Um, your "review" on gamespot isn't exactly what one would call coherent. You rate it "superb" with 9.0 but describe it (if that's what you can call it) as something which should, by the score standards you use, as something deserving of a 6.5 (caveat: hard to tell exactly what you were trying to say). I think many of the reviews rating the game as "fair" (6.0 to 6.5) or mediocre are, in fact, agreeing with what you yourself wrote ("There are much worse games out there to spend your money on then this one") -- that is the definition of mediocre.

Nobody likes the fact that Elemental is getting mediocre reviews (and note: nobody has given them abysmal reviews); while some people will dislike it doubly so (because they feel that the mediocre reviews are undeserved), almost everyone here dislikes the situation. That doesn't mean, however, that the reviews are substandard, grossly unfair, or more subjectively biased than all reviews, to some extent, have to be (since they are expressions of our subjective feelings regarding our experiences with a product).

true played moo3 version 1.0 and it worked very well

MoO3 is an example of a game that DID get piled on by the Internet, largely because of peoples inflated expectations for the sequel to the beloved MoO2. Had MoO3 been called "new space empire game 1", it wouldn't be reviled the way it is now.

By the same token, can you imagine the insane rage that would have occurred if Elemental was called "Master of Magic 2" and released in this state?

The comparison to TToEE is a good one.  That was another game that was clearly shipped too early, but had a lot of potential.  I am surprised that it has a 70+ average review score.

PC Gamer: 70

http://www.pcgamer.com/2010/09/02/elemental-war-of-magic-review/

Heh.  This is why I look for Tom's reviews (and diaries), regardless of whether I agree with his conclusions (although he's pretty fair here).

I'm glad i didn't buy this half - finished game .

updated list with PC gamer score   thanks Profligate!

RIP Black Isle, Bioware, Westwood, Sirtech, 3DO, Blizzard, LucasArts, Red Storm...

I read all the negative press on this game. I still bought the game and have a few words of wisdom.

1) 4X games are usally not perfect out of the box. the concept is so difficult to code the developers need the user community to help make game choices and help balance out the issues.

2) 4X games usally take more then one start to understand the information displayed and how the interface works. They can be frustrating to learn.

3) 4X games have so many ways to play, that not ever way ends up in a fun experience.

4) If 4X games were so easy to create the genre would have more titles being developed.

My fist experience with a 4X game was back in 1982 with a C64 and it took me the better part of a week to figure out the game mechanics, and even that game was patched after release. So Yes, there are issues with the current version 1.06 but it's still playable. I don't use the battle mode because there is no withdrawl at this time, so I just use the resolve mode similar to Civ4. I have a 400+ turn game going and no crashes. I would not reccommend doing the campaign, just keep starting a new game until you get use to the interface and some of the game mechanics. Make just you start on a large map to buy time while learning. I am still learning the game and can't wait for new patches that squash bugs and add/fix game play.

If you like to play a game that is immersive as Civilzation but more interting at it's core then get this game and sit back and enjoy what Stardock has done and will do for the first year.

As a UI suggestion, I think that the description needs to be (changed/improved?)

example: +25%  ->  *1.25

+50% -> *1.5

-30% -> *0.7

-10% -> *0.9

I think such simple changes would erase much confusion, if those things on the left were to be changed to how they appear on the right.

Ouch... Well give it a month and Elemental will be fine. Then I will bet money on the expansion scoring high.

Screw the reviews. 1.07 plays fantastic (ai silliness aside of course, brad hasn't came back from vac to start workin on it) Another few patches and it should be really shaping up. Shame I will have my Civ 5 and my contemplated (as in I am on the fence about it) Final Fantasy 14 maybe...wish I had made it into the open beta...want to try it before it releases....

Thank you.

That was an excellent review from another fan of Stardock's other projects. One of the best reviews so far.

You do realise many people will be unable to find the game remotely interesting with the moronic ai that's in at the moment? I can't see how it could play fantastic when whatever you do you can't lose unless you really want to commit suicide, and thus there is no challenge.