It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
I was one the fence buying the new Master of Orion since it got only 3 stars, but after getting it for free it is extremely fun! Can someone explain to me why it has gotten so much bad reception? The only complaints I see in reviews are people overreacting to DRM.
Haven't tried it yet but from what I heard it was oversimplified, combat was changed from turn based to real time, and key features of the old games are likely missing. They're also selling classic MoO2 races as separate DLC, so... heh. Not a good first impression.
I think DRM is a pretty big deal, seeing as how DRM-free is supposed to be a major selling point of GOG's core marketing strategy. If you don't care about DRM, then buy it on Steam. Rather I think GOG was trying to corner the market on the MoO franchise, and GOG had to compromise on their own business philosophy to sign the deal. However, pissing off or alienating your core customers is always a bad business decision, especially when it is going to be those very customers that rate the games and write the majority of reviews on this site. But the thing is, the new MoO isn't really a "Good Ol' Game" at all either, is it? So imo it shouldn't be sold on this site at all, at least not for a few years. If they are already giving it away for free after what, 2 years, it just goes to show...

EDIT: just checked the store page. Now it is listed as DRM-free. So I have no clue what is going on, since previous reviewers were really up in arms about that. After reading the top 10 reviews, it seems we MoOniacs still prefer the 20-year old MoO II game to the new one. The various points brought up in the reviews seem fair to me.
Post edited December 24, 2017 by Dreamteam67
avatar
Dreamteam67: EDIT: just checked the store page. Now it is listed as DRM-free. So I have no clue what is going on, since previous reviewers were really up in arms about that. After reading the top 10 reviews, it seems we MoOniacs still prefer the 20-year old MoO II game to the new one. The various points brought up in the reviews seem fair to me.
hm....

For 4X games MoO2 is still THE reference game, no game till now has been able to kick MoO2 of its throne. ;)

The rest is not pointed at you ;) (although, maybe it is :D )
avatar
Dracomut1990: .... The only complaints I see in reviews are people overreacting to DRM......
The new one might be even a good game, I don't own it, only say videos and reviews (and don't plan on getting it) as it is NOT IMHO a real MoO game. Even MoO3 is more MoO as this one.

And taking core features away from a game is making sure buyers will be disappointed, No Lan? less races or better to say DLC policy? AI..... compared to the old one? (ok...let's leave the Ueberships out of it ;) ) and the list continues.....to find at the end of the list: Price.....

Why shall you get an inferior product for like 20 times the price? (sale: 1,29 Euro to 22,99 + 4,49 ) (and yes using the CE as you have to get this one to get the 'music', which was part of the base game)

And sorry, claiming overreaction is really really bad wording. Why? If you compare the original MoO2 with this new one, it is a really big step downwards in Multiplayer terms. Going from a game which allows you to play in LAN OR over the web to a game which ONLY allows playing over the web is a steep step downhill and correctly pointed out by those reviews. I am not necessarily against Galaxy, but this developer did go much further as indicated in quite a few reviews (like WHY is there ANY online activity if you play single player?). So for sure it is bound to create reactions, negative ones.

Again, it might be a decent game, but looses on all fronts, excepts 'better' graphics against the original. So why shall it receive better reviews?

MoO2 is able to be a >>fun<< game as well as challenging, new one? as far I saw, ONLY 'fun'....no real AI anymore.
As one reviewer here on GOG pointed out (as well as some one the web), it feels more like CIV, but not like MoO series.
avatar
Dreamteam67: I think DRM is a pretty big deal, seeing as how DRM-free is supposed to be a major selling point of GOG's core marketing strategy. If you don't care about DRM, then buy it on Steam. Rather I think GOG was trying to corner the market on the MoO franchise, and GOG had to compromise on their own business philosophy to sign the deal. However, pissing off or alienating your core customers is always a bad business decision, especially when it is going to be those very customers that rate the games and write the majority of reviews on this site. But the thing is, the new MoO isn't really a "Good Ol' Game" at all either, is it? So imo it shouldn't be sold on this site at all, at least not for a few years. If they are already giving it away for free after what, 2 years, it just goes to show...

EDIT: just checked the store page. Now it is listed as DRM-free. So I have no clue what is going on, since previous reviewers were really up in arms about that. After reading the top 10 reviews, it seems we MoOniacs still prefer the 20-year old MoO II game to the new one. The various points brought up in the reviews seem fair to me.
That is true, though I find GOG leans more toward "no invasive DRM" since some games just plain need DRM to reach their full potential (essentially all old multiplayer games). Looking at the reviews on Steam kinda makes me scratch my head about GOg's all the more, on Steam the reviews are mixed but mostly positive. Seeing the first four reviews on Steam praising the game whilst still looking at its problems with the fourth being negative but still highlighting what the game did right and then transitioning to reviews automatically condemning the game due to DRM and petty nostalgia is quite jarring and does not reflect well on Gog's community.

Indeed, that is what made the DRM angry reviews feel especially silly and I think they misrepresent the game.
After looking at reviews that were actually sane (both positive and negative) I now have a much better understanding of why people would be unhappy with the game. The oversimplified complaint, the most common, I do think makes sense (though it personally does not bother me, its nice to have a 4x game that isn't taxing on the mind). Still though, I find a 3 out of 4 a bit too negative. Master of Orion II is a fantastic game, but also has a ton of flaws, like excess of micromanagement and spaceships being really annoying to design, that the new one fixes. Plus one thing I love about the new game is just how much personality it has, the race's feel like standard sci-fi tropes like they did in the old games but still feel alive and interesting. Not to mention this is the only 4X game I have played where I actually let the adviser's finish their sentences, this game's voice acting is incredible!
Post edited December 25, 2017 by Dracomut1990
avatar
Dracomut1990: the new Master of Orion got only 3 stars, but after getting it for free it is extremely fun!
Because at release it was bad and uncomplete for 50€. With many patches and the DLCs it is now a somewhat good game.
avatar
Dracomut1990: the new Master of Orion got only 3 stars, but after getting it for free it is extremely fun!
avatar
ERISS: Because at release it was bad and uncomplete for 50€. With many patches and the DLCs it is now a somewhat good game.
Indeed, after my research I can agree it had a botched release. Still got a really good game from it in the end though so I'm not complaining.
I don't get this thread, and I never got any of the MoO4 criticism. There were, and still are, so many statements that everyone took for granted without any actual review of them at any point. The game was good on launch and the DLC isn't a gamechanger. I suggested it to multiple friends at the time and they all enjoyed it.

In particular, seeing people make a big deal out of LAN and multiplayer is really odd, when the vast majority of people playing 4X games are playing single player. We saw this with the Civilization VI drama, where you have thousands making a huge deal out of the game's AI and getting angry at anyone who suggests to try human multiplayer.

MoO4 does not have DRM for the single player, but does have DRM for the multiplayer in the form of requiring GOG Galaxy and I believe a Wargaming (publisher) account. I don't really know how to feel about this, but this was obviously Wargaming's decision, and such decisions need to be kept to a minimum (and endlessly pressured into either reforming themselves or getting kicked out).

edit: To clarify, while I understand the desire to "verify" players so as to prevent cheating, MoO4 is not a game that really needs this as most games are supposed to be set up by small groups of friends. Problem is, MoO4 has no way of doing this. I have not made a Wargaming account, and I do not intend to.
Post edited May 16, 2020 by Tsugaru
how did u get it for free?
avatar
interesse: how did u get it for free?
I think it was a bonus game if you bought a lot during a sale but I cannot remember which sale or when.