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Whistle Stopper - Sins of a Solar Empire
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List Price: $39.99
Our Price: $24.49
Your Save: $ 15.50 ( 39% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Stardock
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Amazon Maximum Age: 20
Amazon Minimum Age: 144
Batteries Included: 0
Binding: Video Game
Brand: Stardock
EAN: 0708192010608
ESRB Age Rating: Teen
Feature: Take command of 1 of 3 space-faring races as you work to establish domination of the galaxy
Format: CD
Label: Stardock
Manufacturer: Stardock
Platform: Windows XP
Publisher: Stardock
Release Date: 2008-02-05
Studio: Stardock
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Features
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Take command of 1 of 3 space-faring races as you work to establish domination of the galaxy
Use diplomacy, economic skill, cultural influence, and sheer military might to establish order
Explore and conquer neighboring planets and distant solar systems in a massively scaled, fully 3D galaxy
Transition between the roles of emperor and fleet commander; customize and improve powerful units
Extensive diplomatic and economic strategies can exercise a variety of options
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Soooooooo Boring.....
Comment: I mainly play first person shooters and RPGs (the last two games I played were Mass Effect and Crysis, which I loved) but I enjoy RTS games as well. I spent lots of time playing Empire Earth, Age of Empires 2 and 3, Dawn of War, World in Conflict, and others. After seeing so many positive reviews for this game, I went out and bought it.
As soon as I started watching the intro I knew I had made a terrible mistake. The voice-over is awful and the story was uninspiring. Then I expected to start a campaign, something with a story. Instead, when I clicked Single Player, I was presented with a list of maps to choose from. Come on, they could make a little effort to draw me into this game. I started playing the first tutorial, and between the irritating voices that acknowledge your commands and the utter dullness of watching the ships sit still firing their little lasers until one blows up, I was sure that this was not a game that I would enjoy.
I played Sins of a Solar Empire for about ten minutes, and it was ten minutes too long. Apparently there are lots of people who like this game, but if you like the kind of RTS games I mentioned above, don't waste your time with this.
Customer Rating:
Summary: I'D RATHER BE PLAYING EMPIRE AT WAR!
Comment: playing this game reminded me a little of playing SW Empire at War only worse. I quickly lost interest in this game and never finished more than a couple of levels. Maybe this game is better in Multi-player mode, but as far as single-player mode is concerned i'm gonna have to give it 2 thumbs down. Play Empire at War instead you will not be disappointed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Stardock Changed the Rules
Comment: I have supported Stardock for years now. I purchased Galactic Civilizations (2 copies), Altarian Prophecy, Galactic Civilizations 2 and Sins of the Solar Empire.
However that all ends now, since Stardock has changed course in midstream. They will no longer put out stand alone patches for the game, but now they are forcing the user to download and install Impulse to get any future content.
This method of DRM is not as bad as Spore's or MassEffect, but it still ends in control over the user. In fact Brad (owner of Stardock) basically said he does not care what others think, he is going to do what he wants.
It is now either Brad's way or the highway. My recommendation is take the highway, and stop being forced like cattle into the pens they tell you to go in to.
Take the highway, it is cheaper, less painful and you do not have a person or company dictating to you that you will download their software because they want it on your computer.
DRM is a DRM no matter how much they tell you it is not. They are now setting the rights by which you will be able to download any future content for their games.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Bombing planets? Where do I sign up?
Comment: By doing a real-time strategy game mixed with elements from turn-based games (or 4x as they call it; Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate), Sins was doing something daring. They succeeded, to an extent.
First, it should be noted that although this game will work on most computers, it is capable of bringing the most powerful machines to their knees. Sins allows players to build a map with no limits. That said, if you play on a map your computer can handle, they graphics are simply stunning. From a horde of fighters racing by to planetary bombardment weapons (which are sinfully fun to watch), I was very impressed with the detail. Yet, only the best machine can deliver these results.
There is no plot to this game, simply a back-story that describes why the three species are in combat with each other. Here is one problem with Sins: they tried to build three distinct races (one based on commerce, another on technology, and another on psychic abilities) but in the end made them too balanced. Besides ship special abilities and technologies researched in the late game, all teams are essentially the same.
Another problem is the fact that you may be required to organize multiple battles at the same time, which can sometime result in your strategy losing its cohesion. Also, diplomacy in the game is somewhat... lacking. Simple demands by other races for favors, and if you complete them, you can sometimes agree to a cease-fire, alliance, or trade-rights. Still, these only tarnish a small part of the game.
The strategy part of the game is pretty standards; collect resources, colonize planets and improve them; but it's the fact that this is all running in real time. At any moment, an enemy fleet could show up on your door-step, whether or not you're ready. Buildable defenses can only do so much; you will need a fleet for defense. Everyone will have to develop their own strategies for this, which is some of the fun; I found there is lots of room for experimentation and development of technique.
Multiplayer is, quite simply, great. Combine the treachery of Civilization and the raw essence of RTS online game, and you'll get Sins. New players will have a tough time, though, getting indoctrinated into the community (Simply put, at first you're going to be slaughtered) and, like all games, there are people who exploit certain characteristic to their advantage (curse you, illuminator spammers!). Still, a very good online experience.
Sins tried something new, and considering that, they did quite well. Although a bit rusty, the game still has a very addictive charisma. And, like Civilization, you'll get that "one more turn feel", except there are no turns, creating quit a dilemma.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Superb! But some bad points.
Comment: When I played my first battle, I easily grasped it due to the tutorial. But, I found 0 campaign missions. This really upsets me because I thought you can actually grow with the game as you go on. Also one misleading part is the box said you can customize your own captial ship by inserting various skills. I found out that no matter how you add your skills, you will end up with the same ones at lvl 10. It didn't really matter how I build it.
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Editorial Reviews:
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In the future, the survival of humanity stands on the edge of utter ruin as three powerful factions vie for control of the galaxy. Take command of one of three space-faring races as you work to establish your domination of the galaxy in Sins of a Solar Empire, fighting for the survival of your entire race against relentless foes. Your success will depend entirely on your ability to manage your empire and command your vast fleets of starships to victory. Through a combination of diplomacy, economic skill, cultural influence, and sheer military might you will establish order over your corner of the galaxy!
ESRB Rated T for Teen
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