Lux: Ancient Empires and American History

By: Jordan Magnuson

On: March 18th, 2008

I have a knack for covering things that aren’t new. I’m sorry. But these Lux expansions haven’t been mentioned here yet, and I only got around to trying them out recently, so voila this post.

If you aren’t familiar with the original, Lux is the definitive computer version of a world domination game (in my humble opinion). Beautiful graphics, fast play, a lot of online players, etc. etc. You can see what I had to say originally here.

But enough on the original. These expansions, which are stand alone games, add some wonderful historical flavor to the original game. Ancient Empires lets you control 58 different nations in 11 original scenarios, while American History lets you play through 10 of America’s epic wars, from the French and Indian War to the Iraq War.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to think of these expansions heading in, as both games are arguably only slight variants on the original: the gameplay pretty much continues to follow the standard rules of Risk, and the maps are not that different from some of the hundreds of fan created offerings. However, Sillysoft has impressed me again: the production quality is high, the themes are well implemented, and the games feel much more complete and cohesive in their historical flavor than any of the maps you can download for the original. I give both of these a thumbs up, though I think the prices ($15 and $20) are perhaps a bit high relative to Lux Delux.

More info and Downloads: http://sillysoft.net/

Posted in Macintosh, Strategy, Windows | Tags: Sillysoft

Mischief Maker

My roommate loves this game, but I suspect the high-level AI cheats the dice rolls.
boris kavestoriripoff

Those graphics are definitely above “indie” quality.
Paul Eres

Huh? They are? I think Aquaria’s graphics are better.
http://www.g4g.it FireSword

Devil’s Brigade LUX

http://www.g4g.it/2007/11/27/devils-brigade-lux/
MrBig

Out of the ancient empires, I never thought the Persian Empire was so small!
PHeMoX

Interesting games and no wonder that they are so popular!

@MrBig: Out of the ancient empires it was the biggest if I’m not mistaken. Bigger than Alexander The Great’s Empire. I’m talking about the time of the Sassanid Persian Empire in 610, or so. Man they could have conquered the world and sort of did.

@Paul Eres: Perhaps he meant to say “above casual” … and then he would be right I guess, even though I must admit that even casual games tend to get better and better art.
MrBig

@PHeMoX

Yes but judging by the screenshot above the Persian Empire couldn’t have consisted of more than a cardboard cutout… and an amount of land no greater than that of the French Countryside really ;-)

Seriously though they are great risk-like games, but I still find Lux Deluxe to be the best of the bunch with an easy map editor and a plethora of maps to download and play (and no end of human opponents).
Susan

American History… not a very long game then? >_<
MrBig

Well apparently American History Lux was geared towards the novice gamer because the template used for the AI was George Bush Jr’s College IQ test and there was a long development time due to extreme downgrading and tweaking so that even the most mundane of casual game players could defeat the computer opponent. Obviously it’s the first lux game you should buy if you’ve never played a Risk type game before because even when you perform poorly, your chances of winning are extremely high. It’s like “trying to outwit a used tea-bag” (blatant Red Dwarf quote)
Kemo

American history ? Is there a country named America somewhere in the world ?
PHeMoX

@MrBig: Amen to that, naturally! :)
Mischief Maker

MrBig, you’re missing out on the point of the George Bush Jr AI. If you just play 1 on 1 games against it then yes you’re going to win. The trick is to play a game using ALL the AIs. Then the brilliance of the GWB AI starts to shine.

You see, the player laughs at the GWB AI’s obvious fecklessness and concentrates all their anger an energies on taking it down. But the trick is GWB is just a red herring! While all your energies are focused on GWB, the Dick Cheney AI is quietly gobbling up territories of yours and frittering your funds away to off-map locations.

The Nancy Pelosi AI is supposed to be your ally, and seems to keep putting up valiant attacks against the GWB AI, but if you pay close attention you’ll realize it’s playing to lose, and every time GWB makes a power grab, Pelosi relents with minimal resistance.

Suddenly you realize that by focusing all your energy on the GWB AI, you’re suddenly surrounded and bankrupt. You realize that the Kucinich AI, the one with the fewest starting territories who you brushed off as having no chance at all of winning, is the only one who was truly on your side to begin with!

Deviously clever design!
MrBig

@Mischief Maker,

You’re right, I never thought about all the intricacies behind the novice AI in AH:Lux… when you put it that way I’ve been missing out on playing multiple computer opponents so that the “Cheney / Pelosi” Factor kicks in to play. Man, now that I think about it perhaps it could be more challenging than opening a can of tuna!

It’s one big conspiracy man! While you play this game NORAD goes online and follows your every move! Damn those computers with Artificial Intelligence and flavor!
Kongming

MrBig, the Persian Empire was ruled by different dynasties and factions at different times, so it could also vary a lot in size.

IIRC, the map you’re talking about is about the rise of the Achaemenid Empire, so of course they’re going to start kind of small.
http://www.g4g.it FireSword

At Kemo: Yes it’s named as Amerigo Vespucci.. should be close to Canada.. lol

At All:Stop talking about iran, persia or whatever everybody knows the only cool empire was the Roman Empire, and the only to have a real Emperor..

Ciao.

p.s Norad is gay, it can’t win the war loool