View Full Version : (PC) Star Wars - Empire At War, Demo next week..
Link (http://www.gamespot.com/promos/2006/starwarsdemo/index.html)
jigger_jay
14-01-2006, 19:52
is this a mmorpg or rts ?
dannywonderful
14-01-2006, 20:15
is this a mmorpg or rts ?
RTS according to the link provided in the first post.
Tony Ferrino
18-01-2006, 16:17
It's out now, anyone tried it yet? I'm baulking at the 700-odd Mb download, until someone tells me it's worth it anyway!
lewisrichard
18-01-2006, 16:32
this is brill!
really cannot wait till the game is out :thumbs:
Tony Ferrino
18-01-2006, 16:38
Argh, I was hoping it was rubbish. Gonna have to download it now!
Anyone got any other mirrors for this?
I'm downloading from fileshack at the moment
Only place i can download from at the mo
http://www.download.com/Star-Wars-Empire-at-War-demo/3000-7488_4-10492455.html
Very slow, currently @ 20k/sec on my 2meg line :brickwall
Direct FTP link ftp://download8.gamershell.com/d2/Windows/public.gamershell.com/patsboom/demo/EmpireAtWarDemo.zip
Getting full speeds from this link :)
Cheers for the heads up.. I'll abuse my works link tommorrow. :)
I'm hoping this will hold back the RTS bloodlust until Supreme Commander rears its head.
Dno.
Direct FTP link ftp://download8.gamershell.com/d2/Windows/public.gamershell.com/patsboom/demo/EmpireAtWarDemo.zip
Getting full speeds from this link :)
Thanks :thumbs: 750K steady download :clap:
My .exe from that zip crashes before it gets anywhere - anyone else having this problem?
Yep just got the same thing! :(
After checking some other forums it seems everyone who has downloaded it has got the same error.
Fast download but borked .exe :brickwall
Me too....zip downloaded fine....error when running the exe
Me too....zip downloaded fine....error when running the exe
Nooooooooooo :cry:
I'm trying out the torrent version now, speed was slow to start with but now it's picking up, will leave pc on overnight.
The Allmighty
19-01-2006, 20:18
I'm currently downloading from Download.com at 9kbps :oh-hum:
Current estimate is another 20 hours :cry:
maxed out my 10 Mb connection here:
http://gamefiles.blueyonder.co.uk/blueyondergames/demos/
That was too much fun......
Guess i best pre-order it then
I quite enjoyed it too, was much better than i was expecting.
Still undecided whether to purchase it yet though.
Samba123
19-01-2006, 20:43
I enjoyed it too - have started a preorder thread over in the Bargain Forum:
http://www.thedvdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=409640
Cheapest I could find is £24.99 so far at Play and Amazon... :)
£21.99 at CHOICES (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://tracker.tradedoubler.com/click?p=18513&a=60823&g=228655) :)
.
Samba123
19-01-2006, 23:09
£21.99 at CHOICES (http://www.thedvdforums.com/jump2.php?url=http://tracker.tradedoubler.com/click?p=18513&a=60823&g=228655) :)
.
Bargain thread updated - lets hope it gets lower! ;)
Thaedius
20-01-2006, 05:34
Damn, I might have to order this.
I wasn't sure..
I went through 4 of the tutorials yesterday and found it a little dull tbh. I don't know whether it was the way it plays, or the way it's put together for the tutorials, but it struggled to keep my attention.
The combat I did see seemed a little boring as well... You just watch lasers fly from army to army, ship to ship until inevetibly the smaller one dies/blows up.
I'll give the proper mission ago over the w/e to see if it's any better, but so far, I'm pretty uninspired.
Dno.
lewisrichard
20-01-2006, 11:49
anyne had the demo crash/freeze up the comp. happend to me twice now! :(
Darth Sidious
20-01-2006, 14:47
let me guess you gather up all these great looking 3d stars wars models into one giant mass, throw them at your enemy and thats it
Personally I love it, nice economic model bolted on top of a space and gorund combat based sim that does require some strategy, pairing xwings as cover for your y bombers yields great results, try sending in Y bombers solo.
let me guess you gather up all these great looking 3d stars wars models into one giant mass, throw them at your enemy and thats it
I'm not sure.. As I said above, I've not played the demo all the way through yet.
