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Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment

Score: 95%
ESRB: Teen
Publisher: Stardock Entertainment
Developer: Ironclad Games
Media: Download/1
Players: 1
Genre: Real-Time Strategy


Graphics & Sound:

From the first moment I touched Sins of a Solar Empire, I knew it was a very awesome game that was going to set a high standard in not only its genre, but in gameplay et al. I was happy to see that I was not alone in this thought, as it has raked in accolade after accolade, and not a bit of it goes undeserved. Now we have a much appreciated addition to the original game with the expansion Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment. There are lots of new toys to play with, and we will get into them below. I don't want to go any further with commending the development team on a job well done. I am always leery of adding to good games. And when you add to a great game, you had better keep it great.

It is still the sheer scale of the universe that immediately pulls you in. There are also noticeable improvements to everything from how each individual class of ship looks to how they move. The infinity of space is not some black void. Well, it is in a way, but there are plenty of points of interest to see and explore for alien technology.

I did not get a new, free soundtrack with the download, but the music is just as epic as the original. I made an effort to see if I could tell any difference to the sounds or the music, but I must confess that my ears could not detect a notable difference.


Gameplay:

So, what can I do differently with Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment that I couldn't do in the original? Well, first let me write a few words for those who have not taken the opportunity to check out the original game.

Sins of a Solar Empire is a macro-manager's dream. The Menu system isn't sexy by any means. It is streamlined and done in a very classic menu format that is widely recognized and easy to use. The actual gameplay is extremely detailed. The classic 4X's are readily at work as you spread across the universe and take, ask, trade, or mine whatever you need. Build Civilian and Military research facilities that will aid in the research and implementations of new technologies necessary for galactic conquest. A huge and diverse tree or network of available research options lay before you, some of which intertwine and cross over. It is not a simple, linear process to build each unit. There is a balance you must strike and sacrifice between diplomatic endeavors, military need and civilian necessity to achieve victory. Build ship facilities that will manufacture the vast number of ships you will need to travel and rule the galaxy, and protect each step of your expansion not only from the known enemy threat of "the other player," but of piracy and diplomatic alliances. There is so much more to this game than its beautiful surface. To bring its treasures from the deep would take volumes. This is a beautiful, gritty, simply complex and chaotically ordered game. It moves very fast, so even moments of what may feel like slow moving battle are perfectly alive in preparation, exploration and contemplation. So now how did they add to this?

The first and more notable addition is the Star Base. This customizable station will help control the areas around stars. All of the new toys for Entrenchment are centered around controlling the movements of your opponents in one way or another. You cannot colonize stars obviously, but you can control the space around them now more effectively. You can also deploy a variety of mines that will slow and even deter massive fleets crossing areas of space and offer an early defense around lanes of travel. These new tools of defense and entrapment are bolstered by a new research tree to enhance their abilities. Of course, for every action there is a reaction. There are new defense-busting vessels to help chew through your enemies' defenses. There has not been too great a change to the number of units you can control, so the balance between Defense, Assault, and Circumvention of either has been made that much more intriguing.

There were already a few tools out to mod the original Sins game. Now there are even more great tools to help you shape your Sins universe to your liking. The new manifest system allows you to stack multiple mods. This means picking and choosing the best of many small changes released in the community. Mods that only affect the graphics can be played even when opponents do not have the same mod. The easiest and fastest way to put this is they have just added so many more things that you can change than you were previously able to. Change the way ships look and behave as they upgrade, manipulate and change the particle effects, or tweak the numbers for each ship to your personal liking. Go build your own universe.

The last few things to say about the gameplay is a noticeable difference in speed. You can get into the action of a scenario much faster by taking advantage of options like Quick Start. New U.I. controls allow you to quickly speed up and slow down single player games. They have spent a noticeable amount of time tweaking everything. This is not blanket statement meant as filler. They have made noticeable changes to the A.I. and many other systems.


Difficulty:

Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment is not a hold your hand and give you a pacifier type of game. It is a rich, dynamic RTS in every sense of the word. There is a ton of strategy to examine. Before you had a very straightforward build and attack, with a little bit of strategy based on the ships you used. With all of the defensive advancements, you have to plan on dealing with your enemies' defense strategy as well. It is not a particularly forgiving game either. This is why I am so enamored by it still. It gives you everything you need to know to be successful. It presents all of the information in an efficient, clear manner. Then it has the audacity to make you work for your victory and not just sit back and watch the gameplay itself. I feel like this is the most player-involved RTS I have ever associated with. The games are not played out in convenient, twenty minute waves where you can take a break and just chill out. It is a big galaxy and the race is on. The battles are as elegant to watch as they are difficult to prepare for every contingency of vehicle type that will come after you. Prepare well.

Game Mechanics:

Sins of a Solar Empire: Entrenchment has taken a great game and added more of what you play RTS's for - more true strategy with both offensive and defensive uses for all of the new content. Just a quick example of this are the mines. Yes, you can keep people from getting too close to a protected target, but you can also pin in an opponent using the same weapon. Where you decide to call home makes a huge difference in morale and income. As you expand, make sure that your home planet encompasses as much of your space as it can.

I still have an appreciation for the game that borders fanboy-ism. I love the fact that every campaign plays and feels different. Again, this is an RTS and implies that you have some familiarity with the style of the game. If there were one critique, it only is that the entry level was maybe a little too high for an inexperienced first time player. I only mention this because it does have a limiting factor to bringing new players into the game.

The game looks and moves even better than before and it sounds great. What is left for me to say? I think my score still says it all. Note my track record as I do not take my scoring lightly. The best way to enjoy this game is in a nice, comfortable chair, lights low. Someplace that will allow you to disconnect from the world for a bit. Set yourself up with at least a few hours to take the game in fully the first time you play. You're not going to just pop this one in and play for fifteen minutes, so make the time. Once you're an experienced commander, taking the game in smaller chunks will be fine. I hope you enjoy this game as much as I do.


-WUMPUSJAGGER, GameVortex Communications
AKA Bryon Lloyd

Minimum System Requirements:



Minimum Requirements: Windows XP SP2 / Windows Vista, 1.8 GHz Single-Core Processor, 512 MB RAM (1 GB for Windows Vista), 128 MB DirectX 9 3D Video Card (Radeon 9600 / GeForce FX 6600 and above), DirectX 9.0c Compatible Sound Card, DVD-ROM Drive, 3 GB Hard Drive Space, Keyboard and Mouse, DirectX 9.0c

Recommended Requirements: 2.2 GHz Dual- or Quad-Core Processor, 1 GB RAM (2 GB for Windows Vista), 256 MB DirectX 9 3D Video Card, (Radeon X1600 / GeForce 7600 and above)

 

Test System:



Dell XPS DXP061, XP Pro, Intel Core Quad, 2GB Ram, Gforce 8800GTX

Sony PlayStation 3 MLB 09 The Show Nintendo DS Boing Docomodake

 
Game Vortex :: PSIllustrated