Star Wars - Empire At War

Star Wars Empire at War is an RTS (Real-Time Strategy) game that is for PC, and allows fans to control iconic Star Wars forces. The point of RTS games is to manage an army with units that have different functions, advantages, and disadvantages against an opponent. One must build their army, counter-attack, hold key points on the map, and out-smart and out-gun their enemy. In Empire at war there are two factions to play as, Empire or Rebellion, and each side has their own campaign. There are over 40 planets to conquer, and each planet has two maps: space and land.

To conquer a planet, the space battle must be won first. In all battles, the variety of your units are key, as each unit has stats to what it is good against, and what it is weak against. In space, fighters are the most common and good against other fighters, but are weak against Corvette Cruisers (which are anti-air). Corvette Cruisers are weak against Frigates, and the ships go up larger and larger, ending with Imperial Star Destroyers for the Empire, and Mon-Calamari Cruisers for the Rebellion. But, it is not all about having the biggest ship, for the large ships are all susceptible to bombers, who can target hard-points on the cruisers and destroy them one by one. For example, a Star Destroyer can spawn 10 TIE fighter squadrons and 5 TIE bomber squadrons. But if the bombers target a hard-point on the ship, like the hanger, and destroy it, then that ship cannot spawn any more fighters. Other hard-points include turbo-laser cannons, missile launchers, shield generators, and engines. So it you have a fleet of star destroyers, and the enemy deploys several squadrons of Y-Wings (rebel bombers) to cripple your forces, a counter attack would be to bring in several Correllian Corvettes and activate their special ability of “Increased Firepower” and spray out a blast of anti-air to destroy the incoming bombers. Then it would be smart to have these corvettes star with the larger ships to protect them. Each unit has a special ability that can be harnessed to either boost your units or impair the enemy. Also, the types of units you built are related to your Tech Level, which in space is based off of your space station level, which ranges from 1-5. Space battles are won by either destroying the enemy space station or destroying all enemy units. Once the skies are clear, a land battle can begin.

Land battles rely on drop zones that need to be captured to deploy your units and have a variety of planet/map attributes that affect battle, such as weather conditions that can slow infantry or vehicles, or limit sight. Land units also have special abilities and advantages/disadvantages. Infantry are used against other infantry primarily, and can be equipped with rocket launchers to do extra damage to enemy vehicles. Vehicles are the following tiers above infantry, ranging from the basic AT-ST (all-terrain-scout-transport), to the massive AT-AT (all-terrain-assault-vehicle) walker. Navigating the unique maps and environmental hazards, while dealing with local fauna and inhabitants can be quite challenging, with the ultimate goal of destroying the enemy base, which is usually protected by a shield array that prevents any sort of air-strike. In a basic scenario, a strike force will be sent in consisting of units that can punch hard and destroy structures fast. A mobilization of 2-M Repulsor Tanks will do because of their shielding, mobility, and expendability for speeding through the base to strike at the shield array. Once destroyed, an orbital strike or bombing run can be used to cripple their base as your main forces are deployed at a captured landing zone and move in to strike. 

Once planets are captured, each has several building slots which can be filled by building vehicle depots, research facilities, supply depots, and more. What you build on these planets determine what resources and facilities you have for defense when attacked, along with the units you have stationed there. Each planet also produces a certain amount of Credits (money) and a possible bonus to production. Your income from the Galactic Economy is important for funding projects and continuing to improve defenses.

TOTAL WAR, the best strategy game ever!

Without a doubt, the best game that both is a lot of fun and that prepares you for a lot of history is the Total War series. Designed for the PC system, Total War was launched over a decade ago. Thie series includes a variety of grand strategies that build empires, fights wars, run economics, and implement diplomacy. For any lover of strategy, Total War delivers every time!

2000- Shogun TW

2002 - Medieval TW

2004- Rome TW*

2006- Medieval 2 TW

2009- Empire TW

2010- Napoleon TW

2011- Shogun 2 TW

Rome Total War, launched in 2004, is the number one game on Roman history. From 270 BC to 14 AD, it covers the history of Rome from the Punic Wars with Carthage to the death of Augustan Caesar. Rather than focus on the battles, the game offers a complete detailed control of the empire. The ability to trade, make alliances, build monuments, establish the ancient legions. The goal is to bring Roman civilization to the world, and beyond the borders of Italy lie barbarians, rivals, and dangers.

