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Running a nation has never been so easy. SuperPower 2 allows you to control many nations in numerous scenerios, but overall gamers looking for a deep, take on managing diplomatic relationships with other nations should no doubt spend their $30 elsewhere.
At its core, SuperPower 2 is a pretty screwed-up world simulator. The game basically allows you to control meticulously many aspects of the nation your controlling but they basically fall into managing the economy (such as forming treaties with nations and making sure the nation’s peoples are well off), participating politics and diplomatic relations (such as forming a new capital or form of government), or using the military to accomplish whatever needs to get done by amassing a good deal of weaponry and units.
The game gives you a number of scenarios, but for the most part all you’ll need to do is tinker with a few of the settings and await for everything to unfold for you. For example, while you can control your military you’ll be better off just letting the game’s artificial intelligence summarize the results for you. Similarly, other objectives just require a few button presses to get more cash by taxing the nation and investing in new technology, neither of which requires much skill just time.
In fairness, the computer does keep things interesting by reacting very strangely. You’re able to tax people extensively without them saying anything. You’re also able to pretty much ignore them and they’ll keep voting for your party, sometimes in overwhelming numbers. You’re able to build up your military without ally nations worrying in the least bit. Additionally, the computer-controlled nations react strangely to things like a declaration of war. And in keeping with the game’s nation, the war is quickly joined by a bunch of other nations.
Aside from the many scenarios the game includes, you’re also able to make your own which is actually the most fun part of the game. Not particularly when the AI is controlling the other nations because their sporadic actions ruin your otherwise masterfully designed experiment. Thankfully, the game supports a fully-functional online mode that can be played with a maximum of thirty-two players. Actually finding 32 willing players is an exercise in frustration, but you should find a group of players to play with rather easily. Online play is the most fun aspect of the game since human players tend to be logical in their decisions (although there’s always the jackass to be found, like any online game).
This game was reviewed using the v1.1 patch which fixed a number of bugs including nasty crashes we experienced during the first few hours of gameplay (before the patch was installed). Crash bugs are particularly annoying and it is recommended to patch the game as soon as it is installed.
The game’s visuals are pretty average. The user interface is simple to use, which is great considering how often you’ll rely on it. The actual graphics are pretty standard stuff: the units are simple but functional, and the numerous nations have a bit of detail which allows you to zoom in and see it a bit better. The audio in the game is appropriate, although nothing of particular note.
SuperPower 2 isn’t a particularly strong nation simulator. Nonetheless, I found myself to be bewildered by the erratic actions of the artifical intelligence as opposed to being genuinely upset. If you are looking for what would happen in a truly crazy world, SuperPower 2 will let you relive that very well and leave you walking away genuinely pleased. -- Jake Wilson, PGNx Media
---- Oct 26, 2004
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