Starclash 2

Starclash 2 is a video game in the strategy genre developed by Simon & Schuster Interactive and published by Baen Software originally released in 1983. It is currently playable on DOS.

Starclash II is an excellent game of galactic conquest that, unfortunately, does not stand the test of time as well as Reach for the Stars. It is a much improved sequel to Baen Software's earlier Starclash, released in 1980 only for TRS-80 computers.

The game is fairly simple and easy to learn: your job is to take control of the galaxy by wresting control from the game's only opponent, who can be either human or computer-controlled. Create units, deploy them and keep an eye on your empire's productivity level to fund the war effort.

The computer AI is commendable, and the game includes a nice 'Intelligence' feature that shows you what the computer thinks your chance of victory is, in percentage terms. You can change many parameters at the start of the game to alternate the length and difficulty, such as the number of star systems involved.

The game is definitely not as versatile or complex as later ASCII classics such as Anacreon: Reconstruction, but given the limitations of hardware in 1983, it's not a bad effort at all. While it won't hook you for days like Reach for the Stars does, Starclash II is certainly a competent 4X game that armchair commanders will want to check out. Recommended.

It is possible that we have multiple downloads available when different versions exist.