…with most users semi-negative opinions on this forum.
First, this game is a bit boring. There’s no campaign. I wonder why the designers didn’t just use the lore as the campaign…and let the so called open ended game play be the last chapters? So it’s what the designers intended…well, I think they have the wrong idea as evident with so many wondering the same. Better to have than not have, that’s what I say.
Every system is so similar…a celestial body, a big rock, or a cloud. Essentially making every jump point a boxing ring...as one game review puts it. The phase jumps remind me a bit of playing the PSP Daxter where the doorknob turning animation was used to load another level. The universe has such a variety of formations it sad to see only a few of them implemented. Cruising my fleet through the dust rings of Saturn would’ve been spectacular at the same time seeing my ship pulversized by a random meteor shower would’ve been cool too. Also what’s with the limited paths connecting one system to another? Space is open…I should be able to go from one planet to another without having to pass by another planet that’s out of my way. Is the shortest route not a straight path anymore?
The snapshot interface on the left of the HUD could have been more. It is somewhat informative, but not very functional beyond that.
The visuals / graphics break into two components for me…stylistically / design-wise…I do not like it. I thought the final would be better. I still like Nexus (my worst game) and Homeworld 2. They appealed to me when I first saw it. One of the TEC ships reminded me of tanks from CnC. Technically…I think this game is subpar relative to what I’ve seen before in 4+yr old RTS games. The issue of scale is not mentioned very much, but those planets look like very small moons. Just try pulling your largest ship up close to a planet…something wonky about it. As for planetary bombardments...I’m guessing explosions that size would leave a big freaking visible crater on the planet killing everyone in one blow.
Game play mechanics is woofully lacking. I see many folks here defending the 3D issue, but the game is still very much 2d…so you can move a ship up or down holding the D command…big whoop. Why can’t I build a wall formation of gauss cannons so they all have a clear line of sight to the enemy ships when they exit phased space? Place too many of them close to each other as it is, and the game says, ‘structure in the way.’ Also the capital ships don’t move, and why people here defend the lack of this is beyond me. If you don’t think they should move, then next time when someone is throwing rocks at you…just stand still….they’ll miss…eventually….I’m sure. The spherical view rotation is thus somewhat redundant. A swiveling angled view would've sufficed.
The music…is nice….almost put me to sleep in times of RnD. I like this… The voice chatter started to annoy me. Homeworld did a great job with this...copy them and be done with it.
As for the manual and tutorial...they should be sufficient independently...this is not the case.
Yes, yes, I know…if all these were implemented then the game would have high system requirements. Well, to that I’d have to say 1) look at crysis as an example of the fallacy in that thought. 2)If you haven't tried it...can't claim it. I'm playing with a crappy Prescott P4 3ghz w/ 2gig ram and an agp ver. of 7600GS-512mb with very decent frame rates. If this game were better...heck I'd upgrade my PC NOW... But whatever…the game is what it is… I wish I could have $40 back…cause that’s about as much as I think this game is worth.
One thing I do like about this game is the fact that is has no copy protection… Honestly that sold me. I support companies who trust it’s audience. Secondly, your web presence and response is good PR ina responsible sort of way. I admire that. Hope these comments will help make the next game better. I remain hopeful.
