Objectivity

You should take that up with all the reviewers giving it Editor's Choice awards and such. They're obviously just stroking the developers ego and need to be taken to task right away, so get on that, would you?

I think its mainly a matter of taste.

I like that it plays like a slow Dawn of War.
I like the Space SF scenario.
I like the graphics which are beautiful and scalable(my machine is not bad, but not top notch ).
Many well done and unconventional feature also help to set it apart from normal RTS games.

They didnt completely succeed in eliminating the "battle micro" though.
Playing a few games (MP only) I'm also becoming bored by the first 10-15 minutes, which are not very entertaining.
I really dislike the implementation of multiple star systems and think games with them are horrible.
Culture is somewhat meh (it can be a deciding factor in battles, but generally is no primary focus).

Balancing needs work (which could be expected) especially the end game (game winner returning armada vs useless insurgency for example...).

/edit:
Reviews and awards are no indicator at all.
There are so many of them... if a game is not horrible per se a box can always be completely covered in such positive feedback.

Yes, because reviewers are totally objective and are never influenced by the marketing in their publications...

Right? Nothing about the Sins review in IGN indicates any level of "extraordinari-ness" that would rate an Editor's Choice style review.

Also, Brillig, thank you for shidding up the thread and ignoring the OP's request for objectivity with the first reply. I bought the game, which is as much support as anyone can give it, but responses like yours have me wondering exactly what other games all these fawning reviewers are playing.

Since when are peoples' opinions objective reality? They are obviously subjective. Some people may honestly feel that this is the best game they ever played. I personally reject your version of reality and substitute my own.

I personally find it a refreshing change of pace from the current crop of RTSs and 4X games.

Unless you've MPD, you *are* the OP.

So, why are you referring to yourself in the third person? Pretentiousness?

If a hundred people think the sky is blue and you maintain it's green, maybe you should check your own "objectivity."

Just because I really love this game, it doesn't mean you will or anyone else will.

Sure it's not a perfect game, then again what is? The fact is, I am still playing this and it was released more than a week ago To me that is a pretty big acomplishment considering how easily I get bored with games these days.

just so you're aware, I don't think any of reviews were swayed due to marketing. Sins marketing campaign is rather small.

Okay troll, just go to some other thread please. OP means "original post" in this particular instance.

You've added nothing by being a raving fanboi forum warrior. Kindly eff off.

Brillig, why are you trolling here?
If you dont like the thread, ignore it.

If you want to love Sins without exceptions nobody will stop you. Somewhere else.

We are actually playing a very similar game that has the same name but is in fact much much better.

No it's not the best game ever. Darklands is, and that's the objective truth. I'm sure that someday someone will come up with a mathematical formula that proves it.

As someone who doesn't usually enjoy the RTS genre, I'm actually really enjoying this game. I'm not sure "deep" is a word I would use to describe it, but "addictive" would sum it up for me. I only wish I had more time to play it.

I haven't delved so deeply into it that I can say with any surety what imbalances there are in the game (cuz it could just be me sucking), though I do know that Stardock provides fantastic support for games they produce, which makes it all the more appealing to me (galciv2 owner). I enjoy the game now and enjoy it's potential for expansion, whether it be official or mod induced.

Also, I find my opinion of it changing over time. I thought it was OK the day I bought it, and now I find I really like it. I find I keep wanting to try new strategies and tactics, and like that the game has some room to play with in that regard. Best game ever? No. It ain't like it's scored 100% in any of the reviews. But worthy of high praise? I think so.

Sins was the featured game with a 2-page spread in Games for Windows' advertising section, sharing the same space that games such as Bioshock have occupied. If you read IGN's review of Supreme Commander or the Wii WWE game, and have played those games, it should be pretty apparent that advertising can and does affect scores.

Marketing? Not too familiar with Stardock, are you. I've not seen ad one regarding this game. I'm sure they are out there, but definately not on the level of an EA game.


As to your assertion...

It's a good game. Why does it bother you that people like it? If people want to gush about it, why does that bother you? Do you believe they are lying? People expressing their opinion are allowed to gush.

Just as you are allowed to not gush.

And don't for a second delude yourself into believing that this forum is only full of people wanting to stroke Ironclad or Stardock's egos. Just look at all the threads expressing displeasure, disappointment, or even downright contempt.

Are there those that love the game? Yes. Are they vocal? Yes. Just as are some of those who are less than enamored with the game.

Why does it matter?

Like I said, I'm just curious, because I do not understand the absolute fawning praise, and there is still no one in this thread that has explained to me why Sins deserves it.

Yeah, Ironclad bought off all those reviewers, because indie devs have truckloads of cash to buy them off.

Because it's fun!!! That's why.

If you don't think so, then that's your truth. No one here can make you think it deserves the praise they give it.

I love snickers bars and I know people who don't. No amount of my telling them why they taste so damn good is going to sway their opinions/tastes.

Oh, the irony.

gb2 /v/, all of you.

You're free to criticize the game if you feel the need, but do it civilly and refrain from insulting other users.

Yes, the reviewers were intimidated by the awesome might of the Stardock marketing juggernaut.

Please.

Different people have different tastes. Sins of a Solar Empire is the best RTS I've ever played in my lifetime. But my reasons for liking it may be things you don't like.

I haven't criticized the game at all, except to say that it isn't the greatest game ever played (which I could say about any game, save 1), but hey those knee-jerk reactions sure do prove my point about the lack of objectivity here.

I find it very entertaining that a thread asking for a discussion of all sides of sins quickly derailed into a fanboi<->persons with common sense quarrel even causing a Mod to comment about insults.
Entertained... not surprised.

Well, when the second post in the thread is trolling, and its allowed (apparently encouraged) by mods, what else is there to expect?

Deserves it as opposed to what? What RTS do you think is better? Isn't the burden of proof on you since you are the one criticizing the game?

Explain how, for example, Supreme Commander is better or C&C 3. What RTS do you think is better?

I like Sins of a Solar Empire better because it has a decent single player game to it unlike Supreme Commander which outside the cheesy campaign is pointless. Its multiplayer is a lot more fun because there aren't frustrating little 5 minute tactics to ruin the game. The pacing of the game is really enjoyable and the battles blow away any other game I've ever seen in terms of awe inspiring.

I also like the knowledge that the game is going to keep getting better because Stardock and Ironclad are involved.

But you should be telling us how some other game is a lot better because I don't see you explaining what RTS we should be playing instead.

No one is claiming that this is the best game ever designed. There are, in fact, a number of areas that can be improved and Ironclad is working on some of them.

However, the consensus is that this is an excellent game, and one of the best strategy games to come out in the last year or so.

Just because you disagree with the general consensus doesn't make you objective.

Just because I happen to agree with the general consensus doesn't make me a troll.