If you haven’t heard of it yet, the online browser-based game called Neptune’s Pride is quite an interesting game, and is quickly gaining steam.

Developed by a split-off of 2K Games Australia, named Iron Helmet Games, the focus is a long-term strategy game.  To give the best example of what many people have played, think Risk.  It’s all about balancing income, industry, and research.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far:

  1. It’s any man’s game.  Yes, I’ve got a game going on right now where I’ve got a Non-Aggression Policy with the guy next to me, but that doesn’t mean crap when there’s 6 other people gunning for me.
  2. When you start a game, don’t upgrade your home planet Economy or Industry.  Find the cheapest planet you control, and upgrade those once, then find the next cheapest, and so on.
  3. Always, ALWAYS upgrade Science by one point on the first round.  It’s expensive, but worth it.
  4. Don’t assume you can take someone’s planet with just the starting ship carriers.  Weigh them down with a LOT of ships before going to war with someone.  You’ll always loose ships, no matter how much your Weapon Skill is, or if you’re defending.  There’s actually a “Battle Calculator” specific for Neptune’s Pride.

There are other aspects to the game that make it unique and challenging.  The free games (which you’re only limited to two at a time) don’t allow official alliances in the UI.  However, via the in-game messaging system, you can broker deals, peace treaties, and non-aggression pacts.  You don’t have to inform others if you don’t want to.  This leads to back-stabbing, social climbing, and ultimate downfall scenarios.

Technology choices can be difficult to make after the first two upgrade rounds (Weapon and Speed).  Here’s my opinion:

  • Weapons – Good for the first research round.  Don’t change anything when you first start the game, and you’ll automatically get this, and begin researching Speed next.
  • Range – The second level is very useful, as there are usually several outlying stars that you can’t get to out of the starting gates.  I suggest this for about the 4th research item you choose.
  • Speed – Do it.  Go faster.  It makes capturing unmanned stars easier.  After Weapons, do this for at least two research levels.  The faster you can get your forces to the front line, the better it is all around.
  • Scanning – Useful, but not really all that pertinent to the unmanned star capture.  When you get into war-mode, it does make strategy quite helpful.  At least one research round into this early on.
  • Remember that you can stop researching at any time on one technology, and still retain the research points invested in it, so you can pick up again right after.

I’m going to try out the Premium side soon, but I have the feeling that it’ll be much more difficult, as the other players in Premium games are also as invested as I will be.