Stars! Supernova - First Impression

Developer Mare Crisium is nearing completion of the sequel to its space strategy game Stars!, which promises more depth, gameplay options, and better graphics. Stars! Supernova will also have less micromanagement and an improved multiplayer mode than its predecessor. The turn-based game involves resource management, empire building, space exploration, strategic combat, economics, diplomacy, and espionage.

The game will feature a variety of new races and units, all of which are fully customizable within certain gameplay balance constraints. A larger variety of planet types, an almost limitless number of game generation possibilities, and many diplomatic, economic, and combat options combine to produce a turn-based space strategy game with a remarkable amount of depth.

Up to sixteen players can compete over the Internet or a LAN, in short scenarios, long campaigns, or anything in between. The number and complexity of the systems included in the map along with customizable victory conditions determines the length of the game, so that players can tailor the game to suit their interests. The laws of physics can even be altered.

New graphics have spruced up the sequel compared to its visually unimpressive predecessor; the developers boast 24-bit art throughout the game, with over 650 detailed ship images, 350 tech parts, and 48 race portraits. The game also allows players to import their own art if desired. In addition, Stars! Supernova features planets that change over time as they are terraformed.

Espionage looks like it will be a particularly interesting feature of the game. Spies can be hired and fired, and each one has a unique personality and skills, which will improve over the course of the game. Spies also have a "confidence" factor with regard to a particular mission, which is their estimate of success, which may or may not be accurate, depending on their personality.

Another interesting feature is the in-game html-based newsletter, which will feature stories about the events that happen in the game, classified ads from players, an unemployment section for spies, and announcements from Mare Crisium.

Empire Interactive will release Stars! Supernova near the end of summer 2000.