So... was it worth the wait?

[Aroddo]

ORIGINAL:  LarryP

ORIGINAL:  Aroddo

This is the first game since MoO2 that comes close to provide as much fun. You're in for a treat!

OK, now I'm almost pushed over the edge to buy now.  That's a pretty good comparison.  I have a pile of space games that have not even come close to the MoO series.  I spent my money on Sins Of A Solar Empire (hate it), Sword Of The Stars (OK but needs work), GalCiv2 (not too bad), Space Empires series (OK), Smugglers 4 (Small and repetitive), Alpha Centauri (best of the bunch besides MoO2 and not 100% space game), and many more.  I'm ready for something that compares to MoO2.  [&o]

Do the battles have an auto resolve option?  [&:]

Let's see ...

• Sins was interesting, although I consider it a totally different game than MoO2. A very good space rts, but not a MoO experience.
• SotS I remember only vaguely. I didn't much care for the user interface as far as I remember.
• GalCiv2 bored me to death. I don't know why - it should have been exactly my game. But somehow I kept falling asleep when I sent my starting ship on Pac-Man missions and never got to the point where I could learn to value the game's good points.
• Space Empires was way too detailed and UGLY for my tastes. Every version of it. I mean, designing ships in MoO2 was fine. In SE5 even a scout vessel has three deck each with 20 or so slots and a list with hundreds of ugly icons you can shove into those slots. All this for the smallest ship type and at turn 1. The tutorial was great, too. About 80 boxes of text in a very small font. That's motivating.
• Alpha Centauri was godly. I wish Sid Meier would stop those stupid Civ projects and take a shot at AC2.
• Never heard of Smugglers ...

There were others, like Imperium Galactica (quite decent) but honestly, no there was no space 4x game I'd prefer over a Dosbox with MoO2. Armada 2526 is the first contender for the MoO2 throne.

@killroyishere
Nah, we don't know everything about the game. At best we have a 2 month headstart and some direct feedback from the developer.
There's still much to try and right now I'm checking the modding possibilities. Sadly I don't have the final game yet or even a RC ... just the beta 4, which has the convenient cheat menu, hehehehe.

[Hanal]

When someone has time, could you please describe how battles are performed? I know it is a type of pausible RTS, but is it similiar in style to Birth of a Federation? In that game, you issued orders then let the turn play out. I just do not want to be bothered with a clickfest...thanks in advance

Question 2..can a notebook handle the graphics?

[Wade1000]

1. I haven't played the game yet. As I've read and seen, the battles are real time with the ability to pause at any time and issue orders.

2. Most newer notebooks are similiar in components to towers. It depends on what is inside your notebook, same as it would a tower. Here are the system requirements:

System Requirements
OS: XP, Vista, 7
CPU: 1 GHz
RAM: 1 GB
Graphics: DirectX 9 Compatible 3D Video Card with 128 MB RAM
Sound DirectX 9 Compatible
Disk Space: 2 GB Free
DirectX9.0c+, .NET Framework 2.0+, Visual C Runtimes (all included in installer)

http://www.matrixgames.com/products/376 ... rmada.2526

[gijas17]

Im on the fence as well. This or King Arthur? They both look like great rpg strategy games with real time battle elements except King Arthur takes place in ancient times on the British Isles more like Total War. Both were released today, but which one?

[Rosseau]

Worth the wait, as far as I'm concerned...

Gigas,
I noticed King Arthur too--because it had "wargame" in its subtitle--but it looks like oh-so-many games I already have. Total War Series, HOMM Series, XII Century maybe, plus it's an RTS. Turn-based and I'd buy it. But please let us know what you think if you get it.

Meanwhile, Armada fits perfectly in a crowded niche, IMO. Prettier than Space Empires V, quicker to play and less complex than SOTS; can't comment on Sins or GalCiv2, as I haven't played 'em yet.

Armada has one other thing that I love: Ability to create incredibly detailed campaigns by editing one XML and shifting some files around. Space Empires was the champ in terms of customization, but Armada comes real close.

[EisenHammer]

Here is my quick take on Armada 2526.

