Imperialism II: I need your verdict

Hasdrubal · July 27, 2000, 03:20

Two days ago, I bought Imperialism II. I stumbled across a nice $15 offer for the game. I expected a lot from this game, since I've read across the net about a lot of people being really into it.
But I find it a bit hard to get into. I'm still not aware of how to play this game correctly. I haven't really tried much either, since I find myself not attracted to it.

Should I persevere, or would that be a waste of time?

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Hasdrubal's Home.
Ceterum censeo Romam esse delendam.

Shadowstrike · July 27, 2000, 08:41

Its a really fun game once you get the hang of it. The way to suceed is to pick a goal and work on it, no matter how lucredious at the time. For example, ifyou want to build more ships, focus on getting enough food for the ships, construction costs and build them soon.

My Wife Hates CIV · July 27, 2000, 09:29

The key to this game is tanks. The heavy tanks with ion guns. I've found you don't need a really large fleet. Maybe one main fleet of 25 or so large ships and perhaps 250 ~ 350 fighters. Just make sure to keep upgrading the lessor ships when possible. Still, the key IMHO is tank research and tank production. Than when you find an enemy planet... land with 40 killer bad ass tanks and destroy everything.

Tanks are also all you need for planet defense. Forget the laser forts (worthless). Of course this whole post is based on having played 3 games on easy level. Perhaps hard requires a different approach.

My Wife Hates CIV · July 27, 2000, 09:32

oh! wrong game... i was talking about Imperium Galactica II. A better game anyway!

St Leo · July 27, 2000, 16:30

Try asking about it at http://www.sidgames.com/forums/ .

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St. Leo
http://ziggurat.sidgames.com/
http://www.sidgames.com/forums/

Zkribbler · July 27, 2000, 20:01

A really good game! It's exciting because you never have enough resources to feel comfortable, and there's a bunch of things you have to juggle: trying to kick the snot out of the various tribes; trying to (initally) keep out of wars with other Great Nations; trying to absorb minor nations with trade and bribes; trying to develop your resources; trying to build up your army and navy; spending money on research; sending out spies; exploring; buying-up critical resources in other countries. Although the rules are not overly complicated, the game itself becomes very complicated because there's so much going on.

Early on: develop iron and timber; conquer tribal land, esp. with ports; explore.

Shadowstrike · July 27, 2000, 20:04

Are you kidding Zkribbler? You'll have to go beyond mearly developing iron and lumber, you'll have to buy it to keep from going under. (and being unable to build new developments) Then, you face a nasty catch-22 that you may never get out off. All said, save regularly, so this never happens to you, Hasdrubal. 2 Builders and an Engineer early on gets you onto a good enough start, while only consuming 2 iron and 2 lumber per turn.

Note: mild sarcasm in effect

[This message has been edited by Shadowstrike (edited July 27, 2000).]

Zkribbler · July 27, 2000, 22:48

See?? It's like I said, there's all kind of things you have to balance.

Hopefully, you'll have enough resources at home that you don't have to go out and buy stuff--cause then you need income from the new world riches, and you'll need roads to transport them over, and ports to ship them from and cargo ships to ship them in and naval ships to protect the cargo ships and it all gets so complicated!!!

jed · August 4, 2000, 14:47

I had the same experience. Tried a few times to get into Imperialism II and never could. I gave up on it. Why bother with a game that you don't enjoy?

John D Ward · August 11, 2000, 14:54

I must agree with jed on this. I couldn't get the hang of it, either.

St Leo · August 14, 2000, 00:28

Simple things for simple minds, eh?

j/k

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St. Leo
http://ziggurat.sidgames.com/
http://www.sidgames.com/forums/

Hasdrubal · August 14, 2000, 10:41

Thanks for the replies.
Well, I have persevered. And I must say that this game has grown on me. It is fun once you get the hang of it!

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Hasdrubal's Home.
Ceterum censeo Romam esse delendam.

Cylon · August 14, 2000, 18:00

Actually I enjoyed Imperialism I enjoyed Imperialism I more.
It had all the fun of struggling with transport and factory capacities you don't have anymore in Imp2. (I'm serious)

The era was also more attractive to me (1814-1914). The AI was not, however.

John-SJ · October 6, 2000, 09:45

Bump for Pythagoras...

Pythagoras · October 9, 2000, 10:37

thanks for the bump

Anywayz-so how would you compare the game to colonization? More/less complex? More/less rules? More/less micromanagement? Would someone who liked col. nescesarilly like imperialism II? If I was interested in the time period would I like the game? If I was interested in economics would I like the game? Why am I asking so many questions? Why dont I just ask you to write a short review for the "civer" type audience?

Thanks
Pyth

John-SJ · October 10, 2000, 00:41

Pythagoras:
"Why dont I just ask you to write a short review for the "civer" type audience?"

You could ask that, but I would have to decline. It's been way too long since I played the game, so basically, all I can tell you is, "I didn't care for the game". Sorry.

John-SJ
edit: spelling

[This message has been edited by John-SJ (edited October 09, 2000).]

St Leo · October 19, 2000, 22:59

Anywayz-so how would you compare the game to colonization? More/less complex? More/less rules?

I haven't played Colonization.

More/less micromanagement?

I would guess less.

If I was interested in the time period would I like the game?

Yeah.

If I was interested in economics would I like the game?

Try digging up a copy of Imperialism I if that's what you are looking for.

Why dont I just ask you to write a short review for the "civer" type audience?

Your objective is to annex half the Old World (Europe or Randomized) but that is hard to accomplish without establishing a substantial presence in the New World (Randomized). It has tactical land combat (optional), a good trade system, separate movement systems for armies and civilians, etc. Micromanagement is minimal and will remain so until you accumulate two dozen or so civilians in the end game. I highly recommend it to any strategy fan.

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St. Leo
http://ziggurat.sidgames.com/
http://www.sidgames.com/forums/

Zkribbler · October 20, 2000, 00:45

I think Colonization is a much slower game.

To me, the most exciting part of Imperialism II is the fact that you constantly have to make choices on how to use your slim resources. In Colonization, the choices are much more mechanical.

The thing I didn't like about Colonization was the strong defensive capibility of the units. This discourages battles. Imperialism II is much more bloody.

[This message has been edited by Zkribbler (edited October 20, 2000).]

Pythagoras · October 21, 2000, 02:17

Well in defense of Colonization, I think it is much more oriented to modeling and allowing the gamer to emmerse himself in a more economic, more american-centric perspective of the colonial period. From what you guys are explaining they seem different, and I expected them to be similar, but Imperialism II seems to have a more Europe-centric POV, which is cool and all. I need to find time to play the demo a little more.

Pyth