There seems to be 2 levels; the strategic map, where you organise armys, move them from ship to surface, send out spies/smugglers etc.. that shows potential.
But the actaul battles seem to lack any strategy.. As long as you have more units, you'll win.
I've come to enjoy the Total War mechanic of strategy where you can still win if outnumbered as long as you think it through. EAW seems a little flat by comparison.
*Just my thoughts from what I've seen so far.
Dno.
But the actaul battles seem to lack any strategy.. As long as you have more units, you'll win.
*Just my thoughts from what I've seen so far.
Dno.
Not true as such, in the battles I've tried you need the right tool for the job, trying to overpower an empire fleet solely using bombers will not work, you need xwings to run interference for example, same thing in ground battles, if you don't have the right force make up you will die quickly
Darth Sidious
20-01-2006, 17:44
I'm not sure.. As I said above, I've not played the demo all the way through yet.
There seems to be 2 levels; the strategic map, where you organise armys, move them from ship to surface, send out spies/smugglers etc.. that shows potential.
But the actaul battles seem to lack any strategy.. As long as you have more units, you'll win.
I've come to enjoy the Total War mechanic of strategy where you can still win if outnumbered as long as you think it through. EAW seems a little flat by comparison.
*Just my thoughts from what I've seen so far.
Dno.
its not flat, they are all Command and Conquer with bells and whistles.
if only Sid Mier would update his Gettysburg RTS :(
Total war is a very good game, I just wish they would move onto the era of the musket.
Idle Child
28-01-2006, 22:06
anyone have any updated thoughts? I see gamespot and ign are doing hands-on previews before the release. looks interesting, but i haven;t played the demo, and i'm unsure if RTS games are my thing. Star Wars however, is.
The Allmighty
29-01-2006, 05:50
It's ok. I tried the demo on easy and got wiped out the first time (yeah, ok, I'm not the greatest RTS gamer in history). However, got through the space battle next time and got wiped out on the ground battle. Realised then what exactly was going on and next time, got through.
Then tried it on hard and got wiped out. :doh:
Eventually succeeded. I think it's ok and I've got it on order. Mind you, I loved the earlier star wars galactic conquest (the one based on ages of empire) and I seem to recall that most weren't exactly keen on that.
I strongly recommend you try the demo though: there are loads of games that people on here think are the dog's danglies that I just can't get enthused about.
LeftHandedGuitarist
30-01-2006, 08:42
I played the demo for about half an hour and was bored out of my mind. The ground battle was fairly good, but all that strategy between planets was terrible.
stompontheplebs
03-02-2006, 01:19
DOESN'T WORK!!!! How frustrating - it installed ok but when I run it, it just restarts my system!! And then I get a 'the system has just recovered from a serious error' message once it's reset. What's going on. Any thoughts? It ****** me right off when stuff like this happens
Is it me or has this been pushed back a week?
The Allmighty
10-02-2006, 06:50
Don't know - my order at choices is still showing as processing but as this is the first time I've ordered from them I have no idea if they ship on the day of release or not.
I was hoping to get a good week out of this before the 10th anniversary command and conquer set was released :p
Spooky_uk
11-02-2006, 01:05
had an email from choices tonight stating that order has been delayed... :suspect:
Idle Child
16-02-2006, 19:09
IGN review up:
it's 7.6 (http://pc.ign.com/articles/688/688963p1.html).
:eek:
Holy Mediocre game, Batman!!!
from the press advertising for this, i thought it was s'posed be the best star wars game ever!!!?
The Allmighty
16-02-2006, 19:45
Hate to break it to you but sometimes adverts don't tell the truth :doh:
Idle Child
16-02-2006, 21:18
Hate to break it to you but sometimes adverts don't tell the truth :doh:
What?! Oh no, i believed it. Sucks for me considering i have a copy of this game on it's way too :brickwall
Tony Ferrino
17-02-2006, 06:05
8.7 on Gamespot...
