world builder

This game, and the first, are just simply the best turn based space based strategy games ever! By today's standards, the graffics are dated, but this game was never about pretty screen shots, it is about solid strategy and resource management.

What is the greatest feature of this game is re-playability and customization. You have (if I recall) ten races to begin with, all with different inate abilities, e.g. research, ship combat, ground combat, omniscience, trade, diplomacy, etc., and if that is not enough, you can make a custom race.

Besides the different races' abilities, there is the aspect of ship design, perhaps my favorite. You can come with an infinite number of ship design combinations, anything from size, shape, the number and types of weapons, direction of fire, sheilding, armor, tractor beams, and so on. I also love that as your technology increases you can make modifications to your existing weapons, e.g. shield or armor piercing, auto fire, continuous.

Finally there is the aspect of randomization. Every new game starts with a new map of the galaxy, making the strategic considerations different every time. There are also random events, good and bad, like earthquakes, space monsters, space pirates, plagues, shifts in orbit, industrial accidents, super novas, attempted assinations, weddings, and the list goes on and on. Also, in Moo2, the Antarans attack you randomly, and there is a final show down with them on their home turf (alternate dimension) as an alternate game end to conquering everyone or being elected to "master of the galaxy."

I am leaving some things out, but trust me on this one, even though this is an old game, if you do not own it, buy it. My only question is WHERE IS THE SEQUEL?!

I think the fact that I still play this game 10 years later says it all. Master of Orion II (MOO2) may be the best 4-X (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate) game I've ever played -- and that includes the other heavy hitter in this category, Civilization.

MOO2 is endlessly replayable. In addition to the numerous standard alien races (all of which you can play), there are nearly limitless combinations of custom races you can make. This alone allows you to challenge yourself over and over. Try a crippled race with multiple penalties and no bonuses. Or try taking bonuses you don't usually like.

And the ship-building! This could be a game in an of itself. Everything is customizable, from the size of ship, to its armament, even down to its name. You can concentrate on massive, Death Star-like constructs, or field a fleet of easily replaceable "missile boats". Or perhaps you prefer Wing Commander-style carrier-based combat? MOO2 can handle that as well (although you don't get to control the individual fighters, just the capital ships).

Add in the random events, various galaxy sizes, and Antaran attacks, and you have a game that never fails to entertain. MOO2 will still be on my hard drive 10 years from now.

This game is great! My boyfriend turned me onto it, and I LOVE IT! It has provided me with hours of enjoyment, trying out different races and different statistics. Very cool options to build ships, research facilities, industry facilities, and farming facilities. I also enjoy the different ways to win the game--beating the Antarans or conquering all the other races. The hot seat function is great as well, because you can play with friends. Definitely a game worth playing for anyone out there that likes Sci Fi.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, and still am!