Starlord

Starlord description

Varanava a great game in the style of sci-fi, competently combines elements of strategy, RPG, space simulation and adventure (and maybe even other genres).

The action takes place in the very distant future, your character - the head of the family Starlord's, in possession of which there is only one planet (the default). But our "house" wants more, namely to build a galactic Empire. Naturally, this will have to explore the surrounding worlds, conquer land and develop the economy.

Actually, the whole gameplay of this is. In any case, just note what is known about the game world (which, alas, is not very well developed). Formally, in the galaxy there is an Empire, which is headed by the Emperor – the Supreme ruler. However, his authority only nominal, as the galaxy is experiencing a period of feudal fragmentation. Below the Emperor in the feudal ladder are the kings, then the Dukes, then counts, then the lords. The title depends on the number of planets under the control of a feudal Lord, or the total of power and wealth (that is, in theory, you can have one planet, but to be an Earl or even a Duke).

For the Emperor can not play, for the rest – it is possible (that is, have a choice whether to be king and Lord, for example; it is clear that playing for the Lord harder and more interesting of all, and by default it is this scenario). Also when you start the game you have the choice between "Dynasty Mode" and "Single Mode". Family (the family is below) is, in any case, however, the difference between these game modes is that in the first death of your character does not lead to the end of the game if he has at least one child (no matter what gender) – he is his heir, but in the second the death of the hero should not be allowed, otherwise the game will end.

They say that the maximum number of planets that may include your future Empire, in theory, may be more than a thousand (!), each of them can (and should) be managed directly by you, by hand, and each has some of his features (I still stopped at twenty-seven captured and can already tell that they are both very hard to manage). To capture each planet you need to defeat its inhabitants and amazingly, we have a real space battle in simulation mode in almost full 3D!

In case of victory becomes our planet, it must deploy their headquarters (only if the planet can be controlled) and start production of resources including food, fuel, and minerals. Food is necessary for nutrition, minerals and fuel for the construction of new ships. Once created the fleet better still – go to the conquest of a new planet. Diplomacy as such in the game, probably not, but it is to fight with all the first not necessarily – you can, for example, to negotiate a trade or even sign a non-aggression agreement. Trade is of particular importance in the beginning of the game, because you can buy not only the resources but also "ready-made" products (in particular, combat cruisers).

What is described above is only the tip of the iceberg in considering the detail of this game. Because it is really high, and understand I need it to be good very long. For example, it says in the beginning of the review words about "family" - the words are not empty: the family plays an important role in the game, because your children are your potential heirs and family members will need, according to their skills, to appoint to different posts in the Empire. There is also a system of feudal relations "seignior-vassal": after some time you will begin to appear the vassals. And most incredible: you can make the decision to replace (!) your character on one of his vassals, making the dynastic revolution in his state (I emphasize – his own hands!). Why would you do that – not very clear, but the possibility, nowhere to meet, makes this game unique.

Also, there are so many different game modes (that's really really – a multidimensional process!): some types of combat a few (there are quite sketchy training, there are several modes of combat [tactical map or close the review, for example]). At the fights at all is to dwell. The first rule is: the Emperor, despite rating his power, ALWAYS the most powerful court you have never will, so if you decide to fight him – is to rely on numerical superiority.

The number you can manage in one particular battle ships of all types under the control of one player cannot exceed two hundred fifty-five (but you will agree that this figure is impressive even now, and even then...), and have the opportunity to fight automatically, and to command them personally, but the second option is possible only after you will have your own personal fighter, you will be able to fly to the battlefield and personally, and to command, and participate (and it is then easy to die). In this battle for the overview of the available different camera angles, as mentioned above, including even a few views from the cockpit.

By the way, from that moment, battles are quite difficult, so it is said that even the game developers themselves recommend from this point on to give battle under the control of the AI though, because in this situation your character is guaranteed to die even if the battle is lost. But if you want to manage yourself – please. Meantime the vessel their have, we can only observe the battle (pretty sketchy looking) on the monitor screen the main ship and give minor commands (in practice – just watch). However, it is possible to speed up the flow of the battle.

Separate screens dedicated to the trade, or in any the statistical calculations and different parties control the Empire.

Graphics, as mentioned, are wonderful, but, primarily, on static screens. The battle done, though good and with a hint of three-dimensionality, but before the real battles have yet to reach, and those that we can observe with the main ship, very sketchy (however, for such a game, more is required, and this "sketchiness" has an excuse – it's just the scheme). Incidentally, at the time the game was criticized due to the lack of a clear storyline and nebula specific purpose (and, indeed, there are no formally developed world and a clear ending), but, in my opinion, unfairly criticized. This game features a very rare freedom and is very close to "simulated galactic ruler" - because if such existed, surely he would not have a clear algorithm of actions and instructions for their execution, right?

In General, the thing is very ambiguous, so the final verdict to make difficult. Fans of difficult and large-scale games it's worth a try anyway, because tighten can much - go for it!

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Source: Archive.org, Mobygames.com