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This game was released unfinished, we can only guess why. So it has a ver poor reputation. However there are 2 places you can go to get files to make this game a most worthwhile one to play.
http://www.moo3.at/ and http://bhruic.dyndns.org/patcher/ is a must to get fixes and great patches for the game. Without a visit to these 2 sites, you will be disapointed. I rated 5 stars to let you know how well the fan version is. 2 stars for released vanilla version.
Can any one else comment on the quality of the patched and moded version of MOO3?

I haven't played any of the MOO games, but I think that it's sad, that the game with the lowest score in the GOG-catalog is MOO3. So if more people would comment on the better version of this game, I'd appreciate it.
it's still basically the same game, though some of the stupidest bugs are fixed by fan patches (for example, in the base game with only official patches it's usually impossible for the AI to land ground troops because he always disbands transports them the turn after he creates them).

Ultimately, it's a decent (maybe even great) game buried in terrible, terrible design decisions, a frustratingly bad UI, and intentional obfuscation (literally, one of developers stated the economy etc was made needlessly complex and confusing on purpose just to get people to let the AI do the micromanagement for them).

It's up to you if it's worth digging through the bad to find the good. Personally I think you're better off just getting MoO2 (or MoO1, some like it better and they both come in the same pack on gog) or a newer game like SotS or galciv 2, all of which are also good games with less frustrating things holding you back.

The fan patches just don't change the real problem, that you have to fight the AI tooth and nail to get just what you want done (or just let it manage everything in which case the gameplay consists of mashing end turn 1,000 times before you're required to do anything).
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Mr.Spatula: it's still basically the same game, though some of the stupidest bugs are fixed by fan patches (for example, in the base game with only official patches it's usually impossible for the AI to land ground troops because he always disbands transports them the turn after he creates them).

Ultimately, it's a decent (maybe even great) game buried in terrible, terrible design decisions, a frustratingly bad UI, and intentional obfuscation (literally, one of developers stated the economy etc was made needlessly complex and confusing on purpose just to get people to let the AI do the micromanagement for them).

It's up to you if it's worth digging through the bad to find the good. Personally I think you're better off just getting MoO2 (or MoO1, some like it better and they both come in the same pack on gog) or a newer game like SotS or galciv 2, all of which are also good games with less frustrating things holding you back.

The fan patches just don't change the real problem, that you have to fight the AI tooth and nail to get just what you want done (or just let it manage everything in which case the gameplay consists of mashing end turn 1,000 times before you're required to do anything).
Don't forget the terrible story. I was elated when I saw how much background they made for the game, but then when I read it... *shudder* The nice thing about MoO1 and especially 2 was that the lore was open enough that you could ignore the less inspired elements of the game. (A silicon-based species called Silicoids--they really couldn't think of anything else?) However, when that stupid New Orion Council or whatever is forced into every game, I can't keep pretending away the design team's lack of storytelling skill.
Post edited June 07, 2011 by eon47
If you are prepared to spend time with it and I mean a lot of time with it then you will find a great game inside.

At first, like everyone when it was released I was repulsed. Then I became angry. However, after the patch and the tireless work carried out by Bhruic and others the game is good. Really good.

If you do decide you can dedicate time to learning it's complicated systems of work then you must install patch 1.2.5 and Bhruic's atuopatcher.

One of the easiest things to do actually is download one of the mods - Vanilla, Strawberry, Tropical etc. I prefer tropical. It fixes all the niggles and grips.

Secondly, so that you know the important information fast, inside your SITREP, turn off green items, migration and construction. This will get rid of the "meh" that the game likes to bombard you with and leave you with the important information.

I must have spent countless hundreds of hours enjoying this game over the years. In fact, I only last week reinstalled it on my new PC after a couple of years no play and been enjoying it again.
The best thing I read about enjoying MoO3 is forget it's a sequel to MoO2, but see it as a new game in the franchise. The playerpatch & mods are still highly recomended, as the basic game has so many flaws it's unforgiveable.

With all the added communitycontent, it's actually a good game, if you forget you're playing MoO2's successor.
So it looks like you all have some knowledge in moo3 patching and some are running it on modern computers. Maybe you can help me with my problem there:

http://www.gog.com/en/forum/master_of_orion/improving_moo3_performance

As of now playing it is not possible in later games because of the immense time consumtion between turns 10-20+ mins even if letting AI automatically control every battle easy more if you try yourself.
Are you upto date? 1.2.5? Bhruics fixes downloaded? Best advice would be to download one of the major mods that include the beforementioned....strawberry, chocolate or tropical.

You would also be better advised to take this to the moo3 forums http://www.moo3.at/board/
When I was younger I began to take a huge interest the Orion Series. I started googling and watching several gameplay footages. After a while I wanted to buy it. By surprise I saw MoO3 at a shop. I thought that it would be the best one because it's the lastest installement, but boy was I wrong.

I tried to play the game, but it's simply a mess. You loose sight of every aspect of the game.
Don't agree with that Junker, for the reasons above.
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junker154: When I was younger I began to take a huge interest the Orion Series. I started googling and watching several gameplay footages. After a while I wanted to buy it. By surprise I saw MoO3 at a shop. I thought that it would be the best one because it's the lastest installement, but boy was I wrong.

I tried to play the game, but it's simply a mess. You loose sight of every aspect of the game.
Bigger letdown: Star Control 3 or MOO3?
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junker154: When I was younger I began to take a huge interest the Orion Series. I started googling and watching several gameplay footages. After a while I wanted to buy it. By surprise I saw MoO3 at a shop. I thought that it would be the best one because it's the lastest installement, but boy was I wrong.

I tried to play the game, but it's simply a mess. You loose sight of every aspect of the game.
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demigord: Bigger letdown: Star Control 3 or MOO3?
MoO3. I played both. SC3 was at least a playable game. The muppets were stupid, the story was stupid, most of the new races were stupid, and most of the new ships were boring, but the game was playable. The combat wasn't even that bad. TurboTax is a more interesting game than MoO3.