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Author Topic:   The manual

jerrod428 posted 04-05-99 05:17 PM ET
I hanen't bought the game yet but am planning to. I just wanted to know how detailed and well written the manual is, and how long is it. Thanks!
Xotor posted 04-05-99 05:21 PM ET
The program comes with some tutorials included. I found these to be the best teacher. The Manual is thorough and tells every aspect of the game.
-Xotor-
dbrodale posted 04-05-99 05:58 PM ET
The manual is lengthy and thorough, but there are some caveats, here: (1) Some of the elements described in the manual do not fit with actual gameplay - so the manual is not the "bible" of SMAC; (2) The manual lacks an index, so you will have to rely on the table of contents to look-up information; (3) A lot of program behaviors [mindworms not requiring support in fungus tiles?] are not described at all in the manual, and at times, the manual is a bit opaque as to how game concepts are actually carried out in the actual game; and (4) At times, the presentation of information and its ordering in the manual is a bit "off."
But it is thick and does contain quite a bit of useful information, and ranks as one of the better game manuals I've used, all things considered. Xotor is right in pointing to the tutorials, and I'd only add that one should also reference the in-game datalinks for supplementary information, as well.
Anyone want to comment on Prima's game guide for SMAC? I'm curious as to what mysteries it unveils and whether it is even worth the investment of funds.
d.brodale
Evk posted 04-05-99 06:03 PM ET
I want to comment on it. Personally, I don't use game guides, because I feel if you're playing the way the guide says you're wasting your time. The whole point of the game is to make up and adapt your own strategy and find what works. In fact, the only game guide I have is the Ultima Online one my freind gave me when he sold his copy of UO (that ho!). Then again, this is more a statement against game guides in general than the SMAC one, so if you like them, I dont' see a reason not to get it.
Evk posted 04-05-99 06:05 PM ET
Oops! I hate to post twice in a row, but I also rememberd I own a FF3 game guide. Bwah!
jerrod428 posted 04-05-99 06:11 PM ET
Thanks alot. one more thing i forgot to add was does the manual include a tech tree?? Thanks again
dbrodale posted 04-05-99 06:16 PM ET
I agree with evk's general assessment of game guides ... I only own two, purchased more on a lark than actual interest in the games in question [Outpost and FPSBB94, in case anyone is curious]. Yes, I do buy flukey games at times.
Anyway, the tech tree is included on a huge poster packaged with SMAC.
d.brodale
eNo posted 04-05-99 06:23 PM ET
Remeber that there third patch is out so some things like Faction abilities are out-of-date. Not that much has changed though.
Travathian posted 04-05-99 09:12 PM ET
As far as the game guide, I only bought it cause I dont have the instruction manual for the game. The map is pretty cool, allows you to see how the map of Planet looks like very clearly. Their strategies are a joke though. The SP section is ok, but the same thing as the datalinks, only a lot faster to find. Pretty disappointing if you ask me.
Too bad I cant get a refund.
eNo posted 04-05-99 10:34 PM ET
Travathian, how come you don't have a manual?
dbrodale posted 04-05-99 10:38 PM ET
I was about to ask that myself, but figured that I really did not want to know the [suspected] answer. <g>
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Author	Topic: The manual
jerrod428	posted 04-05-99 05:17 PM ET I hanen't bought the game yet but am planning to. I just wanted to know how detailed and well written the manual is, and how long is it. Thanks!
Xotor	posted 04-05-99 05:21 PM ET The program comes with some tutorials included. I found these to be the best teacher. The Manual is thorough and tells every aspect of the game. -Xotor-
dbrodale	posted 04-05-99 05:58 PM ET The manual is lengthy and thorough, but there are some caveats, here: (1) Some of the elements described in the manual do not fit with actual gameplay - so the manual is not the "bible" of SMAC; (2) The manual lacks an index, so you will have to rely on the table of contents to look-up information; (3) A lot of program behaviors [mindworms not requiring support in fungus tiles?] are not described at all in the manual, and at times, the manual is a bit opaque as to how game concepts are actually carried out in the actual game; and (4) At times, the presentation of information and its ordering in the manual is a bit "off." But it is thick and does contain quite a bit of useful information, and ranks as one of the better game manuals I've used, all things considered. Xotor is right in pointing to the tutorials, and I'd only add that one should also reference the in-game datalinks for supplementary information, as well. Anyone want to comment on Prima's game guide for SMAC? I'm curious as to what mysteries it unveils and whether it is even worth the investment of funds. d.brodale
Evk	posted 04-05-99 06:03 PM ET I want to comment on it. Personally, I don't use game guides, because I feel if you're playing the way the guide says you're wasting your time. The whole point of the game is to make up and adapt your own strategy and find what works. In fact, the only game guide I have is the Ultima Online one my freind gave me when he sold his copy of UO (that ho!). Then again, this is more a statement against game guides in general than the SMAC one, so if you like them, I dont' see a reason not to get it.
Evk	posted 04-05-99 06:05 PM ET Oops! I hate to post twice in a row, but I also rememberd I own a FF3 game guide. Bwah!
jerrod428	posted 04-05-99 06:11 PM ET Thanks alot. one more thing i forgot to add was does the manual include a tech tree?? Thanks again
dbrodale	posted 04-05-99 06:16 PM ET I agree with evk's general assessment of game guides ... I only own two, purchased more on a lark than actual interest in the games in question [Outpost and FPSBB94, in case anyone is curious]. Yes, I do buy flukey games at times. Anyway, the tech tree is included on a huge poster packaged with SMAC. d.brodale
eNo	posted 04-05-99 06:23 PM ET Remeber that there third patch is out so some things like Faction abilities are out-of-date. Not that much has changed though.
Travathian	posted 04-05-99 09:12 PM ET As far as the game guide, I only bought it cause I dont have the instruction manual for the game. The map is pretty cool, allows you to see how the map of Planet looks like very clearly. Their strategies are a joke though. The SP section is ok, but the same thing as the datalinks, only a lot faster to find. Pretty disappointing if you ask me. Too bad I cant get a refund.
eNo	posted 04-05-99 10:34 PM ET Travathian, how come you don't have a manual?
dbrodale	posted 04-05-99 10:38 PM ET I was about to ask that myself, but figured that I really did not want to know the [suspected] answer. <g>