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

×
Hi,
I've played MOO 2 for years and years, way back when, and - when visiting my parent's house (where most of my Game Disks are still stored) recently - re-installed it on my laptop. I.e. this is not the GOG version, but the Windows version patched to the latest official one.
I seem to remember that I managed to deal with higher difficulty levels quite well in the past. Now ... no chance with anything beyond tutor. Somehow, suddenly, even the Klackon out-research my creative and +2 research race on anything from beginner difficulty upwards. Not just a little, but massively, reaching the end of the tech tree before I am even half-way through. The moment someone declares war they steam-roll me with massive fleets of much higher technology.
On the other hand - tutor difficulty is a cakewalk, no matter how gimped a race I create. Any one any idea/suggestion/thoughts/knowledge as to why?
Post edited September 08, 2010 by Mnemon
No posts in this topic were marked as the solution yet. If you can help, add your reply
That sounds a bit strange. I play the GOG version and it only gets that difficult on Impossible (or Hard sometimes).
Time fades skills. Or, you probably aren't as good now, after years of not playing, as you were then, when played all the time.
Or, welcome to being older.
Dude, I feel for you too...
I can only do it on easy, on normal upwards, I get the exact same thing. Easy is a bit too... Well, easy. Then Normal is just like retardedly hard. Antares keeps targeting me right at the beginning, weakening my planets and everything else starts going after my ass. It's stupid - and I don't like being a negotiater much - I do the research and trade treaties as much as I can but man...
*shrugs*
The only race I can really use properly is the Psilion due to the ability to get ALL fields of research.
Antarans are a stupid mechanic, in that they can randomly wipe your or other races out early-game without you being able to do much to affect the outcome.
Beyond the silly antarans, the game is pretty much a cakewalk below impossible rating (depending on race setup, of course). Take advantage of the fact that most bonuses are multiplicative, and you'll soon be way ahead in research while still keeping up militarily.
Once you're a couple of generations ahead in weapons and shield tech, start bonking heads. Impossible gets harder due to the sheer amount of troops pitted against you, but like Master of Magic and Master of Orion 1, once you obtain strong enough troops the production bonuses won't really help the AI.
Key to MOO2 is population. More population you have, the more research and production you can do. A basic beginner mistake is to go for the researcher race with creativity etc. when you can out research the research race with production/massive population race.

Haven't played MOO2 in a while but if my memory reserves me right, you should go for custom race, unification and subterranean or aquatic race for more population. Pics that remove pollution are really good also, as they increase your productivity by tons early on in the game. Rest of the points to production bonuses or farming bonuses. If you don't plan on teching cloning center, you should also invest into population growth.
Basic minus picks were low-g and ground combat.

Hope this helps :)
Just bought the MOO1+2 double pack myself, is it possible to create custom races?
avatar
H2IWclassic: Just bought the MOO1+2 double pack myself, is it possible to create custom races?
Yes, MOO2 allows you to create a custom race. The original release restricted custom races to average difficulty or harder but the GOG version does not have this restriction.

I'm not sure about MOO1
hej,

sorry for not replying to this in a good time.

By now I've formatted and re-installed windows and as I didn't take the install CD with me, given that MOO's are available here, I can't actually try suggestions, as I don't have MOO installed.

Will play around some and mark the solution that helps once I've actually re-bought it from GoG :).

Thanks for all the suggestions though - I am sure they'll come in handy.
avatar
Mnemon: Hi,

I've played MOO 2 for years and years, way back when, and - when visiting my parent's house (where most of my Game Disks are still stored) recently - re-installed it on my laptop. I.e. this is not the GOG version, but the Windows version patched to the latest official one.

I seem to remember that I managed to deal with higher difficulty levels quite well in the past. Now ... no chance with anything beyond tutor. Somehow, suddenly, even the Klackon out-research my creative and +2 research race on anything from beginner difficulty upwards. Not just a little, but massively, reaching the end of the tech tree before I am even half-way through. The moment someone declares war they steam-roll me with massive fleets of much higher technology.

On the other hand - tutor difficulty is a cakewalk, no matter how gimped a race I create. Any one any idea/suggestion/thoughts/knowledge as to why?
GOG sells the DOS Version using Dosbox. The DOS version should probably be on your disks too.
Post edited October 01, 2010 by gnarbrag
Yes. I know DOS version is on there. But I left the disks at my parents, who live in a different country. I only re-installed it when visiting ... see first post.
Post edited October 01, 2010 by Mnemon