Info about Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation:

Official game description:
  
The human race has expanded into the galaxy thanks to the wonders of the technological singularity. You have become so powerful that you can manage vast armies across an entire world that provide you with an ever greater galactic empire.  
Now, humanity is under assault by a new enemy. Calling themselves the Substrate, they seek to annihilate the human race from existence. You, as an up and coming member of the Post-Human Coalition, must deal with both this new menace as well as renegade humans trying to lay claim to their own worlds.  
Play as the Post Human Coalition or their eternal foes the Substrate and battle for control of the galaxy. Experience maps of unprecedented size and detail with the unparalleled power of the world’s first native 64-bit RTS engine, Nitrous.  
Enjoy the game online with friends in ranked or unranked multiplayer mode or play it by yourself against a powerful non-cheating AI in skirmish or campaign mode. No matter what mode you play, strategy is the key: deciding what technologies to research, where to send your armies, how to manage your economy, and what units to construct are crucial to victory.  
Experience a massive-scale real time strategy game where you wage war across worlds with thousands of units. The conflict has escalated, and it’s time to choose a side.

Release date: Nov 10, 2016

Categories: Real-time Strategy, Large-Scale Combat, Base Building, Sci-Fi Setting, Faction-based Campaigns, Skirmish Mode, Macro Management, Unit Management

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 20; verdict: Fair / Paid DLC Only; summary: The reviews describe a paid RTS with DLC that some players view as important for variety, alongside complaints about base-game and DLC pricing. There is no direct evidence of real-money gacha, loot boxes, paid currency, a cash shop, battle passes, or pay-to-win mechanics. Under the audit rules, traditional DLC and price complaints alone cannot exceed a score of 20.
- Wiki: score 50; verdict: TIER 3: THE STUDENT; summary: Reviews indicate that the primary external data dependency is instructional: players rely on the English or official wiki to understand the world, scenarios, units, buildings, settings, and complex systems. The production system is described as unfriendly and difficult to manage, which adds to the learning burden. There is no clear evidence of resource farming, drop-rate checking, inventory valuation, crafting-planning anxiety, map navigation problems, or bug-fix needs.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $25.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews consistently reject full or near-AAA pricing and describe the game as overpriced at around €40. Positive price comments cluster around sale pricing, especially a 50% discount, while some still call it too expensive even on sale. Excluding DLC and MTX concerns, this supports a fair base-game range below the current full asking price, roughly $15-$25.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 35.0h
  - Story completion: 40.0h
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The report of about 35 hours for all four campaigns directly supports gameCompletion at 35 hours. The translated Japanese review states that all main scenarios were completed in 40 hours, supporting storyCompletion at 40 hours. The same translated review gives about 1.5 hours per campaign stage, which is used as the sessionLength estimate; a separate multiplayer report describes about 30-minute matches, indicating shorter sessions are also common. The 20-30 hour campaign range is less precise and is not used for the final completion values. No target-specific post-campaign or endgame hour count is provided, so endgame is null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation tends to click after players push through a steep learning curve and become comfortable with its pace, especially in multiplayer or with friends. However, a notable share of players never finds it fun, and others report that initial novelty fades into repetition.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Getting the hang of it
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: steep learning curve; initial overwhelm; frustration and restarts; unresponsive or unclear controls; text-heavy tutorial-like campaign; rush-focused multiplayer
  - Unlock drivers: playing more and getting the hang of it; learning the controls and pace; playing with friends; switching to multiplayer or skirmish
  - Conditions: patience for a steep learning curve; prior RTS experience; playing with friends; multiplayer or skirmish focus; preference for slower RTS pacing; single-player-only play
- Player Archetypes:
  - Old-School Large-Scale RTS Veteran (buy)
    - Motivation: Experiencing nostalgic, large-scale RTS battles with big armies and bases rather than esports-style APM pressure.
    - Playstyle: Macro-focused base building and army management; prefers AI or relaxed play and defensive/turtling over rush micromanagement.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: RTS fan
    - Reference games: Total Annihilation; Supreme Commander
  - Campaign-Focused Single-Player RTS Player (sale)
    - Motivation: Completing story campaigns and solo skirmish content.
