06-14-2021, 02:02 PM
I really REALLY enjoyed working through the game mechanics via the solo game feature. The AI is pretty good (based on the automatically generated suggested orders logic, presumably) and it is certainly a surprise to see your AI enemies encroaching on 'your' space with first scout ships then fighters...
The solo game helped me understand the basic flow: a) chart uncharted systems, b) colonise them, c) shuttle the PV from the colonies back to the homeworld and use the production value to create new freighters, fighters, stations, battleships. Then repeat until you crush the enemy empires.
It was all going pretty well, but then ended abruptly on turn 89, both surprising and disappointing me - on one hand, that's a good thing (I was enjoying it), on the other hand it was frustrating: no empire had defeated another, we were all still growing (or I was anyway). Then poof! All over! Thanks for playing! The precomputed end turn had arrived.
I definitely prefer open-ended games for these reasons, but not every sandpit lends itself to open-ended play. However, this game ended prematurely (for me).
I look forward now to real games with real opponents
Bring it on!
It may not be apparent from the rule books, but there are very capable windows apps to help map, plan and perform turn orders. I'll include a few screenshots to summarise some of these.
Overall: very much recommended - signup and have a play!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y5XRQ6_...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DmzvKpH...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N1JUgXd...sp=sharing
The solo game helped me understand the basic flow: a) chart uncharted systems, b) colonise them, c) shuttle the PV from the colonies back to the homeworld and use the production value to create new freighters, fighters, stations, battleships. Then repeat until you crush the enemy empires.
It was all going pretty well, but then ended abruptly on turn 89, both surprising and disappointing me - on one hand, that's a good thing (I was enjoying it), on the other hand it was frustrating: no empire had defeated another, we were all still growing (or I was anyway). Then poof! All over! Thanks for playing! The precomputed end turn had arrived.
I definitely prefer open-ended games for these reasons, but not every sandpit lends itself to open-ended play. However, this game ended prematurely (for me).
I look forward now to real games with real opponents
Bring it on!It may not be apparent from the rule books, but there are very capable windows apps to help map, plan and perform turn orders. I'll include a few screenshots to summarise some of these.
Overall: very much recommended - signup and have a play!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y5XRQ6_...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DmzvKpH...sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N1JUgXd...sp=sharing
Currently playing TribeNet, Far Horizons, Galac-tac, Supernova, The Isles and Dungeonworld.