With all the star wars stuff on sale over at steam, this game has always peaked my interest.....I do struggle with fast paced RTS games....any opinions on it, especially since only $6 for the gold pack? Fun to play? Easy to learn? Decent replayability? Has the Star Wars feel?
The RTS part is very RTS. I didn't like that part much, but the campaign layer was kinda fun. It's real-time too but maybe not as C&C-ish.
I'd go for it....it's fun for a while with a decent story. Not the game i am still expecting (4x) but ok.
I enjoyed it overall. The space battles boil down to a click-fest, but they looked pretty good even though it's on a 2D plain and it was still always great to be commanding star destroyers. The ground battles could be cool, but I found them to get tedious after awhile so I would usually auto resolve them. I enjoyed just recruiting troops, building ships and sending them off to new systems to conquer.
It's definitely worth a purchase at the discounted price.
I liked it too...if you're a Star Wars fan it's a no brainer. Loved the campaign map too.
There are also some pretty Impressive mods out for it too.
Oh yeah? That I did not know...played this unmodded.
Hmm, the Star Wars Collection has 18 games including this one and is only $33.
Quote from: Gusington on May 02, 2014, 07:38:22 AM
Oh yeah? That I did not know...played this unmodded.
Thrawn's Revenge is one of the best mods.
http://www.desura.com/mods/thrawns-revenge (http://www.desura.com/mods/thrawns-revenge)
There's a lot of game in that bundle for $33. The only real dud is probably Republic Heroes. I haven't played it, but I recall it being universally panned.
Quote from: Shelldrake on May 02, 2014, 08:16:17 AM
Quote from: Gusington on May 02, 2014, 07:38:22 AM
Oh yeah? That I did not know...played this unmodded.
Thrawn's Revenge is one of the best mods.
http://www.desura.com/mods/thrawns-revenge (http://www.desura.com/mods/thrawns-revenge)
Aargh! Cool SW game, lots of mods, cheap price...must resist!!!
I never did get far enough in it to play a 'real' space battle (tutorial ones don't quite count), but the ground battles are VERY VERY RTSISH. Except without the base-building exactly. (Bases are handled more like the modular method of the first Battle for Middle-Earth game.) Maybe there are mods to slow the pace down a bit, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone who has trouble with fast-paced RTS games.
In its defense, despite (or because of?) a lack of many 'sides' or factions, I found the ground game to be painfully well balanced without the Empire and Rebellion simply being carbon-copies of each other. I once played a ground battle against a friend for several hours, neither side gaining or losing much, and not from lack of trying -- it was a constantly frantic several hours. I can't remember if one of us even won that, or we finally quit to play something else. But we never, ever went back to it: the experience left a bad mental taste, despite the high quality of it. It's hard to describe.
I did go back later and try the single-player Empire campaign, but once I got past the initial tutorial missions, the first 'real' ground mission left me in the same struggling for hours on a map that wasn't all that big and getting nowhere. I don't suck at RTSs (well, I might now, though I can still play and beat Dawn of War 1 battles), but either I simply could not for the life of me understand what the hell I ought to be doing to make progress within that game engine, or the game was adjusting on the fly to keep the difficulty finely balanced. I dunno. I've never gone back.
I don't want to rag on it, because SWE truly is a great game -- I think. It was easy yet challenging to play, had tons of production value, clever writing (so far as I followed the campaign, which admittedly wasn't far), UI design was at least as good as BFME maybe better. Every year or so I think about going back and trying again. Then my brain goes NOOOOOOOOOOOOO. ;)
Damn this place...now I'm in the mood for SW love.
Thanks everyone and appreciate all the good feedback. The total pack has me interested but the question I have is how many of these old games will actually work on windows 8.1
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 02, 2014, 05:03:48 AM
With all the star wars stuff on sale over at steam, this game has always peaked my interest.....I do struggle with fast paced RTS games....any opinions on it, especially since only $6 for the gold pack?
Get it, especially if you're a Star Wars fan. For $6, that's a no-brainer.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 02, 2014, 05:03:48 AM
Fun to play?