A turn based strategy game, the graphics involve 3D cities, figures, and landmarks. When two armies clash, the map changes from a turn base style to a real-time battle. Cohorts of legionairres against thousands of Gauls. Need I describe more?

Besides the fun, it is very possible to learn Latin, learn locations, learn years, and evne learn people. Myself, I learned a lot of Latin that detail the Roman government.

Imperator- emperor
Princeps Senatus- Lead Senator
Senatus Popularesque Romanus- the Senate and People of Rome
Names of provinces - Italia, Illyrium, Africa, Libya, Britannia
Names of Places- Nova Carthago, Alesia, Alexandria
Buildings - Forum, Collesium
Peoples - hastati, Triarii, gladus

Such learning can reinforce historical education. In my case, when studying for the Roman Republic in class, I was able to refer to such peoples, places and titles with accuracy. Not only was my teacher impressed, but I took my learning to a whole new level.

Check out the TOTAL WAR website for the latest news, forums, games, and prices!

http://www.totalwar.com/

What to Do on a Rainy Day?

The question has hit all young kids of both out parents and our generation. What to do on a rainy day. Being bored is an option, but no doubt a suffering one. Besides the need for productivity, every kid has to be doing something fun. This goes also for teenagers and adults?

Now, in our parents generation, they played boardgames.

In our generation, we play videogames.

But why not have a mixture of both? Boardgames are a great alternative when there are friends over, but videogames are a lot of fun on their own.

Settlers of Catan

One of the most famous boardgames has been "Settlers of Catan". This game was designed in 1995, and thus is fairly a recent one.

Anyone who plays this can play with one thing in mind: no one can be conquered or eliminated. Each player is a Settler in the fictional island of Catan. Each players has to build cities, roads, and towns across a large game map of Catan. The goal to win is to earn 10 victory points. From this aspect, the game appears simple, but actually it is an intense strategic game.

The game map is made of nearly a dozen hexagon tiles, each with a different region type (desert, forest, mountains, fields, mud, and pastures). Surronding the island is ocean, with certain ports on certain corners of the island. These regions are placed in a circular pattern in a random fashion. Each game is played with a different combination (so no two games are the same!).

A total of 5 players place towns on the corners of these hexagons. Each region has a number tile placed on it, ranging from 2 to 12. Two dice are rolled, and whatever number is rolled, resources from the respective regions are earned. Based on chance, resources are gathered and either saved or used to build and develop settlements.

For example, if player 2 rolls a total of 6 (3 and 3), then that player can collect resources of wheat and wool. But player 4 has no settlements adjacent to "6" hexagons. Thus Player 4 recieves no resources for the turn.

Turns consist of a certain number of stages: 1) dice roll 2) collect resources 3) trade 4) build or develop and 5) turn to next player.

1) DICE ROLL: Each player at the start of their turn rolls the two dice. See above for rules.

2) COLLECT RESOURCES: Every player collect resources based on settlment position. If player 3 rolls, all players collect (if eligable).

3) TRADE: Only the player who rolled the dice is allowed to begin trading. Trading consists of swapping resources. No limits are on trading (3 wood can be given for 1 wheat, or 5 brick for 5 ore).

4) BUILD or DEVELOP: Resources are used to buy settlements or roads. Development cards can be purschased for a certain combination of resources.

5) END TURN: the next player rolls the dice and the process begins again.

The final goal of the game is to win 10 VICTORY POINTS. Points are earned through building and development. One town equals one point. The upgrade of a town, a city, is worth two points. Special trophies, such as longest road, earn two points. Development cards may contain special buildings for a civilization, such as a library, which is worth one point. The first to reach 10 at any point in the game wins.

Each player begins with two settlements (so everyone starts with 2 victory points!). Each player rolls the dice and the highest number rolled places a settlement and road on the board. Then the next highest player places their settlement on the map. Settlements must be built within two spaces from each other on the hexagon points.

Roads can be built anywhere, but must be adjacent to one of your roads already. This is where strategy comes in, because resource numbers (such as 2 or 12) are rarely rolled compared to common numbers (6 or 8). Experienced players will think far ahead and place their towns on strategic inlets.

This game lasts approxmately two hours, but it will surely be two hours of amazing fun. This game is complex, but is a joy to any one who plays. Personally, my close friends and I always play this game and have always thought it is a great way for clean fun and special memories.