Unique but extremely satisfying game that you will get your money’s worth 100x over. Arcen Games are different games with of focus on good computer opponents and giving you a wealth of interesting choices to make. Heart of the Machine has a incredible user interface once you learn and you will learn well by just completing the prologue and chapter one. Then the world is yours to do as you please.
The more I play this game the more I like it, it has so much depth and options. Now with random maps and the Origin starts its even better. I have to admit I didn't like it at first but now I can't stop playing it. The lore and characters are amazing. The unit customization is incredible. This has to be one of the best strategy games of the decade.
I've played all the 4X games since Civ I and I can say that Old World has absolutely hit the right balance between everything to make such an immersive and rewarding game experience. If you like strategy, or if you like historical or if you just like brilliant built games with 100s of hours of gameplay, then this is the game for you. BTW no DLC is required for this game to be great, if fact I prefer the game without any DLC it is that good.
Adds some more amazing features to an amazingly designed game. This game really make you feel like your in charge of the people trying to maintain power of several systems in an ocean of other rulers trying to do the same thing. If you like the main game, then this DLC takes it to the next level allowing you to completely design your entire family and starting setup, including if you uncle is married to another systems Duchess. The Bloodline buffs (technology tree) is nice for extra options on how you play your current game, working out what suits your current situation and what will help you become stronger based on your characters strengths and weakness. Finally adding some much need events/interaction with your children, helping shape them into what your family needs are.
This is one of those games that you have to give a few hours of play as well as a few restarts before you realise how good that game actually is. The artwork for all the events are top notch and very thematic. All the random goodness of procedural world and procedural create characters is another highlight. The only reason this isn't 5 stars from me is the repeat event for tournaments gets a little old with no variation and some icons don't have tool tips to help you decide what decisions you want to make. Finally, I would say, that anyone playing this will probably find the first 2 hours can be confusing and that there is too make randomness to allow you to rule your empire. But if you keep playing you will see just how good the mechanics of this game really is and that you can't do anything you want all the time, you need to plan whats important and use the strength of the characters you have control over. As the title says, this is a very good game.
An action packed expansion that adds a lot to the base game while adding almost another new game when allowing the player to be the Necromancer race. The Necromancer is a completely different style of play that is more suited to the action orientated player that doesn't want to hind behind walls but go on the offence again and again. You now will control just a few fleets but buff them up to insane levels to steam roll the galaxy and who ever stands in your way. You do need some help holding on to planet under your control and this expansion has a NPC just for that as well. AI War 2 is a game that you could play for years and always have it fell new every game you start. So many combinations its almost endless the variations you can setup. And this expansion takes the combinations to the next level. The Necromancer alone feels like a completely new game, so if your an AI War 2 player and don't have this DLC then your missing out on a huge addition to this game.
The base game is excellent and now with the Zenith Onslaught we get even more variety into the games components. The new factions well add some crazy challenges for people familiar to AI War 2 and even more 100s hours of incredible strategy action game play.
The base game has a lot of options, but this expansion fills out a lot more variety you can use to setup very different feeling games. You already have 100s hour potential with the base game and now with The spire rises expansion you can triple that potential.
This game is good, different. Had to restart several times and watch a few "how to play" video's, but was it worth it, yes is was. I'm usually a turn-based strategy game player these days, but I can tell you this looks like a lot going on, and there is, but the UI and game design is so mature that after about 2 hours play, you can't believe how easy it is to play (can keep track of your empire). If your an arm-chair general like me, it is well worth effort to understand this gem of game, you won't be disappointed.