Yes.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 02, 2014, 05:03:48 AM
Easy to learn?
Yes.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 02, 2014, 05:03:48 AM
Decent replayability?
In just the vanilla game, so-so. With mods, yes.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 02, 2014, 05:03:48 AM
Has the Star Wars feel?
Hell yes!
Quote from: Gusington on May 02, 2014, 10:31:42 AM
Damn this place...now I'm in the mood for SW love.
Jabba has lotsa lovin to give.
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc05.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Ff%2F2012%2F045%2F5%2F3%2Fsexy_jabba_the_hut_valentine_by_sowcrazy-d4pqall.jpg&hash=591112f6ed199538c5173b164f791cdab7c550c4)
Quote from: Nefaro on May 02, 2014, 12:17:41 PM
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ffc05.deviantart.net%2Ffs71%2Ff%2F2012%2F045%2F5%2F3%2Fsexy_jabba_the_hut_valentine_by_sowcrazy-d4pqall.jpg&hash=591112f6ed199538c5173b164f791cdab7c550c4)
genuinely creepy
No 'damn that's hot'?
Funny, I just saw this on Steam yesterday.
I have the game on disk. I like it. Like others have said, the ground battles aren't all that but the space battles are pretty boss. I like to auto-resolve a lot of the battles though.
There is a story mode campaign, but there is also a random campaign generator that you can play, where you specify starting money, technology, and size of the galaxy. So in that sense, there is unlimited replayability.
I plan on picking it up for $6 so I don't have to dick around with the disks anymore. I highly recommend the game for the price, provided you enjoy fairly simply RTS-type games.
I bought it (totally blaming Grim.Reaper). I'm not a huge Star Wars fan but it does sound like fun.
Quote from: bbmike on May 02, 2014, 06:19:42 PM
I bought it (totally blaming Grim.Reaper). I'm not a huge Star Wars fan but it does sound like fun.
At least it was only $6:) I likely will not be too far behind you...
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 02, 2014, 06:25:14 PM
Quote from: bbmike on May 02, 2014, 06:19:42 PM
I bought it (totally blaming Grim.Reaper). I'm not a huge Star Wars fan but it does sound like fun.
At least it was only $6:) I likely will not be too far behind you...
No, it was $33. I bought the whole enchilada. :P
Quote from: bbmike on May 02, 2014, 06:30:28 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 02, 2014, 06:25:14 PM
Quote from: bbmike on May 02, 2014, 06:19:42 PM
I bought it (totally blaming Grim.Reaper). I'm not a huge Star Wars fan but it does sound like fun.
At least it was only $6:) I likely will not be too far behind you...
No, it was $33. I bought the whole enchilada. :P
Yikes:) I likely won't do that, just not sure how they all will perform Windows 8 and whether I can go back to keyboard/mouse to control things:) Plus, I own a few of the items in the pack.
Quote from: Toonces on May 02, 2014, 06:17:45 PM
Funny, I just saw this on Steam yesterday.
I have the game on disk. I like it. Like others have said, the ground battles aren't all that but the space battles are pretty boss. I like to auto-resolve a lot of the battles though.
There is a story mode campaign, but there is also a random campaign generator that you can play, where you specify starting money, technology, and size of the galaxy. So in that sense, there is unlimited replayability.
I plan on picking it up for $6 so I don't have to dick around with the disks anymore. I highly recommend the game for the price, provided you enjoy fairly simply RTS-type games.
Just did that...my disks can rest! 8)
I'd rather get Battelfront. I asked before: Are there people still doing multiplayer?
But the graphics... ugh...
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 02, 2014, 06:34:07 PM
Yikes:) I likely won't do that, just not sure how they all will perform Windows 8 and whether I can go back to keyboard/mouse to control things:) Plus, I own a few of the items in the pack.
