Strategy, yes, but what type?

from Sins Forums
Hey fellas, I'm very interested in purchasing this game but first I'd like to know more about the elements of strategy that are present in this game. No doubt that strategy is involved, and probably lots of it, but what type of strategy? Right now I'm a little hesitant to assume that this game could engulf me with enough battle tactics. Which is the most important thing to me in an RTS, combat strategy.

To me, I wonder just how much could even be implemented in a galactic type of game in the first place. What I enjoy is controlling the high ground, flanking, and battling for crucial territory. Obviously you can't compete for high ground or out maneuverer your opponent in a game like this. For another example, take CoH, if the enemy is building a lot of troops you can counter that with flamethrowers or jeeps, if they have a lot of tanks - you build anti-tanks, if they bunker in - you call in bombings or mortars. It's something like a game of chess, are those type of elements present in the combat for Sins of a Solar Empire? Is scouting your opponent and countering with the proper force crucial to winning?

I'm looking at videos and just see 100s of battle ships going at it, to the naked eye it doesn't look like much planning or tactical thinking was involved. But, the key word there is naked eye. Can anyone shed some light on this subject for me? Would this game be for me? My favorite PC games are currently Company of Hero's and Supreme Commander.

thanks


13,690 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
There are most definitely combat tactics. FYI I loved CoH, didn't dig SupCom as much as I hoped (huge Total Annihilation fan). Currently I'm loving Sins because it combines so many elements from my favorite genres exceptionally well.

First, there is a counter to each unit as you would expect in any RTS. If your opponent goes for a huge carrier/bomber fleet you can counter with fighters and flak frigates. He goes light frigate spam (tank rush), you counter with defense vessels and outlast his economic/tech negligence. Each strategy hinges on effective scouting so you can identify an incoming fleet and produce the appropriate response.

Second. Territory is less complicated than CoH, though not by much. You don't get a high ground bonus, though you do get a benefit for fighting in an area where you are culturally dominant, similar to Civilization. Each planet has an associated gravity well where your ships come out of hyperspace (phase) where the battles take place. A planet is controllable similar to a capture point in CoH, once colonized, you can upgrade and build defense, factories, trade posts, etc. Each planet is linked to the next via phase lanes, where your ships jump from one place to the next. Control of these routes and understanding which side of the planet enemy forces will arrive on can determine a match. Positioning is very important in each gravity well as it can take nearly a minute to cross the diameter. Someone who places their carriers on the far side of the planet, and forces an engagement near a friendly repair bay will decimate an equally sized fleet who jump in with their combat frigates and support cruisers bunched together. Proper use of focus fire, damage types, and positioning are all critical to victory.

Micro Management in huge engagements can be daunting, but coming from SupCom you'll pick it up quickly. Capitol ships act as heroes, each with unique abilities that you level up, exactly like Warcraft3. Add to that elements from Civilization along with an epic feel, and you'll see why Sins sold 200k in 2 weeks.

Hope this helps bring you into the community. A demo will be available soon, (maybe this month? An Ironcladdy would know more).



Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
the only way I can put it is that, just short of full blown supply lines, this game has all sorts of imaginable strategy.
Galactic Civilizations IV
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
A demo will be available soon, (maybe this month? An Ironcladdy would know more).
End of quote


Ha! No need, I'm sold now. I'm going to grab it sometime this week. Great info, thanks!
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
For another example, take CoH, if the enemy is building a lot of troops you can counter that with flamethrowers or jeeps, if they have a lot of tanks - you build anti-tanks, if they bunker in - you call in bombings or mortars. It's something like a game of chess
End of quote


Since when does chess have rock-paper-scissors?
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
Well I meant chess in a way that you have to use your units to their strengths and placement is always important.



Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
It's medium. You can win just by throwing ships at someone, but you'll take a lot of losses and if you use a lot of strategy (sometimes micro) you'll end up doing a lot better. The reason it's a little less strategic, I assume, is that you're managing the empire alongside the whole thing.