When I first tried out this game, I was skeptical. It has a relatively small number of members, and doesn't have hundreds of servers. I was trying to criticize spelling inconsistences for about one minute before realizing the myriad benefits of playing this awesome game. it appealed to me where other text-based browser games had failed (for example, Kings of Chaos). I will now go through a few points of this game that must be addressed.
1) It's free! Since it's listed on this game site, that should be kind of obvious, but there are no divisions into free versions and member versions. You can donate to the "faster server fund", but there is no obligation or pressure whatsoever to give in order to have a better gaming experience.
2) It's small. How many other games is the game founder and administrator likely to address your problems personally? Warsome (the admin) is always active, fixing bugs as they are found and livening the game up. In a game with tens of thousands of players, it is simply not possibly to deal with user issues on a case-by-case basis. In this game, that is the customer service you get, and for free ^^
3) Play styles are flexible! This is one of my favorite features. Beyond choosing your playtype, you can go it alone and brave the universe on your own, play the black market to make a fortune, sit like a turtle and build defense, attack, spy, etc. There is no set way to play. The market is a function I have never seen on any other game, and is a wonderful addition. Or, you can be a team player.
4)Teamwork. Not only do you play as a kingdom, you play a sector and a system. You elect leaders at every level of command, but do so wisely. They can institute drafts, change system alert levels (and bonuses you could get from them), levy taxes, act as a system bank, etc. Having powerful teammates is an incredible boon. They can help protect you, and contribute to a system-wide treasury that can be parceled out to those in need (or used for anything, and choosing a poor commander could result in system resources being squandered). A system fleet is seperate from your own. You must maintain defenses at all levels, system and personal. A system of individually invincible players could be worn away by attrition if they have a weak system fleet. Commanders and officers get bonuses, your own forums, etc. They can direct system-wise research (impossible for just one person to research nova missiles!), and generally look out for everybody. This incredible team aspect is not be found anywhere else.
5) It's always growing and changing! The admin is always there, making the game bigger and better and smoother with every new round! And the one thing that can make this game get better even faster?
Your participation!
