Ascendancy

 iOS
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  • Summary: The classic game of space exploration and galactic empire building is back. Winner of the 1996 Codie Award for Best Strategy Software, Ascendancy has been remade by the director and lead designer of the original release.

    Pick one of twenty-one alien species to lead to the stars. Manage your    The classic game of space exploration and galactic empire building is back. Winner of the 1996 Codie Award for Best Strategy Software, Ascendancy has been remade by the director and lead designer of the original release.

    Pick one of twenty-one alien species to lead to the stars. Manage your planets, research new technologies, design ships, and explore the cosmos. Once your people venture to the stars, they will encounter exotic spacefaring life forms with wildly varying personalities.

    Strange effects abound; each species has its own special power, and technological advances allow you to bend the rules of the cosmos. Be a diplomat or a warlord. Win by force or by unity. Can you lead your people to Ascendancy?

    This release of Ascendancy is true to the classic. It was made with the original game rules, artwork, music, and sound. The new touch interface allows you to explore the three-dimensional starmap with ease.

    Please note that Ascendancy is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, 3rd/4th generation iPod touch, and iPad.    … Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. 148Apps
    Apr 23, 2012
    80
    It's not the over-simplified "casual" 4X strategy game that will pull iOS users away from their bird flinging in droves, but it's definitely a great introduction to the genre. It's also an incredibly worthwhile purchase for on-the-go strategy lovers.
  2. TouchGen
    Jun 8, 2011
    80
    Ascendancy is a true classic turn based strategy game.
  3. Slide to Play
    Jun 8, 2011
    75
    Ascendancy is great if you love the space strategy genre, but casual gamers may be left in the cold cold by the simple graphics, steep learning curve, and high price.

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  1. Oxcart
    Dec 19, 2012
    8
    Ascendancy represents what is generally perceived as an impossibility: a thorough 4X game native to the iPad and, more amazing yet, builtAscendancy represents what is generally perceived as an impossibility: a thorough 4X game native to the iPad and, more amazing yet, built recently. This is a game that harkens back to the golden days of 4X gaming, giving the player huge amounts of control over exploring a galaxy, exploiting its resources, expanding your sphere of influence, and, when necessary, beating the tar out of your enemies...maybe (more on that in a tick). Ascendancy does give the full 4X gaming experience in a tablet-friendly tappable interface. There's more than enough detail and customizability in this game to make the most irascible gamer happy and give you hours of gameplay. If you're even passingly-happy with 4X games and need a way to kill time, look no further. Add to that the benefit of its turn-based nature and you have a game that's fun, engaging, and can be put down and picked up at will. So what are the downsides? The interface suffers from some documentation problems (as in a lack of it), but 4X gamers will not be deterred; exploring our own interface is part of the fun. The learning curve is sharp but survivable. Enemies are tenacious and, unfortunately, better at using the interface than you are (benefit of living inside the computer), making combat a little dicey. It's difficult to maintain the peace, so your options are difficult peace or difficult combat. But the game is playable, enjoyable, and reasonably priced even at $6, mainly because it avoids so many of the pitfalls of iOS games -- for example, you can (sit down before reading on) have more than ONE savegame! Yes, you get multiple spots AND control over when you save, plus an autosave! Truth told, Ascendancy does 4X right, properly honoring its roots (it's actually a remake of a very old game). If you're a 4X fan, get thee to the App Store and get downloading; Ascendancy does it right.… Expand

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