Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Hi

I'm an older gamer and i have a lot of games that I barely play..The one game that I got totally hooked on was Alpha Centauri.........I would like to know how immersive the single player for Dominions 3 is......then how much fun is it. how hard to learn?

I guess at 54.95 I need some really honest opinions...

Tom http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Let's see, single-player... As far as immersion goes it's pretty good, (for a low-budget fantasy wargame, which takes it down a few notches) but I found the single-player of Dominions got old sort of fast. There's plenty to discover, but the game itself sort of gets samey when playing against the AI, though I seem to be in a minority that think so. It also has a distinct lack of user-friendliness for multi-player, if you're counting that. (Though I do love the multi-player) As for how hard it is to learn, the game's very complicated in nature, but I found it really intuitive once I finished the tutorial. Even to this day, I'm not sure why.

If it helps, you can download the demo here.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

I did go through the demo but am still on the fence..

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

I don't like spending that sort of money on a game I won't play much. But when I found out it was a two man developer team I ordered it. Because it means my money will not only give me pleasure (I am really enjoying the multiplayer now) it also fosters a facet of the gaming industry I think needs as much support as possible.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

I have played dominions 1, 2, and 3. They all lived on my computers and got play up until a new version of dominions replaced them. I play almost entirely solo. I still find new things to try.

I tend to prefer RPG games to Strategy so I find it kindof surprising that I enjoy Dom so much. I think it can be immersive. There is a wealth of true mythological and historical research put into the game (which makes sense if you know that one of the devs day-job is teaching that stuff). You might check out some of the AAR's in the subforum here which can break into story mode when talking about the games they are playing.

Also some of the reviews. Many of them have by some really strict gaming magazines have commented that this game provides extensive play for the money. Personally, many games Ive spent this much on lasted about a month on my machines so I figure this one is giving me many hours to the penny.

Oh yeah, Im an older gamer also (50). http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Hi TTomm:

If you like turn-based strategy games, then I think you will love this game. It will stay on your computer for a long time and be played for hours and hours and hours. It won't be one of those games that bore you after 2 weeks. More game; Less fluff. (I have been enjoying the game for years.)

The game has a high learning curve. But that just means it will keep you occupied for a long time, which is a good thing. Plus, I suggest that you try both single-player and multi-player. Both are quite fun. MP presents the greater challenge, and there are many ways to enjoy it. There are quicker blitz games. There are long 3-turn/week games, etc.

This is a war game, however. Alpha Centauri involved a lot more infrastructure building than Dominions, which involves more magic research and weapon construction.

Pasha http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

multiplayer can be played by just connecting to receive new turns and submit your turn.

Play by email is also an option.

So multiplayer is great and does not require broadband or continual connection. Although alot of people play blitz games which are quick games over the course of a few hours too.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

The game is very good. There are quite a few areas which haven't gotten the attention they deserve, but in that respect Dom3 is atleast comparable in those areas to other games. The areas where Dom3 shines-and there are many-are far and away better than you'll find on most, if not all, of similar genres. For the kind of immersion you're talking about to happen, the game simply needs more attention, and you can't blame the designers, because there's only two of them. I held off buying Dom2 precisely because Dom3 is more complete, and I'm gambling on Dom4 being a polished product, but the money has been very well-spent. Part of the fun for me is analyzing the game, it's strengths and weaknesses, and offering advice on ways the game can hopefully be made better in the future. I really feel that I'm being listened to, and that's a big advantage over a lot of other games. The designers-again their are only 2-are right here, basically at your fingertips, they're friendly and willing to be a part of the community. I would say that if you want the very best game possible in this genre, you'd do well to buy Dom3 and then make being part of the community a part of your gaming experience, and do what you can to help Dom4 be a game you really will enjoy above and beyond the standard purchase.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

I loved Alpha Centauri - still hoping they'll come out with an even better sequel. The Civilization games are fine, and fun, but Alpha Centauri was great. Dominions (2 and 3, never played the original) are at least as great, in my mind.

I was very happy with the single-player game, until I started playing multiplayer. I can still enjoy a single-player game every now and then, especially if it's actually a hot-seat game against the AI, but multiplayer is just so easy to do and so much richer...

In summary: other games come and go, the Dominions games have lasting appeal. It's the only game I've enjoyed a single multiplayer match for over a year!