The Good: Dual-layered design lets you think on both a strategic and a tactical level; epic-looking battles; sound effects are spot-on for what you'd expect from a star wars game; rebellion and empire offer contrasting play styles; large array of heroes that have a real impact on gameplay.
The Bad: Can get a little repetitive; land battles aren't as compelling as other aspects of the game.
The Allmighty
17-02-2006, 06:44
What?! Oh no, i believed it. Sucks for me considering i have a copy of this game on it's way too :brickwall
Mine's awaiting dispatch also. In all fairness, I don't rely on these sort of reviews as there have been loads of games I've loved that have had lousy reviews and vice versa.
Now, if only Choices actually ship it......... :thumbs:
Idle Child
17-02-2006, 14:10
Recieved my copy, have installed the 1.01 patch from the internet, and have played through some of the tutorial missions with ease - only to start the single player story mode as The Rebellion and be mullered on "normal" difficulty. I attribute this to mostly trying to adjust to the control of the game. The first space battle was hard until i realised that you had to target what must be shield generaters around the depots leading to chain reaction explosions
But now stuck on the second mission trying to give artoo enough time to change the codes and am helplessly outnumbered but what looks like the whole of the imperial ground force - seemingly without ability to send in re-inforcements (?)
I then tried the Galactic Conquest mode, picked the "Empire at War" system map for more free-form play. Again, i repeat, because i'm getting used to the control and game mechanics, i've been easily defeated by even "amber" coloured defended planets - those guarded if what the game considers a small force, but big enough to overwhelm my handful of units. Basically, i'd recommended building, and building, and building units some more. Seems like the most essential tactic in this game is take it to them by outnumbering them.
The Galactic map is similar to Shogun's Total War map. It has it's strategic elements were you'd move your fleet around the orbit of planets, but here you initiate a space battle, or whether you move down to the planet and can initiate a land battle depending on the location of the enemy forces (i think).
The game has good scalability options. I noticed from 800X600 resolution and upwards at different frequencies (60Hz, 75, 85Hz etc) and a lot of advanced filtering/texture options. I only have 1.7Ghz processor, but i have a Geforce 6800 Ultra, and it's cabable of running at a playbale pace on medium settings.
The cinema camera mode is interesting, It usually starts off looking down at your units and then sweeps out toward your attackers. i noticed that repeatedly pressing space bar can sometimes give you alternative camera views - switching the view to your different units. I suppose i prefer it in the space battles though, but it's nice to get close to the action in small doses - you still have to maintain your general overview of the battlefield.
Those expecting the calibur of animation from such RTS games as Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War (which was fantastixc to get up close and personal for some stunning, intense, gruesome visuals of close quarters combat) will be disappointed. SW: Empire At War doesn't deliver that kind of intricate animation with it's the land battles. But saying that, it's good enough to be compared with more traditional RTS style table top visuals.
The Star Wars presentation is good. yes, it does feel like a Star Wars game. But that's inevitable when you include music that is so familiar to fans. But like all Star Wars games this is no revelation or surprising feature. There's no music you've not heard before. It's the film score. Good but something any star wars gamer is no doubt used to by default. It doesn't sound like Empire At War has gone the KOTOR II route and composed an original score - that would have been a nice touch.
Overall, at this early stage i wouldn't way i am "wowed" by it, but that's mostly beause with RTS games you have to persist in building up levels, resources and your armed forces. Not everything is shown to you at such early stages with basic units. It's something you have to earn and with persistance and a growing Galatic army, i'm sure the game is considerably better. I am wondering whether it's a tad too basic in its early stages though, but perhaps that is because the upgrading is slightly different to other RTS, and the capture points in land battle didn't seem to offer much in the way of buildings.
Those are my impressions. Thanks.
Hi Got this Game. Absolutely amazing !
Ground battles are bad i choose auto resolve when at all possible. The space games more then made up for it.
You are stuck on mission 2 ? oh dear its easy get the droids to each of the areas marked and he will hack into the station. You have to defend him.
