Space Empires V
Preview
Conquer the stars!
by Visual
previewed on PC
Ships & strategy (cntd.)
By the time you have assembled a decent fleet, it is time to take it into battle. All combat engagements are done in an unusual real-time strategy setup. In fact, it operates very much like a real-time strategy game, except for the fact that you have the option to pause the game and issue commands. This opens up the floodgates for some insane battles during the later stages of the game when fleets grow to humongous sizes. It is possible to have massive star fights that require precision and exemplary tactics to ensure victory.
Micromanagement
My only desire is for a waypoint system for commands. If I could have broken off a few groups, given them waypoints to encircle the enemy fleet while they engage my main force, then trap the enemy in crossfire, I would have been as happy as could be. Being able to pause the game to issue commands still allows me to do this, but it is not quite as smooth as I would like. Battles can take place either on the ground or in space, but both operate the same way.
Space Empires V is the kind of game that requires intense micromanagement, and that is how I prefer things. At some point I was monitoring upwards of 60 planets, making sure each one was doing what I wanted it to do and producing what I needed produced. Simultaneously I was managing fleet movements, research and intelligence efforts. Fortunately the game is turn-based and I had plenty of time to make sure I had checked everything before ending my turn. But be warned, if you don?t like taking 10 minutes on a single turn, it may be better for you to look elsewhere for getting your strategy fix. You will most likely not find it in Space Empires V.
Closing up
This game has gone from something I?d never heard of to being highly addictive. Yes it lacks polish all across the board but if you?re willing to look past that, it offers lot of strategy for your money. Perhaps future patches will provide that little bit of polish on the battle commands interface, the ship construction tools, navigating between planets and diplomatic relationships. It would most certainly turn this game from a pretty good strategy game to one of the best I?ve ever seen.
In the end, this game shows the potential that small development studios still have on this next-gen battlefield. Space Empires V offers superb gameplay and more customization than you could ever imagine. If you are a fan of intense strategy games and prefer gameplay over graphics, I?d definitely recommend picking it up when it comes out next week, it should be on the shelves then.
