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Published by: Kalypso Media |
Sins of a Solar Empire - Game Review (PC)
By Emanuel Avram
Published: February 25, 2008
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A good game but, contrary to some enthusiasts and fans, not for every strategy fan out there. Elements from 4X strategy games make the interface a bit complicated and the learning curve takes quite some time. If you have never played Civilization, Pax Imperia or Master of Orion before, (or anything similar really), don't even think skipping the tutorial! And if you just played Warcraft III, arm yourself with a lot of patience. I think one of the main reasons this game is highly regarded is that there haven't been any decent strategy titles in ages...
Oh, I almost forgot the smart interface bar found on the left of the screen, that shows every unit you have under your command in nice battle groups. Smart, but I am old and forgot about it all the time... Control+1 and 1 that's all i can remember...
Gameplay: 85
The mixture is interesting enough to make this game something worth playing. It's arguable if you'll like it or not, but there are high chanses you will if you give it a chance and some learning time. Some elements like slow gameplay, more statistical combat and the fact that you have to zoom in and out wayyyy too much can make it annoying from time to time. Not to mention the AI or the pirates. I really loved the research tree however and the way everything expands...
I would have hoped for some kind of campaign too, but it just has 10 maps (including a random map generator).
Graphics: 82
Nothing spectacular and everything moves only on 2 axes. Nothing is cutting edge, but the graphics are not aggressive and fun to watch even after 5 or 10 hours of gameplay. Plus some ships (especially alien) look cool...
Multiplayer: 88
Since a game can take a couple of days to complete really, there is a smart save option for online matches. The game has also a matchmaking system included that, while it isn't too fancy, it works ok.
Sound: 76
Depending on the faction again, some voices are good, but some are really too cheesy... When I started reviewing this, I chose a random faction, and I ended up with the Advent. I totally hate the Advent announcer voice, and their structure and ship design as well... But the Vasari have it much cooler. Fight and ship sounds aren't really worth mentioning (but I'm doing it anyway). Oh yes, you'll want to cut sound at a certain point.
Music reminds me of Space Odyssey music a bit, calm symphonic background music... And I like it.
Hardware: 89
At least the game moves well on most systems. Except if you attack the pirates, check out the video...
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The stellar "Sins of a Solar Empire" hits our PCs with a unique interesting new combination of game genres and a few cool ideas that should draw the attention of quite a few strategy fans. The newcomer Ironclad Games managed the impossible and created a competitive title indeed. But aside from all the prays and high marks this game received overall, its approach on RTS and the mix of elements it brings, one can find some things that will bother a few players and that will eventually influence the grades of this review. Ok, let's take it from the top.
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| Sins of a Solar Empire - No.3 in UK charts June 25, 2008 The strategy title Sins of a Solar Empire, the best selling USA PC product, has hit number 3 in the UK PC Retail charts today – beating blockbuster games like "Alone in the Dark" and "Mass Effect".
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| Sins of a Solar Empire released in the UK June 23, 2008 The Games for Windows boxed version arrives on UK shelves this weekend in an exclusive gate fold Limited Edition box....
[...] |
| Sins of a Solar Empire releases 13th June 2008 in the UK June 4, 2008 Sins of a Solar Empire sold approx 100,000 copies over two months following its US release earlier this year and hit number one in the USA charts.
[...] |
| Sins of a solar empire trailer available May 14, 2008 Kalypso Media is pleased to release a teaser of the strategy title Sins
of a Solar Empire, the best selling USA PC product developed by
Ironclad Games.
[...] |
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