    - Playstyle: Plays through missions and AI skirmishes; ignores or minimally engages with multiplayer.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Competitive Ranked RTS Duelist (buy)
    - Motivation: Competing on the ranked 1v1 ladder and outplaying other players.
    - Playstyle: Frequent ranked 1v1 matches with aggressive rush/cheese tactics and high-APM competition.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: former competitive SC2 player
    - Reference games: StarCraft II
  - Hardware Benchmark Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Stress-testing high-end PC hardware and viewing large-scale battles.
    - Playstyle: Runs benchmarks and large battles to push CPU/GPU, often without finishing matches.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent RTS gameplay (weight 0.47): The game is widely praised as a top-tier RTS with fun, rewarding, and well-balanced mechanics. Many consider it one of the best in the genre.
- Stunning graphics and visuals (weight 0.33): Graphics are frequently described as beautiful, polished, and spectacular, especially during large-scale battles. Visual effects are impressive.
- Massive epic battles (weight 0.29): Battles are enormous in scale, featuring thousands of units and spectacular war scenes. The grand scale is a major highlight.
- Comparable to Supreme Commander (weight 0.22): The game strongly appeals to fans of Supreme Commander and Total Annihilation, with many noting it plays like a streamlined version of those classics.
- Enjoyable campaign experience (weight 0.17): The single-player campaign is fun, satisfying, and long-lasting, with a simple but well-planned story worth seeing through.
- Fun skirmish mode (weight 0.12): Skirmish mode is highly enjoyable and adds replayability by allowing matches with different conditions anytime. Quick skirmishes are also fun.
- Challenging campaign missions (weight 0.1): Campaign scenarios are quite challenging even on normal difficulty, requiring multiple attempts and adaptation. Missions offer variety.
- Great grand strategy elements (weight 0.1): The game has core elements that make it a great grand strategy game, appealing to fans of the genre.
- Good balance and factions (weight 0.08): The game features good balance between factions, making it fair and enjoyable for all playstyles.
- Solid map design (weight 0.08): Map design is well-crafted and works effectively, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- Easy Steam integration (weight 0.06): Steam integration makes it quick and easy to start games with friends, enhancing multiplayer convenience.
- Strategic zoomed-out view (weight 0.06): A zoomed-out strategic view is available, helping players manage large armies and plan strategies effectively.
- Large expansion adds strategy (weight 0.06): The ability to expand very large across the map adds strategic depth and planning opportunities.
- Satisfying defensive turtling (weight 0.06): Building comprehensive defenses across the map to contain the enemy is described as satisfying and rewarding.
- Good unit variety (weight 0.06): Unit variation is considered good, offering a range of options for players to use strategically.
- Rewarding aggressive and defensive play (weight 0.06): The game rewards both aggressive and defensive playstyles equally, without forcing one approach.
- Good AI behavior (weight 0.06): The AI is praised for splitting groups into armies and adapting army composition effectively.
- No hero units (weight 0.05): The game relies on small, medium, and dreadnought-sized vehicles instead of hero units, all of which are viable.
- Cool soundtrack (weight 0.05): The main theme and overall soundtrack are very cool and well-received.
- Neat orbital powers (weight 0.05): Orbital abilities are considered a nice idea, adding an interesting layer to gameplay.

Common complaints:
- Lack of unit variety (weight 0.22): The game offers little diversity in units and development options, making gameplay feel repetitive. Players note only two factions with similar units.
- Frequent crashes (weight 0.17): The game crashes repeatedly, freezes, and is hardly playable due to constant crashing. This severely impacts the experience.
- Horrible pathfinding (weight 0.17): Pathfinding is frequently bad, with units taking idiotic paths and failing to form up. Units also get stuck on terrain regularly.
- Indistinguishable unit icons (weight 0.13): All units look similar and are hard to find on the map unless zoomed out completely. Icons appear as blue blobs in slightly different forms, making differentiation difficult.
- Missing language support (weight 0.12): The game lacks support for Chinese, Russian, and Ukrainian languages, making it hard for players to understand controls and enjoy the game.
- Poor unit AI (weight 0.11): Players report that unit AI is braindead and nearly useless without constant micromanagement. Units fail to act intelligently, requiring manual control for every unit.
- Clunky controls (weight 0.1): Controls are bad and clunky. Players note the inability to control-click to select all units of the same type, only double-click works.
