Genre: Strategy
Developer: Simtex
Year: 1994
Version: unknown
Documentation: None available.
Related websites:
Related titles: Master of magic, Reunion, Civilization
Notes:

[ Get it from GOG.com ]
The great triad of world-conquering strategy games Microprose released from 1991 to 1995 (Civilization, Master of Orion and Master of magic) are easily among my most favorite games of all times and, in my humble opinion, are unbeatable to date. Yes, some will summon Microsoft's Age of this and Age of that, but seriously. They simply can't be compared to these huge classics. The classics I'm talking about are revolutionary, convincing, incredibly addictive, imaginative, replayable, atmospheric, with a lot of political interaction, all in an early to mid 90's game. I think this says it all... if not, keep reading.

In Master of Orion you control one of several races struggling to build vast empires throughout space... eventually you'll face other races and relate with them, but not necessarily by force..

Master of Orion was probably the least popular of that triad, maybe for its fairly steep learning curve, maybe for the high challenge level. Unlike the others, here you don't have "land" to build "cities", instead you're out in space, looking for suitable systems to build small colonies. That's tough because you could explore for a long time and not be able to find a minimally acceptable system. And then there's the problem that exploration is not limitless like in Civ and MoM. No, your "settler" ships have to stay close to your already established colonies. Still the game has some clear similarities with its two brothers, the progression of technologies, the concept in which each leader represents a different "race", the political relations, the struggle to conquer the known *world*...

I think the most unique aspect of Master or Orion in relation to Civ and MoM is that here, from time to time, ellections take place to form an unified "republic". The leaders of each race participate, and those who control more planets and have better relations with its neighbours have a better chance of being chosen the dictator of the universe. Many times no one will be chosen because the universe is still too divided. When someone *is* chosen though, you have options. If you're chosen, congratulations, you win, good for you. If not, you might choose not to accept the decision, and then, it's them against you. You are treated like a corrupt outcast leading his people to a world of pain. Then it's all war, until one side wins. It's quite thrilling when that happens. :)

This is one of the very few games that got a permanent space on my hard drive, and I do play it every now and then, when I have the will and the time. If you like challenging, complex strategy games, you just found a real gem.