Ikariam - Live the ancient world!

**UnDeaD77** · 03-19-2008, 02:14 AM

Ikariam - Live the ancient world!

First, I'd like to start off with, "What Is Ikariam exactly?"

Well, Ikariam is a web-based strategy game, think along the lines maybe of a stripped down Civ4, or something close to it.

My take:

Web-games are starting to get more and more attention. I think a few reasons for Ikariam is;

1) It is available everywhere you go, big convenience factor, play it on your laptop, desktop or any place that has internet access.

2) It's very easy to get started, easy to learn.

3) Persistent world, you do not have to sit in front of this game all day long, as the world keeps going, even when your not logged on.

4) Longevity, I bet this game could take every bit or more than a year to complete.

I've had the pleasure of stumbling upon this great game. Now, I've never been into strategy games before, until Ikariam came along. I first discovered this gem, by poking my nose around the strategy forums here at TG, and wondered what it was, so I checked it out. At first I was like, "I don't know really how to play these kinds of games". So I jumped in, feet first. I've not regretted a moment of it. This game has me very addicted, even while I'm not playing it, I've constantly thinking about, "man wonder how my town is doing, hope it didn't get pillaged! For a pretty static interface, there are quite a few things going on in the background. Your workers are pumping out so much wood per hour, your luxury resources are being gathered...etc.

Everything is based on time, real time just about. Building your empire will take longer than a few minutes, it will take days, literally. This seems like a game-killer at first, but its totally the opposite. It works extremely well in this kind of game. I get a little sense of anticipation looking at the countdown on the timer, while my building is being completed. Maybe its the feeling of satisfaction I'm getting out of it.

So interested in trying this wonderful game out? Hope so, its fun!

First, you'll need to go to www.Ikariam.com there is a .org site, but .com site is mainly for the US as far as I know. TG has made the "Alpha" server our official server, each server holds around 20,000 people, these servers are still pretty fresh, but get in while the pickings are hot! Don't be that guy..

We have already got a group of guys already registered on the server, some are just starting their cities, while others have been playing around a week or so. So I hope to see more people give this game some well deserved attention. After all, it is free. You can find the TG Ikariam forum here. I have also created its own nifty Teamspeak channel as well.

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Here is a small Game Tour

Quote:

Your Town

At the beginning of Ikariam you only own a small, fertile piece of land on a green coast.
Can you turn it into a flourishing town and capital of a mighty island empire? These pages will give you a general idea of how to get there.

Quote:

Your Resources

There are five resources distributed over the islands of the world:

Building Material,

Wine,

Marble,

Crystal Glass, and

Sulphur.

During the game you will definitely need a lot of building material - assign workers in order to get building material and expand the resource deposits together with the other players on the island!

Quote:

Building up your town

After you have sorted out the resource supplies, you can start and expand your town.

1. An academy allows you to make many fantastic discoveries.
2. With barracks you can begin to instruct troops.
3. Building a trading port and trade ships will allow you to trade resources with other players.

Quote:

The four Advisors

Four loyal advisers will stand by you, so that you are always up to date and keep your head above the water. Your four advisers consist of Town, Military, Research, and Diplomacy

When they light up, this means that a new message for you has arrived. Then you can get the newest information from your advisers.

Quote:

Your eye in the sky

You can change the view in Ikariam as you like. From the world view over the island maps to the town view.

Now you have learnt all the important things for the start - you only have to register (for free!) and then you are ready to go!

Mostly quoted from Ikariam.com
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Here are just a few more screen shots in game.

My town

Island view - LandOfConfusion is me! This is better than those fancy aerial views.

Hopefully by this weekend, we are able to get an updated review put up.

Enjoy!

**Catman1975** · 03-20-2008, 03:06 PM

I'd just like to say that I despise Strategy games and I usually get bored of games where you have to farm resources, but this game is great fun.

You can devote as much or as little time to it as you want. Pop on for five minutes on your lunch break to check on your research/buildings/etc, start another building, switch research topics, etc. or you can delve into the game in a lot greater detail and pillage villages, work the trade market by watching the buy/sell boards, start colonies on other islands. It really is just a great game.

Deathblade1065 · 03-20-2008, 05:36 PM

I'd just like to know what world most of the TGers play on

**† Disciple †** · 03-20-2008, 05:40 PM

Alpha mate, come join us.

**machowner** · 03-20-2008, 05:52 PM

Make sure you join the alpha on .com, (NOT .org)

Ashenhart · 03-20-2008, 10:11 PM

We are having a lot of fun!! I have an account on .com (Alpha) and an account on .org (Kappa). I have enjoyed it so much I have started looking at the other games put out by Gameforge and they have one that has a huge following called Ogame. I have started an account on server 22 and thinking that this game has just as much possibility as Ikariam.