Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment

[Bateluer]

9.95

* Starbases - Each race can build its own unique starbase defensive platform. Packed with weapons, armor and other upgrades, one is capable of defending an entire planet.
* Turret Upgrades - Improve the firepower of your defensive turrets.
* Subspace Inhibitor - Slow enemy ships that pass within its range.
* Mine Fields - Defend your territory by laying down paths of destruction for your enemies.
* And much more!

I'm going to pick this up on Saturday, I think. I like to support Stardock, they have the right idea when its comes to development and publishing.

 

[Auryg]

Oooh, I've been waiting for this.

 

[SunnyD]

Oooh, I wonder if turrets will be worth building as opposed to hangar bays now...

And mine fields will be fun.

BTW: It's SoaS: Entrenchment... not Entrapment.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: SunnyD
BTW: It's SoaS: Entrenchment... not Entrapment.

Sorry, fixed. I keep thinking of the Sean Connery movie when I read the title.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Nice, will check this out.

 

[lupi]

The reason I haven't bought sins yet, will wait until the entire collection is available in a single box.

 

[Kalmah]

Great. I was starting to wonder when I'd see this.

Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Eeezee]

No singleplayer campaign still I enjoyed the multiplayer, but will probably be skipping this in lieu of a gaming backlog.

 

[ZzZGuy]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
No singleplayer campaign still I enjoyed the multiplayer, but will probably be skipping this in lieu of a gaming backlog.

I hope one of the three expansions adds a campaign. First one is entrenchment, I forget the second and the third is diplomacy.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
9.95

* Starbases - Each race can build its own unique starbase defensive platform. Packed with weapons, armor and other upgrades, one is capable of defending an entire planet.
* Turret Upgrades - Improve the firepower of your defensive turrets.
* Subspace Inhibitor - Slow enemy ships that pass within its range.
* Mine Fields - Defend your territory by laying down paths of destruction for your enemies.
* And much more!

I'm going to pick this up on Saturday, I think. I like to support Stardock, they have the right idea when its comes to development and publishing.

Oh yay, just what the already slow game needed, more defenses.
It already took forever and was hard to end a game, now it should be impossible. Awesome.

BTW, turrets were quite effective defenses in Sins, at least as the Advent (longer range and more damage). Sure they could be outranged, but put a huge group of them next to you buildings, and anyone wanting to engage your buildings full force will need to fly into a death zone. Sure they can attack long range, but that leaves time for your fleet to show up, or for one or two hanger bays to wittle them down.

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: Fox5

Originally posted by: Bateluer
9.95

* Starbases - Each race can build its own unique starbase defensive platform. Packed with weapons, armor and other upgrades, one is capable of defending an entire planet.
* Turret Upgrades - Improve the firepower of your defensive turrets.
* Subspace Inhibitor - Slow enemy ships that pass within its range.
* Mine Fields - Defend your territory by laying down paths of destruction for your enemies.
* And much more!

I'm going to pick this up on Saturday, I think. I like to support Stardock, they have the right idea when its comes to development and publishing.

Oh yay, just what the already slow game needed, more defenses.
It already took forever and was hard to end a game, now it should be impossible. Awesome.

BTW, turrets were quite effective defenses in Sins, at least as the Advent (longer range and more damage). Sure they could be outranged, but put a huge group of them next to you buildings, and anyone wanting to engage your buildings full force will need to fly into a death zone. Sure they can attack long range, but that leaves time for your fleet to show up, or for one or two hanger bays to wittle them down.

You can never have too much defences :thumbsup:

 

[Kalmah]

Are you sure this isn't still beta? I know you can pay for the game and pre-play the beta before it comes out officially.

 

[Bateluer]

I don't see a single player campaign coming out at all for Sins. Very very few 4X games ever have SP campaigns.

 

[Fox5]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I don't see a single player campaign coming out at all for Sins. Very very few 4X games ever have SP campaigns.

That'd be great if this was a 4x game.