- Unfun and boring (weight 0.1): The game is not very fun and extremely boring. Some find it mediocre and average in many respects.
- Flat sound effects (weight 0.1): Vehicle idle and movement sounds are underwhelming and flat, lacking dynamic audio detail. The soundtrack is also mediocre and forgettable.
- Confusing user interface (weight 0.09): The UI is described as muddy, unintuitive, and inconvenient due to its grey tones, making it unclear where to click. Some call it terrible.
- Shallow strategy (weight 0.09): Gameplay feels shallow and lacks strategic depth. Players find the strategy too simple and unrewarding.
- Poor story and dialogue (weight 0.08): The storyline is boring and annoying, with cheesy dialogue. Players consider the story and dialogue to be pretty bad.
- Fails Supreme Commander comparison (weight 0.08): The game does not reach the quality of Supreme Commander and misses the point of what made that game great. It lacks depth compared to Supreme Commander.
- Low performance (weight 0.06): Performance is too low for a strategy game, maxing out at 30 FPS even on lowest settings. The game stutters heavily despite minimalist graphics.
- Units ignore range (weight 0.06): Units try to get as close as possible to the enemy instead of fighting from maximum range. They drift towards enemy guns even when in a good position to attack.
- Lacking single player (weight 0.06): Single player is a heavy focus but severely lacking, providing a not great experience. Players expected more from the single-player mode.
- Difficult army navigation (weight 0.06): Large armies are too large to navigate together and are difficult to maneuver. This adds to the challenge of controlling units.
- High entry barrier (weight 0.06): The game has a high entry threshold, making it hard for new players to get into. This steep learning curve can be frustrating.
- Slow gameplay (weight 0.06): Gameplay is ponderously slow and really slow, making the game feel sluggish. This pace detracts from the overall experience.
- Unreadable font (weight 0.06): The font is ugly and poorly readable, with typography that is illegible. This makes reading text in the game difficult.

Gameplay feedback:
- Real-time strategy core (weight 0.41): The game is consistently described as a real-time strategy title, often compared to Total Annihilation and Supreme Commander. It emphasizes large-scale macro gameplay and base building.
- Massive unit counts (weight 0.27): Players highlight the ability to command enormous armies, with unit counts reaching up to 100,000. This creates battles on an epic scale with hundreds or thousands of units.
- Campaign mode available (weight 0.22): The game includes a single-player campaign with a background story and a variety of missions. The campaign is a heavy focus for some players.
- Skirmish and AI (weight 0.22): Skirmish matches against AI opponents are available, with adjustable difficulty and competent AI. This provides replayability outside the campaign.
- Unit variety (weight 0.21): There is a wide variety of unit types, including ground and air units, with interactions between them. Units range from small frigates to epic dreadnoughts.
- Base building essential (weight 0.2): Base building is a core mechanic, involving defensive turrets, factories, and prerequisite structures. Some feedback notes it could be more developed.
- Army formations and controls (weight 0.16): The game includes army formations, control groups, and contextual orders for managing large forces. Pathing and unit targeting are part of the control scheme.
- Faction choices (weight 0.14): The game features multiple factions, each with their own campaigns and unit rosters. Players can choose between two or more factions.
- Territory control mechanics (weight 0.1): Map control revolves around capturing territory and resource nodes, with high ground advantages. Connecting territory and investing in mining upgrades decides victory.
- Macro-focused gameplay (weight 0.1): The game emphasizes macro management over micro, with streaming resources and large-scale army control. Combat often involves massing units into blobs.
- Multiplayer options (weight 0.1): Multiplayer is available with variety, including custom matches and skirmish modes. It complements the campaign and single-player experience.
- Planet-sized maps (weight 0.1): Maps are massive, sometimes planet-sized, and feature corridors and chokepoints that influence tactical decisions.
- Difficulty scalability (weight 0.1): The difficulty is adjustable, with an easy-to-learn but hard-to-master curve. Higher difficulties offer a greater challenge.
- Strategic zoom feature (weight 0.06): A strategic zoom view allows players to zoom in and out for better battlefield overview. This is a notable quality-of-life feature.
