I found an addictive little shareware turn based strategy game.

from Stardock Forums

Check it outsometime called Astral Tournament.. I like tbs games but this one is just really cool to me.. the graphics are like all hand drawn, overall the game was relatively simple to learn yet pretty deep.. the instructions for it can be done in simply one page yet the gameplay is fun and has allot of replay values.. average game goes pretty quick too.

http://www.astraltournament.com/

Check it out.. I played with it for one night and realized I had played close to 30 games of it.. Decided it was worth the 15 dollars to register and.. it was! i'm in the advanced mage group now which gives me some extra cool powers than what the starter tournament leaque has. and all the other wizards get stuff too.
1,067 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
I, too, found a 4x-type space game. It's a little simpler to play (motto: Explore the galaxy...in 20 minutes or less!), but kinda fun. There's a demo at http://www.digital-eel.com/sais/ .

It's called Strange Adventures in Infinite Space. It's from Cheapass Games, so ya know it's gotta be good.
LOL
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Looks like Magic the Gathering, does it play the same?
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
"Strange Adventures" was entertaining, but the demo got stale pretty quickly for me. There was not enough different in each new game, so it felt like you were doing the exact same things over and over. It is quite possible the FULL version would stay interesting much longer.

You also need the ability to determine which weapons, etc. are better->best to make more intelligent decisions, but presumably that would also be documented in the full version of the game?

If anybody has the full version, I'd love to hear what you think of it particularly in response to my comments above. I'd probably buy it if I was confident that my above concerns were addressed in the full version.

--Soulfire
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
It is well laid out. Nice art work. But not being a D&D head or Magic or any other kind of role player I found my 1st encounter kind of difficult. Maybe its just my meds. Anyhow I plan on taking another stab at before I deside.

~SDC~
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Allot of people on the Astral tournament folders said it was inspired by magic the gathering. While I never played MTG much I like the way AT has a unit to unit engagement instead of simply attacking the enemy wizard. For new players of that game try clicking on all the buttons around.. when a game starts. its amazing all the details you pick up.

Also if you continue to win tournaments you unlock extra powers.. My necronancer entered the advanced leaque and now he gets soul drain... 2 hp whenever a unit, friend or foe dies. While a druid (nature lover) gains 2 hp a turn.. battlemage gets a fire aura which deals 2 hp of damage to every critter that successfully attacks em... its kinda cool and so far has been pretty well balanced. I just got done playing 16 more games tonight lol. Maybe i'm obsessed ;)
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Another nice little Strat game is the Samurai game from W.Knizia, the one Brad talked of in the news last week.
It's a port of the classic game, very cool and well done. "Demo" is free with limited duration and play options but enjoyable.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Could you please give a link to this Samurai game..

Thanks!
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
I think this is the one, don't know anything about it myself though.

http://www.klear.com/samurai/index.php


~SDC~
Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top
Thats it!!!

Thanks!