MoonBase Commander

That said, MoonBase Commander gets high scores on the "object of obsession" scale. Dozens of weapons and defense systems, modes of play ranging from single-player skirmishes to multiple-player online tournaments, and a function that allows replay and study of battles, ensure this game's staying power. A steep learning curve adds to the game's mystique. A terrain-editing feature also enhances play: if you grow tired of the environments the computer supplies for you, you can build your own. If you are an average person, expect to suffer total annihilation, over and over and over again, as you attempt to figure out your complex arsenal.

The object of the game is to gather energy on different planets using a hub that launches everything from drones to bombs to energy-collection units. Another company, or multiple other companies, attempt to exploit these energy resources at the same time, which is where the cluster bombs, viruses, and yes, electromagnetic pulses come in. The corporate entity that harvests the most energy wins. We have a feeling the designers at Humongous were aiming for a dark type of irony when they created this game.

Graphics and sound are tight, but the emphasis here is on the game. You won't find elaborate opening sequences, over-the-top animation, or (thank goodness) swooping camera angles. MoonBase Commander is kind of like a smart bomb: it dispatches its task with unnerving efficiency. (Ages 9 and older) --Anne Erickson

The AI in the game is great. When you play against the computer you can pick what level of difficulty you want based on the AI player. Some are relatively easy and help you to get your feet wet, where as other AI is just down right ruthless.

This game is all about strategy, it is simple in its design, but it's complex in its application of said strategy. You would be surprised how indepth a game like this gets with only 18 units. I've played games that have lasted up to 2 hours, where as others have lasted 15 to 20 minutes.

The Game comes with a Level editor so you can make your own levels and have people play them with you. And Visa Versa you can play maps other people have created.

I don't care how old you are moonbase Commander is a game for you. Buy Moonbase Commander. And then have your friends buy Moonbase Commmander.


Wow, you don't know what your missing........   August 6, 2002
sirbeefer (Boise ID, United States)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

The game starts out and you have control of a hub that is placed on the surface of a moon. This hub has the ability to make clones of itself. As well as produce many offensive and defensive units. Ok not sounding too revolutionary is it? The cool thing about moonbase is the way you create and distribute these other units. Each unit you create will have a cord attached to it. These cords will attach themselves to almost everything you create. So from one "home" central hub you will be able to clone many more hubs. That is, as long as you have the energy to do so. When you make a clone or another unit, you select a direction you want to go; charge up a bar by holding down the mouse button. Releasing it will launch it at the rate indicated on the power bar. It's simple in concept but it takes a while to master it. You see you can only land hubs or units on flat surfaces. If you hit the side of a cliff it blows up, and the cord attached to that unit blows up too. And you can never cross any cords. So space management becomes a serious gameplay factor when you have a limited amount of space to move around in. So once the game gets going you have a network of units and cords scattered across the landscape. So what's the point then? Well your out to claim this planet for you faction. In all their are 4 factions wanting to claim the planet.
From a hub you may build single shell bombs, cluster bombs, anti-air units, bridges, towers, attack units, observation balloons, shields, guided missiles, and so on. So you can launch bombs for attack and for instance, if you wish to build an anti-air unit to help defend your hub, you first select the unit from the hub menu, choose a direction in which to launch, and finally press the launch button. The newly placed anti-air unit will protect anything that comes within it's launching radius. It is key to figure out what that radius is, and to exploit it.
Weapons such as bombs and missiles are not connected to a hub via a cord, but are still launched just like any other unit. Friendly fire is a major concern as some weapons carry an area of effect with them, and a careless commander can easily blast his or her own units to bits.
Another major consideration to the game-play is the attention of the cords between units when attacking. When you face off against another faction you can take them out by hiting a hub or cord. There is a great strategy in deciding what unit to attack. You see attacking a unit that has many cords coming off of it will have a major effect. If you destroy a hub that is the source for a network of other units, everything built off of that home hub will be distroyed. Chain reactions can have a serious effect on the outcome of the game. This game is just plain FUN! Buy now!


...not just a game. A way of Life   August 25, 2002
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

When games are reaching a level of banal uninspired sameness, it's refreshing to see such a unique concept put into a game. What's surprising about this game though, is that the concept actually works.

For everyone who finds strategy games appealing, yet cannot get over the problems of resource management and unit creation, for one, this game is for you. True, elements of resource management and proper unit construction are present, yet they are improved upon in multiple ways. Firstly, the concept of a tech tree is eliminated, allowing for more flexible strategies in a combat situation. Secondly, Energy management is not usually a problem. All you have to do is place one or two energy units on an energy pool and you're set for the game.

The real treat, however, is how much this game focuses on tactical combat. Instead of throwing hundreds of basic, AI controlled units at each other, resulting in little more than blood and pain, Moonbase Commander relies on strategic combat and well managed unit placement to obtain victory. The many new features, including the elimination of free-moving attack units and the ability to spawn multiple bases, make you rely on your ingenuity to survive. It is especially satisfying when you are being pummeled by two combat centers near your central hub, but due to a well placed ancillary hub in the beginning of the game, are successfully able to slip a missile in from behind their base destroying their central hub. The explosions across the map are just rewards for superior strategic effort.

On the whole, Moonbase Commander is the quintissential strategy game for all ages. Great for a child with his first computer, or for dominating all your friends at LAN parties. Basically, what I believe I am trying to say is: buy this game or your life is forfeit.


Simple, yet fun   August 26, 2002
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

I am a hardcore gamer. Warcraft 3, Neverwinter Nights, and Freedom force clutter up my desktop. I literaly need 2 mountain dews a day to survive. SO HOW COME A GAME FROM THE SAME PEOPLE WHO MAKE "Backyard Sports" and "Freddie the fish" IS TAKING UP SO MUCH OF MY TIME!?!?! Very simple, very easy, VERY fun.


Great game but.....   September 12, 2002
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I agree with what the other reviewers have said. The graphics are great. The simplicity of the game does not interfere with the strategic element of the game. For me, I like the turn-based aspect of the game. There are usually too many distractions when I game that hurt me in real-time games. I also love the replay theatre. It can be very satisfying to relive the final defeat of your enemies.

The only thing that kept me from giving it a 5 star rating was that lack of any save game function. Once you start a scenario, you have to play it through.

If you can deal with that, you won't regret the purchase.