- Orbital abilities included (weight 0.06): The game offers a variety of orbital abilities that add another layer to strategy. These can be used to support ground forces or strike behind enemy lines.
- Hovercraft units present (weight 0.06): Hovercraft units, sometimes called hoverbots, are part of the unit roster. They provide mobility options across different terrain.
- No artillery or naval units (weight 0.05): Some players note the absence of artillery and naval units, which limits tactical options. This is a notable gap in the unit roster.
- Compared to Supreme Commander (weight 0.05): The game is often described as a clone of Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance, trying to replicate its concept. This comparison sets expectations for fans of the genre.

Performance notes:
- Frequent crashes reported (weight 0.25): Multiple players report repeated crashes, including on launch, during missions, and after long battles. Some crashes occur randomly and one report notes crashing when alt-tabbing in DX12 mode.
- Poor optimization and low FPS (weight 0.19): Players report terrible optimization with low frame rates even on reduced settings, including max 30 FPS on lowest graphics and 50 FPS on both medium and low. Multiplayer can run as low as 20 FPS.
- High hardware demands and strain (weight 0.18): The game heavily stresses CPU and GPU, with high-end cards running at full power and systems with 16GB RAM and an RX550 unable to run it. Players recommend high-end hardware for smooth performance.
- Positive performance on capable rigs (weight 0.15): Some players report smooth performance at max settings, over 1000 units in DX11 and DX12, and no drops even in large-scale battles. Optimization is described as great by some.
- Frame drops in heavy scenes (weight 0.09): Severe frame rate drops occur on lava maps, when viewing air units, with many units on the field, and during Genesis missions after capturing points. The engine struggles with a couple hundred units.
- Long startup and asset loading (weight 0.08): Startup load times are very long and may take several minutes. Loading assets often fails and requires multiple attempts to start the game.
- Performance varies by configuration (weight 0.08): Performance issues occur on certain configurations, and the game may not run due to hardware specs but can work after the Escalation upgrade. It runs normally on a GTX 1060.
- DX12 and multi-GPU support praised (weight 0.07): The game supports DX12 and nearly all its features, including native multi-GPU rendering that works without driver optimization.
- High GPU load from slow code (weight 0.06): Slow code causes high GPU load even on a GTX 1080, which always runs at full power and stresses the power supply and components.
- Blocky visual artifacts (weight 0.05): Shots, flare-ups, and building beams appear blocky regardless of antialiasing settings. Textures also render dynamically as the camera moves.
- Good visual effects on high-end (weight 0.05): Lighting and particle effects look good for high-end GPUs, and excellent graphics require a powerful machine.
- Stuttering in DX11 (weight 0.03): The game stutters badly in DX11 despite minimalist graphics.
- Laggy mouse edge scrolling (weight 0.03): Mouse edge scrolling has a delay and feels laggy according to one reviewer.
- Particle settings not adjustable (weight 0.03): Particle count cannot be adjusted, and excessive particles stress the GPU.
- Saving game issues (weight 0.03): One player reports issues with saving the game.

Recommendations:
- Fans of classic RTS (weight 0.31): The game is recommended for fans of Total Annihilation, Supreme Commander, and Sins of a Solar Empire. It appeals to those who enjoy large-scale, macro-focused strategy.
- Worth buying on sale (weight 0.27): Many reviewers recommend purchasing the game only during a discount, calling it a no-brainer on sale or worth it at a reduced price. Some suggest waiting for a deep discount or free access.
- Not recommended for everyone (weight 0.22): Some reviewers strongly advise against buying, citing regret even at a discount or recommending other games instead. Reasons include high cost, lack of depth, and better alternatives.
- Appeals to casual and competitive (weight 0.22): The game is considered suitable for both casual and competitive players, though some note it may be too complex for newcomers. It can be enjoyed by a wide range of skill levels.
- Better alternatives exist (weight 0.18): Reviewers often suggest playing Supreme Commander: Forged Alliance, Beyond All Reason, Zero-K, or other RTS titles instead. The game is seen as inferior to established classics.
- Slower, less competitive playstyle (weight 0.14): Reviewers recommend it for players who prefer a slower pace and less competitive, e-sport style gameplay. It suits those who enjoy older, more relaxed RTS experiences.
