Getting a bit bored with this game

Well, I keep starting new games because I am getting a bit bored. Every game starts the same, same discovering anomalies and habitable planets, same rush to colonize, same techs researched (universal translator, diplomatic relations, trade, and then start going down the militarization route), same struggle to balance taxes, approval and spending, same crappy approval level on planet Earth.

How powerful the AI factions become seems entirely arbitrary (I use the same intelligence setting every time = Normal), but it partly seems to depend on the size of the galaxy. I've noticed particular AI factions end up getting a lot more powerful and dominant when the size of the universe is large or greater, rather than medium. They have more planets to colonize and more starbases to build and generally seem to get more aggressive and build a lot more ships. By the time I'm ready to start attacking worlds, the AI already has MASSIVE resources.

Anyone have any tips on keeping things more interesting?

Thanks

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If you want the AI to give you a run for your money, you need to crank it up to at least Tough.

Larger maps do mean that the AIs have a lot of resources, but it also means that the rewards for warring with them are better.

Games do tend to start the same if you play the same race. If the early game really does bore you, look at the list of cheat commands, there's one there (I think it's Ctrl+Z or Ctrl+Shift+Z) that automates turn processing, meaning that your empire will run itself. Thing to watch though is that the interface can get locked up, so you'll need to toggle the cheat off and quicksave to make sure you don't lose your progress. When things look interesting enough then you can jump in (you can even change empire if you want).

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Definitely try different races.

One (Thalians?) start with a PQ15 homeworld, IIRC.

Or, try making your own race. At least in DA, if you make your own race, you may end up playing against it later! I just won my first couple Suicidal DA games with a new race. Generally, I find the Yor to be the easiest to win with on highest difficulty settings, though I often tinker with the traits, homeworld, etc.

If you really, really only want to play as the human race, at least try different super abilities. Also, if you Control-N a few times, you can at least get "an Earth" with a morale bonus tile. Put the Political Capitol on that tile and your morale problems should be greatly reduced, if not eliminated. (Well, as long as you build no extra farms, etc there) Also, putting the Political Capitol on Earth lets you colonize Mars then trade it to enemy AIs and get it flipped back to you over and over again, which can be amusing.

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Or you could go with the scenario "war of the gods" (or similarly worded) that gives you all techs from the start? or playing the different races? or like Marvinkosh and LTjim suggest try modding your game or download some of the ones in the library? or use the game editors?

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Quoting MarvinKosh,

reply 1

If you want the AI to give you a run for your money, you need to crank it up to at least Tough.

Then you also might need to use different research routes.

Setting minor races to maximum (8, in DA metaverse) gives you some tech trading opportunities; then your research route depends on what you get off them.

Set less planets in the game setup so the AI has more of a limit.

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