Emperor of the Fading Suns and Sword of the Stars
The Emperor of the Fading Suns had a rich bible, but poor programming. (It would crash about 18 turns in. The company provided patch sucked, but if it didn't crash... Onward.) The AI was weak. It is still the only turn-based game that I know which has an upper level (space) strategy level of conflict between planets and tactical ground combat on a specific planet. There were plenty of space and ground units. Old tech needed to be rediscovered, too.
The rich background material in the computer game created a board game and a role-playing game (...if I remember right).
The strategic level was not nearly as flexible as VGA Planets. Plus, the total planet number was limited. There were dedicated routes between planets for shipping and attack. There was no 'deep space' as in VGA Planets, but planets had ruins (old tech) and resources that must be captured planetside. Fleets could bombard planets and planet-based units.
Plus, there was voting by the players for Regent and eventually Emperor. You need to capture, trade, or find in ruins actual scepters (something like 40) to gain the Emperor title, then it was an all-out war for 10 turns. Everyone against the Emperor, who gained control of the Emperor's forces.
The political side was very much like Planets, and in many cases better. There was an entire framework for cutting deals. This alone was groundbreaking, and I've never seen it in another game.
I think the next generation of planets would allow players to do ground combat, which might take many turns by itself. Plus, the resupply of your planetary assault must be accomplished. It would take a lot of planning and foresight.
As crappy as the programming was for Suns, it still maintains a cult following just from the sheer ambition of the game.
I'm going all on memory, so if someone knows more... Awesome.
Sword of the Stars is a great turn-based game, and it comes close to a VGA Planets like structure. As a bonus, the game map was in 3D! and each faction has its own way to power their craft. The maps could be configured into spiral galaxies, for example. Sword actually worked and the AI could actually be challenging. I think both games are great follow-ons to VGA Planets.
|
Show Media Item - What is the most Similar space game or upcoming game to ...
