Master of Orion 2 review
: Battle at Antares
By Lance Anderson (html/art work by Robert Edvardsson)
This game is an update of the Microprose classic Master of Orion. Many features,
as well as graphics and sound, have been enhanced to reflect the multimedia capabilities of today's computers and to take advantage of those capabilities.
The mini-movie that plays at startup is superior even if repetitive of the course
of time. Music is good if also repetitive and sound effects are very good, especially while engaged in space combat.
The game begins by choosing an option from the Universal Menu: Start New Game, Continue Previous Game, Load Game, Multiplayer, Hall Of Fame, and Quit. Multiplayer games may only be started once network connections have been established;
Appletalk is not suitable for multiplay options due to transfer rate and latency
times. Ethernet or direct connection is recommended, although modem play is supported. Hot Seat is also available as a multiplayer option for up to seven players.
Starting a new game is very easy. One setup screen offers all of the game
options available such as: difficulty, size of playing area, resource or planet availability, # of players, and starting tech level. Three toggle switches set
options for tactical combat (hands-on space combat), random events
(good and bad), and the Antareans (random attacks from hyperspace). Once
the galaxy setup is established, you must choose a race, with specific
characteristics, with which to conquer the galaxy. No race may exist more
than once in any one game so every player will have a different race. Custom
race design is available but be careful - some characteristics can alter play significantly for or against you.
The Galactic Command Interface (read as: map) is very well laid out and
command functions clearly labeled and easy to activate. Status indicators
and management funtions line the right and bottom edges of the screen for
easy access. The actual map shows all of the available star systems although
you can't look at systems you haven't explored unless your race has the
Omniscient characteristic. You start with one homeworld and must expand
from there, either into other star systems or by colonizing other planets in
your home system. Get started doing so right away because your competitors
will atke every planet available if you let them.
You must build structures on each colony to increase production and research
while attempting to expand your sphere of influence without alarming your
neighbors. Diplomatic relations are key since trade and research treaties can
be made that benefit both races. Alliances can be troublesome since your ally
will expect you to go to war if he/she attacks someone or is attacked by
someone so consider carefully before joining such. R&D; is also critical to
ensuring the success of your quest since low tech races are easy to conquer
once you get some high tech in your hands. Leaders will also play a role in your success, offering their services occasionally for a fee. All have special modifiers
that apply to either star systems or ships so consider carefully before hiring
since you are restricted to a max of four of each type of leader.
Using these concepts, your goal is to dominate the galaxy. That can be accomplished
in one of several ways: wiping out every other race, win an election of the Galactic Council (control 2/3 of galactic population), or to conquer the Antarean homeworld (disabled if Antarean Attacks was not selected at setup). The Instruction Manual is extremely helpful in accomplishing this task, with an excellent Table of Contents and page indexing when trying to find out a specific way to do something, such a refittting ships to reflect tech advances. Play is turn-based, like the original, but multiple
turns can be run if no significant events occur during the intervening turns and this speeds game play considerably. Games can take hours or days depending on setup complexity and turn reporting plus size of galaxy and number of competitors.
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Test Computer:
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Requirements:
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Testing was done on the following platforms:
- a. PowerMac 6100/66 with 8 MB RAM (VM on) and a 4x CD-ROM drive
- b. PowerMac 7200/75 with 32 MB RAM (VM off) and a 4x CD-ROM drive
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- Any 68040 or better processor
- At least 8 MB RAM
- color monitor
- 2x CD-ROM drive
- CD-ROM is required for play unless full CD-ROM is copied to hard drive.
- Accelerated for Power Macintosh
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Related Links:
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Demo:
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Price:
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Rating:
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Reviewed by: Lance Anderson
