Empire of the fading sun, was one of the most genius computer wargames ever. Sadly this game was not really finished when it came out. There have also a been alot of bugs and inbalances.
The info adress is
www.holistic-design.com
The game background is the conflict between pseudo-medevial human noble houses, church, guilds and several alien races. The stage was 30 or so different planets which where connected by giant hyperspace gates. The game has the post-technological flair of dune.
Every planet consist of a large civII-like surface, but instead of squares there has been hexes. Each of the hexes had its own terrain (mountain, swamps, plains, oceans etc.) and occasionally its special features (raw materials, roads, ruins etc.) This makes this games really BIG.
You could settle a planet with your own cities, but first it was sometimes good to eliminate the local minor noble houses with military force. The combat system was easy. Up to 20 units stacking, every unit type has its own firepower, initiative and defense value. (artillery, hovertanks, seals, space-cruisers, powered infantry, militia legions etc.) If stacks are meeting, they fight against other. The combat system leads to a balanced army mix.
There has been alot of more features. Technology can be forbidden by the church, but you can risk to research it secretly) Diplomacy, where every 10 years or so a new emperor is elected. The emperor gives some titles to his followers (also players). Titles have some advantages like the "Imperial Eye" in which you get a fortress on every home planet and several spy units and some ships and powered infantry for a limited time.
A further feature is the complex logistical modell. There has been 12 different raw materials you are able to mine. If you choose the option, you have to bring these materials with your freighters to a certain building center where they are used. Or you could trade these materials with the guild cities and also with another player.
There is also an alien race, the symbionts. These are critters like in "Alien", but more dangerous. They build organic space ships and fighters to invade the known planets. Sometimes its important to have peace with each other, just to fight together against that pest.
These are just some of the really good features of the game. I and I am sure alot of other people would have a big party if shrapnel could make a sequel of this good but forgotten game or at least a similar game.
Klaus