{"id":5792,"date":"2011-11-05T14:38:48","date_gmt":"2011-11-05T18:38:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/?p=5792"},"modified":"2013-09-26T11:05:56","modified_gmt":"2013-09-26T15:05:56","slug":"starbase-orion-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/2011\/11\/starbase-orion-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Starbase Orion Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>On October 12<sup>th<\/sup> of 2011 Chimera Software released their second iOS title named Starbase Orion.\u00a0 This is great news for 4x gamers on the iOS as this genre is still rare on the Apple App store.\u00a0 However, can Starbase Orion live up to its heritage where so many others have fallen short?<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0138_small1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5828\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0138_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0138_small1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"270\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0138_small1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0138_small1-300x168.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The developers of Starbase Orion have clearly stated that their goal was to develop a title that would be like Master of Orion with better multiplayer.\u00a0 To be fair multiplayer in the days of Master of Orion 2 was still in its infancy and mostly consisted of packing your whole system up and trucking it over to your friend\u2019s house and networking everything.<\/p>\n<p>However, it is not an excuse today and Chimera is touting their multiplayer experience to be the one defining feature.\u00a0 Their release comes on the heels of iOS 5, which was a major update for Apple\u2019s mobile platforms and with new major updates comes new features and bugs.<\/p>\n<p>The main body of this review was written just after release, however in order to give a more complete picture of Starbase Orion I have decided to finish my review once 1.04 was released.\u00a0 So I will comment on the improvements since release and 1.04 as well.<\/p>\n<p>After having the pleasure of putting Starbase Orion through its paces in the past couple of days, I am happy to report that Starbase Orion has gone and done exactly what it said it would!\u00a0 Gasp, what? Adam mentioned in the <a  title=\"Starbase Orion Preview\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/2011\/04\/starbase-orion-master-of-orion-2-with-better-multiplayer-for-ios\/\" target=\"_blank\">preview article<\/a>, Starbase Orion has taking the simplicity of multiplayer Warcraft 3 and improved upon the successful elements of MOO2 with better graphics.<\/p>\n<p>The challenge for the developers must have been how to cram all the goodness of Master of Orion 2, stuff in multiplayer that can all be played on the iPhone and iPad?\u00a0 Chimera Software has risen to this challenge, and if you will bear with me I will explain all the details of the game below with juicy screenshots.<\/p>\n<p><strong style=\"font-size: 15px;\">Main Menu<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Starting in the beauty of space, you find yourself at Starbase Orion\u2019s main menu. \u00a0You can choose between the following <strong>game<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>options<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Galaxy Size: Small &#8211; Huge<\/li>\n<li>Opponents: One &#8211; Three<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty: Easy &#8211; Impossible<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>The 6 \u00a0Race Selections (and their traits) are<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Isather<\/strong> are Battle Hardened, Industrious Individuals, and Sanction Piracy<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0116_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5797\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0116_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0116_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0116_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0116_small-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Vass<\/strong> have Shared Intelligence, Quick Thinkers, and Fertile Biology<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0120_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5798\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0120_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0120_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0120_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0120_small-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Cyban<\/strong> are Brilliant Researchers, Industrious Individuals, and Fantastic Engineers<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0117_small1.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5800\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0117_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0117_small1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"323\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0117_small1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0117_small1-300x202.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Drask<\/strong> as Galactic Navigators, Combat Pilots, Persnickety, and Proficient Farmers<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0119_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5801\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0119_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0119_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0119_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0119_small-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The <strong>Humans<\/strong> are Freethinking, Charismatic, and Highly Trained Smugglers.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0118_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5802\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0118_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0118_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0118_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0118_small-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Custom <\/strong>race<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0121_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5803\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0121_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0121_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0121_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0121_small-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I like to choose Custom races, and pick the following traits: ( I like smart and nerdy races that can research the best weapons first. )<\/p>\n<p>You start with 10 points to spend on racial traits.