Recent reviews by Saracen26

Finally! An RTS that actually gets it right!

Sure, it's an unashamed Command & Conquer Clone at heart, right down to the C&C Tiberian lore and a lot of the game's design. But if you've been a fan of that series, then that not a bad thing at all. Does it capture the magic of C&C? No. Does it do everything that made the C&C series great? Again... No...

But what it does do, is pay homage, and pay it hard to a series and the RTS genre as a whole. Clearly developed by a passionate team who have a love for what Westwood Studios had done. In doing so, Tempest Rising keeps the genre alive and gives hope to even those of us who embraced Dune 2 back in 1992, and every RTS that followed... Yes that was 33 years ago! Are you feeling old yet!?

If you're a newcomer or have little RTS experience. This game will jar you. You may think it's imbalanced, the AI unfair or something doesn't feel right.... Ignore that... As a veteran of the genre, this game is as intended. Buckle up, and experience the very core of why RTS was once the most popular PC genre on the planet!

**Updated review Below**

You know what. I'm gonna give this game a big thumbs up!

I played the demo of this during NextFest, albeit somewhat under a drunken stupor whilst bored and didn't think much of it at all. But recently, I came across ReformistTM's 1 hour video on YouTube and was like, "Wow! What's this game!?" After about 15 minutes, it suddenly clicked. I've actually played this game! Upon watching the entire video and giving the demo a 2nd try, I finally purchased the game, and so far, am really happy I did!

I may not have played other Fair Weather games. But from what I can gather, these guys are truly passionate about making Space Strategy games. The reviews of their previous games might be 'Mixed', but there's one thing I realise... It hasn't stopped them from trying to create a game that finally clicks. I do believe Hyper Empire is that game! From the moment I started the game, I decided to read the lore of the factions and universe the Dev has created. All whilst listening to a pleasing title music track that got this game off on the right foot.

The developer here has decided to go back to basics. Nothing flashy, no attempt at style over substance. Just a bite size game with impactful spending decisions that make the numbers go up and make the autobattler visuals look like explosive chaos! It hits well and gives that dopamine satisfaction like a good game should. The 50 turn survival timer might not be for everyone, and this is how you will win most of your games. But there are 5 other victory conditions, which with more play time and play efficiency, can be mastered and achieved. This also contributes to some of the unlocks.

Calling it 4X though is a bit of a stretch. As a fan myself, the eXplore is minimal, but the eXpansion, eXploit and eXterminate definitely is there, if in a mostly abstract way. I wouldn't call this a bad thing though. If you have a busy life and you've only got an hour or 2, this game is perfect. It has that "One more turn" feel to it, and I do believe that Fair Weather have achieved what they set out to do here.

If you're on the fence. Download the Demo whilst it's still available. Watch ReformistTM's video here: https://youtu.be/2nFanS10TQM ....and then make a decision that way. By then you'll know if this game is for you or not.
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**EDIT After 6 hours**

OK, I don't just like this game. I love it!!!

After 5 hours playtime, I had gained a victory or 2 with all the factions on Normal difficulty. The pirates required a slight play-style change and are probably the most difficult faction to play as, but slight faction adaptation is necessary to win at this level. So my next step was to move to a higher difficulty.... And Holy Balls what a game changer!

Hard difficulty and above is where this game truly shines! Not only are you competing with more combat, a stronger enemy, bigger fleets and higher techs to compete against. But the decisions you have to make are tighter and more strategic. Choices are less impactful, and you have to actually consider options rather than spamming what you can spend resources on. Do you replenish enough to survive the next attack? Do you buy a station to get that edge the next turn? Do you take that risk on a trade route, wagering higher, or do you go low risk for a certain yet lower reward? Because that previous unstoppable hoarde of a fleet on turn 48 which could win you the game on normal difficulty isn't going to cut it. Victory isn't certain in any capacity, and that analysis Paralysis you thought was useful half way through the playthrough, actually just cost you the game!

This just scratched a huge itch I was beginning to think was lacking in Hyper Empire, and I'm so here for it!

As a delivery driver, this game appealed to me. After nearly a couple hundred hours of ETS2, I needed something new. Being early access, the AI seemed solid, the game great, although pretty uniform... Then around the 6th hour, I saw something that just wow'd me.