Ive Liberated the wookies fought off 7 imperial fleets who have star destroyers while the best i have is assualt frigates and nebulon b Firgates.
Im wowed by this game but Im a star Wars Fan and the space battles are truly spectacular ! If you like space combat games RTS get this !
Idle Child
18-02-2006, 00:05
Hi Got this Game. Absolutely amazing !
Ground battles are bad i choose auto resolve when at all possible. The space games more then made up for it.
You are stuck on mission 2 ? oh dear its easy get the droids to each of the areas marked and he will hack into the station. You have to defend him.
I'm assuming you built up your units before going onto the planet? I was thinking about it today and realised i just went straight in without building up my forces. Perhaps i need more soldiers, as i'm getting murdered by the 7 or 8 AT-ST walkers the Empire throw at artoo when he's tapped into the code console. :brickwall
Spooky_uk
18-02-2006, 08:16
pre-ordered from choices on 20th Jan and just had a second email to say my order has been further delayed :mad:
Idle Child
19-02-2006, 01:31
As the Rebellion i think i've reached a point (after mission 3) where i'm in trouble. It doesn't seem to be a story mission, i think it's just the AI of the game sensing my forces are weak and trying to over-run my planets.
Basically, i've been doing my best to build huge forces, but have reached my unit limit. Now the Empire has sent an 85-unit strong fleet to combat my meagre 30-unit strong fleet over Alderan. After various playing and re-loading of my save file to start the battle again - i have almost defeated the Empire fleet, getting as far as taking out 4 of their 6 Star Destroyers, before they overwhlem me. Nearly there -
But can anyone recommend space battle tactics?
The Allmighty
19-02-2006, 08:52
pre-ordered from choices on 20th Jan and just had a second email to say my order has been further delayed :mad:
and me :(
The only good thing about it is that at least all the others here currently playing will be able to provide good tactical advice when I get hopelessly stuck. ;)
The poor old Empire keeps getting its arse handed on a plate to me in my game - 'liberated' Geonosis from the Rebel Scum but had Coruscant stolen from under my nose by some Rebel Force larger than my entre fleet combined x2 :cry:
Might start again to try and build up a far better defensive force to repel the Rebel Onslaught that hits me bad :D
Try and take over the new planets had come up before you do the missions, stop the rebel scum from getting a foothold. :p
Exactly the plan I followed when I restarted - got a firm grip of every available planet despite some heavy Pirate and Rebel resistance. God bless a plentiful supply of Star Destroyers :D
Ive got to the bit where the Death star just destroyed Alderon. Unfortuantely a couple mins after it I get an exception Error.
Sigh Damn Game !
Best accomplishment was holding of a empire fleet that had 6 star destroyers and 10 supporting fridates and fighters etc.
All i had was a aspace station and 5 assualt frigates and 2 nebulons B !
enjoying the game. Even tried multiplayer 3 v 3 which was fun !
Just before level 4 or 5 the one on Kashykk (spelt wrong) I built up my forces to max about 130 units saved the game, it saved then crashed. Now it won't let me reload the save game it just keeps crashing.. Anyone else having problems with it crashing all the time??
I've installed the patch would you say a re-installation is in order???
For those having problems...make sure you conquer planets, each planet conquered up's your allowed units, hence making it much easier to have big forces, there's no real time pressure as such so go kick some ass...then do missions.
Evilo !
YEah mine kept crashing but i restarted it and it was fine. I think it will crash once u patched it and u need to restart a game from scratch !
Picked this game up yesterday
Was a massive fan of Rebellion/Supremacy
and this game disapoints on a few things
the ground battles are a tad crap.
the unit limits :( Star Wars is about massive space battles and in skirmish mode its not possible to have 100's of fighters and cap ships (at least from what I have found!)
maybe there is a way to fix this (ie read the manual ) but I hope someone patches is so yoou can have massive fleets fighting it out in space :D
The space battles are brilliant and movie mode is pure genius !