Well, just for giggles I installed Dark Forces. I played it when it first came out many, many years ago. Steam installed it in seconds. I ran it and noticed that it started under DosBox (never had a Steam purchase do that!). Much to my surprise it ran fine! It looked at lot like I remember Doom looking. But it works just fine so I'm not too worried about the other games running under Windows 8. :)
I guess it wasn't meant to be :( can't get steam to add to my cart and now I can't even login.
Finally got in and downloaded.....
Nothing like it when you start a star wars game and you hear the famous introduction music and see the scrolling text....sends chills up your spine:) Get me pumped for more star wars movies!
I see the Empire at war pack includes Forces of Corruption. Yes, I'd definitely say buy it. One of the few games that has been on my hard drive since release. If you are a Star Wars fan and a Strategy Gamer, it's a must. There is also a map editor to create custom battles.
Mods:
I recommend the 'FOC ADDON MOD 3.5 FULL By z3r0x'' (http://empireatwar.filefront.com/file/z3r0xs_FoC_Addon;77903).
This adds an incredible amount of new stuff (Super Star destroyer, all the ships and forces from the trilogy prequels etc.). Playing a Galactic Campaign (Empire vs. Rebel Alliance) was some of the best gaming fun I've had. Including the Zaan Consortium as a third AI player in the Grand Campaign also adds a deeper strategic element to it (as they corrupt star systems).
Quote from: Ian C on May 03, 2014, 05:37:57 AM
I see the Empire at war pack includes Forces of Corruption. Yes, I'd definitely say buy it. One of the few games that has been on my hard drive since release. If you are a Star Wars fan and a Strategy Gamer, it's a must. There is also a map editor to create custom battles.
Mods:
I recommend the 'FOC ADDON MOD 3.5 FULL By z3r0x'' (http://empireatwar.filefront.com/file/z3r0xs_FoC_Addon;77903).
This adds an incredible amount of new stuff (Super Star destroyer, all the ships and forces from the trilogy prequels etc.). Playing a Galactic Campaign (Empire vs. Rebel Alliance) was some of the best gaming fun I've had. Including the Zaan Consortium as a third AI player in the Grand Campaign also adds a deeper strategic element to it (as they corrupt star systems).
Thank you....where is the map editor to create custom battles? Couldn't find it in the menus, nor the game directory?
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on May 03, 2014, 11:58:42 AM
Thank you....where is the map editor to create custom battles? Couldn't find it in the menus, nor the game directory?
Here: http://empireatwar.filefront.com/file/Forces_of_Corruption_Map_Editor;73719
It was originally released via the developers (Petroglyph) on their forums IIRC. The tutorial is vital to read but it's easy to grasp and only a few pages long.
Maps are played in Skirmish mode against the AI or via Multiplayer.
SW EaW was ok but Star Wars Rebellion is probably the best Stars real time strategy game i have ever played
did any one ever play force commander? was it any good?
Quote from: agathosdaimon on May 03, 2014, 03:39:02 PM
SW EaW was ok but Star Wars Rebellion is probably the best Stars real time strategy game i have ever played
did any one ever play force commander? was it any good?
Rebellion is great. Still play it. Force Commander was a disappointment.
for that not involved quick fix one hour stand I still recommend the Star Wars HW2 mod.
top it.
I dare you.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 03, 2014, 04:32:04 PM
Quote from: agathosdaimon on May 03, 2014, 03:39:02 PM
SW EaW was ok but Star Wars Rebellion is probably the best Stars real time strategy game i have ever played
did any one ever play force commander? was it any good?
Rebellion is great. Still play it. Force Commander was a disappointment.
I've not tried playing
Rebellion on Win7 or higher.. does it? I believe it still worked on WinVista last time I played, so it probably does.
Actually played a head-to-head LAN game of SW Rebellion years ago, when it came out. Took us a bit to get used to some of the interface oddities, but it was a blast even despite taking awhile to complete. I don't remember who won but we had some epic cat & mouse space battles since it took so much time for your fleets to jump anywhere and once they were going, there was no way to stop them. Made for some tough decisions and nail-biting.
Dammit, now I wanna try to dig the disk out and play again! Pretty sure I still have the manual and even the double-sided poster with all the ship info too.
