OFFICIAL Strategy Gaming Thread

[crazyeyesreaper]

Rome II and Atilla are not as good as older games in terms of that WOW feeling but in Co-op vs the AI the game can be extremely fun yet still challenging.

 

[Kursah]

Grey Goo just had a pretty big release that also introduces a fourth playable race, the Shroud. The update/expansion is called Decent of the Shroud. Looking forward to getting back into this one...was a fun classic-style RTS!

https://www.greybox.com/greygoo/en/forum/topic/27847/

 

[Kursah]

Been mixing it up with some Grey Goo campaign action which has been pretty fun in classic-RTS fashion and trying to find my next 4X fix that can keep my attention, and be able to get in and play in short time frames that I have. I have been on and off again with Star Ruler 2, and almost purchased GalCiv 3...though I'm not as big of a TBS fan as I am RTS. That said I did find some enjoyment in SotS 1 and GalCiv2.

I should add I'm also playing through HW1 Remastered...albeit slowly in anticipation of the mega patch coming "soon" to fix a lot of the issues that so many folks have been requesting be fixed...

Distant Worlds is pretty much the most epic 4X out there, even with 2D sprites...the simulation in it is intense. I haven't really had time to get into that title yet...but I will say what time I used it was nice to be able to tune the AI to take over some tasks I had no interest in and watch my living, growing empire and control its armies.

Anyways, back to Star Ruler 2, I did enjoy SR1 because it was so unique but it was so very much indie and had some plain Jane graphics that after several dozen hours of learning and playing it grew old. SR2 has much better graphics and I really like how it lays out and ID's your empire, the planet resource management is a neat quirk, but I've barely gotten into the training of it. It seems like the closest I can get for a decent 4X that has some good combat-orientation to it, allowing ship design and has quite a bit to do. Anyone else into this title? What do you prefer?

 

[Kursah]

Any 4X fans here?

I've been playing a lot of Star Ruler 2, trying to learn Distant Worlds: Universe on the side and looking into the future...both are pretty damn good. DW:U has a lot of shit going on...but feels more like a living, breathing galaxy than a war generator. Star Ruler 2 feels more like an RTS in space, with some expansion. Not that it's a bad thing...because it works very well. I suck at designing custom ships. And I wish DW:U had 3D graphics! But it holds its own well for being sprite-based. Both have dedicated followings and mod support, and I'm happy to have both in my collection. I feel Star Ruler 2 is one of the best indie RTS/strategy/4X games I've ever had the chance to try...and can be quite fun. I set the spacebar to be pause and all is well.

But I'm torn...there's a lot of interesting ones coming soon...the new MOO got announced, and Polaris Sector comes out in a couple weeks, Stellaris should be out soon as well, among a whole bunch of others

I am kind of hinging to see how these all perform! But I'm also interested to see if someone brings something different to the table that will make me lose sleep, play 10 more minutes, one more turn, etc.

SR2 and DW:U haven't hooked me that heavily yet...granted maybe because I'm keeping them at arm's distance...but right now I've but Homworld down in favor of those two. I honestly would like to see more ground involvement...something that takes what I hoped Planetary Annihilation was going to do, something that Star Wars: Empire at War did with mixed ground and space operations, I just want more depth...but accessible.. I remember playing Caesar III back in the day, and taking the time to learn how to manage and build my society to prosper so that I could build a greater army in their support...I ask too much and am not capable of better describing let alone even attempting to create my vision lol!

There are some games that focus more on planet colonization, but lack at war/combat. But the nice thing is, like Space Sims... Space 4X is back with a vengance...and is pushing hard with AAA and indie titles cropping up left and right...it is a matter of time before "the one" comes out.

What ones have you tried? I realize SotS and MOO2 are big hits with their supporters...I have both. The new MOO is real-time, but the reviews are a mixed bag being early access and all...I can wait.

 

[Ahhzz]

Any 4X fans here?

I've been playing a lot of Star Ruler 2, trying to learn Distant Worlds: Universe on the side and looking into the future...both are pretty damn good. DW:U has a lot of shit going on...but feels more like a living, breathing galaxy than a war generator. Star Ruler 2 feels more like an RTS in space, with some expansion. Not that it's a bad thing...because it works very well. I suck at designing custom ships. And I wish DW:U had 3D graphics! But it holds its own well for being sprite-based. Both have dedicated followings and mod support, and I'm happy to have both in my collection. I feel Star Ruler 2 is one of the best indie RTS/strategy/4X games I've ever had the chance to try...and can be quite fun. I set the spacebar to be pause and all is well.

