Starbase Orion Review – Classical 4X gaming comes to your iPad/iPhone
App Type: Uncategorized
Our rating: 
By: Chimera Software
Version #: 1.08
Date Released: 2012-01-13
Developer: Chimera Software
Price: 7.99
User Rating:
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If you are old enough (and/or geeky enough) you may have played Master of Orion (1 or 2). A classic in the 4x games (for eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate) type, turn based. A classic example would be Sid Meier’s Civilization (also available for iDevices), which was quickly followed by the first installment of Master of Orion. Conquering the galaxy was your goal, and you had a wide array of options to do so. Starbase Orion picks on the same ideas (very, very closely) but slams it in glorious HD and touch controls in your iPad. Neat, very neat. It is also somewhat pricy, but at least it is a universal app you’ll enjoy in your iPhone and iPad the same.
You basically have to defeat all enemies. To do so, you will build in your planets, direct your research (of course, Laser Beam III is better than Laser Beam I, and having Energy Shields I is better than nothing) and even design your own spaceships. Ever wondered what was better, a Gauss Cannon or an Ion Cannon? Well, depends on what you are building, a close range frigate or a support scout?
Don’t think this will be an easy task. Even with your best engineering, a medium-sized, fully equipped spaceship can take like 30 turns to build, so you are not likely to crush your opponents in a blitzkrieg, drowning them with thousands of ships, but more like a slow battle of refining your weapons and tactics until you can smash them with your dreadnoughts. Are you ready for the battle?
Quick Take
Value:Medium
Would I Buy Again:Probably
Learning Curve:High
Who Is It For:Old time lovers, lovers of the 4X genre
What I Like:The idea behind it, I loved Master of Orion II
What I Don't Like:Small things, after all, it's a huge and deep game
Final Statement:A must buy for 4X lovers: if you liked Master of Orion, you'll love Starbase Orion
4X Starbase Orion is an old-school 4X space strategy game that draws inspiration from titles such as Master of Orion and Galactic Civilizations. Lead your empire from the birth of its space age in Starbase Orion. Colonize new worlds, explore new horizons, and discover other players attempting to do the same. It is a race to the stars where only one empire can declare victory over the galaxy.
Screenshots
Article By ruben
Ruben Berenguel is finishing his PhD in Mathematics while writing in mostlymaths.net about being a 'geek of all trades'. He also happens to be the senior editor in the What's on iPhone network: any complaints go to him!
ruben has written 174 awesome app reviews.