I'm currently playing on a win 8, 64-bit machine.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 03, 2014, 04:32:04 PM
Rebellion is great. Still play it.
The two sites I tried to download the 1.01 patch from flag up a virus. Would anyone happen to have a safe copy of the patch please?
did you try the patchscrolls?
Quote from: Anguille on May 04, 2014, 11:39:35 AM
did you try the patchscrolls?
Yep. No luck anywhere. Every single site that has it flags a virus alert. It could be a false positive but after such a long time with chances for it to be flagged as harmless, I doubt it.
Quote from: Ian C on May 04, 2014, 02:02:11 PM
Quote from: Anguille on May 04, 2014, 11:39:35 AM
did you try the patchscrolls?
Yep. No luck anywhere. Every single site that has it flags a virus alert. It could be a false positive but after such a long time with chances for it to be flagged as harmless, I doubt it.
I tried it from this site and received no virus warnings....
http://swrebellion.com/downloads/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=5
Thanks, I got it up and working but that link is also bringing up a virus warning. Now I have to also contend with trying to get RebEd (the editor) working. I need a registry address from someone who has the game installed in the original install path (I have the updated version of the game with the modified .exe to run on Win 7).
Quote from: Ian C on May 04, 2014, 02:52:40 PM
Thanks, I got it up and working but that link is also bringing up a virus warning. Now I have to also contend with trying to get RebEd (the editor) working. I need a registry address from someone who has the game installed in the original install path (I have the updated version of the game with the modified .exe to run on Win 7).
False positive.
You using Norton?
Quote from: Nefaro on May 04, 2014, 05:43:06 PM
Quote from: Ian C on May 04, 2014, 02:52:40 PM
Thanks, I got it up and working but that link is also bringing up a virus warning. Now I have to also contend with trying to get RebEd (the editor) working. I need a registry address from someone who has the game installed in the original install path (I have the updated version of the game with the modified .exe to run on Win 7).
False positive.
You using Norton?
Nope, Avast. False then -that's good news I guess. Now if I can only get RebEd to work...
Damn, I bought this thinking this was the game I was looking for (yeah, a Star Wars reference :P)
I remembered a MOO2 type Star Wars game that I never bought way back when but always wanted to try. Now I'm sure it was Rebellion and not Empire at War. And it's not on Steam or anywhere else. :-\
Oh well, maybe EaW can fill that Star Wars empire building void for me.
Quote from: bbmike on May 05, 2014, 05:24:24 AM
Damn, I bought this thinking this was the game I was looking for (yeah, a Star Wars reference :P)
I remembered a MOO2 type Star Wars game that I never bought way back when but always wanted to try. Now I'm sure it was Rebellion and not Empire at War. And it's not on Steam or anywhere else. :-\
Oh well, maybe EaW can fill that Star Wars empire building void for me.
Rebellion is going to be tough to find if you don't have the original CD. I don't believe it is available digitally anywhere.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on May 05, 2014, 05:31:27 AM
Rebellion is going to be tough to find if you don't have the original CD. I don't believe it is available digitally anywhere.
Someone was kind enough to mail me the digital version a few years back after my original disk was irreprably damaged, but IIRC, I had to download two files to make it work on Win 7. The downside to this is that RebEd won't work because it tries to read the original disk install location of the game files via the windows registry.
If anyone has a remedy to making RebEd work then please share, or alternatively, if anyone has the know-how to make a reg entry file and share, that would be great.
I'm not even sure where my SW:Rebellion disk is currently located. I dug around in one or two of my old game boxes but haven't quite put the time into digging through the rest yet. Found the manual, however, so that's something. *shrug*
If someone is looking for Rebellion, currently on ebay for about $7....although 2 hours left in the auction. You might want to jump in if your looking to find it for a reasonable price, assuming the bidding doesn't go crazy at the end.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321392218011?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
I have faith that mine is still sitting around here, somewhere. :)
I also recall making a direct disk copy at one point, for a backup. That may still be in one of my multiple game boxes too.