Armada 2526 is a decent 4x game, and better than most of the others 4x games out there now. The turn-based strategy map part of the game is a lot like MOO and MOO2. Diplomacy in this game is one of the best I’ve seen in a 4x game, and with a little bit of tweaking it will be on par or better than MOOs diplomacy.
The research and technology part of the game is a mix bag in that I like some parts of it, and other parts I’m not really sure about. I like how you can specialize on a tech in a certain field, and then keep on upgrading the building in that field. The only problem I have is that everybody gets the same tech tree anyways. I think MOO and SOTS have a better way of handing the tech and research part of the game.
Now for the epic space battles. I really wish someone out there… maybe on some Distant Worlds… will come out with a 4x space game that has a tactical turn-based combat system that does not suck. Something from MOO and MOO2 tactical combat system would be a real nice change from all the RTS.

Overall, I’m glad I purchase this game. It is fun to conquer the galaxy and smash thy enemies under thy boot.

[killroyishere]

Yeah it's the RTS that's holding me back and making it easier to just wait on it for awhile. I'm pretty sick of everything released nowadays being either FPS or RTS where's all the turn based games?? Even Dragon Age is RTS. They must not want older players money anymore as I just don't have the will or the hand speed or the desire to play such games anymore. I don't mind auto calc animations like GalCiv2 and Spartan/Troy do it though. That's fine can be RTS all it wants to as long as I don't have to do the clicking. A few commands during the battles would be nice though.

[Janster]

Okay, just finished my 2nd game, joined an alliance, which ofcourse spelled my doom, as I got tangled in tons of wars
My main issues was that I had problems getting early warnings and the enemy more or less swamped me all over the place quickly, fair enough, i probably sucked.

I like the whole concept of this game, but polish and a few tweaks would be nice.

- I have problems finding my fleets, and seperating my own fleets from the enemy fleets.
- I have problems understanding what is exactly being attacked, pressing the newsflash moves the view, but not to the place of attack.
- Fleet icons, planets with my own ships are very hard to see, its aesthetically nice to watch, but maybe not best on the eye.

-In combat, uhm once I use the group button, moving a unit forward is a bit tricky, as the whole formation turns on me.
-Targeting, my units seems to have it in for those militia units despite there be missile launchers avast, I'd prefere if they fired on units that are a danger to them first.

Small things, but I'm having some good fun here

[Wade1000]

ORIGINAL: killroyishere

Yeah it's the RTS that's holding me back and making it easier to just wait on it for awhile. I'm pretty sick of everything released nowadays being either FPS or RTS where's all the turn based games?? Even Dragon Age is RTS. They must not want older players money anymore as I just don't have the will or the hand speed or the desire to play such games anymore. I don't mind auto calc animations like GalCiv2 and Spartan/Troy do it though. That's fine can be RTS all it wants to as long as I don't have to do the clicking. A few commands during the battles would be nice though.

The strategic main map and colony management is turn based. The tactical batles are real time with the ability to pause at any time and issue orders.

[Zakhal]

ORIGINAL: killroyishere
I don't mind auto calc animations like GalCiv2 and Spartan/Troy do it though. That's fine can be RTS all it wants to as long as I don't have to do the clicking. A few commands during the battles would be nice though.

The difference between calculated and controlled RTS is that in controlled you have multiple tactical options that you can use to your advantige (or disadvantige) during the battle.

Armada RTS dies according to how much "tactics" there is in the tactical RTS battles. If theres none to found then it could have just as easily been a calculated battle since there is not much you can do to change the outcome.

I havent played armada much but i.e Sots had lots of options, great looks and UI once you learned it in the tactical battles.

[killroyishere]

ORIGINAL: Wade1000

ORIGINAL: killroyishere

Yeah it's the RTS that's holding me back and making it easier to just wait on it for awhile. I'm pretty sick of everything released nowadays being either FPS or RTS where's all the turn based games?? Even Dragon Age is RTS. They must not want older players money anymore as I just don't have the will or the hand speed or the desire to play such games anymore. I don't mind auto calc animations like GalCiv2 and Spartan/Troy do it though. That's fine can be RTS all it wants to as long as I don't have to do the clicking. A few commands during the battles would be nice though.

The strategic main map and colony management is turn based. The tactical batles are real time with the ability to pause at any time and issue orders.

Yes I know taht Wade, but, I might as well be clicking as pressing the pause button every 2 seconds. That is what I want to avoid totally. RTS is just not for me unless it it slow like a Paradox game setting of "Very Slow" or 2nd Manassas game speed and combat which is Very Slow or the older Total War series Shogun and Medieval Total War where it also had a slower animation and game speed. Actually the TW series game speed even at the lowest rating is teetering on too fast for me. I tolerate it but wished it was a tad bit slower.

