bogdan_vre: I've never played a 4X game, let alone a DOS era one, but I like SciFi and Fantasy literature a lot.
Should I give Master Of Orion and Master Of Magic a try or should I play some newer games of the genre? (I own Galactic Civilizations 2, which I read is very good).
Are these games for everyone or is it an acquired taste? Silly questions, I know...
Galactic Civilizations 2 is indeed a very good 4x title. Master of Orion 2 is in my opinion (and others) still the very best of the genre (it's in the package with master of Orion 1), despite many imitators. If you haven't played Master of Orion 2, it's worth playing for sure.
Master of Magic is also a very good game, mainly because they nailed so many different gameplay elements well. Graphically, it`s about at Civilization 1 level, if you`ve played that - VGA graphics or so. It`s still fun to play - and highly recommended provided you`re okay with the graphics. And its gameplay is still unique to this day.
If you`re looking for another game that is roughly in the same genre as Master of Magic with more up to date graphics, I`d suggest Age of Wonders. Lots of people like Age of Wonders 2: Shadow magic (a standalone expansion); personally I prefer Age of Wonders 1 because it gives you more control over your heroes, but tastes differ - and the graphics are admittedly improved with Age of Wonders 2: Shadow magic. Skip the straight game Age of Wonders 2, though - it doesn`t have anything Shadow Magic doesn`t do better.
Bottom line?
Run, do not walk, to get Moo2. The graphics are decent and the gameplay can't be beat. Get Master of Magic as well if you're willing to deal with unsurpassed gameplay but much older graphics.
