How would you rate RoN (a Civ III player asks)?

[commodified]

Hey RoN players. I'm a fanatical Civ III player, looking for something to tide me over as I wait for Civ IV. I'm not much of an RTS player. Games like Starcraft bug the hell out of me because of how blindingly fast you have to be to be competitive (I don't even own a mouse, I just use my laptop's touchpad ).

That said, would you recommend RoN? How similar is it to Civ III? I was reading about its resource system and borders system and couldn't help feeling like it ripped Civ III off in numerous ways. But I'm open to changing my opinion, I swear!

How much does RoN lean to the turn-based side, and how much to the click-as-fast-as-you-can side?

 

[dojoboy]

Hey RoN players. I'm a fanatical Civ III player, looking for something to tide me over as I wait for Civ IV. I'm not much of an RTS player. Games like Starcraft bug the hell out of me because of how blindingly fast you have to be to be competitive (I don't even own a mouse, I just use my laptop's touchpad ).

Well, I am definitely a Civ3-lover. I've weaned myself of the fanaticism, more or less because I fell into a beta-testing slot and began playing other strategy games. That said, RoN is a very fun game. Like all games, you'll move away from it, then back again. I've never considered myself an RTS player, very little MP experience. I barely know any hot-keys. I enjoy the TBS feel of games. That said, RoN has a pause feature that allows you to stop play whenever you feel. I do it pretty regularly. It also has game speeds: slow, normal, etc. I stick with normal.

That said, would you recommend RoN? How similar is it to Civ III?

Yes, I recommend it. It's nothing like Civ3, with the exception of the overall civilization/competition theme. Yea, RoN has UU's and nation bonuses, similar to Civ traits in Civ3, but the game-play is different. Now, RoN does have a TBS style mode called Conquer the World. It'll give you a TBS feel. A feel, that's all though.

...and couldn't help feeling like it ripped Civ III off in numerous ways.

That is probably because Brian Reynolds, of Big Huge Games (RoN designer), was the lead designer for Civ2(?) and SMAC/x. He understands what makes a good game.

How much does RoN lean to the turn-based side, and how much to the click-as-fast-as-you-can side?

Mentioned some of this above, but it's not nearly as much a click-fest as AoE2. Hell, I always pause when it gets hairy anyway. But, I would highly recommend a mouse. Try it and see. There is a demo at BHG's site that you can download.

If you really like MP games, then RoN is much better than Civ3, much.

demo here

 

[Pablicosta]

Spoilered my 'review' to save time

Spoiler :

I've been playing RoN for a good few weeks now since I re-installed it and I love it. I can firmly say it doesnt resemble civ in the slightest, except for the fact that it is, like Civ, a Nation Rule game.
Although it isn't a Turn Based game, you can controll the speed from very slow, slow, normal, fast, very fast-so even the players who want to be able to analyze the situation (like me ) can play at a decent level.
Also, in Quick Battle (That's basically the main game, a single scenario rather than the Conquest mode) the range of difficulty settings offer a gradual learning curve for new players, for example in Easiest mode, the AI will (in my experience) not attack you, but will defend their own cities. By the time you reach Medium difficulty the AI uses groups of 10/15 units at a time and includes Bombard weapons. At the Tough level, you face an attacking force of 20/30 units, combined with full Air and Naval assault-frequently. Then there is Toughest mode, which is just ludicrous (You really dont have a chance to attack 'cause you spend so much time defending)...
With the Borders system, I dont think it resembles the Civ system at all. You have 2 borders really, your National Borders, and your City Borders. Within your City borders, production can be increased from Mines, Woodcutters Camps etc, but only Non-Military buildings may be built. Beyond your City Borders are the national borders, within which enemy units can suffer Attrition damage. The national borders can be extended through Research, or building Forts. Oh my, I am rambling.
Finnaly, the Conquest mode. I personally dont think it resembles anything turn based at all, its just a map of the World split into Territories. You start with your chosen nations territory and one army (shown on the Globe map as a chess piece). You can then invade the Territories arround you by clicking on them, which proppels you into a Quick Battle style fight for that territory. The idea being that you can conquer the world completely as it progresses through the ages.

Yes, go buy it. In my opinion it doesnt resemble or rip off Civ at all, and its a great game.

 

[commodified]

Sorry, what does MP stand for?

 

[dojoboy]

Sorry, what does MP stand for?

MP = MultiPlayer

 

[commodified]

OK. I'm coming from the CFC mindset, where MP means military police

 

[bio_hazard]

I'll second the comments above- I've only played RoN on the PC, but I found it pretty enjoyable. Definitely play with a mouse though! I've only played single player, and only the original, not the expansion pack. The stand-alone matches are pretty fun- several different terrain maps to choose from, and many different civs. A single game will probably take you under 2hr, and maybe considerably less than that if you can succeed with an early rush. The multi-game takes longer- it is turn based in that you and the other nations decide where to move your armies (like the board game Risk), but then the outcome of the conflict is decided by an RTS battle.

I tend to be kind of a spaz when games are sped up, but this one you can pause, and adjust the speed, and if you can manage to group your individual units, its not too overwhelming.

It is superficially a lot like Civ and you'll see a lot of familiar kinds of features (victory conditions, culture and border pushing, luxury resources, etc), but the feel is so different that it doesn't seem like a knock-off.

Its worth it.

 

[Cilpot]

OK. I'm coming from the CFC mindset, where MP means military police

Or Mutual Protection (Pact)

.. And RoN is great, and although many things are similar to Civ, its a completely different experience.