The Unit Cap is unfortunate - would have loved to have seen the battle involving the 19 Star Destroyers and 9 Support Frigates that I sent to Mon Calamari yesterday. I think I sent about 6 waves of reinforcements cos I couldn't fully deploy. Still nearly lost though cos of those Calamari Capital Ships! Was losing Star Destroyers all over the place and just scraped a victory with about 2-3 left - even had Lord Vader's squadron destroyed :eek:
I love this game I just wish it was a little more reliable on my computer...
I love this game I just wish it was a little more reliable on my computer...
i`d love it too if choices would go ahead and deliver the bloody thing :nuts:
Samba123
21-02-2006, 22:58
i`d love it too if choices would go ahead and deliver the bloody thing :nuts:
Scarily I was just thinking the same thing as am still waiting too.... :|
Spooky_uk
22-02-2006, 00:24
Scarily I was just thinking the same thing as am still waiting too.... :|
me too :mad:
The Allmighty
22-02-2006, 06:40
Same here. You would have thought that they'd have known how many pre-orders they had. Haven't been on the high street but are there any shortages there? It's showing as 3-8 days on the website at the moment.
Spooky_uk
22-02-2006, 11:31
Same here. You would have thought that they'd have known how many pre-orders they had. Haven't been on the high street but are there any shortages there? It's showing as 3-8 days on the website at the moment.
seen it all over in the high street, no shortages at all...
The Allmighty
23-02-2006, 06:35
Just had another apology e-mail saying that they still haven't got any. I like the fact they keep you informed but have to say that I don't understand the problem :mad:
The game is ok, the space battles are fun, but as mentioned previously the land battles are boring so you just end up skipping them. I can't help thinking the game would have been a lot better if they had concentrated more on the space battles and ditched the land stuff.
The death star was also a bit of a let down, why can't it destory ships as well as planets!?!
Evilbones
23-02-2006, 13:09
Is it true you don't collect resources? amybe i'm old school but that the fun for RTS for me
No resources, just collecting the cash to build new units.
Finished the Empire's campaign with the Rebel Alliance now just floating amongst the rubble of space :D
yep alot of fun for 25 bucks :) any of u getting the LOTR or rise of nations RTS ?
wanna play with me ?
Mr.The.Spoon
27-02-2006, 14:46
Having only played the demo my experience of Empire At War is a little limited but I felt the game lacked a lot of depth. Too many things appear to have been glossed over.
Star Wars Supremacy (aka Star Wars Rebellion) was flawed but better in my mind. If Empire At War had managed to improve on Supremacy in all areas I'd be buying it now.
No land battles in Supremacy and not as much control in the Space battles, but the Space Battles were 3D. You could split your forces, tell some to attack from underneath, some round the side, some straight on etc. EAW seemed very 2D. More control in the 2 dimensions yes, but they might as well been on land for the difference it made. (Did like the Millennium Falcon though).
Also what's this I hear the Death Star can't target capital ships??? It could in Supremacy. Very statisfying watching a Mon Cal cruiser go in one shot :thumbs:
At some point in the future, I may get this from a bargin bin.... but only if I've got a lot of spare time and nothing else is out.
Shame really, I was looking forward to this.
Maybe they should remake Tie Fighter. A modern version of that would be excellent!
Coolhand
27-02-2006, 14:56
Maybe they should remake Tie Fighter. A modern version of that would be excellent!
They couldn't really improve on it much, except updating the graphics. That game was nigh-on perfect.
EaW on the other hand is pretty dire.
Anyone know where I can get custom maps for Empire at War ? The skirmish ones are so dull. !!
The demo for the expansion pack, Forces Of Corruption, is released on fileplanet (http://www.fileplanet.com/) at some point today - its available for pre-load to subscribers now...
ryonhilluk
07-10-2006, 20:45
The game is ok, the space battles are fun, but as mentioned previously the land battles are boring so you just end up skipping them. I can't help thinking the game would have been a lot better if they had concentrated more on the space battles and ditched the land stuff.
The death star was also a bit of a let down, why can't it destory ships as well as planets!?!
Agreed. Good space battles but found the whole idea of waiting to drag in backup units a real chore. Ground battles also felt unfair to me for some reason. Just annoying at times.
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