GalCiv2 though is real time combat I don't have to mess with. I like that best. I like the wego system of Combat Mission CMx1 as I don't have to mess with that either just click a command and watch the battle play out. There's plenty of tactics in that game without having to play a clickfest. Spartan does the same a real time battle where I only have a few inputs and sit back and watch my tactics and commands take effect. To me it's most realistic than controlling every single unit or every single squad, platoon, ship or what have you.

I would have jumped all over this game had it been of a wego type combat system ala Combat Mission or Panzer Command:Kharkov. I click direction, area of attack and a target if there is one. Let the battle run 40-60 seconds and let me input battle information in again. I just like that type of combat engine best and really only just about.

[Wade1000]

The creator has stated in a podcast interview that he deliberately designed the battles to try and avoid "click fests". Yep, he used the words "click fest" too. As I understand the Armada 2526 battles, you can just issue some starting orders and then either watch the battle or actively participate. Actually, I think you don't even have to give starting orders if you don't want to.

[killroyishere]

ORIGINAL: Wade1000

The creator has stated in a podcast interview that he deliberately designed the battles to try and avoid "click fests". Yep, he used the words "click fest" too. As I understand the Armada 2526 battles, you can just issue some starting orders and then either watch the battle or actively participate. Actually, I think you don't even have to give starting orders if you don't want to.

Well now that is a plus. Anyway to confirm this from Matrixgames or a Developer?

[Wade1000]

The podcast interview is announced and linked in the top/sticky thread of the forum here at Matrix Games forums\Armada 2526.

tm.asp?m=2295424

[Aroddo]

ORIGINAL: killroyishere

ORIGINAL: Wade1000

The creator has stated in a podcast interview that he deliberately designed the battles to try and avoid "click fests". Yep, he used the words "click fest" too. As I understand the Armada 2526 battles, you can just issue some starting orders and then either watch the battle or actively participate. Actually, I think you don't even have to give starting orders if you don't want to.

Well now that is a plus. Anyway to confirm this from Matrixgames or a Developer?

I can confirm that.

• You can simply auto-resolve, in which case a popup informs you about the detailed result of the battle, skipping the rts part entirely.
• You can start the battle and set all ships to auto. Then both sides will be controlled by the computer and you can simply watch. In any case, it's better to let some units not be controlled by the computer ...

If you just stick to auto-resolve then you've got your GalCiv2 combat.

[killroyishere]

You can start the battle and set all ships to auto. Then both sides will be controlled by the computer and you can simply watch. In any case, it's better to let some units not be controlled by the computer ...

That works for me that's what I wanted. I don't care if the ai sucks compared to me as it means I don't have to play a clickfest. I'll deal with whatever happens based on stats and the most ships. Thanks that makes a huge difference in my decision to buy this or not.

Tell me do the ships or ships captains level up? Gain experience?

If you just stick to auto-resolve then you've got your GalCiv2 combat.

Yes, but without graphics and I'd prefer to see some of the action of combat like GalCiv2.

[Terminus]

I like this game. It's got a high OMT (One More Turn) factor, nicely-flowing gameplay and just enough options to keep things interesting without bogging down in micromanagement.

Good job to all involved!

[Salamandra]

i haven't waited much (a day or so )

about the game, i have played 20turns with earth (and the greek cities...), and found it very fun.

obviously i haven't played much yet, but i love the detail given to planets, so if you have 3 suns in your system, it wont be very habitable since its too hot e.g.

Still need to see how the fighting is going.

[Zakhal]

ORIGINAL: killroyishere
RTS is just not for me unless it it slow like a Paradox game setting of "Very Slow" or 2nd Manassas game speed and combat which is Very Slow or the older Total War series Shogun and Medieval Total War where it also had a slower animation and game speed. Actually the TW series game speed even at the lowest rating is teetering on too fast for me. I tolerate it but wished it was a tad bit slower.

My thoughts exactly. This is the only way for me to enjoy RTS. I hate fast RTS games where the speed of your mouseclicks wins the day and you have no time to enjoy & watch the battle because your too busy clicking the mouse button all the time.

[Zakhal]

The battles do look good in pictures. Well atleast the bigger battles.

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/armad ... mage_index

The sots battles were not so good with few ships either. Especially at the start. This game might be the same. Battles start slow but become good in the end.

Talking about tactics. Since the battle wont end until all enemies are destroyed what if the defender tries to hide behind the planet to buy time? I think Ill try that next time the opportunity rises.

Too bad that attacker cant bombard the planet during the battle. Only after it.