After reading a very interesting article here, I decided to give this game a try again. Basically, it’s Civilization in space. I played two games and finished both with an influence victory. This is not really a game that you complete (although it has a campaign), so it will probably stay on my “Currently Playing” list for a long time.
Category: Strategy
Advance Wars – Dual Strike (DS), Part 1
Since this game got good reviews, I decided to try it out. It’s a nice game. When it comes to turn based strategy games, I usually prefer 4x or RPG elements. This one is more of a Panzer General type game. There are some RPG elements, so I like it because of that.
I’ve completed the first eleven campaign missions. I unlocked a total of five CO’s (commanding officers) and one of them even got his rank increased. Most of the missions where tutorials, so it wasn’t so hard. I don’t know how many missions there are, but I’m hoping it will get harder later on.
Tropico – Mucho Macho Edition (PC)
I realized I’ve never installed this even though I have it for ages. Basically it’s Tropico, Paradise Island and a few more scenarios. I went through the tutorial and I’ve finished the first mission of the original game. Then I tried the second one, but I lost. I’ll probably play this every now and then, but not exclusively
Stronghold (PC) (COMPLETED)
I’ve gotten through all of the military missions, and I’ve finished the economy campaign. The Pig and The Wolf are dead, so my father is avenged. It’s a really great game, although not your standard RTS (which is what I like about it).
The last mission wasn’t too hard. It was one of those where I’m the one attacking, but since I could build trebuchets and catapults, I could easily destroy most of the enemies’ fortifications before they could do any harm. Since I was aware of traps this time, I lost just a few of my guys while triggering them. My swordsmen and knights took care of the leftovers. I do have the crusader expansion, but I don’t think I will play it right away, since I have other games to finish.
Stronghold (PC), Part 3
The Rat and The Snake have been disposed of, so I’m currently fighting The Pig. I believe I’m on mission 13 of the military campaign and it seems I’m done with about half of the missions. I’ve also completed the first three missions of the economic campaign. The game is starting to get tough.
One of the economic missions really pissed me off. The mission is to produce 12 Bows and 8 Swords before the time runs out. I’m about to complete it (I even have some swords and bows in surplus), but then bandit macemen attack me and, since I only have archers, go directly to the armory and destroy it. Mission failed!
Stronghold (PC), Part 2
I’ve completed most of The Rat missions, with only one of his counties left. I’m really having fun with this game. I’ve never been very aggressive in strategy games, and this one fits my play style perfectly.
Stronghold (PC), Part 1
Since Samurai Warriors is taking a break, I installed this one to play for the next week. I’ve already completed the first for military campaign missions. It’s a really fun game, with nice 2D graphics and a pretty good sense of humor.
Supreme Commander (PC)
I tried to play this one today, but I really can’t bring myself to complete a mission. This game would be awesome in multiplayer, but in single player, it just isn’t doing it for me. This one is getting off my hard drive.
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Grimoire of the Rift (DS) (COMPLETED)
I’m 75 hours in to the game, and I’ve completed 210 quests. The story is almost complete, and as far as I know, I have one more quest until I finish it. Luso is level 58, and I have recruited Vaan and Penelo. Vann will be my new thief, as his skills are quite useful in that area. Adelle is level 32, and I have unlocked her special job – the Heritor. The job has some nice skills, but I’m keeping her as a Seer until she learns all of the level 2 Black Magick spells. Hurdy is level 46 and I’m training him as a thief to increase his speed. My Viera Red Mage/Summoner has learned double cast, and is now one of the most powerful characters I have. I’ll go play some more now.
EDIT: I’ve completed the main quest line, and with it, completed the game. The final quest consisted of three battles with a possibility to save between the first two. Luso ended up on level 59, with most of the characters (except for Adelle) closely behind. After the end credits stopped rolling, I was offered to save the game one more time. This gave me a “game completed” title on the save I chose. I’m guessing that completing the game unlocked some extra side quests. The final quest count was 211. I will off course continue to play the game and finish the rest of the side quests, but right now, I think I’ll start another game.
Final Fantasy Tactics A2 Grimoire of the Rift (DS), Part 16
199 quests are solved now. I have advanced the story further, and got Adelle back. I had to fight her and she was level 46, so I hoped she would stay that way, but no such luck. Luso is level 55 now, and I have played the game for 71 hours. I have unlocked the Geomancer and Lanista jobs. The next story quest will take me against Vaan and Penelo, so I’m hoping I will be able to recruit them. There seems to be a Sky Pirate job (based on the weapons I have acquired) and a Dancer job, so that’s probably them. Both pages of the book at the top screen are almost completely filled (there’s room for two more lines), so I’m guessing the main story is almost over to.