Empire Deluxe

The Good
The attention to the original game for DOS (1987) was astute and fully realized. This was exactly the same game, except, I believe, planes could fly over ships.

By 1993, the most impressive thing about Empire was that it worked well in Windows 3.1, unlike most other programs written for that 16-bit beast of a partial OS. Aside from Compuserve, it was the only reason I opened Windows, and unlike Compuserve, it didn't crash.

The following was also true of version I:

Empire had a very useful group of commands which could automate a unit--or a group of units' movement. These included Escorts, Patrols, and Long Range movements, all of which could speed up your movement turn, and few of which have been used to speed up the turns of later, allegedly more advanced games by richer, allegedly more able companies.

The Bad
Just once in the 1990 period I saw a version of Empire being played on an Apple. It had space satellites and nuclear weapons. I've not seen it again but it led to some high expectations that were not realized on the PC/Windows version. This release was much about getting the game into a different OS than about changing the game.

The Bottom Line
It's Empire...except in Windows. (Like Solitaire...its in Windows too).

The Good
There are so many good things about Empire Deluxe, it's hard to remember them all. First, you can pick from the three different game types (basic, standard, advanced) to play as complicated or as simple a game as you want. The computer AI is very good (sometimes a little too good) and definitely provides a challenge. The graphics are colorful and easy to make out. And there are so many options for ways to play against others (modem, e-mail, etc.)!

Perhaps the best features are the game editor and map options. You can create your own maps and scenarios. Or, if you don't want to design a map you can have the computer randomly create one for each game. For the games above basic, you can even set the dimensions of the map and whether it wraps east to west, creating an entire planet to conquer.

The Bad
Okay, there are some downsides. Each type of unit has it's own little musical tune. The problem is they're very short and repetitive, so you'll probably end up turning off the music.

This game was made when companies considered copy protection of some sort a must. However, they reached a nice compromise with this game in that you don't have to go to the manual each time you play, just each time you change the options (screen resolution, sound, etc.). So even this minus is a plus for the time it was written.

There is one real problem with the game, however. You can easily cheat during play by (e-)mail games by replaying your turn over and over until you get the results you want and then sending it to your opponent. Keep this in mind if you play such a game and your opponent(s) seem unusually lucky at winning battles.

The Bottom Line
This is perhaps the best version of this classic computer strategy game ever written. You're doing yourself a great disservice and missing out on a lot of fun if you've never played it.

The Good
Empire Deluxe (ED) is a fantastic wargame that I remember playing on the Atari ST. My best friend kicking my ass as I frantically tried to understand tactics and flanks.

ED is a turn-based strategy game that holds it's own against today onslaught of RTS games.

There is no backstory to drive the game. It doesn't need it. You start with either a random world or scenario, or a pre-designed world/scenario. You start up and then start building up your armies.

Basically, then the game begins. Build Fighters, Bombers, Carriers, Transports, etc. ands unleash them aganst your opponent(s).

A few features make this stand out from other TBS games I've played.

1 - When ever you build a new carrier, battleship, submarine, etc. the program picks a random name from a list. A simple way to make it more personable.

2 - You can customize the advangates/disadvantages for each player. Lets say that you're a master wargamer, and you are playing 2 novices. You can easily set the game up to give the novices a production and Combat advantage to give them a fighting chance against a seasoned veteran.

3 - Custom Map Making/Scenario making is a great tool for those who like to make maps. With a little finesse you can re-create almost any battle from the modern era.

The Bad
The game's control aspect is a bit tricky. The right mouse button alternates from the "Orders" to the "Survey" map, and If you don't pay attention to the top right corner button (it shows which map you are looking at, i.e. Production, Survey, etc.) you can get confused very easily.

Another thing that should have been included is an actual progressive campaign. In this day and age of RTS campaigns, this game sorely needs one. Although I believe that if someone takes the time, you can create a fantastic campaign for this game.

The Bottom Line
This is a fantastic Turn-based strategy wargame. It's a no-frills game, with a no-holds-barred attitude. It a pure wargame. Side A vs. Side B and let the best wargamer win. Or at least the one with the bigger advantage :)