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Yes, Alpha Centarui and the sequil is one of the best games ever made. I really hope we see more in this line. If Johan and Kristoffer MUST take a break from the Dom series, I hope they will give strong thought to doing an Alpha Centauri-like game. I've got quite a bit of material they'd be welcome to use, concerning a planet, the surface of which is covered in energy "curtains" which allow stable access to and from all kinds of other planets, other realities, other dimensions, etc. and I think it would make a great environment for a sci-fi-esque planet based game. The primary cultures on the planet-their are two, one which was a very extensive hive-society of semi-sentient, full sentient, and non-sentient insectoids, and the other an offshoot which lives underground and is much longer lived and more individual, are facing the apocalypse of the surface civilization because the planet's magnetic field has gone out of whack and there are all these curtains separating points on the map which used to be only a step away, by sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles. In the meantime, to make matters worse, their are things and people coming out of the curtains.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Dominions is a very complicated game and, as such, not easy to write AI for. As a result, to a veteran player the AI is quite weak. BUT, the question here is how long it will take you to get to that point. And whether you will enjoy the process of discovering all the powers that dominions has to offer. Only you can judge that.

That said, if you master solo play, there is always multi-player waiting for you. And THAT will challenge you for the forseeable future http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

So, you did try the demo. Did you play just the army game, or did mages come to play important part in battles? How did your pretender help your nation?

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

As for the learning curve it is pretty steep, but well worth it. I play all single player and it keeps me entertained. I highly suggest it.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Dominions_3 is very deep with many possible strategies. If you enjoy TBS games I highly recommend buying DOM_3. Even if you've played 3 demo games... you've just scratched the icing of the cake.
I find the game to be extremely fun, whether I'm playing SP games or MP games. The game does have a strong learning curve, but that's because the game has so much depth. If you're worried about the learning curve... play large maps with victory points and set the computer opponents as easy.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

I've been playing the system for years and enjoying it very much, particularly in single-player mode. Different players have different tastes, though.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

My opinion is such:
You've played the demo. If you don't mind the graphics, buy it now.

But that's just me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Dominions is somewhat unique in its SP gameplay. I'm aware of at least different styles:
1) Purely strategy game - you play to beat AI in the most efficient way. This has somewhat limited longevity (maybe few month, maybe a year, depending how quickly you learn). At some point you'll become proficient enough that even impossible AI won't be a challenge;
2) RPG-style - the game has a lot of atmosphere and you can play "thematically" instead of using optimal strategy. It often leads to unusual games with interesting situations and challenges. In this style the game will play different for almost every nation and it will have huge replay value.
3) Experimental strategy style - in this style you play various interesting strategies (in efficient manner). The difference from (1) is that you intentionally don't play the strategy optimal AI, but choose some other strategy (probably promising against another human player) and try to play it against AI. This is also pretty much unlimited in terms of gameplay.

(1) is usually grows into MP and (3) probably often co-exist with MP.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Buy the game. Two years from now, you'll be happy you did. This game has infinite replay value. If I couldn't afford / didn't want to buy Dominions 3, I would still be playing Dominions 2 today.

=$= Big J Money =$=

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

I am like you, I have a ton of old games that never see play. This year we had our first child and time is now precious. I have only bought one game (as opposed to the 6 or 7 I would have) since Claire was born. It was Dom 3, which follows on both Dom 1 and 2.

I enjoy Civ and Alpha Centari as well, to give you some context. This game has the depth of AC and the complexity. However, it is a different style. So, as other’s said, if you like the demo, go for it. If the demo leaves you cold, keep the cash in your pocket. Be aware that due to the limits of the demo, you do not see the full complexity of the game, but you will see enough to know if you like it.

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

it's now ordered..thanks all
Tom

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

Make sure you get on the IRC channel after you've learned the ropes to get in on the multiplayer e-mail games so someone else can lose with me http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Hi..a couple of questions from a tightwad?
 

I could not recommend this game highly enough...

As many have stated, and I will state, it is a game that will reside on your computer until one of two occurrences: (a) Dominions(x+1) comes out OR
(b) some fickle pretender to deific grace decides enough is enough and wipes your hard drive for the affront to contest it's sole claim to deity from the portal in your computer.

Honestly, I play many games, and, particularly if you do not play MMO style games, it is a game you will play and play and play.

Learning Curve: Steep
Replay Valuable: Going to positive infinity.

Just playing EACH nation in each era ONCE will take more time than a lot of people spend on a game.

Simply put, it's just THAT good. Of course, we're die-hards, so take it with a wee grain of salt. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Wyatt Hebert