My own 2 cents of this game....

[Dvlos]

If your out of the US waiting for the game, be standing in line on the release date at your local game store. If your parent's want you to have good grades, a girlfriend, or a job, before they buy it for you..then you better study twice as hard and kiss up the the teacher, date Lolita the two-ton wompa at your school, or go work as a hooker... because this game is a must have for ANY StarWars OR AoE fan.

 

There is plenty to write about, and obviously there already has been plenty to read about this game. However after playing being hooked on the demo since it was released, I have been dying to see how the full game measures up to my expectations, is the AI good? How is the game balance? Does it measure up to classics like StarCraft, AoE, or even C&C? Etc. There have been plenty of mention of the hero units, and the scenario builder so I am going to not even talk about that, although I did make my own scenario, a remake of the StarCraft map "Big Game Hunters". After testing it against the computer I found out that the map would lead to 2-6 hour matches (Lotsa resources and many mucho conflicts). Let me tackle these areas individually..

 

 

AI - For the campaigns and Random Maps

 

AI? For Aoe? Come on, in the original AoK games you built up your economy, made walls, and waited until tech 4, to send 10 trebuchets guarded by archers and cavalry to pound every one of the AI players. Meanwhile the AI sent small groups of soldiers (10-20TOPS) to attack your encampent. After a while it was routine. I could own the computer on hard 1v2(or 3 if I was drunk enough) easily.

 

Here are some examples of AI in GB, my first match I played Gungans, against rebels and Empire on the Hoth map. The computer reached Tech 2 5 minutes before I did. One computer player had made barracks and a power cower outside my base (not immediately outside but close enough). However I didn't realize this, Red player was Empire, and it was attacking me with small rushes from two poorly defended sides. When I finally recouperated and made more towers. I realized my mistake, I guarded those two sides better, and destroyed the barracks, I made another scout and started rescouting the map. Only to my horror, just south of my base, the third player (greeN) had a nice sized army of mounted troopers, troopers, and 2 medics, just WAITING there. When my scout saw them they killed it, and then advanced into my base. Holy SMACK! Once again my newly rebuilt army was tasked to fight, I lost lots! Comps hit Tech 3, I did 7 minutes later (an eternity it seems), luckily I had lots of ore, and made 2 fortresses and pumped out 5 Fambaas, and by this time I had lots of Gungan air units (what a waste).. then I realized how bad they suck. In any case, it was a long game and eventually I was able to take them down, the entire game took 1 hour and 55 minutes... that is incredible.

 

In another match, one of the computer players made an incredible army..100 air units, cannons, troopers, AA, everything and didn't attack. It just sat back and waited. When I made (another Gungan) army, it let me attack its walls, it let me march up this narrow passage of trees until I was at its first building. Then it KILLED my friggin pathetic band of an army, and once it was done it wrecked half my base... I quit the game, as I was crying. Here I think "This is the COOLEST GUNGAN ARMY EVER" and it decimated my 40 minutes of work in a matter of minutes.

 

 

Sound

 

This is another highlight, the sound effects and in-game music really drive you on. Playing the Trade Federation with their invasion music and the myriad of different laser sounds "Roger, Roger", explosions, and ship fly-by sounds is truly inspiring. Just like in AoK the units have 3-4 sounds each when you select them, and it hasn't gotten boring for my ears yet, and I've but in at least 18 hours of gameplay.

 

Graphics

 

AoK graphics, only for Star Wars. One thing it does way better than AoK each unit is unqiue for each race, and so are its buildings. Making your bases more authentic, and the battles more colorful.

 

Civs

Gungans

 

Since I already mentioned them, I will give you a run down on what its like to play the Gungans in a match. In a word, HARD. Probably the hardest civ to play, as well as the most rewarding. Their probably the weakest in Jedi, followed closely by AIR. But they have an awesome ground force. In one online match my gungan civ had 780 UNITS killed. Unfortunately in the same match I had army after army wiped out by strong air. And the shield gen creatures are sometimes hard to manage. Good players and even the AI target your AA troopers/mechs if they stray out of the shields, and they die pretty easily. Not to mention since the game has a pop limit you cant realistically make 60 AA units, and 60 ground units and send them, not whilst repelling attacks. (At least I can't, maybe I suck?) All in all a good Gungan army is incredible. In 2 vs 2 match I dropped down some Fambaas for my Empire friend and had them help him defend his base.

