Starblazer
Alexander and Brandon were guests on The Hive VR, so our team were provided with keys to their game. However, on The Hive, we never promote anything we don’t like. I’ve played Tactera and I enjoyed that, but Starblazer has some other unique elements that I love. For one, this game has got personality. The loading menu has interactable objects, so you can get lost just picking them up, but perhaps not too long before you’re greeted by a sassy bot egging you to start the game. Once inside the training center, you can teleport around various display stations highlighting each ship for battle. It smartly displays the ships working in real-time so you’re able to gauge the timing and trajectory. The room could benefit from a few more guidelines, but I believe that’s in the works.
– Real player with 10.0 hrs in game
Read More: Best RTS PvP Games.
The gameplay is a first for VR, (I’ve played Final Assault), i prefer the graphical style/setting/80s vibe in this game. The gameplay/artstyle are the reason you won’t want to take your headset off.
From the funky soundtrack, to the Starcraft style gameplay, Starblazer is a game where your RTS skills will be tested in a new way that is only possible in VR. This game has many memorable moments for the small entry fee. For instance, small enviromental easter eggs that you can interact within your ships command center (i.e. The squid). If you have been looking for a new strategy game than this is your game. From the loading screens 80’s space vibe, Starblazer makes the RTS genre once more.
– Real player with 7.4 hrs in game
Homeworld Remastered Collection
PLEASE SEE EDIT AT BOTTOM, ORIGINAL REVIEW IS POSTED IN ITS ENTIRETY FROM RELEASE TO CURRENT STATE
Sadly, as a HW player since the first game came out, (Back in 1999) I cannot recommend this game.
The first time I played Homeworld, I was a young boy about 8 years of age. My grandfather introduced me to the game, and whenever I go see him I will still play LAN games against him, on the same two disks that we have always played on. Now, with that being said, at 8 years of age I didn’t really understand tactics or how to win, the main objective for me was to build a heavy cruiser and try bum rushing the enemy mothership, praying that my prized cruiser didn’t get salvaged in the process! As I grew older and understood the game more, I enjoyed it more as I began using formations and tactics to alter the outcome of battles, some of which were against slim to none odds.
– Real player with 168.7 hrs in game
Read More: Best RTS Classic Games.
Homeworld remastered collection
Homeworld is one of my favorite games, when i heard it was coming to steam, i immediately bought it (and it was the reason i got into steam) and when i got my first game, i couldn’t be more excited.
By playing both remastered and classic versions, i can see all the improvements they have done, and unlike many remasters out there in popular games, this one actually improves some gameplay mechanics rather than just giving some crispy new graphics.
Classic version
– Real player with 93.3 hrs in game
Age of Space
Age of Space offers a unique experience combining real time resource management and tactical combat in 3D. Step into the shoes of an interplanetary mercenary balancing on a knife-edge between the established might of the United Earth Alliance and the rag-tag band of Martian rebels. Grow your power as you fight for either side in the battle for control of the solar system.
Mining outpost
Build and expand upon your mining outpost as you gather resources in real time. Unlock new and unknown technologies salvaged from the wreckage of your enemies. Customize and build massive warships from your shipyard. Nudge the balance of war by accepting missions from your star map, fight pirates for fame and riches or become an outlaw yourself…
Ship Customization
All spaceships come in different sizes and fill different roles and purposes. All spaceships have unique bonuses that you should exploit in order to get the most out of your ship. A spaceship has a set of properties and three different sets of hardpoints where you can install modules and weapons:
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Passive modules boost primary attributes of the ships.
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Active modules are your backline of weapons and modules that are available all of the time
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Tactical modules are impactful tactical weapons that can change the tide in any battle, but require high amounts of energy to use
Character Development
Evolve your four captains into becoming commanders of massive capital ships. As they gain experience they will be able to pilot increasingly advanced spaceships ranging from tactical cruisers to motherships.
Combat
Put yourself and your crew to the test in instance-based combat scenarios. Design your fleet, execute your strategy and profit. Manoeuver your spaceship in 3 dimensions from a 3rd person perspective. The rest of your fleet will either be controlled by AI, your friends or a combination of both. There will be different types of contracts to choose from:
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Storyline missions
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Side missions
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Mining operations
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Piracy operations
Co-op
Play any contract (except a few solo missions) together with up to three friends.
Read More: Best RTS Singleplayer Games.
AI War: Fleet Command
This game is amazeballs and you should buy it now.
Oh, and if you want to play Ai War multiplayer with me just send me a friend request. :)
Alright so if that wasnt enough for you and my hours of playtime arent very convincing lemme tell you about AI War. This game has been called by many people a tower defense of sorts. I would mostly agree but you cant just put it as a tower defense when thats not what it aims to be. This is a real time strategy with some light 4X here and there, well mostly the Expand and Exterminate parts. This game does not feature a diplomacy system because it is always the ai against you beacuse of the plot of the game. Its written in the description of the game on the store page check it out and you will know why the ai is always your enemy.