But I'm torn...there's a lot of interesting ones coming soon...the new MOO got announced, and Polaris Sector comes out in a couple weeks, Stellaris should be out soon as well, among a whole bunch of others

I am kind of hinging to see how these all perform! But I'm also interested to see if someone brings something different to the table that will make me lose sleep, play 10 more minutes, one more turn, etc.

SR2 and DW:U haven't hooked me that heavily yet...granted maybe because I'm keeping them at arm's distance...but right now I've but Homworld down in favor of those two. I honestly would like to see more ground involvement...something that takes what I hoped Planetary Annihilation was going to do, something that Star Wars: Empire at War did with mixed ground and space operations, I just want more depth...but accessible.. I remember playing Caesar III back in the day, and taking the time to learn how to manage and build my society to prosper so that I could build a greater army in their support...I ask too much and am not capable of better describing let alone even attempting to create my vision lol!

There are some games that focus more on planet colonization, but lack at war/combat. But the nice thing is, like Space Sims... Space 4X is back with a vengance...and is pushing hard with AAA and indie titles cropping up left and right...it is a matter of time before "the one" comes out.

What ones have you tried? I realize SotS and MOO2 are big hits with their supporters...I have both. The new MOO is real-time, but the reviews are a mixed bag being early access and all...I can wait.

Waiting for M.O.R.E. to be ready I'm hopeful, I think lol

 

[BumbleBee]

I have been playing the latest Gal Civ 3 expansion.

 

[Kursah]

I've been keeping an eye on MORE too. Gal Civ 3 sounds promising...but I'm waiting for a better sale...I like GC2 but not sold on 3 yet. How do you feel the new expansion improves the game?

 

[BumbleBee]

I've been keeping an eye on MORE too. Gal Civ 3 sounds promising...but I'm waiting for a better sale...I like GC2 but not sold on 3 yet. How do you feel the new expansion improves the game?

it's okay

 

[Kursah]

And that's why I'm not eager to buy it. I do plan to get into some more DW:U this evening...got a good run last night and had a blast!

 

[Kursah]

Well had a short time window but got a few minutes into my current DW:U game. I am getting more and more involved...and am really starting to enjoy it. So much going on in this title...shit's crazy lol. I know there are more hardcore sims out there...but this is more than enough for me... I sure hope if DW2 comes out they modernize the graphics....this game would be killer with modern 3D graphics, better ship design (though I'm a noob at that so...), a little more option for ground building, management and combat. Oh well, for now there's so much to try, do and experience with this title maybe I'll be good for a bit. We shall see!

 

[Kursah]

So Stardrive 2 is on sale for $7.49 on steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/252450/

And they just released the new DLC, Sector Zero. It makes a lot of changes to the game and many people are saying it's pretty awesome and worth the $9.99.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/445690/

I bit on both and am giving it a go. FWIR, SD2 has been the closest MOO2 clone with modern graphics and adaptations yet, and many are saying the DLC fixes a lot of issues, adds some more originality without ruining it. There are still a lot of negatives about it and claims it is still buggy. I also bit on SD1, which I enjoyed in small doses for a short while until the dev dropped support to move onto SD2...I found that distasteful. But I have a buddy who plays this and thinks I'll love it even though it's TBS...it has RTC, so that might tide me over.

Either rate, going to see if it was worth the sub-$20 investment....

I played a good hour of DW:U last night, and have built up my fleets, and ran my economy into the hole building up so many...started war with a neighbor whom tried to end the war, only for me to start it again. I've made several attempts to destroy their home planet to no avail....needs more fleets!!!! This game is addictive...and now I feel like it might be the one worth investing time into...I say that after just buying another game though...sigh...

 

[Kursah]

Polaris Sector dropped today, normally $40, on sale for $36. http://store.steampowered.com/app/418250

It does seem promising for a real-time pause-able 4X space strategy game. Hoping to read some good responses and reviews on it from experienced players and hopefully fellow TPU strategy fans!

I just got paid so the itch to buy it is very present.

Review: http://explorminate.net/2016/03/22/polaris-sector-review/

 

[Kursah]

Well I caved and bought Polaris Sector after release day and reading responses and reviews on it.

So far I really dig it too...the way research is performed is pretty cool, the real time instanced battles work very well and the game plays great overall. Not without a few bugs, but overall I feel I am enjoying it more than StarDrive 2, Star Ruler 2 and Distant Worlds: Universe.

