OK
So after a disgusting amount of gameplay since I bought B.E. A few notes.
1: Civ5 complete is a superior overall -strategy game- at this point.
2: B.E. is far more "organic" in terms of tech and having control over what and why you research technology.
3: B.E. suffers from "turtle strategy" due to the failure of it's AI. If you build "endgame wonders", it is unlikely the AI will try to stop you from doing it, so it can feel like you "win by default" sometimes.
4: Currently, there is not enough synergy between the three main tactical approaches to make branching out into other fields worthwhile. If you pick a path (Supremacy, Purity, Harmony) you are far better served by concentrating on the single path until at least level 12, with sidelines to lvl 2 in the other 2 fields.
5: The minor powers are far too minor at this point. They only occupy 1 hex and only project a "area of control" in terms of stopping you from establishing cities near them, and without the right cultural upgrades, you are better off wiping them out.
I could go on about the fails of the game, but DESPITE all it's fails, it really is a good game. It has a great tech web, it has a great cultural growth system, the tactical approach system works well and nothing feels like it is "wasted" by researching it as they all add up.
If you are not a big Turn Based Game player, B.E. is a great game to get your feet wet, sometimes -because- of it's flaws.
Pick it up if you are interested.