<\/p>\n<p>-6 Borderline Genius (+ 2 research per scientist).<\/p>\n<p>-5 Brilliant Researchers (chance per breakthrough to gain access to additional technology of the same type)<\/p>\n<p>-1 Large Homeworld (race begins on a Large homeworld, instead of a medium homeworld giving you more population and structures like in MOO2)<\/p>\n<p>-2 Rich Homeworld\u00a0 (race begins game with mineral rich homeworld) which speeds up construction, like in MOO2.<\/p>\n<p>+4 Low Gravity Affinity (no penalty on low gravity worlds, increased penalties on normal and high gravity worlds.)\u00a0 Figure I can negate some of these negatives with research.<\/p>\n<p>(One thing I would like to see added is the ability to change your race name.\u00a0 The developers stated that more customization is planned in a near future update. However, \u00a0recent updates lets you change your race picture by tapping the picture)<\/p>\n<p>Once you finished setting up the starting parameters, you enter the main game screen centered on your starting colony. The map view is very nice looking, it is isometric and looks like a major developer designed it.\u00a0 The production values are that good for a small development team.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0139_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5804\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0139_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0139_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0139_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0139_small-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>(1.04 Update has added more information and nice lush looking screens for galaxy map information like military capacity, economy, food, and research)<\/p>\n<p>At the top of your screen is the information panel that tells you your maximum fleet capacity, empire money, Stardate button, food income, and research indicator. The only tappable item up there is the Stardate button which acts like a news ticker for events that happen; click on the event will take you to it if applicable.\u00a0 For instance, if you finish research and tap on the notification under the Stardate button it will open your Research screen.<\/p>\n<p>At the bottom of the map are Galaxy, Empire, Military, Foreign, Research, Menu, and Turn buttons.\u00a0 They all pretty much do what the labels suggests.<\/p>\n<p>The Galaxy button is useful for pulling up information about planets you scout, and offers an easy way to sort them and send colonizers to. The list will update as you explore new systems and scout their resources and bonuses.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0130_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5805\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0130_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0130_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0130_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0130_small-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Galaxy screen is now cluttered with many planets; you can sort this view according to Classification, Minerals, or Population and with or without enemies.\u00a0 Once you find a suitable planet for colonization, you can simply tap on the text next to the planet and it will automatically send the nearest colony ship.\u00a0 If it is out of range, the screen will let you know and you can find a closer system to expand to.<\/p>\n<p>The Empire view is very much similar to MOO2\u2019s, in that it shows all of your colonies and what they are currently producing, and how the population is assigned to either Food production, Industrial production, or Research.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0127_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5806\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0127_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0127_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"208\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0127_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0127_small-300x130.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Each population can be easily reassigned by tap holding on and dragging to the desired job.\u00a0 So if your Food indicator is reading -1 (19), and you drag an industrial worker over to be a farmer it instantly updated to show you the outcome of the reassignment.<\/p>\n<p>This screen is useful; you will find yourself referring to it often, because you can quickly scroll through all your colonies.\u00a0 This can become quite the chore once your empire expands, however thanks to a faithful and beautifully rendered Empire screen it is very efficient.\u00a0 Why fix something that wasn\u2019t broke.<\/p>\n<p>The planetary screen can be reached whenever you tap on a planet you control or colonize, and it shows how many planetary facility slots are available, a production summary, and you can also allocate workers within this screen as well. Notice the nice visual touch of different planetary environments that representative of their types.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0125.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5807\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0125_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0125_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"146\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0126.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5809\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0126_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0126_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"146\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0128.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5810\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0128_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0128_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"195\" height=\"146\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>Also buried within the Empire screen is the production screen for a planet which has three tabs Special, Colony, and Military.