Solar Nations 2

yeah cool game i think that politics option and policy should have options gradually unlocked as you progress technologically/culturally

As of writing this the game is still in early access, please keep this in mind when reading my thoughts on the game. For those who don't want to read the whole thing here's an abridged version: I personaly enjoy the game, but I do not think it is ready for the "average Joe". I play a lot of games focused on strategy, focused primarily on war or economics like Stellaris or Hearts of Iron IV, but also a lot of resource managment and similar, so keep in mind that I might be a bit harsh because of comparing it to such games. The game has some concepts wich I really like and are not familiar with, like the devision of the game world wich goes as far down as regions - cultural and political - up to several solar systems. Furthermore I enjoy the ways players are able to customize the name, color and even flag of a Nation, it reminds a bit of Crusader Kings III, so every Paradox fan who likes Hearts of Iron will probably loves the feature. In addition I haven't notice any major bugs (only mild inconveniences like the flag of my nation weirdly chaning to a alternative flag and name eventho i only added something like a colony law), wich is rather uncommon these days in a early access. Starting by the balancing: I may understand the way factories and industries work, if you would want to have a more realistic approach, you would struggel as you would need to build hundreds of thousends of structures to get some progress, so I do not understand the other coments being negativ about this; but I personaly don't like who debt is handeled, in a game starting as argentina I started by colonizing basicly halv the moon on day one, wich put me in a huge debt crisis, but at the same time it realy did not impact my game that much, I was able to just wait it out, wich is rather irritating. In addition I only partially like the way surveys are handeled, from my (little) testing it seemed to assign rather random ressources, wich I wish there to be a difficulty option to turn off and instead have a permanent result. Furthermore I would also like some strategic resources wich are realy important, like the ressource systewm in hoi4 as the ressources here onyl seem to provide bonuses rather than actual use on their own. To the pop magment: I find it to be rather frustating that the game does not tell you how assimlation work as well as not having the option to relocate pops manually (other then migration incentives). Other genarl thoughts: In generall I would like more tipps and warnings in the game, like a warning that nuclear bombs might radiate a whole planet (wich is not the case in many other games). The alliances are kept rather simply and can provide buffs in addition on millitary help, but I think its weird that these buffs are regardless on how many nations are in a alliance or how many pops it involves. The politcs themself seem rather unpolished, they have some interesting ideas and quirks, but most of the time its rather easy to silence your political opponents even when playing democratic. The education and welfare system as well, thy provide only rather small buffs but come at a heavy cost (espacially welfare); That feels quite off-putting for someone growing up in a state with actual welfare, it is expensive yes, but not economy breaking and it has massive benefits for the general populus. I also experienced some problems with my performance, but I think that came from my world turning into compleate insane maniacs. I'd like to again call out, that it is in early access and as far as I know is developed by a single person or a small team, who update it rather regularry. It is a big acomplishment and I can feel the passion when playing, but it still needs some polishing before I could recommend it to any person, which isn't atleast as much into these kind of games like I am. Note for the developer: If you're reading this I'm actually impressed (as I come from games made by paradox or even ea), and I believe your work to be great, I might even say I respect it. You really should strive to make this game better, maybe add some more scenarios (like a alien threat or ne human colony like earth being discovered), maybe rework the economy a little, but be sure to give the players options (like I discussed with the survey) as I think that is currently the biggest strength of your game, it is like a strategy sandbox, wich may be the next big hit! (If I change my mind about some of the points because of uptades who solve said "issues" or come up with a alternative resolution I'd be more than happy to change this review)