SOFTWARE REVIEW

Communications Report:

O.R.B.: Off-World Resource Base

Category:
Real Time Strategy

Players:
1 - 8

Type/#:
CD / 1

Minimum System Requirements:

Windows 95/98/ME/XP, 600 MHz Processor, 128 MB RAM, 500 MB Free Hard Disk Space, 16 MB 3D Video Card, 56K Modem for Internet Play

Test System:

Windows 98, 1.4GHz AMD Athlon, GeForce 2 mx 32 MB video card, 40 gig hard drive, 56x CD-ROM, 256 MB DDR Ram, Sound Blaster Live! sound card, T1 Internet connection

Graphics and Sound:

The visuals that will impress you the most in ORB won't be the capital ships, tiny fighters or floating debris like huge asteroids. What will really draw your attention will be the backgrounds. The vastness of space is accentuated by looming celestial objects, and colorful space phenomena. Despite the lack of foreground elements, the visuals in this game are still something to look at.

The soundtrack, along with many subtle but well placed sound effects, help round out this game's bells and whistles. The haunting music will accompany you as you float through space, not too distracting and not too vague. Somewhat reminiscent of The Dig, the tunes are definitely a treat.

Gameplay:

Since Homeworld made its way into the interstellar strategy genre, not many games have cloned it, probably due to the fact that it was so damn good. But competition brings out the best in games, and thankfully, ORB puts up a good fight.

Instead of fighting on traditional battlefields a la Command and Conquer, ORB takes the conflict to outer space. Battles now take place in true 3D, where there isn't any real 'up' or 'down'. Obstacles are limited mainly to asteroids, which at times can get slightly redundant, but they do offer some substance to the gameplay.

The same RTS principles are still in effect here. You have bases and capital ships, which in turn produce other units. There are various fighter class ships to build, along with logistical units such as mining and repair ships. The game could have benefited from a little more diversity with the fighters, but what it lacks in tangible units it makes up for with researchable enhancements. Allocating resources to scientific improvement is as important as maintaining a large fleet.

Difficulty:

RTS veterans won't have a lot of problems getting used to the new environment. It will be just like learning to walk all over again. Disorientation isn't a large problem, but when there are dozens of tiny ships flying around, things can get a little confusing.

Game Mechanics:

By stepping into the third dimension, ORB takes a step away from other RTS games. Moving your ships within the vacuum of space requires a little more care than would normally be necessary. This is one of the game's only faults. Relocating units on a 2D plane is easy, but trying to add that third dimension of movement isn't easy in a pinch.

Beyond that, you can usually get along by using objects as waypoints. Clicking on an asteroid with a mining ship will send it right there, and clicking on an enemy fighter with your own will send your units along their way to destroy their target. While ORB is definitely playable, it doesn't surpass Homeworld in any way. It is a good game in its genre but definitely not the best.