Posted on: November 20, 2012
SOURCE_OF_TRUTH
Verified ownerGames: Reviews: 9
Unlike what you know and one of the best
This is not an RTS or a 4X or a turn-based strategy game. Not really. It is wonderful, reasonably accurate and most importantly fun simulator of the industrial revolution and the subsequent imperialism. And while there are armies and fleets, they only play a minor role. I always come back to this game, after all this time. You are the appointed leader of a major power at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Your job is it to develop your country's industry by tapping into its resources by building a good infrastructure and transport network and building an industry. This is a game of commerce and the power that comes with it. You gather or and especially import raw materials that can be processed into various products, which you then sell again on the world market or use for expanding your industry again. Intricate web of dependencies form, smaller countries become trade creditors, dependent on you or are wooed by the major powers if they are a valuable market. Commerce dictates politics, the weak fall to the strong. Wars break out, fought with trade sanctions and grants or with weapons. It is a brilliant system, easy to learn yet very very deep. The game also comes with some scenarios based on the historical period but the best games a certainly on the randomly generated maps. The gameplay mechanics are superbly designed, resulting a natural fit of subject and rules. Also, it subject is still surprisingly on spot. This is not an age long passed despite today's lack of open imperialism, our world order is still governed by the same rules of commerce, exploitation and capitalism. I also want to add that even the multiplayer mode is great. Since everybody is taking turns at the same time, there are no akward waits or much downtime, making Imperialsim-LAN parties a real joy. You even save the multi-game, a feature that many games still lack today. In short, this is a game that has lost nothing of its charme or depth, a game that holds up just as well today and a game that you need to buy.
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