The elephant in the room, the Domes… and my criticism of them.

[Suzaku]

First let’s get the most often cited argument about Domes out of the way, each dome is independent city similar to Civilization. While this screws with what people envision mars colony of one large central dome with, business, factories, entertainment surrounded by smaller domes for residential or specialized needs (such as an Academy dome). There is another thing that bugs me about the domes. Each dome has set pattern where roads go from center to outward walls of the dome. Why can’t I create a unique dome layout, why can I not be able to put statues or pond at the end of non-exit portion of the pond. This is worst in the Mega Domes…

As you can see the Mega Dome have has beach style set up taking up the outer edges of the dome, in the center space is taken up by these rock formation things. Even for gameplay purposes you want these areas unusable for any benefits please let us design it how we see fit. Perhaps I want a forest instead of a beach and in the center, I just want to have lawn.


A second issue the middle of the dome is only usable by the spire which ends up being unused until you’re able to research said spire. Perhaps there should be a change can build residential, medic etc in the center and when you research appropriate spire you can upgrade the building to become spire.


Third issue I have with the Domes in the game, you can’t upgrade them… Your initial dome is forever going to being a basic dome, unless you managed to get medium dome early. Normally when people expand a wall city they build a second wall outside the city, so I was expecting you to build dome outside your original dome and when that is done you demolish the inner dome for more space. Nope you have to first move everyone out to another dome, decommission it, have the research of demolish (why is this even a tech unlock), then upgrade it.

 

[DominusNovus]

Pretty sure thats a geoscape dome, not a mega dome.

 

[Grim Martian]

I feel a bit in-between. Personally I like that we can customize the domes outer appearance with 3 flavours to choose from. Art Nouveau (Greyish), Retro Funky (Blue) and Vanilla (Gold).. That being said, I definitely agree with your assessments. However, as pointed out by DominusNovus, that is not the Mega Dome in your picture. Perhaps you haven't unlocked the Mega Dome just yet? If you have, you'd notice Ample space for many decorations and allowing you to scape to your heart's content! I created a gorgeous Eco-friendly Babylonia style Dome, complete with Water reclamation and Hanging Gardens additionally. It feels like you're stepping into a Green House on a City scale!

 

[The Pastmaster]

Pretty sure thats a geoscape dome, not a mega dome.

You are correct. The Mega Dome has more build space in the middle.

 

[Grim Martian]

P.s.. This.

This is how I built both a Water Reclamation AND a Hanging Gardens center too! It's called Multiple Spire Architecture Breakthrough. You unlock it in Research. Um ONLY if you've found the anomaly for it. Alas, it takes a few playthroughs to get! =/

But. It's Gorgeous! And makes me feel like they will be adding more beautiful Domes such as this, with perhaps the option to customise and extend? Our domes in future updates! =D

 

[Darkstar616]

That's a geoscape dome but I agree. The domes aren't great. They're boring.

 

[Grim Martian]

That's a geoscape dome but I agree. The domes aren't great. They're boring.

Yeah, other than the Multiple Spire Architecture dome. I have to agree as well. It feels a bit generic with each new "Upgrade".. Kinda bland.

 

[DominusNovus]

On the topic of the geoscape dome, does anyone else feel very underwhelmed by it? Its a late game option, and in the late game, I really don't have much trouble maintaining comfort. About the only advantage I see to it is being able to load it up with a buttload of apartments, to cram as many people in as possible, when you reach the point that you have a hard time keeping up with population growth. But you can only build one, so thats not all that useful. Unless its a repeatable wonder, I didn't think to check if that was an option.

At least if it were as big/bigger than a mega-dome, or if it could handle multiple spires like the oval dome (or hell, both! it is a wonder, after all!), then I could see some better use. As is... meh.

 

[Zinegata]

On the topic of the geoscape dome, does anyone else feel very underwhelmed by it? Its a late game option, and in the late game, I really don't have much trouble maintaining comfort. About the only advantage I see to it is being able to load it up with a buttload of apartments, to cram as many people in as possible, when you reach the point that you have a hard time keeping up with population growth. But you can only build one, so thats not all that useful. Unless its a repeatable wonder, I didn't think to check if that was an option.

At least if it were as big/bigger than a mega-dome, or if it could handle multiple spires like the oval dome (or hell, both! it is a wonder, after all!), then I could see some better use. As is... meh.

The lategame as a whole rapidly runs out of interesting things to do, as by then you tend to be buried by so much surplus of everything that it becomes more a pick-and-choose exercise rather than a real resource balancing act like the early and mid games. That's why one of the suggestions I had was more lategame challenges that actually force you to juggle your overflowing resources again.

 

[Grim Martian]

On the topic of the geoscape dome, does anyone else feel very underwhelmed by it? Its a late game option, and in the late game, I really don't have much trouble maintaining comfort. About the only advantage I see to it is being able to load it up with a buttload of apartments, to cram as many people in as possible, when you reach the point that you have a hard time keeping up with population growth. But you can only build one, so thats not all that useful. Unless its a repeatable wonder, I didn't think to check if that was an option.

At least if it were as big/bigger than a mega-dome, or if it could handle multiple spires like the oval dome (or hell, both! it is a wonder, after all!), then I could see some better use. As is... meh.

Meh, is very understated. But yep, I most assuredly feel Meh about the Geoscape. And to think I wasted so many precious Research points, and Outsourcing on that... To later realise I'm limited to placing just One. Lmao. I wish I'd just waited for the Mega Dome and the Oval one! I'd have enough RP towards the Mystery (Extinction Level Wildfire event) that is slowly, but without fail, killing my poor poor Martians.

That's supposed to be My Job dammit!

 

[Grim Martian]

The lategame as a whole rapidly runs out of interesting things to do, as by then you tend to be buried by so much surplus of everything that it becomes more a pick-and-choose exercise rather than a real resource balancing act like the early and mid games. That's why one of the suggestions I had was more lategame challenges that actually force you to juggle your overflowing resources again.

That's actually something I thought about and discussed at length with my gf, she also believes that there should be more challenging opportunities arise (other than The Mystery events ofc) to hamper your efforts, and give you something meaningful to work on. I have enough resources to fill up a Regular dome! Probably more. But yeah, i fully like this idea! =)

 

[Quintus of Mund]

Pretty sure thats a geoscape dome, not a mega dome.

You might be right, with the stones in the center. That's a breakthrough right?

 

[Turin the Mad]

Geoscape is a Wonder - everyone can research and build 'em.

The oval dome is the breakthrough.

 

[Suzaku]

Whoops I thought Megadome was first one and the second one near by was the Geodome because you can only build one so one would think it has the larger surface.

 

[ModZero]

Whoops I thought Megadome was first one and the second one near by was the Geodome because you can only build one so one would think it has the larger surface.

It has an inherent bonus to comfort (AFAIR) instead. Because of the beach thing, presumably.