Author Topic: AFFS High Command, Suns Transcendent! (Read 185729 times)

Neko_Bijin · « **Reply #270 on:** 12 March 2014, 18:57:28 »

I'd like to steer the conversation away from soccer and back to computer games if I may. Homeworld is on the short list of PC games I'm mildly ashamed never to have tried, along with X-com and Master of Orion. Is it too late to start?

Weirdo · « **Reply #271 on:** 12 March 2014, 21:04:28 »

Homeworld might be difficult, I'm not sure if it'll run on modern operating systems. I've been playing Homeworld 2 on my current comp just fine though, and you don't really need the first one for much in the way of backstory or anything, as they take place over a century apart.

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #272 on:** 12 March 2014, 22:48:46 »

I would say that you should play Homeworld 1 before 2. The connections between both games gave me just enough of a push to keep playing 2 to the end. To me, Homeworld 1 had a lot more emotion and a better storyline than 2 but that's just me. And as already pointed out...playing 1 might not be an option until the new version comes out.

Rorke · « **Reply #273 on:** 13 March 2014, 17:21:13 »

Quote from: Weirdo on 12 March 2014, 21:04:28

Homeworld might be difficult, I'm not sure if it'll run on modern operating systems. I've been playing Homeworld 2 on my current comp just fine though, and you don't really need the first one for much in the way of backstory or anything, as they take place over a century apart.

You really should play the first before the second. To some degree because it adds a touch of emotional resonance with who
you play. Secondly because technically it's a similar, but quite different game.

I learnt this lesson to some degree by buying and completing Fallout 2, before getting around to playing the original. Of course
that was an indecently long time ago.

Oh and despite what some might say about it, Homeworld Cataclysm was an outstanding part of the whole universe. I miss my old
copy, I should like very much to play it again. MMMM Multibeam Frigates, the evil I could work with a team of those shepherding my
larger vessels...Ahhh sorry nostalgia overload.

Lord Harlock · « **Reply #274 on:** 13 March 2014, 21:10:17 »

Quote from: Neko_Bijin on 12 March 2014, 18:57:28

I'd like to steer the conversation away from soccer and back to computer games if I may. Homeworld is on the short list of PC games I'm mildly ashamed never to have tried, along with X-com and Master of Orion. Is it too late to start?

Personally on the subject of Master of Orion, you can get the only one worth playing (Master of Orion II) for a quite reasonable price plus the first one on GOG. The third one is overly complicated, and it kind of ruined the formula. Just pass on that one. The first one could easily become a insanely one sided with fleets in the thousands stacked on top of each other blasting each other pointlessly.

Though if you are looking for something similar in that vein with a bit more modern polish, the Galactic Civilization series is basically in the spirit of Master of Orion.

glitterboy2098 · « **Reply #275 on:** 13 March 2014, 21:39:31 »

Quote from: Weirdo on 12 March 2014, 21:04:28

Homeworld might be difficult, I'm not sure if it'll run on modern operating systems.

actually, i just installed a copy of homeworld 1 onto my windows 8 system, works perfectly with no problems so far..

Weirdo · « **Reply #276 on:** 13 March 2014, 21:41:54 »

Sweet...this means I need to dig up my old copy. Time for a parents' attic run! >:D

glitterboy2098 · « **Reply #277 on:** 14 March 2014, 12:13:16 »

looking forward to replaying it myself.. i sucked at it last time, but maybe i'll do better now. :)
my problem is that in RTS games, i tend to be a very Defensive minded player.. i prefer to build my bases into fortresses with walls/turrets and such so i can focus more on building up a offensive force to steamroll my enemy.. sadly this does not work well in HW1 where there aren't purely defensive systems or terrain to channel ones enemies into choke points..

and i probably didn't use the salvage ship ability to capture enemy units often enough. :-[

Weirdo · « **Reply #278 on:** 14 March 2014, 12:18:13 »

Yeah, next time I play through that, I'm going to try and salvage EVERY Turanic frigate I run into. Those Ion Array buggers were truly things of beauty. [drool]

At least Salvage Corvettes tended to be hard to hit, or at least small enough to escape notice. Every time I try to use Marine Frigates in HW2, they just get blowed up. I probably haven't gotten the hang of them yet, but I'm definitely not going to be building any more in the near future unless the mission requires them.

