I know I've said it before, but now that I've been playing again, my opinion is positively reaffirmed. I'm confident that MOO3, properly patched and modded, is the single best, most fully featured space 4x game ever made. It has every feature I have personally ever wanted in a grand space strategy game. It has everything you would expect in terms of empire management, economy, diplomacy, and espionage. Technology is handled in a unique way at the macro level. Some people will not like the lack of ability to research specific techs, but there are just so many of them and you can influence their development in a way that usually results in you getting all the techs you want anyway. It has a streamlined ship design system, as well, that lets you pick your hull, weapons, mounts, engines, defensive systems and special modules. Speaking of hulls, there are more than 14 types, ranging from lancers, cutters, corvettes, frigates, destroyers, light cruisers, cruisers, battle cruisers, etc. etc. On top of this, the fleet management system is simply top notch. The rules of fleet creation make fleet design feel very naval and authentic. Build detachments, flotillas, squadrons, fleets, etc. Add ships to the core, the escort and the picket. Then deploy your task forces and conquer.
On top of all this, MOO3 features the greatest, most comprehensive ground combat system in a space 4x game...practically ever. Its not like EOTFS where you can build units, land them on a planet and then do battle in turn based fashion on the map. However, is the next best thing, and yes, the same great unit construction mechanic that you have for fleets exists for ground formations, as well. Build divisions, corps, armies, etc. Include infantry regiments, Marine battalions, armor, supplies (magazines), C3 centers, etc. Quickly load them onto available transports, which can then neatly be included in transport detachments, flotillas, squadrons or fleets, and send them off on expeditions. When you're ready to invade, select from a staggering array of strategies, ie. chemical warfare (unless the orion senate has banned the use), vertical envelopment, flank, frontal assault, entrap, etc. There are simply a lot of diverse options strategic options available here. Additionally, factor in weather, and other ambient conditions, like aquatic world, zero-g, etc., and you have a lot to think about when building your ground formations and then sending them in to combat.
Anyway, I just wanted to rave, yet again, about this game that is pretty much universally despised.
JH, which version and mods are you using?
How well does it work with modern PC/OS ?
Thanks for the overview, JH. MOO3 is a game I've sadly neglected. I'm also interested in knowing what's needed to bring the game up to potential.
Jarhead,
I am really happy you're enjoying the game and share your review!
Cheers
Quote from: Barthheart on August 14, 2012, 06:43:55 AM
JH, which version and mods are you using?
How well does it work with modern PC/OS ?
I'm using v1.3.1 of the "Tropical" mod. From what I understand, this includes the strawberry and vanilla mods and all of bhuric's patches. The game runs flawlessly on modern systems. I have it installed and running on both my desktop i7 system and my laptop, as well. Both have Win7 64.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 14, 2012, 07:00:26 AM
Quote from: Barthheart on August 14, 2012, 06:43:55 AM
JH, which version and mods are you using?
How well does it work with modern PC/OS ?
I'm using v1.3.1 of the "Tropical" mod. From what I understand, this includes the strawberry and vanilla mods and all of bhuric's patches. The game runs flawlessly on modern systems. I have it installed and running on both my desktop i7 system and my laptop, as well. Both have Win7 64.
Cool, thanks. I'll have to revisit this.....
Quote from: Barthheart on August 14, 2012, 07:04:11 AM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 14, 2012, 07:00:26 AM
Quote from: Barthheart on August 14, 2012, 06:43:55 AM
JH, which version and mods are you using?
How well does it work with modern PC/OS ?
I'm using v1.3.1 of the "Tropical" mod. From what I understand, this includes the strawberry and vanilla mods and all of bhuric's patches. The game runs flawlessly on modern systems. I have it installed and running on both my desktop i7 system and my laptop, as well. Both have Win7 64.
Cool, thanks. I'll have to revisit this.....
+1 :)
Guardian has v1.21 of Tropical but I can't find v1.31. Any ideas on where to DL? Thanks.
You'll need essentially four (4) things.
1. The latest official patch, v.1.2.5 (i think). Whatever it is, make sure your game is patched up to the latest version before modding. I can check the version number when I get home tonight.
2. The mod of your choice. As I have only ever used Tropical, I only know that the most current version of the mod is 1.3.1, at least, that is the version I am using. Do not use v 1.2.1, that is the most readily available version, but it is out of date.
3. The moo3dll. I'm not sure if this comes in the Tropical mod .rar file. The latest version is 1.67
4. The Moo3 patcher. This file does nothing by itself, but it is a handy utility that lets you patch individual patches to your game in one handy interface. The latest build is 0.52
You can get the dll and the patcher here: http://bhruic.dyndns.org/patcher/downloads.php
You can get the various mods here, but make sure you check the version because some of them may be out of date: http://www.moo3.at/
Quote from: Shelldrake on August 14, 2012, 07:16:03 AM
Guardian has v1.21 of Tropical but I can't find v1.31. Any ideas on where to DL? Thanks.
http://www.mediafire.com/?tmmdmyzykbm v.1.3.10
http://www.mediafire.com/?lmcnzyhoaoy v.1.3.11 update
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 14, 2012, 08:09:16 AM
Quote from: Shelldrake on August 14, 2012, 07:16:03 AM
Guardian has v1.21 of Tropical but I can't find v1.31. Any ideas on where to DL? Thanks.
http://www.mediafire.com/?tmmdmyzykbm v.1.3.10
http://www.mediafire.com/?lmcnzyhoaoy v.1.3.11 update
Cool. Thanks Jarhead!
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 14, 2012, 08:04:04 AM
You'll need essentially four (4) things.
