do you need the manual to play?

[wit>trope]

I want to get MOO3 but it is only in a jewel case with no manual. I found a manual online though. Is there any other documentation besides the manual that I need?

Maybe I should just buy it with the manual... the jewel case version is about $5 .... but printing that long manual out doesn't sound too good.

Also, it is true that you can do nothing after the first turn and still win on the hardest level?

 

[vmxa]

The manual will not be al that useful anyway. I think there are lots of info on the web to help. Look at Atari website for mods and guides and such.

I abandon the game after trying for the first month. Some claim the patch makes it better, but it has a step learning curve and was not that rewarding IMO.

 

[D.Durand]

I abandon the game quickly. The manual don't help really, because you can't really micro-manage your planets, or even your systems, after a little expansion without a great pain in the brain (and in the ass...). Then, a majority of the manual is no use.

You just need to understand the task force systems, the differences between system cheap and star sheep (don't hurt me) and perhaps build rules (you can creates build list for core systems, rich systems, frontier systems, etc.).
After that, go buy cookies and see a movie : The game don't need you for play.