As I mention I'm a delivery driver. I see plenty of idiots on the road. Imagine my surprise and delight when upon driving a delivery on the bridge to the south Island, I see an AI NPC driver speeding, Upon which the AI loses control of its rear end, slides into my path, hits the bridge before flipping the car and landing on its roof! As someone who's seen many kinds of accidents throughout the years, this surprised me, and I'm giving a 10/10 for realism beyond the already great physics!

A really solidly designed pair of tables here that'll certainly test your ability to be precise.

A Samurai's Vengance: This table has some fantastic flow to it. With some tables in FX there are usually plenty of ways to score highly if you follow lit lanes. That is no different here. But if you really want to send scores into the stratosphere, you have to consistently send the ball into battle/training area, then once trained, activate an opponent. You then head back there to defeat them by sending the ball in the correct lit direction before hitting them directly, and depleting their health. This is no easy task. Wizard mode will be one tough cookie to get to!

Verne's Mysterious Island: This is a very tricky and complex table. There are plenty of ramps, but they're pretty tight and there not a huge indication of what to do unless you study the guide. However once it starts to click, the table comes alive and is extremely fun. The key here is to play to the strengths of one of the colonist profiles you select beforehand for the best points. Hitting ramps, you will collect food to survive and resources to build an escape. All whilst fighting off pirates trying to attack you. Attempting to get to the volcano area seems to be the key here. I still suck at it, and it's going to take a lot of play time to master. But it's a very fun table if you're willing to invest the time into it.

Wow, this game is a pure Nostalgia trip in more ways than one!

Fatal Error reminded me of one of those big box games that small independent computer stores used to sell back in the innovative, fast moving Golden Age of PC Gaming (1995-99). A game that would sit on the shelf for months, never being touched or considered because they weren't covered in PC Gamer or similar publication. That was until 13/14 year old me walked in with enough pocket money and bought these obscure games. 'Warbreeds' and 'Virus: The Game' being 2 notable games from memory.

Fatal Error looks and plays exactly like one of these obscure games. It might not be pretty, but it's by no means a bad thing. It's great fun and isn't afraid to be what it is. The mechanics are solid and the AI is well done, especially in the campaign which has that classic challenging element. Some might call it cheating or just script heavy, which it probably is. But if you played games from the RTS Boom era, it just feels so right and you should give it a go too!

This is a brilliant and really enjoyable "Retro" style RTS in the vein of C&C, and more-so, Total Annihilation & Supreme Commander. Whilst there are no exact factions in this game per-se. You have the option of selecting a colour, then one of a selection of faction technology types that range from Stealth, to Robots, to Shields and even Portal tech. The game plays exactly like RTS games you know and love, The UI is serviceable and once you know where everything is, easy enough to navigate.

The AI, whilst solid is a little on the weak side right now and has issues playing the long game. But it certainly builds up well enough, onslaughts, and isn't afraid to rain down nukes. I only expect this to get better as Early Access moves forward. The game is solidly stable, and there have been no bugs or crashes in the time I've played

Even though this is free-to-play, a single "All maps and Mods" payment allows you to access the future official content and the rest of the campaign (when released), or you can pay half that for just the community maps and modding tools which are fairly priced. After my first game against the AI, I had no hesitation in supporting this developer by purchasing the top tier.

Fingers crossed the community supports this and makes some interesting maps to play. This'll certainly increase the replay value for years to come!

This is fun, quirky Survival Adventure game, if frustrating at times (Typical for this genre). It's not without some jank, polish, some tutorial issues and the controls are not quite intuitive. But once you know what they are, it hardly becomes an issue. You will die or fail, a lot. Usually through starvation, getting eaten by a planet's wildlife or having your ship ripped apart through solar storms that leave you drifting in space to die.. But you learn from your mistakes, get more resources, find a balanced ship that works, and you go again. What is here is already really enjoyable, and is a solid foundation this early in Early Access.

The Devs are highly responsive to suggestions and are dropping patches according to even my own and others feedback. So when they say they want to work with their community, this is actually one Dev team who really mean it.

Also the humour, music and radio station chatter are brilliant in this game. These elements along with the game as it currently stands make it well worth the price of entry and an easy recommendation!

This is a brilliant Rogue-like that is well worth the asking price!

A fantastic world deep with lore for those wishing to find it. Great physics, brilliant combat, punchy weapons and effects. It's quite clear this game is a labour of love, and it shows!

