Posted on: December 8, 2021

Magnitus

Games: Reviews: 94

I love it

Major fan of the original pre-2000 Master of Orion 1 & 2 from Microprose here (won both games at impossible difficulty regularly). I won't pretend to give a balanced new-comer review of this game because I can't, this game is obviously heavily influenced by those aging titles and I love them to death. Things are slightly easier to manage, the flow of the game is a little faster, ship design has been simplified slightly and democracy and interracial colony management is a little richer. The races are different and I'd say slightly more distinct (they all have special ships and specialized tech bonuses, more varied planet preferences and of course the classical bonuses to food, production & science and a couple of special game mechanics bending traits). But overall, the spirit is the same. With few adjustments, tactics that worked in MOOs (Master of Orion 1&2) will work here (a new tech tree and new races to familiarize yourself with might be the biggest adjustment). You won't have to rewire your brain too much. And yes, the computer will cheat just as badly at harder and impossible difficulty. Forget overtaking the top dog in the early game, it won't happen no matter how well you play. You'll have to hold on for dear life until you can exploit caveats in the AI in the late game once you are on more even ground. I'll mention also that there is no racial customization so you'll lose that edge at the impossible difficulty (no more creative subterranean unification master race to even the odds a little against the massive early game advantage the computer has). Overall, if you expect this game to be an obvious improvement on the original MOOs (is that even possible?), you might be disappointed. But if like me, you loved those games, but also played them to death, you might welcome that refreshing slightly different spin on those old familiar friends.

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Posted on: December 7, 2020

mrak999

Verified owner

Games: 567 Reviews: 48

More MOO game than MOO from Wargaming

At this state the game is not perfect but it is rock solid and worth every penny. Comparing Stars in Shadow and later Master of Orion from Wargaming: - MOO evokes nostalgia about good game from 1996 - Graphics in MOO is better and that's all about successor of the legendary MOO1&2 - Good turnbased tactical combat in SiS vs poorly made realtime with horrible controls in MOO - AI is slightly better in SiS (either tactical or strategical) - Balance is better in SiS - Late game in MOO consists of babysitting all planets because pollution management was developed by some brainless slug, in SiS late game is quite comfortable - Overall game design and gameplay is better in SiS - SiS has normal ship constructor, MOO has almost none - SiS has more thoughtful research tree - SiS has no star lanes like original MOO! - MOO was dumped like a trash, SiS devs continue to release patches SiS wins in all positions except graphics. I think when the developers of Stars in Shadow finish they work the game will be close to ideal.

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Posted on: April 8, 2021

Iskander1454

Verified owner

Games: 324 Reviews: 1

Wonderful little time devourer

I must admit, I am biased towards this game's graphics. I find them quite charming. Having never played MoO2 intensively, I was never turned off by the game essentially being a revamp of its mechanics. It's nice. Infuriating at times with the highly aggressive AI, but nice. You like micromanagement, there's plenty of that for you to find. You don't like micromanagement? Take your time. The game's intuitive enough to have an easy learning curve, with enough specialized mechanics that you feel like you're constantly gaining in skill. It's just a nice feeling the whole time through. Primary gripe? Loading times. Be warned. They are ridiculously long, and there does not seem to be a valid reason for them. Overall, I would recommend to any turn based strategy fan, unless they were raised on MOO2. Can't give a relevant opinion on that.

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Posted on: January 23, 2024

5Lp7a8l1EM

Verified owner

Games: 38 Reviews: 5

Flawed but worthwhile 4X variation.

A fundamental 4X game task is deciding what a particular planet should focus on. In MOO1, you can switch a planet's focus any time: no penalty for failure to plan long-term. In MOO2, a planet's focus is determined by which of the 90+ buildings/improvements you have invested in there: sequences tiresome to repeat, and so many variables it's unclear what gave most benefit. SiS hews a middle road: each planet has a small number of slots; you fill each slot with factory or mine or farm or laboratory or market, 5 choices instead of 90+. An interesting compromise. So you've changed mind about what to build or research; what happens to work done already? In MOO2, it's applied to your new choice; in some other games, it's lost; in SiS, it won't count toward your new choice, but will count toward old choice if & when you come back to it. The races are well differentiated, each with unique capabilities well beyond the traditional “N% bonus in this or that category”: one race can enslave populations; another race can hire mercenaries; yet another can deploy colonists/ships from its home planet in 1 turn. Built-in undo/redo, by entire turn or a single action, is nice. Flaws: * The only keyboard shortcut is spacebar, to end a game turn. Buy instead of building fully? Click. End a battle turn? Click. Go to tech-tree screen? Click... * No way to know which planets have lowest morale: your first warning is also last, as a planet revolts. * Some species are best suited for arid worlds, some for oceans. You've just acquired an ocean planet, and want to send some Thresher colonists there; now, which of your 100+ planets is the one with Threshers available?? Short of clicking through each, or having an eidetic memory, no way to tell. * Even with simplified graphics, combat is slow: ships crawl and missiles trundle. * AI races can do much that you cannot: grant a technology to another race, demand a particular planet as price of peace, etc. * Diplomacy is dire.

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Posted on: September 28, 2024

rossco103

Verified owner

Games: Reviews: 1

Overlooked Gem

Don't normally write reviews but given this game was made by a small indie developer it is excellent! Probably the best of modern MOO2 remakes I have played. The UI is excellent, intuative and has some great shortcuts once you're used to it and is nuanced in the was it presents a lot of information at a glance. I also like the simplified system management system which removed a lot of the micromanagement especially at scale. This may not appeal to some who like this or want a more thematic planetary building experience (i.e. like all the individual building in MOO2) but undeniably it makes for a more streamlined experience. AI seems good so far. Caveat, I've played around 15h so haven't seen it all but what I've seen puts up a good challenge. Tactical combat is also good, reminds me of the proper old days turn-based in MOO2 but with better UI and easier to understand. You can also undo/redo turns if enabled in the menu which encourages experimentation without the need for saving/reloading which is a nice touch. Graphics also good, obviously this is subjective but I like the look and feel. Overall if you want a good 4x with the old MOO2 vibes this is definitely one you should get. Shame more people haven't found this game!

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