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Supremacy: Four Paths to Power

Score: 6.1/10  

As of late, there just haven’t been enough strategy games coming out that are in a sci-fi setting.  Players craving this sort of experience have had to dig out their old games to enjoy a game that combines strategy and spaceships.  Now Matrix Games has a new turn-based strategy game available for the PC, Supremacy: Four Paths to Power.  It’s a decent effort that combines both outer space combat with ground-based conflicts, but it the game’s lack of challenge proves its undoing.

One of the things that stands out right from the moment the game starts up is the direction taken in the art design of the game.  Instead of going for a glammed-out opening sequence chalk-full of CG movies, Supremacy shows a series of hand-drawn images that quickly get the message across that this game is about conquest.  What is particularly nice about these drawings is the way they differ from a lot of the art we see in games these days.  Instead of going for something overly realistic, the art here looks like it was influenced by a cross between the art found in some of the more popular European animation these days, and some of the animated films that popped up during the 1970s.  The in-game visuals are very retro, as they provide a little bit of nostalgia.  Looking at the various units, ships, and whatnot is reminiscent of that found in the Military Madness games.  In Supremacy the visuals aren’t as bulbous or cute as that found in the TG-16 classic, but they do bear some resemblance with their diminutive appearance.  That in mind, some players may be turned off by the game's retro look, especially if they're used to games like Homeworld's visuals.

 

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In terms of sound, the game delivers quite nicely.  The music stays tastefully atmospheric, as it plays in the background.  The pieces are quite appropriate to the various situations raising, and falling in intensity, as the situation requires.  Where Supremacy really shines aurally is its sound effects.  The sounds for when a sniper takes a shot, or when an artillery unit fortifies itself are very impressive.  Even the voice acting in the 

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game is surprisingly well done.  The voices of the characters are never overdone, as they give information or set out mission objectives.  There’s a tiny bit of cheesy-ness at times, but the way it comes off feels appropriate for the situation.

Of course, the meat and potatoes of the game come from the actual combat.  Split between fighting in space, and on the ground, players play in two theatres of combat, each with their own flavor.  In space, battles can vary from small skirmishes between interceptors, to large, drawn out confrontations between fleets.  There are a number of units to choose from that range from long-range interceptors that can be sent in early to wear down enemy forces, destroyer-like units with more firepower, but can only move at a moderate clip, to hulking capital ships that, while slow, pack tremendous amounts of firepower.  There are also some interesting ships that have long-range attacks, but cannot fight up close.  It’s a well-varied mixture of ships.  Land battles also have their fair share of units to choose from, ranging from the poor, bloody infantry, to snipers, to artillery units, to medics.  What is nice about the various units, both on land and in space, is that so many of them can serve a purpose, unlike other strategy games that often suffer from imbalances, as players favor a handful of units.

Where the game does suffer is in its challenge, as the computer-controlled enemies are just not very bright.  It doesn’t take much effort to plough through most resistance that the computer throws at players.  One of the biggest problems the game’s AI suffers from is that it doesn’t exploit player weaknesses.  Instead of focusing on player ships that are the greatest threat, or finishing off already damaged vessels, the computer-controlled ships fly around willy-nilly shooting at whatever they happen by.  Due to this lack of focus, the computer is seldom a threat when playing.  This same problem carries on to the battles on the planets as well.  Making matters worse is that often times the computer doesn’t make as good use of the maps as it should, allowing players to send in hordes of troops, and mow over the computer.  If your invasion force outnumbers the enemy’s, chances are good that you will win.

Players may be happy to know that Supremacy doesn’t over-burden the player with all sorts of economy management.  The only thing players need to keep an eye on is how many factories they have on controlled planets, and how well they can sustain their forces.  Unlike other strategy games where players often spend huge amounts of time building specialized facilities for every aspect of their armed forces, Supremacy’s insistence on keeping things simple is quite refreshing.  If players want to research new technology, they simply need to take control of science stations throughout the system, then have each of them focus on a different piece of technology that can help improve a player’s military.

Probably the single greatest feature of Supremacy is how strongly it will appeal to those looking for a quality pick-up-and-play experience.  The game doesn’t beat players over the head with a heavy-handed, self-important story.  Instead, players choose one of the four races in the game to play as, then an opponent, followed by the sort of game they want which can range from conquering the galaxy, to a rescue mission.  From there it’s up to players to complete their tasks, all while learning little tidbits about the game’s races as instructions are given.  Better still, players can choose just how large they want their campaign to be.  Quick, tiny maps, and large, time-consuming ones are available, making it possible to do a campaign in anywhere from 20 minutes to well over an hour.

The problem that ultimately hurts Supremacy, though, is the game’s AI.  If there were more challenge to it, this game would be a heck of a lot more fun to play.  It’s unfortunate, as there is quite a bit to like about this game, from its retro look, to its pick-up-and-play style.  However, there’s just no overlooking Supremacy’s lack of difficulty.  Even if you look to the game’s two-player mode, there isn’t much point, as there are plenty of other games out there already that do this a lot better.  Ultimately, if the enemies in Supremacy were smarter the game would be well worth getting, as it stands the challenge just isn’t there.

Mr. Nash

(April 8, 2005)

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