bit-tech Shopping: Take 2 Interactive Sins of a Solar Empire (PC)

• Microsoft Windows Vista
• Microsoft Windows XP

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Weeks

Strengths: Decent graphics , fairly easy to use , large scale of solar system . Possible mods available .

Weaknesses: No single player campaign , needs better 3d sound and voice overs , needs more factions .

Summary: Not much to add from previous reviews here , but the game is a fun rts with decent graphics , with a nice large scale of solar system to work from , with possble mods in the works . I can only hope that a single player campaign might be added down the road , in this vesion or a future add-on . If the few weakness's can be addressed in future patches/add-ons then Sins of a Solar Empire will be a fantasic game vs just good . I purchased the game onsale for nice price of $25 which also makes it a pretty good bargin by todays standards . SOASE is definitly worth a test run around the block for any rts fan .

Rating: 8

Time with product: 60

Strengths: Real time, lots of tech, fun

Weaknesses: LONG games (almost too long), pirates are a pain but can be disabled, interface can take some getting used to

Summary: I've enjoyed this game but it can take some time to figure out the controls and get used to the pace. For people who like Galactic Civilizations II, this game is a must purchase although I think the former is a better game. The real time aspect of this is what makes the game fun and the mods are sure to enhance gameplay further as time goes on.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 1 Week

Strengths: Great base gammeplay, good multiplayer, whole lot of stuff.

Weaknesses: Weak single player and characterization.

Summary: Since MOO2 there hasn't been a really great space empire building sim.Solar empire comes close. It has a great b ase. A great system for explorin, expanding, and all the other good stuff for creating this type of strategy game. it has so much stuff it can eb a bit overwhelming.Unfortunately, while the attention to emchanics detail is excellent, the characterization of the races and the single player game is mediocre. There just isn't any flavor. Really, it seems more like that's just to teach you the game until you're ready to move to multiplayer.Why can't we have a game like this that has the personality of Warcraft or Starcraft? If it had that, it's be a definite GotY and worth 5 Stars.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Best graphics yet for a strategy gameDensely populated spaceHectic battlesGood scenarios

Weaknesses: No single player campaign

Summary: I was a beta tester for this game and was not initially impressed with this game. After playing the retail version, I have decided that this is a very good game for a 4X. My only real complaint that hurts its replayability is the lack of a single player campaign. Just building up a fleet and attacking your enemies like all of the scenarios are structured can get a little boring.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Scale

Weaknesses: Scale

Summary: This game is HUGE in scale. I applaud the effort that must have gone into creating such a vast game. I enjoy the vast reaches of space, but at times the scale can be a bit overwhelming to manage. Be prepared for LONG gaming sessions to get the full enjoyment from this title.