Ok, I wanted to ask about a few of those games discussed in the poll:
SMAC: Since about 2-3 years ago, I cannot get back into it-what is the primary draw? What makes it superior to the other games of this type in a nutshell.
Master of Magic: I am ashamed to say I never played it. What's it like? Is it still available? Still worth trying?
And..add any other games to the discussino you want!
TBS Discussion (inspired by poll)
Moderators: The Preacher, $iljanus, Zaxxon
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Scanner
- Posts: 2034
- Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2004 2:33 am
- Location: q-space
IMHO, there are a couple of features in SMAC that distinguish it from any other 4X game.
First, there is a real asymmetry in the game. Not the RTS style of asymmetry, in which some units are 10% stronger and some are 10% weaker, or the skills and counters are distributed between different units. Rather, in SMAC there is a pseudo-faction, Planet, which must be approached differently from any other faction in the game. You can manage your relations with it, but you can never ally with it nor destroy it. In the expansion, there are two alien factions which also require a substantially different approach from the rest.
Secondly, there are multiple winning strategies. The choice isn't just between economic/research and military/rush. There are factions that take advantage of Planet, others that take advantage of spy teams. You can invade your enemy, or terraform him to death. Like most Civ games, there are multiple winning conditions, but unlike the others, certain factions have very strong propensities towards particular victory goals.
Third, it is more immersive than any other 4x. How many TBS have ingame narratives, anyway? There are cutscenes, well-done voiceovers, and a lot of other features that you normally don't find in games meant for replayability.
Fourth, the faction system is intruiging. People nowadays often identify themselves by profession before nationality. In SMAC, you're not the King of the Babylonians, you're the King of the Hackers! The ideological basis of the factions really makes your empire feel like an extension of yourself, and you can customize your empire further as the game progresses. It also makes the AI relationships more personal. I don't really care if the Prussians live or die, but I really, really hate Sister Miriam and her bible-thumpers, and I feel sorry for Academician Zakharov and will let him live after I crush his army of malnourished grad students. Likewise, inter-AI emnities always exist and can be used for advantage in the UN council.
Finally, SMAC isn't the only game with atrocities, but it definitely has the coolest ones. Especially nerve stapling.
First, there is a real asymmetry in the game. Not the RTS style of asymmetry, in which some units are 10% stronger and some are 10% weaker, or the skills and counters are distributed between different units. Rather, in SMAC there is a pseudo-faction, Planet, which must be approached differently from any other faction in the game. You can manage your relations with it, but you can never ally with it nor destroy it. In the expansion, there are two alien factions which also require a substantially different approach from the rest.
Secondly, there are multiple winning strategies. The choice isn't just between economic/research and military/rush. There are factions that take advantage of Planet, others that take advantage of spy teams. You can invade your enemy, or terraform him to death. Like most Civ games, there are multiple winning conditions, but unlike the others, certain factions have very strong propensities towards particular victory goals.
Third, it is more immersive than any other 4x. How many TBS have ingame narratives, anyway? There are cutscenes, well-done voiceovers, and a lot of other features that you normally don't find in games meant for replayability.
Fourth, the faction system is intruiging. People nowadays often identify themselves by profession before nationality. In SMAC, you're not the King of the Babylonians, you're the King of the Hackers! The ideological basis of the factions really makes your empire feel like an extension of yourself, and you can customize your empire further as the game progresses. It also makes the AI relationships more personal. I don't really care if the Prussians live or die, but I really, really hate Sister Miriam and her bible-thumpers, and I feel sorry for Academician Zakharov and will let him live after I crush his army of malnourished grad students. Likewise, inter-AI emnities always exist and can be used for advantage in the UN council.
Finally, SMAC isn't the only game with atrocities, but it definitely has the coolest ones. Especially nerve stapling.
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Veloxi
- Posts: 1030
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- Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Master of Magic, despite some bugs, is still one of the best fantasy-based 4X games ever created. Random worlds, the ability to create your own wizard, wonderful tactical combat, and much more. I can't say enough good things about it, so check it out at Home of the Underdogs or Adandonia. You can get the game to work with DOSBox or VDMSound.
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DuckofDeath
- Posts: 134
- Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 6:36 pm
Scanner gave a nice summary, SMAC is a really awesome 4x strategy game that is nicely intregrated with some cool fiction. Some people said they hated the setting, but I thought it was pretty interesting. Surprising for a 4x game, there is an actual storyline that's great the first time you play through (it can be ignored afterwards) and the tech/setting is very well thought out. Some of the tech names can be confusing the first few times, but thankfully SMAC has a big civlopedia built in just like all the CIV games.