Tag: Strategy Game

  • Beloved Strategy Game Sale: Only $6, Down from $60 on Steam & Epic

    Beloved Strategy Game Sale: Only $6, Down from $60 on Steam & Epic

    Key Takeaways

    1. Gameplay Overview: Players select a historical nation and guide their civilization from the Stone Age in 4000 BC through various paths like diplomacy, science, culture, religion, or warfare to achieve global dominance.

    2. New District System: The introduction of the “District” system allows cities to expand across multiple tiles, adding strategic depth as each district specializes in different areas like science, military, or culture.

    3. Mixed Reviews: While praised for its scope and strategic depth, critiques focus on unpredictable AI behavior, navigation challenges in crowded maps, and the absence of certain quality-of-life features.

    4. Positive Reception: The game received an 87/100 from GameStar, with over 250,000 players on Steam giving it an 86% favorable rating and a Metascore of 88 on Metacritic.

    5. Current Pricing: Civilization VI is typically $60 but is currently on sale for $6 due to a 90% discount on Steam and the Epic Games Store, with additional costs for expansions and DLCs.

    Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, created by Firaxis Games and launched by 2K in 2016, marks the sixth main installment in the beloved strategy series. Players select a historical nation, such as Imperial China, the Roman Empire, or the Kingdom of Nubia, and guide their civilization across thousands of years. Regardless of the nation chosen, the adventure always kicks off in the Stone Age, specifically in the year 4000 BC.

    Beginning the Journey

    At the outset, players start with merely one settler unit and a warrior for basic defense purposes. The map is largely concealed by the fog of war, making the initial task to explore the area and find an ideal location to build the capital. After establishing the city, the slow yet steady journey through history unfolds. Players investigate early technologies like animal husbandry, pottery, and mining, gradually unlocking buildings, units, and upgrades along the way. As the game advances, players can choose their path through diplomacy, science, culture, religion, or warfare. The ultimate aim is global dominance—achieved through alliances, innovation, influence, faith, or military force.

    New Features and Mechanics

    A fresh addition in Civ VI is the “District” system, which allows cities to extend across multiple tiles for the first time. Each district specializes in a certain area, like science, military, religion, or culture, and is constructed as an individual part of the city on its own tile. This makes city placement more significant compared to earlier titles, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay. The mechanics of research and culture have also seen changes: specific actions and terrain types can speed up advancement, providing more variety and excitement in the gameplay.

    Critiques and Praise

    In its review, German publication GameStar commended Civilization VI for its grand scope and strategic depth, particularly praising the new district system. Nonetheless, the review highlighted some flaws, especially regarding the AI, which tends to act unpredictably during combat or city defense. The game’s clarity can falter in large matches, as crowded maps filled with numerous units can quickly become hard to navigate. Some quality-of-life features are also absent, like a production queue or the ability to rename cities. For beginners, the complexity of the mechanics might feel a bit daunting initially.

    Despite these critiques, Civilization VI received a solid score of 87 out of 100 from GameStar. Reviews on major platforms reflect a similarly positive outlook. On Steam, over 250,000 players have given feedback, with 86% rating the game favorably. On Metacritic, it boasts a Metascore of 88 and a User Score of 7.1.

    Pricing and Discounts

    On Steam, Civilization VI’s standard price is $60. However, at the moment, a huge 90% discount is available until April 7, lowering the price to just $6. This deal is also present on the Epic Games Store, lasting until April 9. It’s important to note that Civ VI has a diverse array of expansions and DLCs, so if you want the complete experience, be ready to invest a little more.

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  • Epic Games Sale: City Builder Game Now Just $6, Was $60

    Epic Games Sale: City Builder Game Now Just $6, Was $60

    Key Takeaways

    1. Game Setting and Progression: Anno 1800 immerses players in the 19th century, evolving from a small village to a bustling city with factories and trade.

    2. Exploration of New Worlds: Players can venture into the New World to gather exotic resources, creating new settlements and enhancing their economy back in the Old World.

    3. Military and Naval Strategy: A strong naval presence is crucial for protecting trade routes and engaging in strategic battles against pirates and opponents.

    4. Reception and Reviews: The game has received positive feedback, scoring 80 points from GameStar and holding an 81 Metascore on Metacritic, though concerns were raised about naval combat simplicity and campaign depth.