– Real player with 820.0 hrs in game
This game is not fair. From the first second of any game, until (in most games) the last stages of the game, the AI possesses sufficient firepower to obliterate your insignificant rebellion without really stretching. In this repect, most games of AI War are a wonderful breath of fearful concern. Always looking over your shoulder. Always trying to avoid annoying the AI too much. Always treading softly, while carrying the biggest gun (indeed every gun) you can find.
Let’s be clear; if you’re looking for a game that holds your hand through a linear, scripted campaign, this is not the game for you.
– Real player with 517.7 hrs in game
Ancient Space
The Story, Voice, Music and overall ambiency is in my opinion, very well done. I like the way they used “ingamestoryreasons” to justify enclosed places and the use of buildings, which can be customized to heal, or shoot a specific damage type, or support, or whatever, like tower defense.
With respect to the main gameplay mechanic - ship combat - I think it resembles much Nexus, but it is done in a more micro-intense matter, because you have to SPACEBAR-pause every few seconds to allocate a power, swap repairs, spawn a replacement unit, or issue new orders. This game is thus not really real time strategy but more real time tactics, like ground control, with some Z-axis movement to call it 3D.
– Real player with 31.1 hrs in game
“Ancient Space” is a really decent entry into the space RTS genre, which (very refreshingly) gets away from the ironically boring routine of just having to be fast, fast, FAST!
Indeed, the game pretty much goes in the opposite direction. Many missions are downright…contemplative in pacing. However, this isn’t to say that there aren’t some pulse-pounding moments where you have to think quickly. Indeed, if you forget that you can “get on the gas,” you probably won’t complete all the missions.
Going along with the previous paragraph, I’m very pleased to say that this title emphasizes giving things thought, especially in terms of figuring out what fleet configuration works for you. Frantic micromanagement really isn’t the order of the day, although some micromanagement helps you get the most out of your units. The friendly ship AI isn’t brilliant, but it’s good enough that you can often let them make a number of decisions themselves. This emphasis on strategy (as opposed to hotkey mashing) even applies to those moments where you can’t dawdle: You have to recognize what’s going on and react swiftly but deliberately, whether it’s proceeding with a certain kind of build or just running away.
– Real player with 21.8 hrs in game
Annihilate The Spance
Annihilate The Spance is a real-time autonomous army, base builder. Construct your base, and provide your autonomous armada with the means to annihilate the enemy. Through calculated unit compositions, and rapid on-the-fly adjustments to your base.
ATS is set in a far future, with a unique phenomenon unseen in all history. The Spance.
Follow three factions across five campaigns into this glowing, writhing, and dark place.
A nebula ( or as close as we have a name for it ) that has roamed the galaxy, consuming hundreds of solar systems into its depths. It is undeniably rich in resources. Extreme and unexplained pseudo-physical phenomena. And creatures seemingly formed from burning energy.
A linear set of story missions across four interlinked campaigns will take you through the depths of the Spance. Fight with and against each of the major factions in conflict while gaining access to new units and technology. Learn the unique doctrines needed to command the military might of The Kontaalen Armada, the united fleets of The Vaalkorei Coalition mercantile guilds, and the experimental technologies of Emar’s Tychon Division.
Delve ever deeper into the impenetrable abyss of the Spance and unlock its secrets.
Alternatively, jump directly into the fray by versing AI in custom skirmishes and player-created custom levels. You can even create your own for others to play using the level editor.
Begin each mission from your command station and gather resources from the stuff of the rich nebula itself to construct your autonomous base. The interference of the Spance prevents you from directly controlling your units. Each ship is autonomous. Relying on its AI core, moving, targeting, and attacking on its own.
You, Strategist, are left to your base.
Plan your army composition carefully. Calculate build cycles. Make tactical positioning decisions. There is no singular vessel that can take you to victory. This war will not be decided by who holds the bigger stick, but instead who wields the more versatile one.
Earth 2160
Earth 2160 is a somewhat unappreciated RTS with a number of nice features mixed in with a truckload of bland. It will provide some decent entertainment in the here and now but it will never be remembered for anything.
Earth 2160 sets you in the future, corporations fight for control over the Solar System’s dwindling resources as a new discovery rocks the power structure and sets the game’s events in motion. As you start out you get to play as either a generic male dominated corporation or the curiously female dominated Mars corporation. They both, not surprisingly, turn out to be evil rather quickly into the campaign and you eventually get to play as the “good” faction, a generic robot corporation that really has no personality and eventually, a menacing alien horde.
