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5stars
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1rating
Good graphics100% agree
Compelling gameplay100% agree
Good value100% agree
9 Reviews
A very complex strategy game
This is definitely a Master of Orion game. In this third installment much more detail was implemented to micro manage your empire. The graphics received a huge boost from prior installments and with the addition of a multitude of new races all play styles have been accommodated.
However the game has its bad points, first the micro managing is good to keep your empire running at peak efficiency but when you amass over 30-40 worlds you let the econ manager take over. The problem is that it builds not really "well" it will make infantry when you have no need make zones that are not required and generally just annoy you. Second is all the sliding windows to change your tax levels you have to slide open a window or go to another screen or open a box, in trying to make the game look good they forgot to make just a screen in which you could manage a planet in one fell swoop.
If you like in depth strategy games in space you'll like this game if you're not that into them, ... don't buy it. If you do then this is a lengthy game you're sure to get your money's worth.
- Also when first playing make sure to read the masters notes they explain a lot and really level the playing curve.Read full review...
The Third, and hopefully final, chapter in the series.
I was a huge fan of the second Master of Orion game and was bursting at the seams in anticipation for this one to come out. I couldn't wait to play and see if some of my strategies from the other games would work as well.
Unfortunately, this game is a far cry from it's predecessors. The game is so complicated that it just became annoying to play in almost every aspect. One of the features I enjoyed the most about the other games in the series was the space combat, it was always fun to try to design small ships effectively and find ways to get around bigger ships superior technology. In this game, however, ship combat is almost out of the hands of the player and can be summed up in one word - Boring.
I usually don't mind a complicated game, as long as I have a manual that can explain it well enough so that I can eventually learn to play. The manual for this game is little more than a history book. The manual is very thick but spends half it's time just telling the story of the Antarans and Orions and then gives a few tips on how to play. In general though, the manual is worse than useless, it is incorrect in many areas. After playing for days and days I finally beat the game, but it felt more like work then play and I felt like I should have been paid for my time.
To sum it all up, the game is a waste of time and money. The graphics are decent, the story is good but excessive, and the diplomacy and war features are so hard to learn that most of the time I just click a helpful feature that lets me get the end result without fighting or accept treaties without caring who they are from. Don't waste your time and money.Read full review...
Not fun
I haven't played any of the master orion games, I have played Birth of the Federation which is very similar to Moo2, same company microprose. The game's manual didn't help a lot in understanding how to build your empire and in general play the game. Moo3 was worse than organic chemistry, there's so many options it's sickening, as shown in the moo3 stategy guide. The real time space combat was a dud, the graphics were disgusting for a 2003 game; they look like a 1994 game. Moo3 is more comparable to doing your taxes than to an enjoyable game. I've owned this game since it came out in 2003 and I've put probably 50 hours trying to understand the ponderous details. June 18th 2003, "So...you're supposed to create custom ships? and arm them with everything from shields and weapons? how? Oh, how do I create a task force? etc..." Another example is figuring out which planet layers are best for food, science, mining,industry, etc. The AI viceroy will choose a layer for you, but why is that layer the best? Moo3 just brings a plethora of questions. Overall, M003 is NOT FUN.Read full review...
Best Strategy Game on any Console I've Ever Played
Ok, first of all most the problems that everybody else has with this game are completely unfounded and untrue. Micomanageing is available, it's just optional in this game. All you have to do is watch the yellow alerts in the "Sitrep" screen and set up the original planet building plan as soon as you colonize it. I got this game for 22 cents at a Bells but having played but having played it I would be willing to pay the $25 that some people are selling it for if it ever went missing. This is an all around perfect game for anyone who has ever wanted total control. Get it! You may think you can live without it but you can't! You'll understand after you wipe out your first planet or civilization!Read full review...
Decent Game at Decent price
After playing Master of Orion 1 & 2 I had been keeping an eye on the third pondering if it was any good. I have been surprised at the fact its layout is confusing at first, however very user friendly one you get the jist of it.
The graphics aren't the best but are up there in detail in combat and ship to ship battles. unlike the other two of this trilogy, this game offers more freedome on ground units and reserve units to be placed when needed.
The races are more in debth as you now gain an elite understanding of each race along with their own unique appreciation. Build your empire, research new and improved techno and weaponry and have fun in this turn based strategy game, and you will enjoy many hours of play.
I rate this game 4 out of 5
not a bad buy for those fans of space games.Read full review...
Purchase if you have the time to learn all of the nuances in the interface
I really really enjoyed Master of Orion I, and thought that this one would be just as great, but I am having a hard time getting into it. The interface is really clunky and there is way more to try to keep track of and takes the fun out of the game. I do love the fact that there is a full written manual included in the game.Read full review...
not Good
If you like the original or master of orion 2. This is not the game for you. It has way to much going on. The interaction of building ships is no longer imaginative. Most of the game play is done on its own. Gave the game to my brother. He has not liked it either.Read full review...
Masters of Orion
Great game, for being 7 years old pretty tough till you get going. Build and outfit all your ships with several playable races and try to control the galaxy, some of the maps are huge. Enjoy!!!!!
The challenge
There is so much to micro manage in this game that it is overwhelming. It is a cool game though, with decent graphics and extended game play and lots of replay ability.