    5. Pricing and Discounts: Anno 1800 is currently on sale for $6 on the Epic Games Store, down from its typical price of $60, with additional DLCs available for a more enriched gameplay experience.

    Anno 1800 takes players on a journey to the 19th century, a time defined by steam power, industrial growth, and colonialism. You start with a small village consisting of a trading post and a few farmhouses. As you progress through the game, this simple settlement transforms into a bustling city filled with factories, ships, railways, and grand homes.

    Exploring New Worlds

    While your adventure commences in the Old World, it isn’t long before you embark to the New World—a tropical area abundant in exotic resources such as rum, cotton, and coffee. Here, players can create new settlements and transport these precious goods back to the Old World to meet the upper class’s demands and boost the economy of their homeland.

    Military and Naval Strategy

    In addition to construction and trade management, having a strong naval presence and military might is essential. With frigates, ships of the line, and armored monitors, you can confront pirates, opponents, or entire fleets. Naval confrontations are both strategically demanding and vital for maintaining your influence on the global stage. By enhancing your military and wisely guarding trade routes, you can cultivate an empire that flourishes in every region. With co-op and multiplayer options, you can build this empire alongside friends or compete fiercely against them.

    Reviews and Reception

    In a review from the German publication GameStar, Anno 1800 earned a commendable score of 80 points, highlighting the game’s intricate building mechanics, engaging endgame, and significant replayability. The review also recognized the stunning visuals, seamless transition between the Old and New Worlds, and effectively implemented co-op and multiplayer modes, all contributing to extended enjoyment. However, the reviewers felt that naval combat was somewhat simplistic and the campaign lacked depth. They also pointed out that the level of multitasking required might be daunting for new players.

    Anno 1800 has garnered positive reviews across major gaming platforms. On Metacritic, it holds a Metascore of 81 and a User Score of 7.9. Meanwhile, Steam showcases over 21,000 reviews for this building strategy game, with 81% of them being favorable.

    Pricing and Discounts

    Ubisoft launched Anno 1800 in April 2019. It typically retails for about $60 on Steam and the Epic Games Store. Currently, the game is being offered on Epic at a remarkable 90% discount, dropping the price to a mere $6. This deal is valid until April 9 and is applicable only to the base game. It’s important to mention that Anno 1800 has a diverse array of DLCs that enhance the gameplay with elements like tourism, skyscrapers, and Arctic adventures. To fully experience the game, additional purchases are required.

    Disclaimer: Notebookcheck does not take responsibility for price fluctuations by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this article was valid at the time of writing and may be subject to limitations in time and/or availability of units.

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  • Grand Strategy Game with 90K Reviews Now Just $5 on Steam Sale

    Grand Strategy Game with 90K Reviews Now Just $5 on Steam Sale

    Key Takeaways

    1. Complexity Over Graphics: Europa Universalis IV prioritizes deep gameplay mechanics, mixing trade, warfare, diplomacy, and technology, over high-end visuals, resulting in a steep learning curve for players.

    2. Ongoing Development: Since its release in 2013, the game has received consistent updates and expansions, enhancing its historical richness and replayability, with the game considered fully developed by summer 2024.

    3. Positive Community Feedback: The game has garnered nearly 90,000 reviews on Steam, with 87% positive feedback, and a Metascore of 87 on Metacritic, indicating strong community reception.

    4. Pricing and Discounts: Europa Universalis IV is typically priced around $50 but often goes on significant sales, with current discounts making it accessible for new players, alongside a Starter Edition and an Ultimate Bundle for more content.

    5. Expansion Reliance: The game’s extensive content largely comes from expansions, which can make the base game feel limited; however, a subscription plan is available for $7.99 per month to access all DLCs while requiring the base game purchase.

    In Europa Universalis IV, players take control of one of many nations from 1444 to 1821. The game takes place in a world map that is very detailed and shows historical situations at each starting date. Rather than focusing on real-time battles like Total War, the developer Paradox Interactive opts for a more straightforward graphical style.

    Depth Over Visuals

    While Europa Universalis IV may not dazzle with its visuals, it compensates for that with a remarkable amount of complexity. The game mixes trade, warfare, diplomacy, and tech advancements, making it one of the most intricate strategy games available. However, this complexity features a steep learning curve, demanding that players dedicate a lot of time to understand its systems. With over 40 expansions, players can expect a ton of content and easily hundreds of hours of gameplay.

