Best space tactical game

jegs2 · Post by **jegs2** » 2006-06-28 11:37pm

I'm looking for the best space tactical (or strategy, depending on one's definition) game. Have been a big fan of the Homeworld series, and especially love the deep, three-dimensional aspect of the game, not to mention the Warlords mod. Have also played Star Trek Armada, though once I played Homeworld and HW2, it went by the wayside.

Is there a better game out there for that type of genre?

Post by **Dalton** » 2006-06-28 11:40pm

Space Empires IV might fit the bill for you. There's no real story at all, but it's a good space strategy/sim game and we currently have three PBW games going on SDN.

Admiral Johnason · Post by **Admiral Johnason** » 2006-06-28 11:46pm

I personally like SW:Empires at War. You have to bring limited forces to a system and then duke it out with fleets of ships and fighters. It needed some more detail, but it is really fun.

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » 2006-06-28 11:48pm

Galactic Civilisatons 2 is another 4X strategy game, but without the 'real-time tactical combat' component, so it might not be what you're after.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-06-28 11:51pm

Nexus: The Jupiter Incident may fit the bill. It's like homeworld 2, writ micro. The gameplay is like handling a squadron of ships in EVE Online, sorta.

You manage a few ship's power systems, loadouts, shield use, the order of weapons fire and such and so forth. It feels really nicely spacey though.

Darth Mortis · Post by **Darth Mortis** » 2006-06-28 11:54pm

Go old school my boy, find a copy of Star Control, still one of the best ever. Genesis I believe.

Adrian Laguna · Post by **Adrian Laguna** » 2006-06-29 12:09am

And Star Control II, which has one of the best sci-fi stories ever. There is also a neat "Super Melee" mode during which you can have fun ship-to-ship fights. The combat is at the same time realistic, employing momentum and gravity, and incredibly whacky.

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-06-29 12:26am

Now that Star Control II's mentioned, you should definately Check out Weird Worlds: Return to Infinate Space (or it's predecessor, Strange Adventures in Infinate Space)

It's a spaceship action game, sorta like Star Control II, but MUCH Faster (you can play through a randomized game in 30 minutes), but oh-so replayable. Great humor as well. Moddable too.

Trogdor · Post by **Trogdor** » 2006-06-29 12:33am

I think Shrapnel's got a Weird Worlds demo available on their site if you want to try it.

I'm not sure that Star Control II type games are what jegs was looking for. SCII was less a tactical/strategy game than SC1 was, IIRC. However, if you are looking for something like SC2, then I strongly recommend Space Rangers 2: Rise of the Dominators. I recently picked this game up, and I'm strongly hooked. Most engaging game I've played in a very long time. Unfortunatly, the game uses the Starforce anti-piracy software, which is a huge turnoff to many. I've yet to have a problem with it, however.

brianeyci · Post by **brianeyci** » 2006-06-29 12:48am

I like games like Solar Winds and Privateer. When you talk tactical I like it as personal as possible. Single player.

When you talk 4x I like it as grand as possible, perferably easily modded. Multiplayer.

Two different beasts really.

Brian

EmperorMing · Post by **EmperorMing** » 2006-06-29 02:16am

Star Fleet Command 2 and/or Orion Pirates...

You can get them dirt cheap from Amazon and possibly any bargain bin if available.

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-06-29 04:05am

Nephtys wrote:Now that Star Control II's mentioned, you should definately Check out Weird Worlds: Return to Infinate Space (or it's predecessor, Strange Adventures in Infinate Space)

It's a spaceship action game, sorta like Star Control II, but MUCH Faster (you can play through a randomized game in 30 minutes), but oh-so replayable. Great humor as well. Moddable too.

Why was I not informed ? I *love* SAiIS but I didn't know there'd been a sequel ! Thanks

wautd · Post by **wautd** » 2006-06-29 04:17am

Nephtys wrote:you should definately Check out Weird Worlds: Return to Infinate Space (or it's predecessor, Strange Adventures in Infinate Space)

It's a spaceship action game, sorta like Star Control II, but MUCH Faster (you can play through a randomized game in 30 minutes), but oh-so replayable. Great humor as well. Moddable too.

Any good mods around that give you anything bigger than a frigate? Cool game but its a pity there werent many ships to choose from

Darth Garden Gnome · Post by **Darth Garden Gnome** » 2006-06-29 05:00am

Darth Mortis wrote:Go old school my boy, find a copy of Star Control, still one of the best ever. Genesis I believe.

Only if you like getting your ass kicked by that cheap lame-o shield boomerang ship. Soooo cheap... *grumbles*

Nephtys · Post by **Nephtys** » 2006-06-29 02:38pm

wautd wrote:
Nephtys wrote:you should definately Check out Weird Worlds: Return to Infinate Space (or it's predecessor, Strange Adventures in Infinate Space)

It's a spaceship action game, sorta like Star Control II, but MUCH Faster (you can play through a randomized game in 30 minutes), but oh-so replayable. Great humor as well. Moddable too.
Any good mods around that give you anything bigger than a frigate? Cool game but its a pity there werent many ships to choose from

There's a lot of mods out there. I'm toying with one right now that really is for my own personal amusement (a dozen fighters, and combined ships from every mod I can find).

There's as far as I know, a 'special ops fighter' mod, a 'battlestar galactica + basestar' mod, an 'aircraft carrier ship', and a total conversion called Mizendar which adds original races, and a Firefly transport.

Bounty · Post by **Bounty** » 2006-06-29 02:47pm

Nephtys wrote:
wautd wrote:
Nephtys wrote:you should definately Check out Weird Worlds: Return to Infinate Space (or it's predecessor, Strange Adventures in Infinate Space)

It's a spaceship action game, sorta like Star Control II, but MUCH Faster (you can play through a randomized game in 30 minutes), but oh-so replayable. Great humor as well. Moddable too.
Any good mods around that give you anything bigger than a frigate? Cool game but its a pity there werent many ships to choose from
There's a lot of mods out there. I'm toying with one right now that really is for my own personal amusement (a dozen fighters, and combined ships from every mod I can find).

There's as far as I know, a 'special ops fighter' mod, a 'battlestar galactica + basestar' mod, an 'aircraft carrier ship', and a total conversion called Mizendar which adds original races, and a Firefly transport.

Is there a repository somewhere ? I can't seem to find any links.

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2006-06-29 03:10pm

Homeworld for teh win!

White Haven · Post by **White Haven** » 2006-06-29 03:19pm

I'd kill to watch a Freespace 2 Vasudan destroyer go up against a Homeworld 2 Hiigaran battlecruiser. THE PRETTY LIGHTS, THEY DO NOT END!

Cyborg Stan · Post by **Cyborg Stan** » 2006-06-29 03:35pm

Adrian Laguna wrote:And Star Control II, which has one of the best sci-fi stories ever. There is also a neat "Super Melee" mode during which you can have fun ship-to-ship fights. The combat is at the same time realistic, employing momentum and gravity, and incredibly whacky.

Realistic? It had non-additive velocities (so it's possible to run into your own projectiles immediately at launch, and firing backwards was hugely advantageous) and had the fact you could bounce off planets with minimal damage.