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 | Title : Master of Orion 3
Author : Atari
Release Date : 20030225
Binding : CD-ROM
Regular Price : $39.99
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Editorial Reviews :
The Master of Orion series is synonymous with addictive turn-based strategy gameplay. Though the premise--choosing a unique alien race and then leading it in a galactic quest for glory--isn't new, there is something about the series that draws people back. Is it the original take on the diplomatic, economic, military, and exploratory components of galactic conquest? Is it the intrigue of the Antarans, an ancient and predatory race that always seems to pop out of hyperspace to attack at just the wrong time? Is it the sense of accomplishment that comes from building a functioning interstellar empire? Frankly, I don't know. But for whatever reason, these games are notorious for creating a bad case of Just One More Turn syndrome.
Master of Orion 3, then, has large shoes to fill. Appropriately, 'bigger' is one of the best adjectives that can be used to describe this third installment. Fans of micromanagement are in for a treat, as the most noticeable new feature is the vast number of options available. The level of control is nice, but can be overwhelming--you'll sometimes find yourself swimming in a sea of menus, interconnected sliders, and check boxes. The array of empire management tools are all used to advance along one of three paths to victory: dominating your enemies militarily, getting elected as president of the Orion senate, or finding all five hidden artifacts.
Each planet in your empire has many components that must be managed individually--including taxes, build queues, regional zoning, terraforming, resource collection, economic infrastructure development, and military versus planetary spending limits. Successful management leads to a productive planet; mismanagement results in revolt and unrest. A vital addition to the game is an AI viceroy for each planet. Viceroys will carry out mundane work based on empire-wide policies you can set, but don't expect them to do exactly what you want very often. And even with the help of viceroys, the galactic scale is no less daunting. You must manage not only a galactic budget and research, but also diplomatic relations, spy infiltration, and military development and deployment. The manner in which the player interacts with the Orion senate is new to MoO3. You can now become a member of the senate and use it to impose sanctions or declare war on other alien races.
When diplomatic negotiations fail, space and ground combat become necessary. You assign task forces mission types that include long-range attack, short-range attack, point-defense, indirect fire, and reconnaissance. Ground forces are likewise grouped into task forces based on their size and strength. Once in combat, you can opt to control things directly or sit back and let the computer take care of everything. You can even skip combat altogether and jump right to the outcome--the fastest and easiest way to manage battles.
In the end, Masters of Orion 3 succeeds with compelling gameplay that will leave you engrossed for hours (or days) at a time. Thanks to the strategic depth of the game, vast number of management options, diverse and interesting alien races, a randomly generated universe, and a sprawling technology tree, no two games will be alike. Though dense and complex, the payoff is well worth the effort. MoO3 is a fantastic title perfect for anyone who enjoys strategy games. --Jon 'Safety Monkey' Grover
Buyer Reviews :
There are three factors involved in the low reviews:
1. There are some bugs in the first release that cause the computer AI to play unwisely and in a strategic-level game like this, it can be very annoying. For example, left to themselves, planets love to produce troop transports and colony ships that you don't need or want.
One patch is out already and it patches the data tables to fix several problems. I applied this before playing the game and it might've spared me a lot of grief that earlier buyers found. Other issues can only be addressed by modifying the code, and that patch is done and going through QA and should be out in early June.
2. It's a HUGE game and the manual is not perfect. Read the addendum in the program's folder, and go to Atari's MOO3 discussion boards and read the FAQs there. Also, pay attention to the Master Notes that pop up when you first visit a screen.
3. Many people simply don't get it. And that's why you might find a review that simultaneously says the game is too complicated, yet at the same time say that it's too simple because all you need to do is hit the Turn button and you do nothing.
The fact is, the game is brilliant... It's HUGE in scale and it's allowing you to run an empire that spans multiple star systems, each having multiple planets, each having multiple regions. You could not hope to run something this large via the typical micromanagement. You need an AI bureacracy to help you (your 'viceroys').
And this is totally realistic. You set the overall goals and you direct the fleets, etc, while your viceroys run the day-to-day details. They do a good enough job that you really could hit Turn for several turns and probably not be missed.
But you are also the one who creates, sets the purpose for, and tasks fleets. You are the one who conducts diplomacy. You are the one who authorizes defensive and offensive spies. You are the one who creates development priorities for planets in different classes (frontier, new, starvation, mineral rich, etc.) Yet as ruler, you can drill down and overrule most decisions your viceroys make, too.
The games scale and the options will overwhelm you. But plunge in anyhow, taking advantage of your viceroys' skills, and learn to run your empire one concept at a time. And be a real emperor, not some micro-managing plate juggler!
(by Wayne Folta)
Features/Technical Specs :
* Explore a vast galaxy, expand your interstellar empire, exploit planetary resources, exterminate rivals, and experience deep turn-based strategic gameplay
* Explore rich solar systems, complete with jump lanes, worm holes and hostile alien races
* Play one of 16 unique star-faring races or create your own custom race
* Dynamic Galaxy Generation ensures that no two games are ever the same
* Colossal space battles with beautiful real-time tactical combat keeps play moving at a brisk pace
* Trade technology, make and break treaties, demand tribute and propose Bills in the Orion Senate
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