CNET Editors' review
This empire-building game follows the standard simulation model, but you may find yourself lost in space. Solar Wars installs quickly and smoothly. Understanding how the program operates takes some doing. All you see when you start the game is a solar galaxy window with planets and space fleets turning around the sun. The interface looks less like a functional game and more like a planetarium. Throughout the game you see phrases such as The fleet of X is attacking the fleet of Y, then a line representing the number of spaceships destroyed runs across the screen. After that, the planets go back to circling until the next abstract battle. You can play the program online, although you have to be willing to spend hours trying to figure out the details. At least the program is free.
Publisher's Description
From John Entwistle:
Solar Wars is a turn-based space strategy game based in a distant solar system with up to 30 orbiting planets. Start with your home world, then build up your ships and strategy. Scout out nearby worlds and send fleets of ships to attack, or send annihilation bombs. Destroy opponents by setting hidden proximity bombs or pulse bombs. You can play in single-player mode with computer opponents or in multiplayer mode over the Internet and LAN networks. Plan well and you'll be able to take over the universe.
Version 1.4 features many user-interface improvements and gameplay enhancements, including six new computer opponents and many new game options. Please note that Solar Wars only runs in screen resolutions of 1024x768 or higher.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 27 votes
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Current version:
3.6 starsout of 27 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"A gem of a quick, turn-based strategic game."
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
It is unique (few if any other games quite like it), is rather challenging to learn, and challenging to play, at least for quite a while. Plus a game can usually be completed within an hour or two. Plus reasonably colourful and attractive to look at.
Cons
Does not always install correctly in Win7. By default, it wants to install into C:\Program Files\Solar Wars\. Unfortunately, Win7 has all manner of protective spells over the Program Files folder, so Star Wars will not always run correctly there. (It runs on one of my Win7 machines, but not all.) The cure, I have discovered, is to install to another folder, C:\Games\Solar Wars\, in which I place all other games rejected by Win7).
Summary
The game idea is simple: you begin on a planet in the largest solar system you have ever seen, with a large number (default is 30) worlds whizzing around a sun. Your aim is to colonise them all. So far so good. The trouble comes from a number of enemy planets (controlled by players or AI) trying to do the same, and entirely happy to nuke you if you get in their way.
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"not good at all, very in to games and this one blows"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
000000000000000000000
Cons
worst game ive ever played
Summary
games fails
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"Pretty Good Turn-Based Game"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
Similar to the "Galatic .... somthing" game I played with a few university dorm friends back in 1987 (yes, it was a DOS game). However, this game is much more challenging. It requires deep strategic thinking in order to win (especially the Titan level). I'd definitely pay a modest fee if the upgrades suggested below are made.
Cons
Upgrades:
1. Display the # of turns required to reach a particular planet in the next 2, 3, 4 and 5 turns.
2. Increase the # of turns required between planets when you have more players and/or planets.
3. Reconfigure screen so as to have more screen space for additional planets and A.I. players.
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"Sounds Great!"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
sounds great!
Cons
Download and installation went fine but I got a 'Runtime Error 70: Permission denied' message when I tried to actually start it up, despite having a Vista computer with 2 gigs of memory! GRRRR!
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"Ummm, it's a Game"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
hmmmm
Cons
I have Board games that are more fun to play by myself.
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"awesome"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
this game requires you to think, im playing om maximum difficulty and its hard as hell but not impossible
Cons
a dumb person will have trouble with the game
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"it was fun but slow"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
it was a great strategy game
Cons
it was slow
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"Great, unique space strategy game"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
I've d/l'd quite a few games from this site & this is probably the best. Basically, you compete against an opponent (which can be your computer) for control of a planetary system. There's a lot of strategy involved, so I recommend this game for mature players-- teens & up. You must choose how to best allocate your resources (ships & bombs)-- when/which worlds to take over, when to attack your opponent, etc. It's quite unique, but it might be described as a combo of Monopoly & chess. You can play against the computer 'AI' at 5 different skill levels, & supposedly online against other players, tho I suspect there are few out there to connect to. The graphics are pretty nice. After playing the game about 25x, I am still learning it's subtleties. A good game can take hours. You can set several options, tho I like the default options. A nice feature is that the resources of each world change (apparently randomly) from game to game. Great game & it's free.
Cons
1) I get a bug alert (suspicious script alert) everytime I load the game, but just instruct my anti-virus program to accept the script each time & I've never had any problems.
2) The pause function doesn't seem to work.
3) Apparently this software is not being upgraded-- the last change was in 2004. A shame. I'd pay for a really glitzy version.
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"A BIG CHEATING A.I. GAME"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
Pros
Good laughs
Cons
Talk about a cheating program. At the hardest level each player receives 5 bombs. Strangely enough the computer gets MORE than 5 bombs and blows up the high production planets EVERY TIME!
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"good but boring"
Version: Solar Wars 1.40.0144
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