With a limited technology tree with no variation (not even either-or choices), essentially no diplomacy (on par with AGe of Empires), and really no economic or political management at all, this really just seems to be a slow-paced RTS. I had a lot of fun with it, but it only barely fits the meaning of eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate, in the same way that any strategy game could.
There's not even any real win conditions besides kill them all.
Explore - You don't really explore, stars are connected by linear paths, and there's generally not a lot of choice as to which way you're going. Maps tend to be symmetrical, so between decent players, you'll end up with an even division of the map with identical resources on both sides. Just as much exploration as starcraft I suppose.
Expand - Yes, you do.
Exploit - Barely, no more so than in any other RTS.

From wikipedia:

Gaming sites such as 1UP.com have stated that 4X games are distinguished by their greater complexity and scale,[8] and their intricate use of diplomacy beyond the standard "friend or foe" seen in other strategy games.[9] Reviewers such as Wired have confirmed that 4X games feature a range of diplomatic options,[10] and that they are well known for their large detailed empires and complex gameplay.[11][12] In particular, 4X games offer detailed control over an empire's economy, while other strategy games simplify this in favor of combat-focused gameplay.[8]

Exterminate - Well, yes.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

One of the big issues, is, Will it get played in online multiplayer? (Aka the "real" Sins game).

There's been a lot of enthusiasm for Entrenchment and many people bought the game and started to play the beta, but after a few days they returned to version 1.12, at least the online players did. One of the issues is whether the defensive aspects of the game--especially the mines--will end up slowing it down and increasing the length of online games.

Personally, I'm not all that enthusiastic about it. I think the game is more or less fine the way it is and that what we could use are a better user interface for the online game and the elimination of minidumps, desync errors, custom map auto-download, built-in voice comm system, and and end to downtime for the Ironclad Online server.

However, I certainly understand the rationale behind the expansions and hope that they are online multiplayer-worthy. I don't blame Ironclad and Stardock for focusing on them since 90-95% of the people who own the game seem to play it in single player and never even contemplate the possibility of coming online.

If you haven't played Sins online yet and you have a decent Internet connection, then come sign up with Ironclad Online and join the fun. You can make friends and even play humans v. AI games which would let you enjoy having human teammates if you're not yet ready for cutthroat competition. Over the past week-and-a-half, the player counts have increased and lots of new names have been seen in the ICO lobby, so now is a great time to check out the online multiplayer action.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Fox5BTW, turrets were quite effective defenses in Sins, at least as the Advent (longer range and more damage). Sure they could be outranged, but put a huge group of them next to you buildings, and anyone wanting to engage your buildings full force will need to fly into a death zone. Sure they can attack long range, but that leaves time for your fleet to show up, or for one or two hanger bays to wittle them down.

This is barely an issue in online multiplayer since few experienced players ever build turrets. They have their uses sometimes but not very often. They can be taken out with a swarm of strikecraft from carriers. (Imagine 30 carriers entering the gravity well and staying far away from the turrets while a swarm of fighters and bombers work on the turrets one by one.)

FYI, an online multiplayer game of 3v3 or 4v4 is normally over within 2 hours.

With a limited technology tree with no variation (not even either-or choices), essentially no diplomacy (on par with AGe of Empires), and really no economic or political management at all, this really just seems to be a slow-paced RTS. I had a lot of fun with it, but it only barely fits the meaning of eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate, in the same way that any strategy game could.

I disagree with you about it's not having choices in the tech tree. The tech trees are fairly substantial and there are all sorts of choices to make. Military upgrades or economy? Shield upgrades? Weapons upgrades? Armor upgrades? Hull upgrades? Research a new ship or a property for that ship? Increase population size for terran planets or desert planets? Research communication/culture centers? Research trade ports?

Furthermore, you have to weight the costs of doing research against the value of having a larger fleet and against planetary upgrades (more planet health or space for defensive structures or logistical structures). You almost need to time when you're going to be engaged in combat so that you can have the largest and most powerful fleet possible when the time comes. Your assessment of that will have a big impact on how much and what research you do. You also need to consider whether it would be a good investment to give (feed) money and resources to an ally who's fighting an opponent.

