obnose

Wonderful 4X space game, with some traces of the very special Paradox's grand strategy. Easier to get into than other Paradox games like Europa Universalis or Crusader Kings, one of its better features is an awesome eXploration phase, neglicted ofently in 4X games. You'll find lot of events, stories, surprises... which will make really enjoyable the first steps of your empire-building. Technology and research (the genetics developments are very welcome), politics (not just elections but managing a diverse and potencially conflicted empire because of divisive issues according to the different ethics of your population), diplomacy (including federations à la Star Trek)... and war, with several options for both your fleet and land forces. Best thing in Stellaris is that is a very powerful frame to keep building the game the way their developers have done (and are doing several years after their release) with Europa Universalis 4 or Crusader Kings 2. Stellaris is a must for all space games lovers.

This expansion is quite a good one, as it improves one of the things most disregarded in strategy games: what to do during peacetime. Adding new features to governments (like Parliaments), more interaction with your subjects (with special ones if you are into the Holy Roman Empire) and thriving in making every religion something unique, all of it makes the game win a lot of personality. New development feature allows you to take new strategies, where territorial expansion is not the only way to go, which combines pretty well with new subjects dynamics. Very recomendable.

Though First World Was is not as popular in war-gaming as WWII, it doesn't mean that is not suitable for a good game, and "To End All Wars" proves it. Warfare is very well represented, both extremes of battles that took place then. You can feel the gridlock that trench war in Western Front is. It's not a static front but more a story of offensives and counteroffensives in which you have to find a way to exploit your initial success. On the other hand, you have the high mobility battles in huge spaces like the war in Russia or Middle East. It also has a quite interesting naval warfare system, where blocking the other countries is crucial. It has lots of units, which are manageable thanks to Chain of Command, leaders who can be decisive, a supply system which is something you must keep an wye on it, but it's not overwhelming... Features and details that make the game complex but enjoyable. It is a turn-based game, but the fact that orders are processed simultaneously makes the game more dynamic as you have to guess what other players movement would be. This feature is especially interesting in Multi-Player games (up to three players). To End All Wars core is warfare, but it includes other features like research, economic and political decisions, diplomacy, etc. which are well integrated into the general game logic (a better approach than the mini-game logic). Those features are not as detailed as warfare, but they're implemented in a functional and challenging (decisions with consequences) way. Finally, developers keep updating the game, not just fixings bugs but improving game balance and features, adding some content (two new scenarios came for free), and increasing the turn processing speed which I think it's not a problem anymore. Highly recommendable for people loving war-games and wanting to try something different. For those who have already played other developer's titles, they'll find here an important step forward.