OT: Emperor of the fading suns

Lemmy · #1 January 31st, 2002, 10:32 PM

Does anyone know this game, i played to demo a long time ago, it seemed like good game.
What did you think of it, especially the AI, is it any good?

mac5732 · #2 January 31st, 2002, 10:59 PM

LemmyM, If its the one I'm thinking of, it was a number of years back, it had good reviews, and I was planing to buy it, but never did get around to it, it was supposed to be a decent game, when I did get around to it I couldn't find it in the stores anymore. Sorry can't be of more help

just some ideas mac

Master Belisarius · #3 February 1st, 2002, 12:39 AM

I have this game and have mixed feelings...
The idea is great, and some things too (damn, is like to play several Civilizations game at the same time!), but because is a very complex game, obviously the AI is very weak. Have several bugs, the units have unbalances, and the replay value is weak too (the planets are always the same).
Some guys have modded the units, and then, balanced a lot the game: http://website.lineone.net/~rwein/nova/home.htm

Is a good game to play by e-mail (I have played only one, against a guy that knew here: Possum), but the players should try to agree to do not use the game bugs in their favor (see into the Nova website, the House Rules).

Considering that you could purchase the game for a little money, I think that you could try it.

Lemmy · #4 February 1st, 2002, 11:19 AM

i found the demo and installed it again, i forgot it was this complicated

i've been searching for some reviews, and most of them agree with what MB said.

i think i'll first figure out the interface and play the demo, then maybe i'll get it.

babyshark · #5 February 1st, 2002, 03:49 PM

I haven't played the game but I stumbled on this site the other day and was thinking about looking into it. Apparently there are several mods available, a forum, and you can download the entire game.

http://www.theunderdogs.org/game.php...he+Fading+Suns

tkobo · #6 February 2nd, 2002, 03:23 PM

EFS is a great game,its one of my Favorites.

BUT,if you know how you can beat it very easily.
If you are playing the original Version(patched with the officail 1.4 patch) all you have to do is stage commando raids on your opponents ,steal their sceptars and bring them back to your capital.The AI is very bad at protecting these and they are ALWAYS kept in the AI's palace.Which of course is very easy to spot.
Once you have enough sceptars(sp),all you have to do is surround and protect the palace that you store them in, AND surround and protect your nobles on the imperial planet,declare yourself emporer and hold out for 10 or 20 turns and you win.

Nova is by far the best Version. In nova the sceptars are non-moveable,so you have to take your opponents palace and HOLD it.
Nova also redoes the AI's build directives so that they build tons of cities ,LARGE armies,LARGE navies,and spread to other planets very efficeantly(sp).In Nova it is virtually impossible to wipe out your AI opponents thru standard war ,because
they build and colonize like mad.
In Nova artillary is also non-mobile.This is a big change from the 1.4 patch Version because artillary is all players and AI build in it(its very cheap,uses little resources to build, and is very effective.FAR TOO effective actually).
But as it cant move on its own in the Nova Version,it loses most of its appeal.

Also if you want to play a real tough Version, play with universal warehouse off AND food supply on.This means that all the planets you colonize are on thier own as far as resources go,unless you make a huge transport fleet and move resources every single turn.
Add to this that some planets just are not good to grow food on and the populations said planets can support is quite restricted.Over populate,over expand, and the food riots and plagues will come a calling.
Also since food plants can be both captured and destroyed,you now have to devote alot of your armies to guard them.

I could go on about EFS for just about forever,I really do love it.
Theres just something about reducing your enemies tech back to the 20th century(while yours is like the 40th),then unleashing a plague on them again and again(that they have no cure for).

Lemmy · #7 February 2nd, 2002, 07:53 PM

i've been playing the demo, after i figured out how everything works it really fun.
i have only played 20 turns or so, but i'm almost sure i'm going to get it, a few more questions.
How do the spies work and assasin, what can you do with them, and how do you get tech's of the church's "black list"?

Efran Randohar · #8 February 2nd, 2002, 09:33 PM

It seems like ages ago since I played EFS. I thought it was a great game, but its flaws kept me from playing against my desires...

Like most games in general, the AI is little more than a tutorial opponent. That being understood, I and a freind tried to find 3 other freinds willing and able to play EFS with us. We never succeeded. We did not know of any Internet support, with a pool of players looking to start games.

We made our own mod, starting with the Nova mod, which we called Super Nova. It's a shame we never got to play with it.

IIRC, spies and assasins can attack on Bizantium Secundus before a Regent declares themsleves Emperor.

I'm pretty sure, all you can do to gain black-listed techs is to study them, and be strong enough to defend against the Church's Inquisitors that will inevitably come after your labs.

Lemmy · #9 February 3rd, 2002, 12:04 AM

quote:
I'm pretty sure, all you can do to gain black-listed techs is to study them, and be strong enough to defend against the Church's Inquisitors that will inevitably come after your labs.

what i meant was: Is there any way to make the "bad" techs, "good" techs? So that i can research them without the Inquisition coming after me.

Lemmy · #10 February 3rd, 2002, 10:55 PM

ok, i got the full Version now and playing with the Nova patch,
game progress: i'm losing....big time.

i started the game with universal w/house on and consume food.
i start out with a food shortage, so i have to build farms,one problem, i'm playing as house Li-halan, they start on something that looks like a desert planet.

So, can anyone give me some advice on what to build and research in the first couple of turns, cos i'm lost, i researched heavy infantry ( Appl. tech), but they don't show up in my build list at my factory.

And when should i start conquering other worlds?