 

He only had 10 DT's, 1 AT-AT, and some TIE's LEFT, to defend from a TF onslaught of cannons, assault mechs, and droidekas. The fambaas helped him turn the tied of that confllict in minutes. Personally I find playing Gungans will put you into a "support" role. To be the most effective online, would be in team games, and with another civ either strong in AA or Air units, that can back you up. All in all however, they are the funnest civ to play. But I hated their campaign.

 

Galactic Empire

 

BEST SINGLE PLAYER CAMPAIGN! Hands down! As a civ they are very easy to learn, and although their air force isn't to par of the Rebels or the Naboo, they are not to be trifled with. A swarm of TIE's and bombers can pick apart undefended armies and buildings quickly and move out. In the hands of a skilled player, they are devastating. Mainly because with some air support, their ground force is the best, bar none. Fully upgraded at-ats, and upgraded artillery/pummels. Own. Period. A good mech force, with some troopers scattered around for good measure, and some TIE's to defend them. Simply awesome. Their Jedi Masters although very expensive they kick major butt! Hard to kill, and their attacks really hurt assault mechs because of their minimum range. Definately a good race to learn if your a beginner.

 

Naboo

 

The best air force in the game. However everything else about them IMO aren't quite so good. Their unique unit is good, but no where near as good as the wookiee berserker, the droidekas, or even fully upgraded dark troopers. So where does that leave the Naboo, another hard to play but rewarding civ. You must be creative with the naboo, as their troopers get chewed up by rebels, GE, and Wookiee ground units. Their mechs aren't the best, and their heavy artillery is adequate. You will find playing the Naboo you will be using tactics, that are unlike their Movie Representation of themselves. You will be doing Jedi/Pummel drops. Quick hit and run strikes, and doing lots and lots of converting with their Jedi Masters/Knights. Lots of micromangement, but they can be quite good to play.

 

Rebel Alliance

 

I like these guys because they are middle of the road, and very well balanced. Their airspeeder unique unit was mocked, but when you play them, you will definately keep a squad of shielded speeders around. Why? Well mainly because they rock the socks off of anything made in a heavy mech/mech building. Especially those hard to kill assault mechs (cough cough EMPIRE)... If you have enough of them around, they will shred up AA mechs as well. Although they stink at taking down buildings and regular troopers (it seems), leveling out the other civ's mech army and replacing it with a nice rebel one seems to be their forte'.

 

The Rebel Assault mech is strong, and their troopers with all the upgrades are very usefull as support in battle. Add to the mix their air force, then you got yourself on of the best well rounded civs in the game. Playing them online I was able to still defeat Wookie/TF opponents that teched faster than I could. Even with the reported Wookie Carbon bug (which I don't believe it is) I was able to trounce them all with my Rebel civ, and still helping defend a down and out partner of mine. I find myself when I play Rebels concentrating on bombers/fighters and assault mechs, with trooper compliments to help, more than anything else. 10 Assault mechs work just as good as 3 pummels, and with bombers and fighters that destructive force is greater. If your not sure what to play, or playing against mech heavy Civs... choose the Rebels. However they are not all powerful, a good Wookiee or Gungan player with plenty of AA support can rock the socks off Rebel ground forces and bases as well.

 

Wookies

 

Um can you say fun? Although I stink with them, and haven't won a game with them yet (because I play retarded with them) they are the coolest civ to play. Make lots and lots of regenrating Beserkers and troopers, and just drop these fuzzy marvels on people. They will tear it up! Even if they get rocked later by Air, they are just so tough and QUICK, especially the berskerers they fly around like crack Chewies ripping up everything in site. Add to that their decent air force, carbon bonus for making mechs, and nice mech ground force, and you have another good civ to play.

 

Is there anything else you guys wanted to know? Post it, I can try and answer it. All in all, this game is the my favorite RTS, because its Star Wars, because its on AoK engine, but mainly because the gameplay is MUCH MUCH better than I had hoped for. The strategies seem endless, the games take a LONG time, and the races are all a hoot to try.

[Zygomaticus]

all that sounds interesting

cant believe i read it all!!!!!

 

ill get my game soon

[Paragon_Leon]

"If your parent's want you to have good grades, a girlfriend, or a job, before they buy it for you..then you better study twice as hard and kiss up the the teacher, date Lolita the two-ton wompa at your school, or go work as a hooker.."