\u00a0 While two of the tabs are mainly what can either be built on the colony itself or military ships and troop transports, the special screen has included some nice automated features.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0134_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5811\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0134_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0134_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0134_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0134_small-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>On the Special tab this is where you can perform automated orders for your colony, or terraform if you have the technology.\u00a0 You can specialize colonies by telling them to focus on Industry, Research, or Farming buildings, and Military.\u00a0 You can also instruct your colony to convert its production into wealth for your Empire, or to hoard its production for use in a future project.<\/p>\n<p>The last option is very cool because let\u2019s say you are researching the next best thing in Missiles, however your Rich colony has nothing to build?\u00a0 In the past you would just have it produce extra credits, however now you can store your production so when you finish researching that great new Missile and add it to a new design you can finish it much faster with stored production.<\/p>\n<p>The Military screen is the place to locate and manage your fleets, again another faithful adaptation from MOO2.\u00a0 This list is also sortable by ships enroute or in orbit, and strength and size.\u00a0 A button that takes you to the Ship Designer is also conveniently provided.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0137_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5812\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0137_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0137_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0137_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0137_small-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>(Again I would have loved to see an option to rename fleets, and I hope it is included in the customization update)<\/p>\n<p>You can also access the ship design screen from the military screen, also from the planetary production screen.\u00a0 Ship design is streamlined for better or worse to picking the hull class, by tapping on the ship itself, what weapon systems to include, and what ship systems.<\/p>\n<p>Weapon systems are limited by what technology you have researched, and are categorized by Short, Medium, and Long.\u00a0 Lasers are long range, while Gauss Cannons are short.\u00a0 Ship systems include components that extend ship range, shields, and armor.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0132.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5813\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0132_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0132_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"295\" height=\"197\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0133.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5814\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0133_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0133_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"295\" height=\"197\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>The most notable absent items are things that made MOO2 unique like Black Hole Generators, Stellar Converters, or even Space Shuttles.\u00a0 While I wouldn\u2019t characterize the ship design and technology aspects of Starbase Orion as anemic, they are not exactly all inclusive.<\/p>\n<p>I can understand the design decisions that maybe went on behind closed doors, to streamline things, however these extra items are what gives the game more character.\u00a0 We play these games because I would be willing to bet that we all enjoy high-tech stuff, watch the Discovery Channel and read Popular Science.\u00a0 Give us the theoretical things that are talking about, like a Mini Gamma Ray Burst Cannon.\u00a0 There has been some thinking put into the whole ship, design, and combat aspect of the game that I will cover later.<\/p>\n<p>The next button is the foreign button, which is mainly for managing your spy Agents, and looking up foreign empire information like how many ships they have built, or colonies founded.\u00a0 There is an info panel on the right that displays espionage events like spies being caught, and successful mission like successfully stealing a technology, or sabotaging a facility.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0141_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5815\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0141_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0141_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0141_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0141_small-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Spying is a nice feature, that I do not believe is too powerful to be abused nor ineffective that one could ignore it.\u00a0 So it was a good feature to include, and I can foresee great multiplayer games where players are chatting back and forth about successful espionage missions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0140_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5816\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0140_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0140_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0140_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0140_small-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>One major difference from MOO2 to note here is that there is no diplomacy, except for your opponents to tell you how much they would like to relieve the burden of your colonies, I suspect the reasoning here, is that it simplifies multiplayer.\u00a0 A real diplomatic system would have been a major plus.<\/p>\n<p>The next button is Research, and this screen allows you to browse the technologies available for research and to pick your next Research project.\u00a0 There are three major areas of research here, and they are Astrophysics, Military, and Civil Projects.\u00a0 Each section starts with four areas for you to pick, and as the game explains, as you select topics the colored circle next to them change from Green , Yellow, and Red.