- Performance and optimization issues (weight 0.14): The game may have optimization problems and interface issues, and requires a high-end PC for smooth play. Some reviewers recommend it as a benchmark for expensive setups.
- Great for single-player and co-op (weight 0.12): The game is recommended for those who plan to play with friends or enjoy single-player campaigns. Comp stomps and family-friendly multiplayer are highlighted.
- Base building and large armies (weight 0.12): Fans of base building and commanding vast futuristic armies will enjoy this game. It offers hardcore base builder and tactical gameplay with thousands of units.
- Mixed feelings on value (weight 0.12): Opinions vary on whether the game is worth the money, with some saying it is not a bad buy while others regret the purchase. Value is often tied to price and expectations.
- Mixed or reserved recommendations (weight 0.11): Some reviewers give thumbs up despite flaws or recommend with reservations. Others find it mediocre but playable, or only fun for a few hours.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.1): Many reviewers feel the game is overpriced at full price, especially with DLC, and not worth the near-AAA cost. Waiting for a sale is advised.
- Needs more content or polish (weight 0.09): Some reviewers note the game lacks unit variety, strategic depth, or is unfinished. They would change their recommendation if these issues were addressed.
- Polarizing among RTS veterans (weight 0.09): Veteran RTS players are divided, with some finding it disappointing and others enjoying it as a solid entry. It may not meet the expectations of experienced players.
- High skill floor for newcomers (weight 0.08): Newcomers may find the game difficult due to a steep learning curve and high skill floor. Some reviewers recommend avoiding it if you are new to RTS or easily frustrated.
- Buy Escalation or Gold version (weight 0.07): It is recommended to purchase the Escalation or Gold version directly, as it includes all content and avoids missing anything. Vanilla may be skipped.
- Not for StarCraft-style micro (weight 0.05): Players expecting fast-paced dynamics and micromanagement similar to StarCraft should look elsewhere. The game focuses on macro strategy rather than individual unit control.
- Sci-fi setting may not appeal (weight 0.03): Those who dislike science fiction settings are advised to skip the game. The futuristic theme is a core part of the experience.
- Narrative and campaign weak (weight 0.03): Reviewers suggest skipping if you are interested in narrative or a strong single-player campaign. The story and campaign are not the game's strengths.

Other player notes:
- Frequent Supreme Commander comparisons (weight 0.36): Many reviewers compare the game to Supreme Commander, often finding it lacking in variety, combat feel, or overall quality. Some consider it a spiritual successor but note it feels like a beta version of the classic.
- Resembles Total Annihilation style (weight 0.19): The game is frequently compared to Total Annihilation and seen as a modern take on that style of RTS. Reviewers note similarities in intro and overall gameplay.
- Lack of Chinese localization (weight 0.14): Multiple reviewers mention that the game lacks Chinese language support or that the localization is not updated. This is a notable issue for Chinese-speaking players.
- DLC adds scenarios and maps (weight 0.09): DLC for the game includes additional scenarios and maps, expanding the content. Some mention mandatory DLC.
- Compared to Sins of a Solar Empire (weight 0.09): Reviewers compare the game to Sins of a Solar Empire, often describing it as a mix of that game and Supreme Commander.
- Faster pace than Supreme Commander (weight 0.06): One reviewer notes that the game plays similarly to Supreme Commander but at a faster pace, which could appeal to some players.
- No mods available (weight 0.06): Players note that there are almost no mods for the game on ModDB or Nexusmods. This limits community content and longevity.
- Small player base (weight 0.06): The game has a small player base and low awareness, which may affect multiplayer matchmaking and community engagement.
- Both single and multiplayer (weight 0.06): The game offers multiple single-player campaigns and a multiplayer mode, providing varied gameplay options.
- Anticipation for sequel (weight 0.05): Some reviewers are looking forward to a sequel and expect it to look amazing, indicating interest in the franchise's future.
- Starcraft nostalgia (weight 0.05): A few reviewers compare the game to StarCraft, reminding them of the golden ages of RTS games.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.24): Players are frustrated by severe technical issues including frequent crashes, failed launches, and poor performance. Unit AI and pathfinding are unreliable, with units ignoring commands, getting stuck, and requiring excessive micromanagement. The UI is clunky, missing hotkeys and scaling options, and difficulty is often perceived as unfair due to AI precision and imbalanced missions.
