Re: Star Empires III or Beyond the Green Sun

From: miteke@yahoo.com (Michael Kelly)

Date: Thu, 02 Jan 2003 15:13:48 +0000

I tried SOE and found the economics, combat, and magic extremely
simplistic; the character development was glacial; furthermore, I got
attacked within the first few turns and obliterated by an experienced
player I had the misfortune of sharing the starting city with. The
orders are tricky to get right, particularly the first time. The games
main draw is that the orders are parsed by an english reading parser -
pretty cool.

I would not recommend SOE to anyone who really likes development and
detail. It really does not fit the description you porvided.

Suggestions:

Atlantis (any of the many clones): You atart out with a faction in a
main city and can avoid combat almost indefinately while you build
your factions power up if you stay in the city. But to really get some
steam you have to move out and claim territories, which you can do
diplomatically (talk with the other factions in the city and come to
an agreement) or militarily (possession is 9/10 of the law). But if
you join late you will be locked out of any real development and the
faction placed first in a city has a huge advantage. It's a free game
too. But I doubt they can tailor any technologies/magic for you.

Eldritch (or Iron Kings): The open ended scenarios involve a lot of
position building. If you are a half decent communicator you can
usually negotiate an alliance with your immediate neighbors and enjoy
peaceful building for a while. This game has a great moderator and
costs $2 US per turn - affordable even by me :) There is no
opportunity for tailor made items or technology, but the moderator has
on a number of cases taken suggestions and included them. So if you
present a good idea and the player community seems enthusiatstic about
it (it has a discussion group you can join), it is quite likely to be
added if the programming is not a nightmare.

Legends: Special orders don't upset them, but they do cost you. I
never got to the point where I could design my own items but I heard
of lots of folks who did. You can take various types of start ups
which will allow you to avoid the cut-throat competition you are
trying to avoid. The positions that include economic development may
not be compatible with peaceful coesistance though. I think you have
to be an adventurer party type to avoid the nasty politics and armies.
But I'd check this one out if you got the cash cause this sucker is
expensive! Worth the money, but expensive, and I don't have that kind
of money :(

I'm sure there are more, but those are the ones I'm familiar with. And
unfortunately they are all fantasy type games and you may only be
interested in sci fi games.

> I haven't tried either if these, but I enjoy SOE (
> www.eskimo.com/~ram/soe.html )
> So far all I've done is be isolated ;)
>
> Ronnie Sanford <Sanford@houston.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:6LqQ9.87119$Nz5.2541642@twister.austin.rr.com...
> > Hello everyone,
> >
> > I would like to find an open ended game that values development, research
> > and growth as
> > much as military conquest and allows you to build up for a while before
> > being drawn into a war. (I am more of an isolationist).  It would be a
>  nice
> > perk if the game has a human moderator that allows players to "make up"
>  and
> > pursue their own technology, but that isn't absolutely required (a good
>  tech
> > tree is important though).    The game can be based on a planet (Such as
> > games where you grow a nation) or it can be space based (Where you
>  colonize
> > planets).  It has been difficult to find game reviews but I have seen good
> > things about both Star Empires III and Beyond the Green Planet.  Does
>  anyone
> > have experience with either of these?  Can anyone make any comparisons?
>  Any
> > thoughts are alternate suggestions would be much appreciated!
> >
> > Thanks so much,
> >
> > Ronnie Sanford
> > PS - Please copy my email address at sanford@pdq.net
> >
> >

References

Star Empires III or Beyond the Green Sun
"Ronnie Sanford" <Sanford@houston.rr.com>
Wed, 01 Jan 2003 00:37:22 +0000
Re: Star Empires III or Beyond the Green Sun
"Emperor Itchy" <lorditchy@yahoo.com>
Wed, 01 Jan 2003 16:12:46 +0000