[JaydedOne]

Hi Drudge,

I've found Dom2 to be very enjoyable single-player. Yes, I enjoyed multiplayer and played several times once I got comfortable playing single-player and I think the game definitely shines there because of the increased challenge and the various diplomatic/role-playing options that other players can offer. But I find that the game is challenging enough on SP and still really enjoyable.

As for what makes this game shine, it's hard to boil it down to any one quality. Here are a few things that I love --

1) Depth of gameplay -- Three eras with about twenty distinct nations in each means you have roughly 60 different nations to learn and master, each with its own feel. Given that each nation also has multiple viable strategies available to it, that makes it one of the deepest games I've ever encountered.

2) The little touches -- Not only is there depth of mechanical gameplay, but there's a depth of theme for each nation. I love the little things that makes each nation distinct -- the way oni come back as hungry ghosts for yomon, the aztec-themed mictlan with their blood sacrifices, the Lovecraftian folk of R'lyeh with their creeping insanity... Each nation has little bits of flair in its description and gameplay that shows you that the devs love their subject matter.

3) Consistent dev support - the last game had, what, 18 patches, each responsive to user requests here on the forum. That's amazing, given that you really only have one coder and one developer for this game, neither of whom call the game their day job. Illwinter's games are a labor of love and that shows in their craftsmanship. As a result, they've earned my loyalty in a way most larger game companies simply can't.

Just read through the forums. Take a look at the excitement in the AARs and the screenshots threads. Those will tell you more than I ever could. If you need more, go back to the old Dom2 fourm and explore there as well.

Enjoy. If you get this game, I doubt you'll regret it.