How about some opinions on this game

[Zap]

I have been looking over the games offered here for a purchase of something different. Since it has been a long time since I got into sci-fi, I thought I might try one.

So you who have played the predecessor to this game ; what's your opinion on this game?

Do you like the proposed enhancements?

[Rainbow7]

I think the spirit of the reviews for the predecessor (Divided Galaxies) will still hold for STUN III. Most of the reviews I read before buying the game rated it quite highly. I've been playing a version that is similar to what will be released here at Matrix Games, and I think the improvements are fantastic.

The game focuses on starships far more than on colonization and management of planets (though it's all in there), and is a great alternative to the usual 4X mold. It's quite addictive, in my opinion, and it's stayed on my hard drive since installation about a year and a half ago.

[Hrothgar]

I enjoy it quite a bit. It's very different from other space 4x games. Altho the galaxy is fairly large, economic factors tend to limit the number of starships and colonies you can have, so, even though it's a continuous-time game, you're not overwhelmed trying to keep track of everything.

Also, the game auto-pauses at pretty much every point that you need to take some action, and a message tells you what sort of action needs to be taken. It can be a bit confusing at first, but it doesn't take long at all to get the hang of the system. Help pop-ups are easy to access, "tips" appear when you do something that makes them appropriate, and the online manual is available from within the game. So, it's a well-executed design, in my opinion, in terms of interface/user-friendliness.

Gameplay is intriguing and fast-paced, and, altho it covers the same ground as other space 4x games, does it in a unique fashion. If you like space 4x games and would like to play something different from the standard approach, this is definitely worth a try. I think it's highly underrated.

[jvgfanatic]

It's a jump in and play sort of strategy game. The demo is available from apezone.com and will allow you to form your own opinion.

I bought the apezone version cause it was unclear what the differences were between Divided Galaxies and Stun3.

[Catgh_MatrixForum]

So anybody know if the Demo is based upon the code that is v3; being sold here? or is it just the old demo from a while ago.

[Erik Rutins]

I'm not sure if the demo at ApeZone is the absolute latest, but I assume it's close. When Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies was released, it was substantially different from the normal Starships Unlimited of the time. Since that time, the improvements in SU:DG have largely migrated into normal Starships Unlimited and Andrew has made a number of other outstanding improvements as well which in our opinion greatly improve the already excellent and addictive gameplay that Divided Galaxies had. Therefore, the Starships Unlimited v3 that we are selling is from the same code base, same graphics and sound as the ApeZone version.

The main difference is that we did create a full color PDF E-Book manual for our version based on the latest version of the game and the version sold here is supported by both us and ApeZone. But, unlike with Starships Unlimited: Divided Galaxies, it is no longer a different game or a parallel development path from the original series. For fans of Divided Galaxies that are interested in a better Starships Unlimited, we highly recommend v3.

Regards,

- Erik

[jvgfanatic]

The real question is: what is the difference between SU 3.5 that those of us got for a free upgrade from Apezone and the version 3 that Matrix is selling. I do remember that DG had a really bad interface when compared to the SU that ApeZone was previously selling, it looks as if Matrix (or whoever is responsible for putting that layer of fluff on top of the engine) kept the better Apezone interface for the most part and that is a good thing.

Gak, this makes little sense. Gotta run.

[Erik Rutins]

jvgfanatic,

Code-wise, as far as I know they are identical and will be supported with the same updates. The main extra you get with our version is the improved manual.

Regards,

- Eri