1. The latest official patch, v.1.2.5 (i think). Whatever it is, make sure your game is patched up to the latest version before modding. I can check the version number when I get home tonight.
2. The mod of your choice. As I have only ever used Tropical, I only know that the most current version of the mod is 1.3.1, at least, that is the version I am using. Do not use v 1.2.1, that is the most readily available version, but it is out of date.
3. The moo3dll. I'm not sure if this comes in the Tropical mod .rar file. The latest version is 1.67
4. The Moo3 patcher. This file does nothing by itself, but it is a handy utility that lets you patch individual patches to your game in one handy interface. The latest build is 0.52
You can get the dll and the patcher here: http://bhruic.dyndns.org/patcher/downloads.php
You can get the various mods here, but make sure you check the version because some of them may be out of date: http://www.moo3.at/
Thanks again for your help.
8)
Hmmm, never played any Master of Orion games....where would I purchase it?
Quote from: mikeck on August 14, 2012, 08:58:36 AM
Hmmm, never played any Master of Orion games....where would I purchase it?
GoG.com or GamersGate both have it fer $10.
I've always like MOO 2 the best but then I haven't tried the modded and patched MOO 3 yet.... original release of MOO 3 was pretty bad....
MOO 2 is widely considered the best of the three and the gold standard by which all space 4X games are judged. MOO3 patched and modded is good, but plays so differently it's almost MOO in name only.
Great summary, JH. Thanks for sharing. Now I just need someone to patch Life so I have a bit more time to play all these great games.
I actually reinstalled this a couple of months ago but had problems playing it; I can't remember what now. Maybe I should try harder.
Personally I still think Space Empires 4 is the gold standard for space 4X, but I'd be happy to be proven otherwise if I can really get into MOO3.
I did not play MOO1 or 2.
I LOVED MOO and MOO2!
Thanks for the comments! I'll look to pick-up MOO3! It's old enough that it will play on my pc!! Yippee!!
Quote from: Centurion40 on August 14, 2012, 12:22:18 PM
I LOVED MOO and MOO2!
Thanks for the comments! I'll look to pick-up MOO3! It's old enough that it will play on my pc!! Yippee!!
Don't expect MOO3 to be anything like MOO1 and MOO2; it isn't. That is why fans of the first two MOO games were so irate when MOO3 was released. MOO3 has its followers, but its title should have been something--anything--other than a title containing
Master of Orion in it.
Quote from: Greybriar on August 14, 2012, 02:20:34 PM
Quote from: Centurion40 on August 14, 2012, 12:22:18 PM
I LOVED MOO and MOO2!
Thanks for the comments! I'll look to pick-up MOO3! It's old enough that it will play on my pc!! Yippee!!
Don't expect MOO3 to be anything like MOO1 and MOO2; it isn't. That is why fans of the first two MOO games were so irate when MOO3 was released. MOO3 has its followers, but its title should have been something--anything--other than a title containing Master of Orion in it.
Probably. Yet, i am first and foremost a MOO player...couldn't really get into MOO2 (also because i play Birth of the Federation before) but love MOO3. It's not that simple. ;)
Quote from: Anguille on August 14, 2012, 02:24:26 PM
Quote from: Greybriar on August 14, 2012, 02:20:34 PM
Don't expect MOO3 to be anything like MOO1 and MOO2; it isn't. That is why fans of the first two MOO games were so irate when MOO3 was released. MOO3 has its followers, but its title should have been something--anything--other than a title containing Master of Orion in it.
Probably. Yet, i am first and foremost a MOO player...couldn't really get into MOO2 (also because i play Birth of the Federation before) but love MOO3. It's not that simple. ;)
I can appreciate that. I know many gamers who preferred the original MOO over either of the other two MOO games. Personally I liked MOO2 best of all, which only goes to show that we are all wired a little differently. ::)
Does this game work with higher resolutions?
Quote from: mikeck on August 14, 2012, 06:13:07 PM
Does this game work with higher resolutions?
There was a mod that upped the resolutions. It wasn't perfect, but it worked enough to be pretty.
IIRC, it was bundled in with the Tropical mod.
Quote from: mikeck on August 14, 2012, 06:13:07 PM
Does this game work with higher resolutions?
There is a mod that makes it 1024x768. It comes with Tropical.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 14, 2012, 07:27:02 PM
Quote from: mikeck on August 14, 2012, 06:13:07 PM
Does this game work with higher resolutions?
There is a mod that makes it 1024x768. It comes with Tropical.
Ouch.
That's still pretty low.
^looks good to me...especially on my laptop.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 14, 2012, 07:27:02 PM
Quote from: mikeck on August 14, 2012, 06:13:07 PM
Does this game work with higher resolutions?
There is a mod that makes it 1024x768. It comes with Tropical.
Oh, I had thought about trying this, but no way on my monitor. It would look like a blurry mess.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 15, 2012, 09:24:36 AM
^looks good to me...especially on my laptop.
Certainly would look better on a smaller screen like a notebook or even a larger netbook.
On a 22" or up, though.. :(
My main desktop is 24" and I have no complaints.
MOO1 and MOO2 rocked. 3 was okay but fell short of the mark.
GOG had this for $2.99 earlier today - now it's up to $4.99. Since I paid no attention to it since it first came out, I grabbed it again based on Jarhead's strong recommendation. I also applied the Tropical 1.3.1 patch as well as the 1024x768 patch. Since I'm running Win 8 I had to set it to XP SP3 compatibility, but since doing so it seems to be running just fine. Now I just have to relearn it.
I picked it up as well recently when it was like $2.50 based what I heard here. Haven't tried it yet, but on the list. I'll have to apply the mods you mention as well.