Aramation Games

Sins of a Solar Empire is a new breed of space strategy game, unlike Masters of Orion, or Galactic Civilizations. It happens in real-time, but do not expect to see StarCraft or Command & Conquer type gameplay. It successfully mixes in great ship-to-ship action of Homeworld, with all the strategy involved with planet development, unit construction, diplomacy and war not-too-removed from Civilization.

Large-scale maps feature plenty of stars and planets, and even the smallest maps contain a dozen planets, which means the game’s resolution will come increasingly slowly as both sides of the conflict research new weapons and develop planetary defense systems. And to win means annihilating the enemy in its entirety, as the AI will never surrender and there are no other victory conditions possible.

As you colonize new planets, build research facilities, commission new ships and repel pirate attacks, your free time will surely disappear when you are entranced by Sins of a Solar Empire. Units feel well balanced, huge capital ships gain experience and level up as you use them, and the world is gorgeous to look at. However it isn’t all positive: this game features no single-player campaign. It is a shame that they bothered to create 3 different sides, and gave them back stories without a single player campaign. Instead it is just a collection skirmishes, which seem anti-climactic in this grandiose space strategy game.

Be warned that this is a game made for the hardcore fans of space strategy games. But if you are interested in conquering the space, and destroying enemy’s fleet with your superior fleet, then jump right in.

Rating: 85%

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