Star Wars: Empire at War

[vartemis]

I just saw an add for this game.  Has anyone played it?  What engine does it run on, or what game is it similar to?  I used to play SW: Galactic Battlegrounds that ran on the Ages of Empires engine, and liked it a lot.

There is also a warhammer 40 game like this, Dawn of War, and the expansion Winter assualt.  Has anyone played this?  I only want one of the two.  If you have played both, which one would you choose?

thanks

j

[Klep]

My understanding is that both are excellent games, and you wouldn't regret spending money on either one.  I myself purchased Empire at War, although I haven't played it yet seeing as how the Brotherhood of Nod and the Soviets are conspiring to keep me busy for a few weeks with the C&C collection recently released.  My suggestion is that you purchase whichever of the two is in the universe you more enjoy.

[Eddie]

I've played Empire at War. Not that much though. It's a nice RTS with some interesting concepts. The resource system is different than other RTS games. It feels like one big game now, where each conquered planet contributes to your resources. It always bugged me in other RTS games that you had to start over in each new mission. Now, it's one continuing game, with some interesting new options on both sides (rebels can steal credits from the empire. The empire can hire bounty hunters to kill the thieves, ...). The graphics are not that bad, but you don't want to zoom in too much. I feel the tactical options are rather limited though, but I'm not that far so it might change. I didn't like Galactic Battlegrounds. I just hate it when the units are bigger than the buildings. I always wonder why they even shoot the building if they can crush it under their foot instead...

I've tried warhammer, but stopped too soon I guess. There was something in controlling the game that bugged me, but I didn't try hard.

If you only want one, I'd choose Empire at War. It's the best RTS game in recent years, but it's still not as good as the old ones like red alert. Also, I'd download the demo of the game first.

[cssamerican]

It's the best RTS game in recent years, but it's still not as good as the old ones like red alert. Also, I'd download the demo of the game first.

Red Alert = Greatest PC game ever made. Then they screwed it up because people whined about Tank and grenade rushes.
Back on topic.

I as under the impresion that this was a more eloborate version of Rebellion. Was I wrong?

[Eddie]

I as under the impresion that this was a more eloborate version of Rebellion. Was I wrong?

I didn't know that game, but when I look at it, it certainly seems very similar.

[Scoops666]

Red Alert = Greatest PC game ever made.

I have to second that sentiment.

From what I've heard, Empire at War is a phenominal game. I actually had someone tell me that if it cost $100 he would still think it worth it. Seems like an exageration, but nevertheless, the game must be good.

[jpmeyer]

It's the best RTS game in recent years, but it's still not as good as the old ones like red alert. Also, I'd download the demo of the game first.

Red Alert = Greatest PC game ever made. Then they screwed it up because people whined about Tank and grenade rushes.
Back on topic.

I as under the impresion that this was a more eloborate version of Rebellion. Was I wrong?

Is it even possible to make a more elaborate version of Rebellion?  I don't think that I've ever played a game with more micromanagement.

[Klep]

Is it even possible to make a more elaborate version of Rebellion?  I don't think that I've ever played a game with more micromanagement.

What about MOO3?

[vartemis]

Red Alert = Greatest PC game ever made.

When I worked for Microplay, Red Alert, Doom and GTA 1 were the top 3 most played games on our LAN>

j

[Methuselahn]

After picking up a new graphics card, I picked up Empire at War.  This is a pretty cool game so far.  It looks to have a decent replay factor.  There is a nice mix of both strategy and action here.   There's amazing detail both in standard map mode and cinema mode. 

I've only just begun online play, but this should be a good one.

[Machinus]

I beat Empire at War last week with the Imperial Side. I really enjoyed it, although I had to turn down quite a few graphics settings (my computer is almost four years old now). I may go back and play through with Rebels, but I'm not very interested in replaying the ANH storyline (again..) at the moment, so I may not.

The multiplayer aspect looks less appealing, for a couple of reasons. One is that the Rebels are seriously overpowered at the lower tech levels. Their abilities and overall power are at a higher level, and even when you get up to ISDs and ATATs, the command point system still makes it hard to compete with their better weapons. Playing a galactic conquest map has the potential to take a realllly long time since you are not only managing multiple planets' worth of mining, factories, and defensive structures, you also have to worry about reconaissance, constructing fleets, and also engaging in many space and ground battles (possibly multiple battles per planet) over the course of the game. I haven't tried this mode online but I can't see it being fun unless I was playing against someone I knew (with a comparable skill level) who was also willing to pause the game and continue it later.

Auto-Resolve is one of the coolest features I've seen in these types of games (since it can save so much time), but you have to have a large surplus of ships to be able to afford it. I can recommend this game for the single player, and hopefully there will be some balancing to make multiplayer better.

Juggling this and TFD has been tough. I finally got my games configured to the point where I can play Tiberian Dawn and Red Alert on the internet again. At this point there are so few people at that stage of tech that it's really difficult to find opponents, but I'm happy I got it working.

[jpmeyer]

Is it even possible to make a more elaborate version of Rebellion?  I don't think that I've ever played a game with more micromanagement.

What about MOO3?

Hmm, that's a tough one.

/then again, I refuse to play MOO3
//more like "Master of Microsoft Excel 3"
///slashies!

[UR]

Empire at War is what Rebellion should have been. It is nice, although it does tend te repeat itself after a while. Even the hard opponents aren't really that smart and don't really give you a challenge if you know what to do (and after a few games you'll know...). I normally turn the heroes off because they all have some ridiculous superpower that just destroys armies in the blink of an eye... especially Luke and the Emperor are very strong. It is still a fun game though if you are a fan of Star Wars.