The game actually has a very deep strategy and the online multiplayer game (the real Sins game) is very challenging, especially when experienced or pro players play against one another.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
I don't see a single player campaign coming out at all for Sins. Very very few 4X games ever have SP campaigns.

There's been a huge outcry for a single player campaign so they might have to make one and I hope that they do. However, I really don't think it needs one anymore than Civilization or Alpha Centauri needed one. Here's my version of the ending for a campaign. If people are bored with the single player game, this is what they should focus on:

------------------------------

As the last of the opposing capital ships exploded in a brilliant display of space pyrotechnics, signaling the end of a long and grueling, hard-fought campaign, a fog clouds your senses. You emerge from the fog, awakening from a deep slumber and realize that it was all just a dream and that you were only fighting silly computer algorithms in training simulations. Just as you are coming to your senses and before you can collect yourself, your great uncle, the Emperor strolls in unannounced:

"You have done well in the training excercises and because you were born into an influential royal family, you are going to have the opportunity to command one of our fledgling micro-empires."

His adviser turns to you and says, "You can command your micro-empire from this very computer terminal, the same one that you trained on, but first we need to set up an account for you with our command headquarters for security reasons before you can get online. Now, don't let your victories over mindless AI in the simulator deceive you into feeling cocky and overconfident; you're really still a noob. Welcome to the Ironclad Online multiplayer system. The real challenge begins now."

......And thousands of newly commissioned commanders played the game in online multiplayer with great enthusiasm and realized that the real challenge comes from playing against human opponents and that the real Sins game is in online multiplayer for those who aren't scared of coming online.

.....And the players made a serious hobby out of the Sins game

...and they formed clans and over 100 clans competed on competitive 3v3 and 5v5 ladders

...and they learned how to use Internet Relay Chat and voice comm programs like Teamspeak2 and Ventrilo

...and they used a computer program to help them spontaneously organize 5-on-5 pickup game matches (PUGs) where team captains drafted the players for their teams resulting in balanced teams and intense, competitive, epic games

...and a strong and cohesive, tight-knit online community developed and many online friendships were formed

...and they learned to overcome the game's lack of auto-downloading for custom maps and hundreds of custom maps and game mods were made and they played the best ones online

...and the game and the community and the sense of camradrie held their attention for years

...and they were all very happy that they had discovered the real Sins game and that they hadn't been too chicken to come online.

The End.

(Events like this actually happened to varying degrees with the original Unreal Tournament, Quake III, and Counterstrike and people still play UT99 capture-the-flag 5-on-5 PUG matches to this day. In fact, on Sunday night December 28 a player draft was held for the 19th season of the Major League Unreal Tournament capture-the-flag competition--not bad for a 10 year old game. )

 

[Czar]

Originally posted by: lupi
The reason I haven't bought sins yet, will wait until the entire collection is available in a single box.

ditto

good game

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper
... The real challenge begins now."

*snip*

The End.

AMEN.

 

[Maximilian]

This isnt available till the 4th of february. :frown: I just bought it as well expecting to be able to play it. Theyve pushed back the release date a full month.

 

[Molondo]

Is there a campaign yet?

 

[Martimus]

If it includes a campaign, I will buy it. If it does not, I will not.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Maximilian
This isnt available till the 4th of february. :frown: I just bought it as well expecting to be able to play it. Theyve pushed back the release date a full month.

Well, poo. Guess I won't be buying it today then. Oh well.

Edit - For those that keep asking if there is a campaign yet, you can read the thread or look at the link. Either will get your answer. If you are too lazy for either, the answer is No.

When and If Stardock creates a campaign for Sins, I assure you, you will hear about it.

One of the myriad mods for the game might feature a single player campaign though.

 

[Martimus]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
When and If Stardock creates a campaign for Sins, I assure you, you will hear about it.

One of the myriad mods for the game might feature a single player campaign though.

Stardock doesn't make the game, Iron Clad does. Stardock is just the Distributor.

I remember reading that the first expansion would include a playable campaign when it was released; but then GC2 was supposed to include MP with the second expansion and we see how that went.

 

[ZzZGuy]

BTW, 9 people work at Iron Clad.