MOO3

[Jarhead0331]

I know I've said it before, but now that I've been playing again, my opinion is positively reaffirmed.  I'm confident that MOO3, properly patched and modded, is the single best, most fully featured space 4x game ever made.  It has every feature I have personally ever wanted in a grand space strategy game.  It has everything you would expect in terms of empire management, economy, diplomacy, and espionage.  Technology is handled in a unique way at the macro level.  Some people will not like the lack of ability to research specific techs, but there are just so many of them and you can influence their development in a way that usually results in you getting all the techs you want anyway.  It has a streamlined ship design system, as well, that lets you pick your hull, weapons, mounts, engines, defensive systems and special modules.  Speaking of hulls, there are more than 14 types, ranging from lancers, cutters, corvettes, frigates, destroyers, light cruisers, cruisers, battle cruisers, etc. etc.  On top of this, the fleet management system is simply top notch.  The rules of fleet creation make fleet design feel very naval and authentic.  Build detachments, flotillas, squadrons, fleets, etc. Add ships to the core, the escort and the picket.  Then deploy your task forces and conquer.

On top of all this, MOO3 features the greatest, most comprehensive ground combat system in a space 4x game...practically ever.  Its not like EOTFS where you can build units, land them on a planet and then do battle in turn based fashion on the map.  However, is the next best thing, and yes, the same great unit construction mechanic that you have for fleets exists for ground formations, as well.  Build divisions, corps, armies, etc.  Include infantry regiments, Marine battalions, armor, supplies (magazines), C3 centers, etc.  Quickly load them onto available transports, which can then neatly be included in transport detachments, flotillas, squadrons or fleets, and send them off on expeditions.  When you're ready to invade, select from a staggering array of strategies, ie. chemical warfare (unless the orion senate has banned the use), vertical envelopment, flank, frontal assault, entrap, etc. There are simply a lot of diverse options strategic options available here.  Additionally, factor in weather, and other ambient conditions, like aquatic world, zero-g, etc., and you have a lot to think about when building your ground formations and then sending them in to combat.

Anyway, I just wanted to rave, yet again, about this game that is pretty much universally despised.     

[Barthheart]

JH, which version and mods are you using?

How well does it work with modern PC/OS ?

[Staggerwing]

Thanks for the overview, JH. MOO3 is a game I've sadly neglected. I'm also interested in knowing what's needed to bring the game up to potential.

[Anguille]

Jarhead,

I am really happy you're enjoying the game and share your review!

Cheers

[Jarhead0331]

JH, which version and mods are you using?

How well does it work with modern PC/OS ?

I'm using v1.3.1 of the "Tropical" mod.  From what I understand, this includes the strawberry and vanilla mods and all of bhuric's patches.  The game runs flawlessly on modern systems.  I have it installed and running on both my desktop i7 system and my laptop, as well.  Both have Win7 64.

[Barthheart]

JH, which version and mods are you using?

How well does it work with modern PC/OS ?

I'm using v1.3.1 of the "Tropical" mod.  From what I understand, this includes the strawberry and vanilla mods and all of bhuric's patches.  The game runs flawlessly on modern systems.  I have it installed and running on both my desktop i7 system and my laptop, as well.  Both have Win7 64.

Cool, thanks. I'll have to revisit this.....

[Shelldrake]

JH, which version and mods are you using?

How well does it work with modern PC/OS ?

I'm using v1.3.1 of the "Tropical" mod.  From what I understand, this includes the strawberry and vanilla mods and all of bhuric's patches.  The game runs flawlessly on modern systems.  I have it installed and running on both my desktop i7 system and my laptop, as well.  Both have Win7 64.

Cool, thanks. I'll have to revisit this.....

+1   :)

Guardian has v1.21 of Tropical but I can't find v1.31. Any ideas on where to DL? Thanks.

[Jarhead0331]

You'll need essentially four (4) things.

1. The latest official patch, v.1.2.5 (i think).  Whatever it is, make sure your game is patched up to the latest version before modding.  I can check the version number when I get home tonight.

2. The mod of your choice.  As I have only ever used Tropical, I only know that the most current version of the mod is 1.3.1, at least, that is the version I am using.  Do not use v 1.2.1, that is the most readily available version, but it is out of date.

3.  The moo3dll.  I'm not sure if this comes in the Tropical mod .rar file.  The latest version is 1.67

4.  The Moo3 patcher.  This file does nothing by itself, but it is a handy utility that lets you patch individual patches to your game in one handy interface.  The latest build is 0.52

You can get the dll and the patcher here: http://bhruic.dyndns.org/patcher/downloads.php

You can get the various mods here, but make sure you check the version because some of them may be out of date:  http://www.moo3.at/

[Jarhead0331]

Guardian has v1.21 of Tropical but I can't find v1.31. Any ideas on where to DL? Thanks.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tmmdmyzykbm    v.1.3.10

http://www.mediafire.com/?lmcnzyhoaoy       v.1.3.11 update

[Shelldrake]

Guardian has v1.21 of Tropical but I can't find v1.31. Any ideas on where to DL? Thanks.

http://www.mediafire.com/?tmmdmyzykbm    v.1.3.10

http://www.mediafire.com/?lmcnzyhoaoy       v.1.3.11 update

Cool. Thanks Jarhead!

[Barthheart]

You'll need essentially four (4) things.

1. The latest official patch, v.1.2.5 (i think).  Whatever it is, make sure your game is patched up to the latest version before modding.  I can check the version number when I get home tonight.

2. The mod of your choice.  As I have only ever used Tropical, I only know that the most current version of the mod is 1.3.1, at least, that is the version I am using.  Do not use v 1.2.1, that is the most readily available version, but it is out of date.

3.  The moo3dll.  I'm not sure if this comes in the Tropical mod .rar file.  The latest version is 1.67

4.  The Moo3 patcher.  This file does nothing by itself, but it is a handy utility that lets you patch individual patches to your game in one handy interface.  The latest build is 0.52

You can get the dll and the patcher here: http://bhruic.dyndns.org/patcher/downloads.php

You can get the various mods here, but make sure you check the version because some of them may be out of date:  http://www.moo3.at/

Thanks again for your help.
8)

[mikeck]

Hmmm, never played any Master of Orion games....where would I purchase it?

[Barthheart]

Hmmm, never played any Master of Orion games....where would I purchase it?

GoG.com or GamersGate both have it fer $10.

I've always like MOO 2 the best but then I haven't tried the modded and patched MOO 3 yet.... original release of MOO 3 was pretty bad....

[tgb]

MOO 2 is widely considered the best of the three and the gold standard by which all space 4X games are judged. MOO3 patched and modded is good, but plays so differently it's almost MOO in name only.

[LongBlade]

Great summary, JH. Thanks for sharing. Now I just need someone to patch Life so I have a bit more time to play all these great games.