However, AI War 2 has presented some truly unique technical challenges, mainly involving running insane amounts of AI and simulations in a massively parallel fashion. In the twelve years since we coded the first AI War, we've made a lot of improvements to our simulation engine, which is now running on top of the Unity 3D engine. Which mode you choose to play will always remain a personal choice. Q3 2021 is going to introduce a new Expert mode for those who want the more extreme sort of challenge that comes from having elements of permanent loss, more reasons to hold disadvantageous positions, and so on. Early 2021 has seen major improvements to make the midgame easier to get into for new players, plus a more forgiving Science system and a much more powerful Hacking system. Your job is to carefully evaluate targets, strategically expand your territory just enough to run your fleets and defensive networks, and then strike at the heart of the AI(s) when you are ready.ĪI War 2 is meant to be both accessible and deep. You are starting with one small planet in a sea of hostile territory, and you must endeavor not to draw too much notice from the AI. The entire galaxy belongs to other factions, mostly the AI. The premise is simple: you've already lost the war. Every year since 2018, this AI has become more devious - and the factions facing it, subordinate to it, or simply neighbors with it grow more numerous and more lifelike. It's also "a sequel to enormo-space RTS AI War, which we called 'one of this year's finest strategy games' back in 2009" (Tom Sykes, PC Gamer) The most devious and acclaimed artificial intelligence in strategy gaming evolves. Take territory without attracting attention, build your empire with care, and adapt to an ever-evolving galactic battleground. If you were waiting to check it out before, it’s time to stop waiting.ĪI War 2 is available in Early Access from Steam and Humble.AI War 2 is a grand strategy/RTS hybrid that reverses many of the conventions of both genres. Once it hits 1.0, I expect it to be supported for another five years or more, much as the original had been. It’ll only get better as it’s hammered out. AI War 2 is incredibly playable as it is now. A few wonky non-critical issues, like weapon special effects starting from behind their launch points and then suddenly vanishing, will surely get ironed out. That said, Arcen Games has a history of supporting its games. The only thing truly missing from the current build is its lack of multiplayer. Much, if not all of the original music is there from the original, from the buzzing electronica to a haunting orchestra. Some additional changes include how upgrades are given to ships instead of giving you a whole new class of ship to build, it goes for a more traditional method of upgrading all your current ships, as well as allowing you to construct a little bit more. But, some of the other benefits are much more subtle, such as an engine – Unity – that can handle the game much better and future-proof it with less hassle to add more features and expansions.Īt its current stage in beta, AI War 2 plays almost identically to its precursor. You can see where AI forces are coming from a bit easier, as well. For instance, you get a much better at-a-glance estimation of fleet strength per system when zoomed out. We are getting a number of quality of life and balance changes. However, by this point, a reboot is more reassuring than trying to change too much and potentially losing what gave the original the spice that gained it its cult status. With AI War 2, the original plan was to have a new game with the added benefit of a new engine. The original AI War has been showing its age and was never meant to be expanded upon as it has been over the years. So instead of a sequel, after much deliberation, it was decided AI War 2 would be the best reboot in the age of reboots.Įveryone involved with the campaign, backers included, were fine with this. Changes made to the old formula didn’t sit well with those that supported the game and who were likely mostly fans of the first. Reboot and RelaunchĪI War 2 originally started off as a true sequel, but in development and as testers hammered away at in alpha, things just did not feel right. It was successfully crowdfunded on Kickstarter (which I participated in – full disclosure). Let’s have a deeper look: AI War 2 is a 4X RTS hybrid with a slight dash of tower defense. AI War returns! But as a sequel? It would be quite silly for humanity to trigger the conditions that set off the events of the first game a second time.
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