    Continuous Evolution

    Released in August 2013, Europa Universalis IV has been consistently updated with patches and downloadable content (DLC). Recently, on March 9, the German magazine GameStar put out a video reviewing the game’s current status, which has been considered fully developed since summer 2024. You can watch the video in both English and German:

    The video by GameStar showcases the game’s historical richness and how its world evolves dynamically. The wide-ranging scope, varied AI interactions, and diverse gameplay mechanics all contribute to a high level of replayability. However, the challenging learning curve may intimidate new players, especially since there are not many helpful tutorials. Moreover, with a multitude of DLCs, experiencing everything the game has to offer can get quite pricey.

    Community Reception

    Since its launch, Europa Universalis IV has accumulated nearly 90,000 reviews on Steam, with 87% of them being positive. Over on Metacritic, it has a Metascore of 87 and a user score of 8.7.

    The typical price for Europa Universalis IV on Steam is about $50, but it’s currently on sale for only $5 with a 90% discount until March 20. The Starter Edition, which comes with ten essential DLCs, is also discounted by 80%, resulting in a price of $12 instead of $60. For those wanting the complete experience, the Ultimate Bundle features all major expansions at a 41% discount for $104. However, even this package does not include all cosmetic DLCs.

    Content and Accessibility

    Similar to many games from Paradox Interactive, a lot of content for Europa Universalis IV comes from expansions, which can make the base game feel somewhat limited at times. For players not wanting to spend over $100 on DLCs, a subscription plan is offered. For just $7.99 per month, subscribers can access all previously released content while still needing to purchase the base game separately.

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  • “Get Tough WW2 Strategy Game for Under $1 on Steam – 95% Off”

    “Get Tough WW2 Strategy Game for Under $1 on Steam – 95% Off”

    Key Takeaways

    1. Game Overview: Bomber Crew is a strategy game set in World War II, where players manage a Royal Air Force bomber team on various missions.

    2. Crew Management: Success depends on effectively managing crew roles like pilot, navigator, and gunner, ensuring teamwork during missions.

    3. Challenging Gameplay: The game features permadeath, meaning lost crew members or aircraft cannot be recovered, demanding strategic decision-making.

    4. Positive Reviews: With approximately 9,500 Steam reviews and an 89% approval rating, the game is well-received, though noted for its steep learning curve.

    5. Discount Offers: The game is currently available for $1 on Steam due to a 95% discount, with a Deluxe Edition on sale for $11, including all DLCs.

    Bomber Crew is a strategy video game that takes place during World War II, where players are in charge of a Royal Air Force bomber team. The missions players undertake include bombing runs, reconnaissance flights, and vital supply drops, all of which necessitate thorough planning and execution. Each crew member has a designated role—such as pilot, navigator, radio operator, mechanic, or gunner. Achieving success hinges on effectively managing these roles and ensuring smooth cooperation during each dangerous mission.

    A Challenging Yet Charming Experience

    Although the appealing graphics may give the impression of a fun and easy game, Bomber Crew is recognized for its considerable difficulty. One of the game’s notable aspects is permadeath; losing a crew member or the entire aircraft is permanent, which compels players to make strategic and thoughtful choices. The gameplay entails plotting courses, delegating tasks to crew members, repairing aircraft damages, and defending against enemy assaults. Players need to reload ammo, tend to injured crew members, and perform emergency maneuvers at critical moments. Every error carries significant consequences, which could lead to the loss of the bomber and its crew.

    Reviews and Discounts

    Created by Runner Duck and released by Curve Games, Bomber Crew debuted in October 2017. The strategy game has garnered approximately 9,500 reviews on Steam, with 89% of them being favorable. On Metacritic, it boasts a Metascore of 75 and a User Score of 8.0. The main critiques center around its steep learning curve, high difficulty, and fast-paced gameplay. Consequently, casual gamers might find it daunting. Nevertheless, strategy enthusiasts may find it worth a try. Currently, there’s a 95% discount on Steam until February 27, reducing the price to just $1, down from $20.

    Additional Offers Available

    For those interested in a complete package, the Bomber Crew Deluxe Edition, which includes the base game and all five DLCs, is also on sale with a 69% discount, bringing the price down to about $11 instead of $36.

    Prices can fluctuate. The offer was valid at the time of this article’s publication but could be limited in duration or availability. All information is provided without guarantee.

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