I'm evaluating to buy Dom3

[Meglobob]

I personally struggled to beat the AI for the first 2 months or so. So its reasonably good. I lost about a dozen+ games, some very, very badly.

Of course now I win with my eyes closed and hands tied behind my back, I hit the keys with my nose...

I could not say the same about alot of other strategy games, which I have been able to walk over after only a few days play.

So overall the AI is reasonable.

Exploring the game design, different nations, strategies etc... will still keep you playing long after you have mastered impossible difficulty.

Also I am currently getting a good, challenging SP game by designing the AI's gods for them, doing there first 10 turns to get them off to a good start, well handicapping myself by not moving out of my home province for the first 10 turns. Produces a challenging game for more experienced players.

[CharonJr]

I have to second what has been said before.

Basically once you understand the "rules" nearly as good as the AI does you will have no problem to win most of the times unless you seriously handicap yourself.

An AI which is able to play a game of this depth even at close to human level is years away IMHO (I think chess is fairly easy compared to the complexity of a game like this).

But the great depth of the game (due to the large number of spells, nations, units) will give you a very good value over time IMO.

And since you can play this game via email or online I can find no reason why you should not be able to play vs. others players as long as you both can agree on the pace of the game.

CharonJr

[Caduceus]

As the others above have chimed in, you'll get started on the AI and then go to the multiplayer forum for a challenge. Of, if you're like me, and have no time, you'll never improve much and can stay in SP-mode

[calmon]

The good thing on the dominions MP mode is that you can make your turn when you've time. You're not forced to be online at the same time the other players are.

[Gandalf Parker]

There is a thread which lists the reviews done by experts at the gaming magazines.

But for another answer, I play almost entirely Solo games. And I have done that all thru Dom1, Dom2, and now Dom3. As a beta tester for Dom3 Ive had to play many games a day for longer than most here. Im still enjoying it greatly.

Dom1 and Dom2 lived on my machines for years while I was buying and deleting other games at a rate of about one a month. Dom3 looks like it will be even better since it added many solo-gamers features such as random maps and more modding.

Yo can easily spend a year playing all of the nations and learning their pros and cons until you find the one that best allows you to kick tail based on your playing style.

You will see complaints here about the AI at extreme levels (thats good). And even if you wear those AI out, there are further boosts from special map scenarios and specially modded AI nations.

All in all, Id say that if the demo doesnt scare you away then you will probably find the game to be WELL worth the price.

Gandalf Parker

[SafeKeeper]

Gandalf summed it up nicely. If you liked the demo, buy the game.

[Loren]

Quit evaluating. Buy. It's worth it even in single player mode.