 

I actually stopped reading after this, since i was crawling on the floor with laughter. Great stuff, Dvlos.

I read on and you madde me anticipate it EVEN MORE. Is that possible ? Goodness..

 

The AI observations are VERY interesting. It really looks like a different ballgame compared to AOK, which was what i was hoping for.

Stuff to learn...

[chrisw_30]

great insight.....thanks

[Guest AnimaniA]

thanks

 

i can't wait... i'll get it this evening after work

hooray

[chrisw_30]

AnimaniA.....lucky you...i was supposed to get it today as well...but my store are getting it in tommorrow....

[Guest AnimaniA]

ah you are living in australia, that explains a lot

[chrisw_30]

yeah i live in Australia...not as bad as England though (the release date)

[Gungan_Reble]

Dvlos

Excellent reveiw I cant wate to start playing the Gung's

23rd nov I hope thank's again for the rightup;)

[Guest Crazy_dogreturn]

Hurray!!!! 3 cheers for Dvlos!Hip, hip...

[Guest Frogspit]

Agree 200% with Dvlos

 

And here is more: (my viewpoint)

 

I'm not an AoK fan.

I mean I may have spend around 1 or 2 weeks on it.

After playing GB demo I was not really sure to buy it.

My son wana play with droids

I bought it.

 

Now I gota say WoW!

This game is not an AoK with a StarWars skin.

Modifications from AoK engine are really good.

But more than all, solo campaigns are so surprising.

I've just try some levels of each.

Always surprised. I wana play all!

 

I have play aaallll the week-end. (not that much yet)

Even tested multiplayer battles with my Son agains't cpu.

 

And May I add: I'm not a real StarWars "fanatic"...

 

What if a GB2 in real 3D was a much better experience than the incoming Ep2?

 

Sounds not that imposible to me

[Dvlos]

Thanks everyone for all the positive feedback, if there is anything else you want to know about the game tell me, and I'll write it up too.

[Gungan_Reble]

Dvlos

 

Your a Diamond mate,thank youvery much.

[Dvlos]

Here are a couple of Galactic Empire screenshots, my first attempt at this.

 

 

and the second is of a hero unit from the single player campaign, General Veers.

 

[Guest Tie Guy]

Good, but you left out the Trade Federation, and quite frankly, they are becoming my favorite civs.

 

Any DM player out there should choose the TF because frankly, they RULE in DM. Since they need no houses, they can build units extremely quickly. If you play the TF, be prepared fora rush, and don't try one for yourself, it is almost garunteed they will have a bigger army than you. Add to all of this MTTs that are on par with ATATs except have only a slightly longer minimum range. Now, you can easily make many of these early in a DM, or even a RM. And, to make things even better, tehy have droidekas. these are the ultimate support vehicles. Send them into battle in fromt of your MTTs and forget about anything getting close to your MTTs. Also, tehy are shielded, which makes them even tougher and powerfull. Add to all of this a few AA untis, and not much really stands in your way of victory, period.

[Dvlos]

TF does own DM, but not necessarily Standard Random maps which I find myself play most of, on the zone, etc. The house thing is a bonus in DM's because you start out with so many resources, but in RM's their slow carbon gathering balanced that out IMO.

[Guest Kioet Csuhen]

tell me every unit the trade federation has please.

[Dvlos]

They get troopers: All 4 Tech upgrades, recruit, then trooper, then heavy trooper, then repeater trooper.

 

Mounted Units: Basic Mounted, Heavy, and Advanced Mounted Units.

 

Anti Air and Adv Anti Air (Just like every other civ)

 

From their Mech Factory

 

They get Strike Mech and Heavy Strike Mech (Their STAAP units from the movies)

 

Mech Destroyer and Heavy Mech Destroyer (the units that Jar Jar Accidentally destroyed with a big booma)

 

Assault and Heavy assault mechs (the big brown invasion tanks)

 

---As for Air Units

 

They get fighter and bombers all the way up to their Adv Stages.

 

They get artillery, pummels and their heavy upgraded version, regular and heavy AA mechs.

 

Droidekas and Heavy Droidekas (shielded version)

 

Bounty Hunters

 

All the ships, frigates, cruisers, destroyers and anti air naval ships, and their advanced heavy duty version as well.

 

They get all tower upgrades.

 

If you have the demo you can look at all of this if you click on the tech tree icon from your mulitplayer screen as well. There it will give you stats.