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0129_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5817\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0129_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0129_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0129_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0129_small-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As you focus on one area, other areas turn red, and disappear from your options all together.\u00a0 This is similar to MOO2\u00a0system, where you only had the option to select one of three techs.\u00a0 Once you picked one, the only way to get the other two is through espionage or planetary invasion.\u00a0 The creative racial trait in MOO2 was expensive, but allowed you research all technology in a topic therefore not losing any potential techs.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0123_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5818\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0123_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0123_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0123_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0123_small-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The only other way to get technologies you have missed will be to steal it through espionage.\u00a0 This is accomplished in the foreign screen and you have no real control over what you get except to allocate more spies to the effort.<\/p>\n<p>Tactical Combat in Starbase Orion is not existent.\u00a0 Well I am lying, there is ship combat however you are only a spectator and the only way to influence the outcome is to give specific orders to your ships.<\/p>\n<p>This gives some extra decisions and strategies to players as you need to carefully plan the best design to counter your enemy and what orders to issue in combat to take advantage of these differences.\u00a0 Are you going to focus on Gauss Cannons and lots of small fast ships that can close in and minimize the long range damage they are exposed to by ships so equipped?\u00a0 The following screen shows a wise choice for a Gauss equipped ship.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0144_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5820\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0144_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0144_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0144_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0144_small-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When two opposing fleets are in the same system you get a warning that there is a battle, and this is your orders phase.\u00a0 You can issue to your individual ships to take advantage of their long range lasers and engage at long range if possible, and then to choose the largest target or closest target.\u00a0 These decisions can affect the outcome, so choose wisely.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0142_small.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5821\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0142_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0142_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0142_small.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0142_small-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Another design decision I am sure influenced by multiplayer, is this type of combat system that is quicker.\u00a0 It seems very difficult to overcome how to keep Tactical Combat interesting for multiplayer for a turn based game, which would then have to be played real time?<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0094.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5822\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0094_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0094_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"236\" height=\"177\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0092.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5823\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0092_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0092_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"236\" height=\"177\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0095.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5824\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0095_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0095_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"236\" height=\"177\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0096.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5825\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0096_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0096_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"236\" height=\"177\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>So I applaud the developers attempt to make combat more involved by including consequences for design and order decisions rather than just simply auto resolving combat like GalCiv.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Review Update (v1.04)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Now as mentioned before the time of this review was before release, and multiplayer was not possible pre iOS 5. \u00a0With iOS5 came Gamecenter and iCloud updates that added some new features the developer were already set to take advantage of.<\/p>\n<p>Gamecenter allowed automated multiplayer matching, and therefore it is very convenient to participate in multiplayer games. \u00a0Once turns are submitted, they are processed automatically and the next player is notified of their turn.<\/p>\n<p>With iCloud your saved games are automatically store in the cloud, and thus can be moved between devices or restored in an emergency.<\/p>\n<p>Improved UI main screen that gives you an overview of how your economy is, or your research is being calculated.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0122.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5826\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0122_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0122_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"295\" height=\"184\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0124.jpg\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-5827\" title=\"starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0124_small\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_screenshot_IMG_0124_small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"295\" height=\"183\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>Among the many issues and bugs post release in the shadow of the release of iOS 5, was the AI. \u00a0I simply played a whole game on impossible on a small galaxy with one enemy AI, and not once did it attack me. \u00a0Seriously problems to say the least, especially the claim of the developers that their AI won some recognition in a AI competition.