Solar War
- January 6, 2015
- Snipefish Entertainment
Get on Steam"Solar War" is a real-time strategy game set in space where players build and manage their own fleets to fight for resources and territory. With a variety of ships, weapons, and upgrades, players must strategize and adapt to defeat their opponents in battle. Explore and conquer new systems, establish bases, and form alliances in this expansive and engaging game of interstellar warfare.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Unique gameplay that combines officer and crew management with strategic ship design and combat.
- Deep strategic elements that require careful balancing of resources, technology, and international relations.
- Satisfying micromanagement experience that appeals to fans of tactical and logistics-based games.
- Unpolished graphics and lack of sound can detract from the overall experience.
- The game can feel linear and may become repetitive due to timed events and limited replayability.
- The interface and controls can be clunky, leading to frustration during gameplay.
- graphics16 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally described as minimalistic and basic, often likened to retro or low-fidelity designs reminiscent of older systems. While some players appreciate how the simplistic visuals align with the game's strategic military theme, many express a desire for more distinct and varied graphics, particularly for different ship types. Overall, the graphics serve their purpose but leave room for improvement in aesthetics and variety.
“This game for me is a simple combination of Master of Orion II and XCOM Apocalypse. When I say simple, I am talking about how easy it is to use, how simple but still beautiful and functional the graphics are, and also how much extra work could (and maybe should) be put into this game.”
“I personally think the graphics fit the theme really well (you're a general looking at a map). I don't mind the basic-ness of the display because it fits the game, but if you're going to have actual ships instead of representative radar dots, then there should be a bit of difference between how they look.”
“If you can get past the lo-fi graphics, then you're in store for a game that amounts to XCOM in space.”
“As everyone else has said, there aren't really any graphics, and there is no sound at present.”
“Second, the graphics while serviceable in quality are minimal in quantity.”
“-graphics and interface taken out like from commodore”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is noted for its unique mechanics, particularly the incorporation of actual orbits, which adds a satisfying layer to the experience. However, it is considered niche and has a learning curve, with suggestions for improvement in various aspects such as aesthetics and additional mechanics. Overall, while the core gameplay is well-crafted, there is room for enhancement.
“It has a bit of a learning curve, but is really fun once you learn the mechanics of the game.”
“One particular element that is unusual and highly satisfying to me is the mechanic of actual orbits.”
“But it's very niche and could be improved in some aspects of gameplay, aesthetics, and new mechanics.”
“Many modern space strategy games are designed around the principle of adding eye candy while removing mechanics.”
“To conclude, Solar War has well-made and unique core gameplay mechanics.”
- music4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game features no music or sound effects, which some players find acceptable as they often play with the audio off or prefer to listen to their own background music. The minimalistic approach to audio allows for a customizable experience, though it may leave some players wanting more in terms of atmospheric sound.
“I didn't really mind the lack of sound either because I usually play with it off unless required. It's not exactly a demanding game on your system, and you can always play music in the background if you need some.”
“First off, there is no music whatsoever in the game.”
“Game currently doesn't contain any music or sounds, though it's easy enough to put on something spacey.”
“- No music & minimal graphics.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect emphasizes the importance of strategic officer assignments and ship design, as each officer's performance directly influences ship handling. Players must carefully balance weapon placement, armor distribution, and thruster capabilities to achieve optimal speed and maneuverability while also maintaining favorable relations with Earth's nations.
“Every single officer you assign to each of your ships matters, as their performance affects how their ship handles.”
“You designed your ship with front arc weapons, armor concentrated at the front of the ship, and thrusters optimized for speed rather than maneuverability.”
“You've also got to keep the nations of Earth happy with your performance.”
- story2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The story centers on the player as the leader of Earth's defenses, tasked with continuing the legacy of the XCOM team. It is described as engaging enough to maintain player interest throughout the game.
“You play as the leader of Earth's defenses, and your mission is to take over from where the XCOM team left off.”
“It also has a decent story to keep you moving along in the game.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks the depth needed to engage players fully.”
“Character development is minimal, making it hard to care about the outcomes.”
“The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Replayability is considered limited due to a lack of multiplayer options and the presence of easily exploitable strategies, which diminishes the variety of gameplay experiences compared to more randomized games.
“Replayability is limited compared to more heavily randomized games; there's no multiplayer, and some cheesy strategies make it difficult for opponents to respond effectively.”
“The game lacks variety in its mechanics, leading to a repetitive experience after just a few playthroughs.”
“Once you've seen the main story and its outcomes, there's little incentive to play again, as the choices feel superficial.”
