What's changed in a year?

I'm guessing it's the same game?

from Sins Forums

Hi,

Bought the game roughly a year ago when it came out.  I quickly realized it wasn't quite the game I wanted to play.  Too much of a wide-open "raiding" gameplay mechanic, with no way to create strategic choke-points with the (largely ineffective) phase jump inhibitor.  So I haven't played the game since.  However, I understand that there has been several patches and what not, and was just curious as to what was changed or addressed.

My first question is whether or not there was ever any change to the phase jump inhibitor to make it more effective?  I did do a search on the forums but could find no relevant info.

My second question is of lesser importance.  Last I played, it was sort of ridiculous that you could send in these ridiculously powerful and hard-to-stop bombers to bomb planet after planet into oblivion.  The unit received a slight nerf while I was still playing the game, but it was still ridiculous.  I was curious as to whether this unit has been changed further?

My guess is that the answers are "no" and "no," but I was curious anyway.

Thanks.

5,348 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top

it is sort of the same, but with Entrenchment about to come out, the game is getting a big defensive upgrade.  what was the last version you had?

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

The PJI was bumped up to 700% jump slow.

The siege frigates got nerfed fairly considerably hp-wise and the AI no longer builds massive swarms of them. They still like to send 4-5 if they're nearby and your planet doesn't have a fleet presence, but a few fighter squads in the grav well from a hangar or two are enough to take care of those.

But yeah, if defensive play was your thing, you'd probably be pretty happy with Entrenchment. The beta is a little rough around the edges, but with mine fields and starbases you'll have a bunch of new toys :P

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

PJI was bumped 700% ???  Are you sure?  Approximately when did this happen?

 

Thanks.

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

I'm quite certain :) But I couldn't tell you when because I don't remember. ~1.03 sounds about right?

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Orodum, reply 1
what was the last version you had?
End of Orodum's quote

Less than 1.05, because when I just brought up the game it updated to 1.05.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Hi Agent,

 

You sound like you're the same type of player as me, I was also frustrated with the lack of defensive measures or the ability to create chokepoints (although I still love the game).  Entrenchment is right up my alley and it might be for you as well.  Minefields, starbases, etc give a much stronger defensive presence.  And yes, PJI's are now 700% slowdown, they can be quite effective.

 

As Annatar pointed out, the beta is still a bit rough in places but it's a really good start.  Starbases and mines just need some tweaks (some up some down) and I think you'll really have a capability of creating defensive chokepoints.

 

Also, siege frigates have been significantly nerfed.  They are very, very expensive.

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Sounds interesting, goodgimp.  I may retry the game - I'm fully updating it now (apparently there is a 1.12 update, and my version was way back less than 1.05).

I have no problem with the classification of "defensive," but it seems to me that we are really talking about "gameplay mechanic" instead of defense/offense.  Even an "offensive" player should see the utility in taking a strategic chokepoint.  What we are really talking about is "map strategy."  It seemed to me that with the elimination of map strategy, the game degenerated from "real-time strategy" into "real-time tactical," and a system seemed to have no relevance as far as its location on the map, rather its relevance was chiefly resources and real estate to build labs and what not.

Thanks for the info.  I suppose I'll have to glance at this retrenchment thing.  Was it developed with the idea of putting map strategy back into the game, or is that merely coincidental/accidental?

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

I highly recommend the Urban Expansion mod (its actually a collection of 2 mods, one visual and one with planet stuff), even if you usually dont use mods =)
https://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/331334/page/5/#2008027

Basically it just adds more different types of planets and planet bonuses (like "woah this planet has alot of trees, +20 trade", or "oh no, radioactive ruins, -90 population"). Even more than the game has originally (only 4 types of planets).
It just gives a much needed depth and sense of discovery to the game, some worlds WILL be what you want, chokepoints.. There are Industrial planets that increase ship production, and other planets that net you more tactical slots and stuff to be able to totally fortify it.
Its all random (on random maps that is, normal maps remain unchanged).

Personally i cant play without it. I like random stuff, making each planet you find and each game you play unique, plus the eyecandy is nice =)