DW:U is still the most complex and more simulation/grand strategy style...but this is a blend between all I have mentioned...in a good way. Though I haven't finished a round yet...I find myself getting into micromanaging select planets or designing my next ship loadout, scouting out my next path through the stars, etc. So far very enjoyable game. Pleasantly surprised thus far!

 

[Kursah]

Anyone playing Ashes of the Singularity post-release?

I'm gonna fire it up today and put the space games down and see how it turned out...was looking and playing very good in beta.

The official email from Mark on the game's release promises a lot more units and content coming soon so I'll suppose we shall see what happens there.

I'll report back once I have a few more hours into this title. Is it the Crysis of RTS, a modern successor to fill the demand of a new SupCom, or a flop??...

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

I've been playing Ashes for months and I really enjoy playing it! It keeps getting better and better ^^

Currently playing planetary Annihilation: Titans too which is also fantastic!

 

[Kursah]

I agree...my experience with both has been great as well! Even got my kids into PA Titans because its so action packed.

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

I love how many units of which you can choose from and all of them different than the next! such a great game! Next week I'll probably be playing Ashes again and then the week after I'll be gaming PA:Titans all over again and again ^^

 

[Mussels]

i cant get into PA at all, i was an early backer and i hate the UI, and the way it zooms/scales - the planets are way too small, and i hate how you cant lock it to stay 'north' - even using the keybind for that, it seems to rotate on me.

 

[Kursah]

Ya those are valid complaints for sure...some of it I grew used to (the North orientation issue being one of them, it is annoying for sure tho). I agree the planets could've been larger too...but I still enjoy the massive battles that can occur, and I also like the art design of the game as well. Makes it more lighthearted action...and I treat it as such..not nearly as serious, more of a hop in and play some rounds of action packed RTS with lots of units and explosions. The kids love it too for those aspects, and that's a good reason I keep playing for sure.

I don't mind the zoom at all, it works well enough for me at least. I always enjoy turning a planet into a weapon...just so much carnage!

 

[Mussels]

i wanted TA with greater scale, and instead the game was shrunk down.

felt like the opposite of what i wanted.

 

[Kursah]

Agreed, and I still hope that somehow, someway PA will end up adding scalability as an option...likely a pipe dream. But with Ashes out, if I want massive scale it covers it well...for a square map game that is. Maybe someone else will come along and show Uber how it should've been done.

If UberEnt wants to really please its fans and supporters, they'll definitely add more...but I almost wonder if they reached the limitations of their engine sooner than expected? IIRC they were promising large planets on Kickstarter...I was an original backer too...been a long time since I browsed through that page or actually read any of the news or patch notes for PA. If Uber won't get it done, maybe a modder will... it'd be a totally different game at that point...something an offline player like me could enjoy far more than a few rounds with the boys...I don't get into the eSport side of this game...not for me.

I do enjoy the Titans though, that was a good move on their part.

 

[Mussels]

ashes is something i'll be trying out properly soon

 

[Irish_PXzyan]

I have to also agree with your complaints, you pretty much covered my main issues with the game. I really hatteeee the flipping ZOOM! my god...

Give Ashes a good wallop as it really is an impressive game and since it got that juicy DX12 update it runs really smooth with tons and tons on screen action! PA could really do with some DX12 juicing ^^

 

[Kursah]

So can't believe I let this one slip past my radar further... but Battlefield Gothic: Armada looks pretty cool! Though I haven't invested enough time into researching it to verify if it is truly something I want yet or not...hoping to hear some feedback from fellow TPU-ers that might have bit on the beta.

@RCoon can you provide any thoughts? I'm super tempted to pick it up to mix in with my 4X and RTS games I'm playing...

 

[RCoon]

So can't believe I let this one slip past my radar further... but Battlefield Gothic: Armada looks pretty cool! Though I haven't invested enough time into researching it to verify if it is truly something I want yet or not...hoping to hear some feedback from fellow TPU-ers that might have bit on the beta.

@RCoon can you provide any thoughts? I'm super tempted to pick it up to mix in with my 4X and RTS games I'm playing...

I've had Beta access for quite some time, and intended to run a review a couple weeks ago, but they keep pushing back my NDA date. Think release date is late this April. Basically if you're into hardcore space strategy (Proper WH40K style), it's the game for you. It's published by Focus Home Interactive though, and they have a tendency to publish good-but-rough games. It's a very hands on strategy title, so none of this C&C attack-move stuff. I think it's going to split Strategy game fans. It's not as approachable as C&C, but it's going to tickle the Total War orientated players a bit more.