Sadly, there is a big drawback to this random tech tree, which is that technologies do not develop logically. Also there are multiple paths through the tech-tree, which means the player doesn’t have to plod through every precursor technology to get to the more advanced ones. Also players may choose to limit their view of the tech tree so that they can only see up to three follow-on techs (or none at all). In a really cool feature, the huge technology tree (over one hundred techs available) randomizes into a new configuration with every game. The sound is good the music is sometimes interesting and sometimes not, but it is never annoying. Hands down, this one of the best-looking games I have seen in a long time. The individual units are distinctive and the alien lifeforms are interesting, quirky-and vaguely dangerous looking. The manual is an interesting read that shows great imagination but does not help the player with the game mechanics at all. The advice has to be very helpful, because the game manual doesn’t give any instructions on how to actually play the game, but rather describes the universe of the game with lots of background information on the various factions. The main screen displays the maps (a main map and a small strategic map) and has access to the diplomacy, military, economics, research and workshop menus as well. Orders are easy to issue, with none being more than three clicks from the main screen. The game interface is easy to learn and use. There are also sunken ruins in the oceans, which provide similar bonuses. Also a player can take control of a unit of xenomorphs (fairly weak local wildlife unit) by exploring a ruin. Also scattered around are ruins of an advanced civilization, which when explored gives the players resources such as research points or food. Scattered around the landscape are observation towers, which give the exploring units a greater line of sight. The player may select a pangea (one large landmass), continents, or archipelago type planet. Of course, the planet is randomly generated with each game. Resources produced by all the cities go into a general pool, so no one city will be starving for any resources while others are well supplied. Lower morale means slower production and slower city growth. Other things affect morale as well, pollution and lack of housing to name two. They can also set a tax rate higher taxes mean more money, but lower morale. Players may micro-manage their cities, down to assigning the population to specific jobs, such as farmer and miner, worker and scientists. Also the native Pandoran wildlife can be antagonistic and will often attack human units and even cities. Further, some terrain is actively hostile to humans, such a fungus that attacks human units passing through it. Pandora, being an earth-like alien planet, has some of the usual resources, like forests and gold, but also some new ones like the Gaia Forests and the Garden of Eden. Cities control the surrounding hexes and uses formers (terra-formers) to develop and exploit the surrounding resources. Cities are built by colonizer units (each faction starts with only one colonizer). Meanwhile, Imperium gets a bonus to its military units but the units cost 50% more, and so on with each different faction.Īs with Civilization the basic production and control unit is the city. For example, Togra University receives a research bonus but a negative to morale because of a lack of social disciple and motivation. ![]() Each of the factions has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. In Pandora the player assumes the role of the leader of one of six factions: Terra Salvum, ecological greens Noxium Corporation, aggressive capitalists Divine Ascension, religious fanatics Solar Dynasty, authoritarian communists Imperium, militaristic expansionists Togra University free-wheeling rationalists. In fact Pandora is, as the Matrix Games website proudly announces, “a spiritual successor to Sid Meier’s Alpha Centauri.” Pandora: First Contact is a great-looking and fun to play 4X (eXplore the environment eXpand control eXploit the resources and eXterminate opponents) game, similar to the vaunted Sid Meier’s Civilization Series. Passed Inspection: Glorious graphics, short learning curve, very short turn delays.įailed Basic: Needs a “real” manual, difficulty settings need adjustment, fairly weak AI. Price: $29.99 digital download $44.99 boxed edition and digital download. Pandora: First Contact – Game Review By Patrick Baker
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