<\/p>\n<p>November 4th the latest update 1.04 came out, and after updating I setup the same game and settings as my last test game. \u00a0After about 30 turns I encountered the AI with their two scouts out, and immediately colonized a system next to theirs to create a border.<\/p>\n<p>I also sent my only destroyer there in case the AI decided to invade, and invade is what the AI did. \u00a0Once colonized the AI immediately sent both of his scouts there, and after a couple of blockaded turns my Destroyer arrived to free my start up colony. \u00a0The results were not in doubt, however a better equipped destroyer (had extra armor) arrived and erased my defenses. \u00a0The game was pretty much loss, because I could not compete with the armor add-on, as I had not researched it yet. \u00a0Brilliant!<\/p>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>Starbase Orion has undeniably achieved its goals of providing an experience similar to Master of Orion with better Multiplayer. Many of the features in Master of Orion that is lacking in Starbase Orion were necessary in my opinion to facility multiplayer.<\/p>\n<p>This is ok in my book, because a real human will provide the best challenge then even the best contemporary AI. The only features that are lacking aside from having to facilitate multiplayer are promised by the developer Chimera Software to include more customization.<\/p>\n<p>Final statement: Buy it now while it is on sale!!<\/p>\n<table style=\"background-color: #a6e0df; padding: 4px; height: 92px; border: 1px solid #121256;\" width=\"600\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#ccff99\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<table style=\"table-layout: fixed; height: 85px;\" width=\"248\" border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align: left;\" width=\"80\"><a  href=\"http:\/\/www.chimerasw.com\/starbaseorion\/\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-full wp-image-5795\" title=\"starbase_orion_box\" src=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/starbase_orion_box3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"70\" height=\"86\" \/><\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: left;\" width=\"180\">\n<h3><a  title=\"Starbase Orion\" href=\"http:\/\/www.chimerasw.com\/starbaseorion\/\" target=\"_blank\">Starbase Orion<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Buy at <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/starbase_orion\" target=\"_blank\">iTunes<\/a>:<br \/>\n(<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/starbase_orion\" target=\"_blank\">iPhone link<\/a>,\u00a0<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/starbase_orion\" target=\"_blank\">iPad Link<\/a>)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<th rowspan=\"2\">\n<div style=\"text-align: center; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Space Sector score:<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1.6em;\"> 8.5\/10<\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px;\">great<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center; padding-top: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px;\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/spacesector-review-score\/\" target=\"_blank\"><small>(about the score system)<\/small><\/a><\/div>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table style=\"background-color: #ffffff; border: 1px solid #121256;\" width=\"600\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#e0ecfe\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>The Good:<\/strong><br \/>\n&#8211; As close as we are going to get for Master of Orion on the iOS platform<br \/>\n&#8211; Well-polished graphics and attention to detail with lush videos<br \/>\n&#8211; iCloud save system, never lose your save games to device changing or emergencies<br \/>\n&#8211; Solid A.I. (Post Update 1.04)<br \/>\n&#8211; Streamlined game suited well for the iOS environment<br \/>\n&#8211; User Interface is top class that can be compared to Civilization 5<br \/>\n&#8211; Automation features streamline the turn based format in single and multiplayer<br \/>\n&#8211; Good sound effects<br \/>\n&#8211; Great replayability with custom race options, and multiplayer<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>The Bad:<\/strong><br \/>\n&#8211; Customization features lacking. Custom Race, Colony, Fleet, Ship Design renaming (update promised)<br \/>\n&#8211; Repetitive music<br \/>\n&#8211; Lack of Diplomacy<br \/>\n&#8211; Combat not controllable, except for some basic orders<br \/>\n&#8211; Long turn cycles late game<br \/>\n&#8211; Technology Tree a bit light<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Screenshots<\/h3>\n<p>ngg_shortcode_0_placeholder<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #227dc2;\">Kyle Rees &#8220;Lordxorn&#8221; has been a Space Sector contributor since May 2011. Kyle is a credited tester on games like Distant Worlds: Return of the Shakturi, and Panzer Corps, and an avid World of Tanks player. See all Kyle&#8217;s posts <a  title=\"Kyle Rees Posts\" href=\"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/tag\/kyle-rees\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starbase Orion has undeniably achieved its goals of providing an experience similar to Master of Orion with better Multiplayer. This is great news for 4x gamers on the iOS as this genre is still rare on the Apple App store.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"registered_only","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56],"tags":[86,552,280,270,269,587,597,121,30,346,192,230],"class_list":["post-5792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-game-reviews","tag-4x-game","tag-chimera-software","tag-ios","tag-ipad","tag-iphone","tag-kyle-rees","tag-like-master-of-orion-2","tag-multiplayer","tag-space-strategy-game","tag-starbase-orion","tag-tbs","tag-turn-based-strategy"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5792\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.spacesector.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}