Neko_Bijin · « **Reply #279 on:** 14 March 2014, 21:35:19 »

Speaking of raiding the homestead, my last visit delivered one box of BT 3rd ed., one box Aerotech, and several books and maps, including my still-intact HKSB. All of these were presumed destroyed in a flood years ago. It was the most excited I've been about BattleTech in quite some time. :)

ShadowRaven · « **Reply #280 on:** 14 March 2014, 21:54:20 »

nice to know they made it, and are back where they belong

Rorke · « **Reply #281 on:** 17 March 2014, 17:42:30 »

Quote from: Neko_Bijin on 14 March 2014, 21:35:19

Speaking of raiding the homestead, my last visit delivered one box of BT 3rd ed., one box Aerotech, and several books and maps, including my still-intact HKSB. All of these were presumed destroyed in a flood years ago. It was the most excited I've been about BattleTech in quite some time. :)

Sometimes luck is with us.

glitterboy2098 · « **Reply #282 on:** 18 March 2014, 12:00:18 »

Quote from: Weirdo on 14 March 2014, 12:18:13

Yeah, next time I play through that, I'm going to try and salvage EVERY Turanic frigate I run into. Those Ion Array buggers were truly things of beauty. [drool]

At least Salvage Corvettes tended to be hard to hit, or at least small enough to escape notice. Every time I try to use Marine Frigates in HW2, they just get blowed up. I probably haven't gotten the hang of them yet, but I'm definitely not going to be building any more in the near future unless the mission requires them.

i've found myself playing through each mission twice.. once to find out what the mission is, the 2nd time to get it right. :)
thanks to that, i now have 5 Tauranic ion frigates and 2 Taiidan attack frigates going into mission 5, along with 17 or so scouts, and half a dozen corvettes. plus 4 salvage corvettes and 2 repair corvettes... i had a lot more salvage corvettes (had 8 going into mission 4) but ion cannons can potshot salvagers way too easily, i wound up losing most of them and actually had to build more to get what i have. (i'm tempted to redo mission 4 again to try and get more of the ion frigates.. but i'm not sure its worth it)

sadly mission 5 continues to kick my rear end.. i avoid sending a probe out to check the enemy fleet (i know that'll bring the enemy immediately), but every time i start to harvest to build up my force.. my harvester and resource controller get pounded by waves of attack frigates and fighters... and my own forces can't take them out fast enough.

any tips?

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #283 on:** 19 March 2014, 22:45:02 »

Ok, a thought just came to me about not wanting to change anything in Homeworld 1 for the remake and I was wrong.

I think they need to put in a fast forward button like they did in Cataclysm. To gather all the resources in certain levels took forever, several times where I just got up and did something else while my harvesters did their thing. Cataclysm did it right imo.

Rorke · « **Reply #284 on:** 21 March 2014, 06:31:51 »

I remember being thrilled by Homeworld 2, for not needing to refuel my fighters constantly.

Now I wonder if that's not an extra layer of nuance best retained, meh ambivalence in
nostalgia.

So now back I go to Titanfall, which I'm enjoying immensely right now. Probably best
described as Cod with Mechs, but I've missed online shooters with this degree of
pace.

Weirdo · « **Reply #285 on:** 21 March 2014, 07:01:32 »

The need to refuel fighters was annoying, but at the same time gave you a reason to build carriers and other support ships. I haven't used my Carrier much at all in HW2 except when I need to build a lot of units fast, so I split the production between it and my banana. I'd use it as a rapid repair base for when my combat fleet has to move out, except the thing is so slow it makes Earth Alliance ships look zippy. It also serves as a good fire magnet, since if things slip past my combat ships and start attacking my support fleet, they tend to focus on it first, and it has HP to spare while my combat ships return. For the same reason, I like to actually put my Mothership in harm's way from time to time as it can absorb an obscene amount of hurt, and thus take pressure off my frigates.

Not looking forward to my next mission, as I've gotten to the part with the Progenitor Keeper. I have a feeling this will hurt a LOT, and don't want to lose too much of my fleet. I worked hard to get up to the population caps!

Rorke · « **Reply #286 on:** 21 March 2014, 18:45:03 »

Quote from: Weirdo on 21 March 2014, 07:01:32

The need to refuel fighters was annoying, but at the same time gave you a reason to build carriers and other support ships. I haven't used my Carrier much at all in HW2 except when I need to build a lot of units fast, so I split the production between it and my banana. I'd use it as a rapid repair base for when my combat fleet has to move out, except the thing is so slow it makes Earth Alliance ships look zippy. It also serves as a good fire magnet, since if things slip past my combat ships and start attacking my support fleet, they tend to focus on it first, and it has HP to spare while my combat ships return. For the same reason, I like to actually put my Mothership in harm's way from time to time as it can absorb an obscene amount of hurt, and thus take pressure off my frigates.

Not looking forward to my next mission, as I've gotten to the part with the Progenitor Keeper. I have a feeling this will hurt a LOT, and don't want to lose too much of my fleet. I worked hard to get up to the population caps!

Oh I recall that mission all too well, but last time I did it I came off quite well. Possibly down to the clouds of corvettes I'd prepared, at least I
think it was that.

Frigates though, sheesh those things just don't last anytime with me. Even snuggling up to Battlecruisers and Destroyers, they just seem to be
fire magnets.

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #287 on:** 21 March 2014, 23:12:04 »

Hmmm, one of my Youtube game commentators is really getting into Titanfall, I might actually get into it myself though I am wary of the multiplayer twitch based combat aspect. Haven't played online multiplayer FPS since one of the Halo titles years ago and I know I will just be bait for so many players with faster reflexes in the beginning. It's a steep and bullet ridden hill to climb but the game does seem fun if a bit light on content. As you can see, I am torn but I do want a new game to enjoy besides some of my old staples.

