Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars

Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars (also called simply Master of Orion) is a science fiction turn-based strategy 4X game. It is the fourth game in the Master of Orion series and a reboot of the series, developed by Argentina-based NGD Studios and published by Wargaming.[1] The game was released on Steam Early Access on February 26, 2016, with a full release planned on Microsoft Windows, OS X and Linux later in 2016.[2][3][4][5]

Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars
Developer(s)NGD Studios
Publisher(s)Wargaming
Composer(s)David Govett
Dan Schiopucie
SeriesMaster of Orion 
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux
Release
  • WW: August 25, 2016
Genre(s)4X, turn-based strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

In Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars, the player leads one of 10 playable races to galactic supremacy through the exploration and colonization of star systems while utilizing diplomacy, conquest and technological developments.[6]

Gameplay

Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars is a turn-based strategy game that lets players take control of one of 10 playable races who can compete or coexist with other AI controlled opponents across vast galaxies.[7] Players can also design a custom race.[8]:17

In the game, players manage their empire, colonies, technological developments, ship design, inter-species diplomacy, and combat.[9] In Master of Orion, players begin the game with a colonized home world in their solar system. Utilizing colony resources such as Credit Income, Research, Food, and Production, the player can grow their empire, expand their fleet, explore new worlds, increase their resources and trade, and combat other races.[10] Victory is achieved by eliminating all other opponents, winning a vote for peaceful unification, controlling the galactic economy, researching and building three scientific victory structures, defeating the Antaran race, or having the highest score at the end of the last turn.[8]:127

Development

On August 2, 2013, Wargaming announced that they had acquired the Master of Orion IP from Atari.[11] The game was officially announced on June 9, 2015.[12] A Collector's Edition, which includes all its predecessors (Master of Orion, Master of Orion II: Battle at Antares and Master of Orion III), a new race, an artbook, and an orchestral Soundtrack, was announced. In addition, only players who purchased the Collector's Edition were able to play during the early access period.[13]

On February 18, 2016, Wargaming revealed voice actors for the reboot, such as Mark Hamill, Michael Dorn, Dwight Schultz, John de Lancie, Alan Tudyk, Kat Cressida, John Kassir, Robert Englund, Troy Baker, Nolan North, JB Blanc, Sara Cravens, Nika Futterman, Jean Gilpin, Misty Lee, Sumalee Montano, Roger Craig Smith, Fred Tatasciore, and Kari Wahlgren.[14][15] Wargaming also announced that the game would be released on February 26, 2016 for Steam's early access programme.[2]

On August 11, 2016, Wargaming announced that the game would be released on August 25, 2016.[16]

Reception

Master of Orion received generally favourable reviews. Danial Tack from Game Informer gave a generally positive review praising the game's accessibility to newcomers to the 4X genre and called the game "one of the best entry-level 4X games out there." He also remarked that the game's graphics "may be the visual high point for 4X space titles."[18] The game was also praised for its all-star voice acting cast with Mike Mahardy from GameSpot remarking that "The voice acting grounds the alien leaders and makes them feel like real characters."[19]

TJ Hafer of IGN was more critical, calling the game "An unimaginative remake of the 4X classic." He concludes in his review that "There’s not much that’s outright wrong with Master of Orion, but there’s not much memorable or endearing about it either. It’s built on a moderately successful but bland execution of the inside-the-box space 4X formula."[20] Leif Johnson of PC Gamer agreed, saying the game "brings little memorable to the genre aside from its personality."[21]

References
  1. Master of Orion – Wargaming revives classic space strategy game. Mmoculture.com. Retrieved 2015.06.09.
  2. Makuch, Eddie (February 19, 2016). "Mark Hamill and Many Other Stars Voicing Master of Orion Reboot". GameSpot. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  3. Hannley, Steve (February 22, 2016). "Master of Orion Early Access Features Revealed". HardcoreGamer. Retrieved February 22, 2016.
  4. "Master of Orion".
  5. "Early Access Trailer and Feature Details".
  6. Master of Orion 4X strategy series returns under Wargaming’s banner. Venturebeat.com. Retrieved 2015.06.09.
  7. World Of Tanks Publisher Working On Master Of Orion. Rockpapershotgun.com. Retrieved 2015.06.06.
  8. Master of Orion Game Manual (PDF). December 29, 2016. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  9. "Master of Orion Early Access". Very Biased Reviews. February 29, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  10. Master of Orion reboot coming from the team behind World of Tanks. Polygon Retrieved 2015.06.09.
  11. Makuch, Eddie (August 2, 2013). "World of Tanks dev acquires Total Annihilation, Master of Orion franchises". GameSpot. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  12. Wargaming announces Master of Orion reboot. Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2015.06.06.
  13. Nunneley, Stephany (August 29, 2015). "Master of Orion Collector's Edition contains original games, new race, early access to reboot". VG247. Retrieved August 30, 2015.
  14. Forté, Malik (February 18, 2016). "Master of Orion Voice Cast Includes Mark Hamill, Michael Dorn, and More". Nerdist. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  15. Chalk, Andy (February 17, 2016). "Master of Orion trailer reveals a cast of sci-fi stars". PC Gamer. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
  16. "Release Date Announced!". Master of Orion. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
  17. "Master of Orion: Conquer the Stars". Metacritic. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  18. Danial Tack (25 August 2016). "Master of Orion: Streamlining The Stars". Game Informer. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  19. Mike Mahardy (27 August 2016). "Master of Orion Review". Gamespot. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  20. TJ Hafer (26 August 2016). "Master of Orion Review". IGN. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  21. Leif Johnson (26 August 2016). "Master of Orion Review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
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