Anybody using Ground Combat/Units??

Narlotep · #1 August 30th, 2000, 05:17 PM

Thanks.

That was the impression I was getting - another 4x game with no/poor ground combat. It's kind of like the Tactical game I suppose - MM has to pay lip service and throw something out to those of us searching for a bit more depth.

Jeb · #2 August 30th, 2000, 07:28 PM

While we're on the subject, does anyone know how ground combat works? Planets with no troops on them seem to generate one militia defender for each 20 million population, but I wish I knew how they are equipped. Do they get top-of-the-line stuff, or just small DU cannons I, or what? All I know is that more than two or three of these defenders can kick the butt of a whole transport load of high-tech troops. That's why I usually don't bother with ground combat, and just demand planets. To keep things from making the game too easy, I only do this when I've defeated a planet's defenses and have ships blockading it.

wingte · #3 August 30th, 2000, 08:48 PM

The best "ground combat" in a "space game" is IG II.

Wingte

quote:
Originally posted by Narlotep:
Thanks.

That was the impression I was getting - another 4x game with no/poor ground combat. It's kind of like the Tactical game I suppose - MM has to pay lip service and throw something out to those of us searching for a bit more depth.

Narlotep · #4 August 31st, 2000, 01:47 AM

Wingte,

IGII Ground Combat looked good, but several reviews dinged the AI's ability to use ground units. As I'm a solo player that killed it for me.

To tell the truth, I am really going to wait on SEIV until I hear some reviews that address the AI - so far I am "underwhelmed" by its ability. However, I do realize this is only the demo Version, so I'll still give it a chance.

wingte · #5 August 31st, 2000, 05:21 AM

Well.. IG II was intended to be an Online game so the AI would have been irrelavent.

Wingte

[quote]Originally posted by Narlotep:
[b]Wingte,

IGII Ground Combat looked good, but several reviews dinged the AI's ability to use ground units. As I'm a solo player that killed it for me.

Fionn · #6 September 1st, 2000, 04:49 AM

It's just a matter of personal taste but IG2 left me rather cold, good ground combat or not.

It certainly has its strong points but it lacks the depth and versatility of SE4. IG2 seemed flat to me in some important ways and I found it hard to get interested in the prepackaged empires, especially the warrior race who can't even access the diplomatic functions. I find the "flavor" of SE4 much more involving, especially when it comes to the customization abilities.

Maybe if I was at all interested in multiplayer gaming, it'd be different, but I think I've already spent more time playing the demo Version of SE4 than I spent playing the full release Version of IG2.

I spotted a couple of copies of IG2 on the bargain wall at a shop today. It'd be a decent cheap buy but I wish I hadn't bought it at the full price!

Noble713 · #7 September 7th, 2000, 05:07 AM

No, by far the best ground combat in a 4X game can be found in SSI's Star General. Planetary invasions are fought using the Panzer General game engine (unfortunately also used for the space portion of the game), with a variety of unit types including AFVs (tanks), mobile artillery, anti-tank infantry, flying spotters, fighters, and bombers. It was great, as invasions of larger planets required several space turns (with 10 ground turns per space turn), and you usually needed to keep the planet blockaded.

quote:
Originally posted by wingte:
The best "ground combat" in a "space game" is IG II.

Wingte