Customer
Reviews
THE WOBBLY MARCH OF THE
STRIDERS CONTINUES...
The original SupCom was
another excellent example of a good game that got too over-hyped for its
own good. When it eventually hit the stores, the impression it made did
not live up to the expectations (feel free to browse my review on the
original game as well).
Its main flows were unpractical graphics
(great looking yet unplayable when zoomed-in - whereas, the zoomed-out
warfare views were bland and generic), as well as strategically
irrelevant ground characteristics. Luckily, SupCom-FORGED ALLIANCE is a
standalone expansion that THQ obviously worked on improving.
As
with the original, SupCom-FA demonstrates its strengths when a great
number of units is deployed. After all, war is big and ruthless - and
this is SUPREME COMMANDER - and not...PRETTY BIG Commander; on the other
hand, there is no free lunch in this universe.
This expansion
sports improved graphics (on both units, shadows and terrain) - but this
also means higher system requirements that include the effective need
for a Dual-core processor. Just like the original game, SupCom-FA
requires a lot of resources to calculate the physics and ballistics in a
way that other RTS games would not even touch with a pole. So, when the
number of units increases make sure that your system *surpasses* even
the RECOMMENDED requirements (provided below):
* 3.0 GHz Intel (or
AMD equivalent)
* 1024 MB of RAM
* nVidia 7600 (256MB) (or
equivalent)
* 6GB of HDD space.
Now, even meeting the above, you
canNOT rule out stuttering and freezing. A Dual-core processor is, in my
experience, essential - and this is a requirement NOT justified by the
quality of on-screen graphics. Today, there are many games that do
wonders with much lower requirements - and this is where SupCom-FA
looses its 5th star. The reason for this is the demanding physics
calculations taking place in the background. Since they add little to
the overall result, I could do without them if this would mean being
able to play the game on older systems.
This is a much better
deal than buying only the expansion for almost the...same price -
provided you do not already own the original game! Here is why.
With
the Expansion, supposedly, one is buying all three factions of the
original SupCom as well as the new Seraphim faction. However, at $30
that is a pretty steep deal as the new Seraphim faction is only
available in Skirmishes and Multiplayer, and does NOT have a campaign of
its own! And, to add insult to injury, the other three original
factions are LOCKED and not available in a Multiplayer - unless one has
the original SupCom!
This GOLD EDITION, however, so it contains
BOTH games for a slightly higher price of the expansion and, thus, is a
good deal. Waiting for the Summer sales wouldn't hurt though...
Wonderful gameplay with significant drawbacks.
Both SP and Forged Alliance
are enormously fun because of the vast number of options you can use to
smash your opponent(s).
Feel like being a ground-and-pound
player? No problem...build a couple of land factories and pump out lots
of little units. Feel like building a powerful air? Ditto. Artillery
duels? Yep. Want to mostly concentrate on early rushes? Well, that's
probably something you'll have to be at least a little good at...but
otherwise there's options galore.
Basically, if you can think up a
strategy, there's a tactic and types of units to support your idea.
Although the attritional model still holds (build more and bigger units
than your opponent), some clever or unusual gameplay does occasionally
win games.
Now the drawbacks.
--There isn't a computer yet
built than can run this game...and buying the most powerful GPU isn't
going to help all that much over a mid-level GPU. Expect a 8800/9800 GT
for decent graphics on a large screen (and you want a large screen
because the units are tiny). You'll want a quad core as this game can
max out two cpus (the 3rd and 4th cpu is still utilized though not maxed
out). For fun click on the "ranges" button and watch your mighty
quad-core be brought to its knees.
--Tiny unit icons when zoomed out.
Get a huge monitor...24 inches or bigger.
--A slightly awkward
interface that requires pressing two keys at the same time (ctrl-a,
alt-.,ctrl-l). It's something you can get around with practice but the
real solution is the game should come with a key-mapping menu.
To
be fair most of the drawbacks will be mitigated as computer technology
gets better and cheaper. Sure, you can play this on a lower-end computer
but it won't be fun.
Supreme Commander CPU and GPU benchmarks.
[...]
Great Game for those willing to learn
Supreme Commander has forever
changed the way RTS will be played, mostly due to its strategic zoom,
but also due to its sheer depth of scale and strategy/tactic options
(these pertain more to Forged Alliance than they do to the original
SupCom). For those who are familiar with Total Annihilation, this game
is a must have, as it surpasses what TA accomplished in just about every
way imaginable. Be warned though, you have to be willing to learn with
this game, as it forgoes the limited scope of games like C&C (all
versions).
As other reviews have stated, pay attention to the
system requirements for this game, and keep in mind that the minimum
requirements will allow for little more than 1v1 online games at low
resolution and graphics. However, many will find that the online 1v1
offered is some of the most intense and fast-paced multiplayer action
available, and climbing the ranked ladder becomes addictive.
Among
the numerous pluses regarding this game, two stand out in particular to
me. First, the game is run based on projectile physics (thus the need
for a beefy CPU). This means, in short, that battles due not use
scripted firing or dice rolls to decide the outcome. Every unit in the
game calculates things such as speed, arc, and distance when firing,
which in turn means that proper micro-management can allow one to dodge
incoming fire to some extent.
The second plus about the game to
me is its modding community. For those familiar with TA, this needs no
introduction. However, for those unaware, it was very easy to go online
and download anything from a custom made map, to new units, to total
rehauls of Total Annihilation online, thus significantly extending its
shelf life and replayability. The same can be said for Forged Alliance.
All
in all, this is a game for the truly devoted RTS fans, as it has a very
steep learning curve. Imagine the strategic depth of the Civ series,
combined with the fast pace multiplayer action of StarCraft, and throw
in some outstanding graphics and map design. Well worth giving a shot,
especially with the drop in price!!!
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