Does the game play well on smaller maps?

[JWW]

I'm considering buying the game on sale. In games similar to this in concept, like Civ, Galactic Civ, etc., I usually prefer to play shorter games on smaller maps. Thus the question. I know some might comment that the game is more fully realized on larger maps, but my question is solely about smaller maps. Thanks for answers.

[Bingeling]

It should work fine on smaller maps. You can create quite fast game (in this context) with fast research and maybe somewhat mature start setup on smaller maps. Or very long, slow games with lots of stars, extremely slow research, pre-warp, and with tons of pirates...

I am not a "shorter game" player myself, maybe others can comment on how fast it is actually possible to play this game.

[mordachai]

Small is great to learn on. Obviously, the larger you make it, the more there is to manage... but I like 'em epic.

[DeadlyShoe]

Small/large doesn't matter as much in this game, as obtaining victory depends more on filling victory conditions than controlling the whole map.

[Lucian]

I actually prefer smaller maps where I can easily manage everything manually without having to resort to extensive automation (on large maps) where it feels like the game is mostly playing itself.

[JWW]

Thanks for the comments. I bought it last night. Working the tutorials. Interrupted ongoing games of Civil War II and To End All Wars to do this.