It's finally here 5 years later and yes it is as good as I remember it has aged remarkably well! (Btw this is my no.1 Game Ever cuz of what it achieved on 1999) If you loved 4x especially in space you will 100% enjoy this game(play first as Solarian on easy), this is one of the most ambitious & that actual deliver. First let me tell you there are some bugs on this release: - clicking on a fleet and sending to another fleet should auto-merge, if you can't, you have to save, exit to desktop and restart.(this prevents from completing certain quests like attacking traders) - sometimes quests objectives like attack X pirate planet do not appear on the minimap when they( also on the original) Since the game has so many positives I will start with negatives: - Having no upkeep for ships eventually turns this games in a bunch of doomstacks fleets which of course being a RTS the AI will easily amassed them if you are inexperience or play slow(on normal you will get pwned) - A deeper city simulator would be better & an advance buildings like a better hospital & police station are missing - The Kra'hen on normal difficulty will steam roller every civilization & diplomacy can be a PITA with A.I. if you are weaker than them The good stuff: - One map, one game, dynamic start and quests - Ton of different technologies with different game mechanics assign to them - One resource & Auto-Build reduces micromanaging allowing for deeper gameplay - 3 Distinct Campaign with specific events, quest, cut scenes and flavors. - Deep espionage with character progression that works well - Diplomacy that works (if not weak) - Ability to upgrade, design ships & tanks with different abilities & weapons. - City Sim helps you connect with your planets when fighting on them - Ground Battles with ability to drop bombs & call air support - Space battles where planets can use ground guns to shoot at ships - Good soundtrack that doesn't feel much repetitive & goes well with the game And Much more!!!
I was quite surprise by this game single player campaign, I recommend already solely on this. It's a game that probably takes you 16h to complete which is great for me since I have busy schedule, it employes very well RPG elements, crafting adn dynamic quests. The mythos and world is well build with some mystery to be uncover and secrets to explore. I kinda wish there was more missions or an extra campaign and the A.I. was slightly more intelligent but I already would the A.I. consider it above average or at least working withing a range of player expectations. I do think the computer cheats in a lot of things it does but it doesn't make the game feel broken or unfair. Other features missing is voice acting that would make it much better. An annoyance in the game is that any of your towns can be destroyed in one turn if you have no defenders there, it should have a count for a few turns before it's destroyed. If you play good enough the last battle might be slightly anti-climatic. In the end a great strategy, tactical and rpg a good buy at 15€ or lower.
For those players that want a fresh take on RPGs this one is great the stealth elements feel fresh, bosses are interesting and gameplay is engaging. The progression and travelling from place to place, continent to continent feels so unique and perfect each with interesting characters and quests, also maps seem quite big currently and especially for the time, this was one of the games that I play that had day and night cycle and adds to the immersion. At some point you start to feel like you did such a big journey as you stop to look back at the places you have passed through. This game is really good and fresh to me so I give it 5 stars.
