Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion - New Frontiers Edition
Review
Expedition To The Final Frontier
by Johnathan Irwin
reviewed on PC
Assemble The Fleet
With training behind me, it was time to take on the perils of the universe. Setting up a custom game on a large map, and opting to play as the Advent Rebels (There are three main factions that have split up into two groups each, giving you a total of six playing possibilities) I was thrust into the Abyss. My homeworld, my lifeline to victory, Aegina looked to be an earthscape surrounded by the outposts and stations I would use to construct my fleet. Starting first with my frigates, and investing in the Progenitor Mothership right from the start I was feeling confident. Overconfidence however is a fools folly, and though I took three planets as I expanded outward I soon bit off more than I could chew as three enemy factions had descended upon me.
A steady retreat ensued with all sides encountering heavy losses, but in the end my fleet met a grizzly end and I could not build up a force large enough to defend my homeworld, and so my first game came to a close as I was defeated. I learned the hard way that this is one strategy where rushing is not only not the answer, but isn't even remotely a viable option. Let me tell you that's one aspect I loved a lot.
My Empire Strikes Back
After my first failed attempt at the game, I tried it again... again... and again... after about my fourth loss, I finally started getting the hang of it. After taking about an hour to get my defenses together, research what I could, and claim a few uncontested territories, it was time to set out for galactic domination. With an iron fist, I once more lead the Advent Rebels into battle, and on a much grander scale. The battles were GLORIOUS.
Zooming in on the action after I set them up for fighting, it was like watching the most memorable battles of classic sci fi movies; but I was in control of the fleet. Maneuvering around each other as we fought for control of system after system, and this time it was my enemies on the retreat. Taking control of the spoils of my conquest, one of my opponents had fallen. I set my eyes on distant worlds. I reassembled the fleet, made sure all was well on the worlds I now controlled, then looked to take on my remaining opponents.
A Grand Homecoming
When the smoke settled, and the cries of my enemies were vanquished to the furthest reaches of space, I was satisfied. Everything before me was mine and only stragglers remained to try to fight. Prolonging the inevitable, I recalled my forces to defend my territory and continued to build up in the hopes for one more final conflict. Maybe what was left of the enemy could bring a final assault for the ages. It never came, as they simply didn't have the resources needed to strike back.
This experience was beyond anything I've ever experienced in an RTS before, I'm ashamed to say this is my first experience with the Sins of a Solar Empire series and what an amazing first experience it has been. Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion- New Frontiers is a fantastic title. This feels like the complete edition, I could tell that without the Forbidden Worlds DLC I would be missing out on a lot of what the game has to offer. When my only complaint about a game is an easily forgotten soundtrack, that's a game that I can call an almost perfect title. If you don't already own Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, now is the time to jump in on an expansive and overall great experience that any RTS fan can easily embrace.
9.5
fun score
Pros
In depth logistics, fleet, and planet management. Tutorials are actually useful. Beautiful space battles on a large scale
Cons
Forgettable soundtrack