– Real player with 67.0 hrs in game
I finally got down and finished the game all the way through, after nearly completing it some 12 years ago, and then not-even-close to finishing it some 5 years ago, so I’m naturally biased with nostalgia, but I think it’s an overall great rts, but sadly with a few shortcomings that can ruin the experience if you can’t or can’t be arsed to learn to avoid them.
The graphics in the game are often complimented, and at times they’re really amazing for 2005, but it kinda depends where you look. What I’m most impressed with though, is that each of the four factions has a COMPLETELY different gameplay. Literally every mechanic is altered: completely different vehicles with completely different types weapons, different ways to harvest resources (which require very different planning and sometimes microcontrol), different ways to set up bases and interconnect buildings, different defence systems (which require completely different base layout), etc. It’s literally a different game depending on what faction you play with, which is incredibly enjoyable. Crucially, the factions are all really well balanced, so that every faction has a fair chance against every other. Together with expansive unit customisation and cool base expansion options, it makes for tremendously fun gameplay once you get a hold of the basic faction mechanics. On top of that, the soundtrack is wicked!
– Real player with 39.6 hrs in game
Galaxy Reavers
A direct port of the Free Mobile Game. With the limitations of Mobile games this one is a casual 2D tactical RTS game. Essentially its like a lite naval combat game, with randomised item drops and large grinding that expect from free to play games.
The asking price is rather steep considering your getting 2x unlocked repair slots and 1x crusier with bonus credits. These would cost premium currency with the free mobile game. As such I recommend buying this when it is on sale. Unless more free DLC is included in the future. Its a steep price point and should really be a $1-$2 game. EDIT: The Titan is a $2 DLC which is dissapointing as in the Mobile game it is 500 Gold, and you can earn gold for free. The Titan is not eseential but it is a tier stronger then the Carrier.
– Real player with 63.0 hrs in game
As has been said in a few other reviews, an obvious port direct from mobile phone. That being said, it is much easier for this old bloke to play on PC, mostly because PC screen is much easier to see :P
Good graphics, sound and it plays almost exactly like it shows in the clips and pictures.
Keep in mind that it will get very grindy during the game, saving up to unlock slots on ships, not to mention getting new ships themselves can take some time, of course you CAN throw money at the game to do this, but you don’t NEED to.
– Real player with 23.4 hrs in game
Haegemonia: Legions of Iron
One of the best space-real-time-strategy-games ever created.
It has an interesting story, beautiful explosion-graphics and a high replayability.
Multiplayer is pure fun and very challenging.
The HUD isn’t the best, but also not the worst. Just buy the cheap bundle and try it out!
If you are playing on windows 7, THERE WILL BE game crashing bugs. BUT there is a solution!
Download Hgm_Soundfix here:
http://www.moddb.com/downloads/haegemonia-legions-of-iron-sound-system-fix
- Go to steam/steamapps/common/Haegemonia Legends of Iron, backup your hgm.exe and
– Real player with 24.5 hrs in game
I love this game. I have loved it ever since it came out in 2002. Yes it’s an older game. Yes it has bugs. But these can be worked around with a simple amount of research (like the sound error that some people get). And no it does not have widescreen support. You’ll have to enjoy the game with either the black borders or a stretched image, depending on your computer’s settings. Is it inconvenient? Yes. Is it game breaking? not in the slightest.
For a 2002 game, the game play is great, and the graphics are great (for a game of its era) and the explosions are great even for modern day games.
– Real player with 22.1 hrs in game
ORB
Having owned and played O.R.B’s CD version since 2003, I know many aspects of the game like the back of my hand (Hey that’s new)
The game is entering it’s thirteenth year since it was officially released and still has a few nerds like meself still playing it, and not because of the Nostalgia bomb effect it has, but rather it’s quirks which always make it a fresh play, such as it’s simple acting but surprisingly complex AI which will actually evolve as the player plays the game, possibly the first to do so, (took four years from the new 1.04 patch I got to notice the AI copycating me so it’s a slow learner) and it’s own scenario editor which makes the game infinately more fun, able to script levels, events and new AI’s into the game if you’re savvy enough, and if not, the editor is forgiving.
– Real player with 242.7 hrs in game
The first impression that ORB gives is that it’s like Homeworld, but a little bit less polished in every way. But after playing for a while, you begin to appreciate just what it was that the developer was going for. The devs have crafted a different take on RTS, and while it’s a bit rough around the edges, ORB is worth checking out for fans of sci-fi RTS and for people looking for something fresh in RTS.
Rather than just a list of pros and cons, I’ll take a little tour through the more interesting elements of the game.
– Real player with 27.7 hrs in game