It's hard as nails, but incredibly enjoyable. The manual and tutorials are on point, easy to follow and the game can be understood if you pay attention. The UI also might seem overwhelming, but you will be guided on its finer points as you progress. Make no mistake, this is a game that requires time, patience, and skill. If you have these and are willing to invest in multiple play-throughs (as is the core of all RL's) you will be rewarded.

However, if you suffer from epilepsy though, best stay away. Flashes, intentional screen glitching and tearing all add to the aesthetic of this game, especially in combat. But it will have sufferers fitting on the floor at the main menu. Whilst others have expressed this as a complaint to not recommend the game, I personally see the opposite. Without this, the game would be visually dull in combat. I would advise watching the game on YouTube first to see if it an issue.

Nevertheless, I will be playing much, much more of this game. Rogue-likes typically don't hold my attention beyond the first few hours. It takes something exceptional to do so. HighFleet is one of those games, and I'm determined to beat it!

A fantastic and worthy sequel to the original.

The best part in my first campaign was building a huge galaxy devastating force. Soon enough I found a Super-terminal to lower the high AIP, so I hacked it, and faced wave after increasing wave of relentless enemy AI. Refusing to give in and with AIP ticking down nicely, I held out. Until the AI was reinforcing so heavily that I ended up seriously outnumbered. Soon enough my metal and economy was in total free-fall.... Once it was devastated, and at risk of losing my entire fleet, I retreated. Then I proceeded to enjoy the aftermath. Thousands of AI ships in full-on counter-attack, taking back system after system until I could stem the tide and wipe them out.

This single part alone, hands down beat anything the original game did for my enjoyment. I may have lost , but I will be back time and time again!

So you're probably wondering. "How's ISG different from your usual 4X?

Well the difference is more or less in its remote exploration mechanic. You're always exploring from the very start, to the very end. Planet's, resources, ruins etc are all hidden in the Cosmos. Visiting a planet or system is not enough to find all the secrets. This certainly makes things fun as you have to strategically pick the areas of space to explore. Since fully exploring a sector is a 4 stage process, you can't explore the whole galaxy, even a small one. So you have to be wise with choices.

Secondly, the tech tree is huge. Choices matter and you can't just go researching everything at each level as there will be additional costs and time for doing so. So you have to pick and choose, and jump back and forth to maximise efficiency. This certainly makes games less than mundane. If you randomise the tech tree as well, it adds to the challenge.

Thirdly is the ship design. This is basic. You select Hull type, propulsion type, amour level, shield coverage, weapon slots and additional attachments which all fill up space, but the combinations as you unlock the tech tree offer an element of complexity and freedom to do what you want with your ships. It's not as detailed as StarDrive and Polaris Sector, but it is much deeper than Stellaris, SotS and many other 4X games. Its a decent middle ground that offers a great balance and is reflected well in the combat.

Another thing is that this isn't a planet collecting game. You can probably get by most games with 3-6 colonies, that is unless you choose to go on a galactic crusade, then that can increase to more and thus ruin your chances of favour from other races.

Also, I really enjoy the turn based combat in this game. It's just really solid. Ensuring ships are orientated correctly for firing arcs and shield coverage are essential, but not frustrating like in some other games. Using weaponry is satisfying (even if you do miss) and late game battles are fun and strongly tactical. This part plays really well.

ISG is at its heart a MoO2 clone through and through. But it does it extremely well. The UI is excellent. Information presentation is top notch, the leader system is impactful, as is the espionage system. Colony management is also simple yet solid but you can do a lot more with it than initially meets the eye. There's also a nice Space Culture system which adds a little extra flavour aside from research which adds some nice bonuses. The Galactic Senate Mechanic is also fun as you battle to get the number of votes to become emperor and gain an instawin, its a good mode to avoid typical late game drag.

It may not be a looker, the diplomacy is serviceable, and discovering ruins are a bit underwhelming as to their risk/rewards. But it is probably the best Moo clone out there that I've played. Some say Stars in Shadow is a better MoO2 clone. I can't comment personally, but from watching YouTube videos I'm not so sure.

Time & Tactics actually has a really good play through with one of the latest builds if you want to see how it all works. The initial YouTube reviews for ISG are great, but Adam Solo and his team have updated the game a lot since then and it doesn't reflect the games current state anymore.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxKjEs6TGTjIuMgRcuK-IuF0NofmBrP59