Posted on: January 23, 2024

5Lp7a8l1EM

Games: 40 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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Posted on: October 8, 2024

Electromagnetism

Verified owner

Games: 367 Reviews: 2

Pretty Solid Game, Can't Recommend

This is a pretty good game. If you like MoO2, then this is an obvious pickup. There are a few major standouts in differences, though: Base management is simpler. That may or may not be something you like, but for my 4X games, I love that. No racial customization. That's not an issue for me, personally, since this isn't a multiplayer game. A few of the races change gameplay a bit, which is refreshing, and each does something different. In all, I would solidly recommend this game if only it didn't crash for me so often. Makes it frustrating enough for me that I will just play MoO2 to get my fix. If the game doesn't crash for you, this is a great pickup on sale.

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Posted on: December 8, 2020

ArcaneTourist

Verified owner

Games: 152 Reviews: 10

Should be a future classic

See the reviews by BoojieBoy and others for an overview of the game-play. In short, vaguely a MOO2 style game, but with more depth, more asymmetrical and varied races, more variation in tactics, but no race customization. The only thing I want to add to the other reviews is that this is one of those few games that I keep coming back to. I wore it out when I got it years ago, but every half year or so I'm compelled to play again. "Still playing years later" might be the highest endorsement that can be given.

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Posted on: March 26, 2023

MarkusFrost

Verified owner

Games: 191 Reviews: 3

Diplomatic System ruins the Game

Soon after having started the game you realize that you play an inferior race. While others are allowed to demand no matter what you are restricted to only very few options. Some of their demands you can comply with, and you better do unless you want to seriously damage your diplomatic standing. In many cases, however, you can't: If two factions are in conflict and each one demands you to take position and act against the opposite side. If you decide to help neither one, you lose sympthy from both sides. Otherwise you lose sympathy from just one side, but that quite a bit. Result: In the long run you will inevitably make enemies. It is only a question of time until you are pushed into a war, like it or not. No chance to improve relations by making gifts. Only the other races are allowed to do so. So once you will end up with war, you can propose an peace treaty only after 15 turns, whereas the opponent is allowed to do so any time he wants. Are these unbalances supposed to be fun? Not for me! There is no way to create custom races. I played Phidi through on normal level. I won any vote I wanted to as well as some battles. Then I gave up due to boredom. Just routine throughout the game, mainly interruped by these troublesome diplomatic events. Or from the occasional chance to battle some Harpys. There is no score at the end of the game anyway, not to mention a hall of fame. So what would I endlessly continue to fight for? The manual is lacking. E.g. until now I haven't found the slightest clue for why some barren planets can be terraformed and others cannot. Nothing to be found in the manual. Pity. The game has quite some potential: the aboriginal inhabitants on some planets, good music, nice graphics …

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