Star Lords, another 4x game

[Martok]

Linky


Man, they're just coming out of the woodwork lately! 


Star Lords is currently in an alpha state, but apparently it will still be released in the fourth quarter of this year.  Also, you can pre-order the game for $20.00, in return for which you gain immediate access to the alpha/beta. 


Listed features include: 

8 major races each with their own ship designs, technologies, unique traits and unique abilities, meaning playing with each race is a different challenge and offers new ways to approach the game.

Big, living universe: In addition to the major powers, independent races and pirate clans also claim the galaxy as their residence; their existence can be an annoyance, or a blessing if you can take advantage of them.

Deep economical and political layer: War isn't the only way to weaken your rivals. Diplomacy, inteligence and trade can be one of many powerful tools that, if used properly, can be very effective as well.

Tactical Turn based combat

Generals: These unique and powerful units evolve as they battle and if used well can be the difference between defeat and victory.

Randomly generated universe, tech tree and units: You will never play the same game twice.

Empire shattering: Unrest might lead rebels to start a civil war which in turn might lead to the creation of a new, independent empire that might grow to rival your own.

Plotting: Secretly finance a war against your rivals in order to weaken them or prepare a surprise joint war along with your allies in a bid to destroy that frighteningly fast growing empire. Beware of spies and whistleblowers though; your plot might be uncovered before you put it in action and the consequences can be dire.

Domestic Policies: Rule your empire as you wish. Turning it into a dystopia, a utopia or something in between, it's up to you.

Human-like AI that doesn't cheat and plays by the same rules as human players, while presenting a constant challenge.

Modding Support.

Lan, hot seat and Online multiplayer with matchmaking.

It does sound good.  However, there are at least a couple potential critiques: 

1.)  No ship design (although the devs have said they'd consider adding it if it's requested enough). 

2.)  Combat:  In addition to there being a hard cap on fleet limits (18 ships per), it's also unclear whether turns are simultaneous; if not, there's concern the player who gets to go first will have a decisive advantage (which is a criticism I've long had regarding MOO2's battles). 



Still, it sounds promising overall.  The devs have also stated in the forums that AI is a major focus for them, which of course gives me a nice gaming stiffy.  ;D 

[Anguille]

Nice!

[LongBlade]

Great post, Martok. Thanks!

[Tpek]

Oy vey :P

[OJsDad]

I believe that the guy behind this, was behind the first two MOO games also.

[LongBlade]

I believe that the guy behind this, was behind the first two MOO games also.

That  sounds promising.

[Jarhead0331]

I believe that the guy behind this, was behind the first two MOO games also.

That  sounds promising.

If that were true, I'd expect them to be advertising the fact...loudly.

[Martok]

I believe that the guy behind this, was behind the first two MOO games also.

Actually, I don't think that's the case, although it's understandable why one might believe it was. 

If memory serves, the original Star Lords was essentially a very early version of the first Master of Orion.  It was later released as a freeware game either shortly before or during MOO3's development; I vaguely recall downloading it and playing it once or twice. 


From what I've read over on the game's forums, it sounds like this new Star Lords simply happens to share the same name as that old "proto-MOO" title, nothing more -- aside, of course, from whatever common gameplay elements the new one borrows from it. 

[Huw the Poo]

1.)  No ship design

Good, frankly.  I'm bloody sick of that.

I'm kind of cautiously optimistic about this one, but the video was quite underwhelming.  I'll be holding fire until I get impressions.

[Martok]

1.)  No ship design

Good, frankly.  I'm bloody sick of that.

I usually don't miss it either.  However, I know it matters to a lot of other 4x fans, so I try to make sure to mention it just the same.  :) 

I'm kind of cautiously optimistic about this one, but the video was quite underwhelming.  I'll be holding fire until I get impressions.

I actually found it refreshing to see a video featuring gameplay besides just battles and ship design.  (Legends of Pegasus, I'm looking at you!)  That being said, I wish we could have seen other stuff like the research screen, diplomacy screen, etc. 

[Anguille]

I believe that the guy behind this, was behind the first two MOO games also.

Actually, I don't think that's the case, although it's understandable why one might believe it was. 

If memory serves, the original Star Lords was essentially a very early version of the first Master of Orion.  It was later released as a freeware game either shortly before or during MOO3's development; I vaguely recall downloading it and playing it once or twice. 


From what I've read over on the game's forums, it sounds like this new Star Lords simply happens to share the same name as that old "proto-MOO" title, nothing more -- aside, of course, from whatever common gameplay elements the new one borrows from it.

Your memory is very good indeed...Star Lords was the prototype done by Steve Barcia (he hasn't done any games as far as i know since the end of Simtex). That's why i was also confused when people started to talk about Starlords...

Anyway, here's the old link to the MOO3 page...the download link doesn't work anymore but i am sure it's possible to download it somewhere else.

http://moo3.quicksilver.com/game/starlords.html

Cheers

[Huw the Poo]

That being said, I wish we could have seen other stuff like the research screen, diplomacy screen, etc. 

Yeah that's closer to what I meant.  I'd need to see more of that stuff before I really get hot and sweaty.  Still, I'm certainly not complaining about the space strategy game renaissance!

[Gusington]

*Ahem*

<Bill Murray> Star Lords...nothing but Star Lords...if they should ever, bar lords...then please let these, Star Lords...stay...thank you! <Bill Murray>

[son_of_montfort]

Try the veal!

The website looks a bit more bootleg for even me. Legend of Pegasus comes out this Friday (I believe), so I think that will be enough for me for a while!

[Huw the Poo]

Yes Monty, you must buy that one and post impressions post-haste!  And Star Lords too actually.  Ta.