Greek Wars nails that addictive 4X loop and it does so in an often-overlooked setting. One of the key issues with this genre is that fall-off point (typically around the late-mid-game) when you stop doing those titular 4Xs and start waiting for some turn counter to tick down while mindlessly mashing the end turn button. While there were certainly some down-time beats, all that layered complexity of diplomacy, economics, and trade means that there is almost always something to do and idle turns are relatively few and far between. If you’re interested in either the period or the 4X genre more broadly, Greek Wars is worth picking up.
Can you stomach intense micromanagement, spartan graphics and unpleasant user interface? Then you’ll find a complex strategic playground ideal for all of those who love their fill of Ancient Greece.
If you try to compare this with a AAA strategy title that costs more than twice as much, you'll be disappointed. Unless you realise that what you get is a solid game that's much deeper than its Spartan (pun implied) graphics and surface simplicity.
'Micromanagement' is subjective; some like it and some don't, but what's pertinent in Greek Wars is that a lot of it is -- or can be -- hidden. Similarly, 'historicity' is relative; some things translate well to actual game play, others do not, thus you'll find sacrifices and compromises in any such simulation.
Bottom line: You get a lot for your money that will take you more than just a few hours skimming the surface of the Mediterranean to discover.
Easygoing oldschool 4X strategy game from czech Kube Games studio. While the game has its flaws like non interesting graphics or user interface, the gameplay itself is still quite enjoyable. [Issue#305]
This is a great historical strategy game. As an experienced player of this genre, I would recommend this game to like minded players. IGW is very well balanced game that provides an enjoyable experience every time you play.
With IGW your strategy and tactics are consistently challenged by a very competent AI. There is a complexity to the game that ensures you have to manage your State and its strategic development carefully, you have to be sure to balance out the competing demands of your economy, military, technology and culture. Resources, trade, diplomacy, different government types, policies, infrastructure, exploration and war provide tools to use. Use them well and the happiness of your population will be assured.
The main Greek scenario, with it’s splendid map, offers several different game style experiences dependant on which nation you select. On the crowded Greek peninsula, the many nations packed closely together often provide a hectic, sometimes frantic start to your campaign. Out East there are wide open spaces to grow your nation, providing of course you can keep the neighbours happy, or at least under control. The island nations provide a more nautical island hopping experience to empire building, a steady start before attempting to conquer the main land masses. Up North its more like survival mode to start with, difficult terrain and tribes more used to raiding than settling. There are over thirty different playable nations, all have specific objectives to guide your strategic and tactical planning.
The inclusion of the mythological layer and quests for characters, adds extra interesting dimensions to the game giving a different gaming experience. An important point to note however is that these layers are optional, if like me you prefer your history gaming authentic (bearing in mind this is a game of course), then you’re able to deselect them.
The 4X aspect really comes into its own with the customised maps and scenarios. There are numerous starting options available to provide a wide range of game experiences. Size, terrain, land mass, nations, climate and nation start conditions, all with their own tiered options. It is possible as a player to create tiny, lush, crowded maps or huge, harsh, empty maps and pretty much anything in between. This provides re-playability in droves.
The UI is intuitive, clear and concise and there are extensive help files and tooltips available in game. Multiplayer is also available.
Tactically, turns involve managing your cities and their improvements, your infrastructure, roads, mines, shipyards and the like, and your units, both civil and military and their upgrades. The combat in the game works very well as units can be affected by terrain, supply, morale, experience and loyalty, all factors that have to be considered before charging in.
I have been involved in this game as an alpha and beta tester and have racked up the best part of 900 hours of game time, with more to come, obviously I like it. The developers are responsive and open to feedback and have incorporated many of the testers suggestions within the game. IGW is really solid at release, its a great historical strategy game, well balanced and enjoyable, definitely recommended.
Good historical strategy.
Developers make it better and better with each patch and DLC. Cooperation with community helps a ton. Once a nice, but also a clumsy game transformed into a great one, and the progress continues.
Отвратительно. Историчность практически отсутствует напрочь, Море искусственных тормозилок, призванных растянуть игру как можно дольше. Захватил город и он становиться лояльным тебе вечность . А как ускорить этот процесс? А никак, по крайней мере вначале игры, только ждать. Плюнул на лояльность и отвёл войска куда тебе надо - получил восстание и начинай завоевания сначала. Вся игра совершенно непредсказуема. Раз - и три города ушли к противнику, потому, что у него ВЛИЯНИЕ. Раз - и у меня оказались три города соседа, которые мне совершенно не нужны, потому, что я принял государственное решение "Культ личности". И что мне с ними делать? Развивать не могу, так как город окружён землями другой нации. Приходится объявлять войну тому, кому я объявлять не хочу или плюнуть на эти города, но нет, теперь у моего соседа, который был мне союзником уже со мной плохие отношения из-за захвата городов, которые захватила игра САМА, а не я.. Боёвка абсолютно невменяема с совершенно непредсказуемым результатом. Можно пойти тремя воинами на одного и потерять всех троих. После боя в результатах выписывает бонусы и штрафы твои/врага, но если ты с калькулятором пробуешь это пересчитать выходят совершенно другие цифры( особенно это касается защиты). После того, как на моего совершенно здорового воина напал раненый воин с атакой НОЛЬ и снял ему 90% атаки и защиты я удалил эту дерьмовую игру сразу.
SummaryImperiums: Greek Wars is a unique combination of turn-based 4X and historical grand strategy with a mythological twist. Explore the ancient world and open it up to your people. Survive, expand, conquer... and win!