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): Many expected a worthy spiritual successor to Supreme Commander or Total Annihilation but found shallow gameplay, dull combat, and a lack of strategic depth. The game feels unfinished, with bugs, poor performance, and a story that fails to engage. Faction asymmetry and unit variety are lacking, and the overall experience does not live up to its inspirations.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.09): Players enjoy the massive battles, epic scale, and satisfying micromanagement. The skirmish mode and multiplayer with friends provide fun and replayability. The game captures the spirit of classic RTS games like Total Annihilation and Supreme Commander, with solid mechanics and a challenging campaign.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.07): Players feel satisfied by the challenging AI, strategic depth, and rewarding gameplay that offers many hours of enjoyment. The ability to build large armies and defensive structures, along with regular updates and active multiplayer, makes the purchase feel worthwhile. The game provides a sense of accomplishment when mastering its complex mechanics.
- Boredom (weight 0.04): The game feels repetitive and monotonous, with slow combat, bland maps, and a lack of variety. Missions are short or grind-heavy, and the single-player experience is plain. Graphics and effects are underwhelming, and gameplay often devolves into moving hordes with little tactical depth.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Players are excited by the massive battles, innovative RTS elements, and the potential for future updates and a sequel. Controlling hundreds of units, developing tactics, and experiencing dynamic combat scenarios create a thrilling experience. The game's modding potential and active support also generate enthusiasm.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Minor issues cause annoyance, such as large file size, lag in specific missions, and a lack of warning for enemy attacks. The inability to group dreadnoughts, cheesy dialogue, and illegible typography also detract from the experience. These small frustrations add up and hinder enjoyment.
- Hope (weight 0.02): Players hope that future updates will address current issues and improve the game. They look forward to new content like navy, graphics updates, and Chinese localization, and wish for the game's revival or a sequel that fixes balance problems. Long-term support and developer plans give them optimism.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Enthusiastic players praise the large-scale battles, deep tactics, and competitive multiplayer. The game offers a fantastic balanced RTS experience with diverse units, a cool campaign, and continuous free content updates. Features like no unit cap and the army macromanagement system are particularly appreciated.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the game's ability to make them feel like a true commander leading thousands of units, with a soundtrack that stands out among RTS games. The visuals, optimization, and AI performance even in crowded scenarios are impressive. The unique resource node system and meaningful unit variety are also highly regarded.
- Fun (weight 0.02): Players find the game fun, especially when playing skirmish matches with adjustable AI or multiplayer with friends. The scale and visuals are captivating, and the base building and faction choices add variety. The gameplay is enjoyable once players invest time to learn it.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's focus on strategy over high APM, with a seamless army supply system and reinforcement mechanic. It is a well-polished love letter to RTS games with depth and potential for enormous armies, remaining enjoyable after years.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Some players dislike the childish design and campaign, old-fashioned graphics, and below-average art style and story. Infinite unit production reduces strategic feel, making the game less appealing to those seeking depth.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is triggered by random crashes during missions, forced use of a developer launcher that monitors players, and excessively difficult missions with little reaction time. Invasive tutorial popups also interrupt the campaign and cause frustration.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.01): The game evokes nostalgia for classic RTS titles like early Command and Conquer and StarCraft, reminding players of golden ages of gaming. Specific elements like ship designs, planets, and music bring back memories of playing with family or during childhood.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Players are dissatisfied with the lack of satisfying destruction effects, such as missing debris and lackluster explosions. Balance issues in specific versions make campaigns unplayable, and the game feels like an inferior clone of Supreme Commander.
- Concern (weight 0.01): Concern arises from factions potentially having too-similar units, complexity intimidating new players, and bugs on some configurations. The small player base also worries players about the game's longevity and matchmaking.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Some players regret purchasing the game, feeling it was not worth the money due to various issues. The overall experience did not meet their expectations, leading to a sense of wasted investment.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players are pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoy the game, especially as fans of Supreme Commander who expected less. Some initially disliked it but got sucked in after pushing through, and others are surprised by the unexpected energy and mobility in short games.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Frustration stems from language barriers making controls hard to learn, units like dreadnoughts not following orders and requiring constant micromanagement, and controls that work against the player with limitations and unit similarity.}