappoint everyone who plays it, even long standing fans of the series, and that is the combat system.
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What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 29 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Filip V. gave it a9:
Very good game for all strategists. Everything is possible there. It has however one very bad aspect, which is fighting system.

Paul K. gave it a10:
This is a turn based strategy game. People who like the immediate gratification from an X-box will not have the patience for such a detailed 4X game like this but those who remember Star Fire, Imperium Galaticum, Imperium, Stellar Conquest, and even Reach for the Stars will like this game. This game is like an onion with many layers of complexity to peal away and enjoy. The player ability to modify the game keeps it fresh. This has been the best value in a computer game that I have ever had to pay money for.

Greg W. gave it a10:
CAUTION: If you have important stuff to do, then do not get this game. You will be addicted. Its not fancy and complex in the graphics department, but the game itself is great. The best part.....its never the same twice. You design the galaxy, your race and its culture. Ship design and and weaponry is also completely up to you, plus there's tons of mods for the starwars/startrek/babylon5 geeks out there.

Tim R. gave it a9:
I'm afraid to start up this game again, it leads me to long bouts of old-graphics goodness.

Michael R. gave it a10:
If it's a 4X strategy game you want, than look no further than SE4, period. If its a smoke-and-mirrors, we-spent-five-years-on-graphics game you want with a side dish of strategy, please, look elsewhere. Prepare to wonder where you week went to.

Phil C. gave it a10:
I have been playing this on and off since I bought it, simply because no two games are ever the same. The maps are randomly generated and the tech tree is immense, too large in fact to reserch everything in a single game. This game is turn based and therefore has an emphasis on strenght of tacticts and planning rather than reaction times and speed. SE 4 is quite complex but the interface is instinctive and contains a lof of built-in help making it very easy to pick up. Overall this is an exelent RTS wich is highly addictive and has huge replayability.

Andrew H. gave it a2:
There is no fun is the game, click after click, cannot stand it. And the noise that I have in the background means i have to play in silence...

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