Rorke · « **Reply #288 on:** 22 March 2014, 18:50:02 »

Well it scratches a few itches for me right now, so that's good.

I do think though, that it's one of those games you can dip into. Say you've a spare half hour
and fancy something action packed. It's very much been described as a moments game, those
times when you pull off some chain of unusual or skill full actions....really make it.

But I have missed a fast paced online fps lately, and this is certainly not slow.

nerd · « **Reply #289 on:** 23 March 2014, 21:11:11 »

Ugh. I just finished a reserve weekend. At least we're inching to having a formal organization plan. We often lack one due to people constantly moving around (my unit is the holding pen/has people who are formally assigned to unit outside of the center).

Arkansas Warrior · « **Reply #290 on:** 25 March 2014, 12:22:13 »

I'm hearing that there may be a new attempt at an FGC over on Intelser, film at 11. PM me if you're interested.

Rorke · « **Reply #291 on:** 26 March 2014, 09:28:33 »

Talking of games, I've spent a lot of time this last few weeks playing Day Z.

Now that is one seriously odd game, unforgiving seems an almost charitable description. But
as is often the case, it is rewarding in equal measure. Hitting up a small military area and coming
away with an item or two for example. Or managing to take fire on the way out, and avoid getting
shot as we ran. Or thinking that you're screwed when you meet a guy with his gun out, only for him
to be friendly and willing to trade.

Also most amusing when people fall afoul of bugs. Like a time when we found a well pillaged barracks, then
heard two shots. So we ran being the cautious sneaky types, only for me to notice a body near the gate. It
seemed the guy who'd shot at us, had done so from a watch tower. Now these regrettably for him, have a bug
that forces anyone shooting from them....out. So he shot, and then fell to his doom. An 8 foot drop, but it killed him.
We're still laughing about that now, anytime we go near that spot.

It'll be interesting to see how the game evolves, and it's players along with it.

FedSunsBorn · « **Reply #292 on:** 26 March 2014, 22:04:16 »

Played the modded version awhile back with a buddy and man, that was one creepy game. So...empty but I felt like that only added to the coolness factor. Not usually my cup of tea so I haven't played since but for those who love the survival genre I thought it had real potential. Isn't there a fully supported version of DayZ now?

Rorke · « **Reply #293 on:** 27 March 2014, 07:57:13 »

Yeah the Standalone is in early access on Steam.

It's got a much improved loot system, in terms of inventory management and so forth. It's still just
as unforgiving, and nothing gives pause as much as seeing another player.

I mean right now, I'm running with a friend. We're pretty well equipped, full camo clothing and a
scoped Moisin each. Decent secondary weapons and melee, plenty of liquids and lots of useful
food and meds. But still we're making our business that of not being seen by others, and if someone
looks vaguely to be a threat we're taking them out.

They've done something to the Zombies lately though, they're bloody quick at the moment. Shooting at
them carries immense risks. Mainly because more will spawn, and you've just alerted any players near that
you're in the vicinity.

We logged out in a daft place recently, when we logged in we were set upon by about 20 plus zacks in
waves. We made the error of shooting, but we had little choice with so many so close. Of course the more
we shot, the more spawned near. I went through about four mags for my 45, and still we had to run. In my
case running whilst bleeding. Thrilling stuff.

If you try the standalone, don't go alone. It's way more fun with a friend on comms with you, of course getting
to meet up can be fraught hehe.

Acolyte · « **Reply #294 on:** 28 March 2014, 19:37:35 »

Does this game perhaps have a single player version?

- Shane

Rorke · « **Reply #295 on:** 29 March 2014, 04:51:30 »

Nope, unless you find an empty server perhaps :D

Charlie 6 · « **Reply #296 on:** 02 April 2014, 19:28:28 »

So how was everyone's April Fools, if you get into that sort of thing? My happened a day late when I drove to the Pentagon this morning (30 miles one way) to find out via a variety of e-mails and missed phone calls that the meeting was cancelled. No one said it...but it certainly felt as if I was tricked by the Joint Staff. Awesome-sauce.

Also, I had to scroll to find the thread and that's not right.

Neko_Bijin · « **Reply #297 on:** 02 April 2014, 23:08:04 »

No fake news stories in my browser. Kinda bummed.

DoctorMonkey · « **Reply #298 on:** 03 April 2014, 00:59:55 »

No April Fools on me but one of the guys at work got a call and text from his girlfriend saying she was "late" followed up by a photo off the internet of a positive pregnancy test...

Arkansas Warrior · « **Reply #299 on:** 03 April 2014, 01:17:45 »

No news but good news here: I spent Monday and Tuesday putting in job applications at local school districts, and not ten minutes after I'd dropped off the last one Tuesday I got a call from the first place I'd visited Monday. I interview next Monday.