Can you beat this game?

[End Dream]

I know it's randomized by AI but can you 'win' or finish a campaign even if randomized?

[Monoxide]

Yes. There is an "end" but most people dont go for it. The fun is in playing, not completing. That said, I recommend your first few playthoughs SHOULD be focused on finishing the game fully as it will give you a goal that can lead to learning a lot more. Once you have beat it, then just playing for the sake of it will most likely be more enjoyable.

Also, the events, pawns, and maps are randomized, not the goal.

[TwoTonGamer]

Sure!
But, most end up not really wanting the playthrough to end.

[End Dream]

Can you expand on why you wouldn't want to win?

[Monoxide]

"The fun is in playing" - I mean, thats really the best way I can say it. The game doesnt 'require' you to beat it. The game gets progressively harder based on several factors; story teller selected and wealth being two of the biggest. However, as it gets harder, you will get both more skilled and have more tools at your disposal.

I usually play a map until I decide to move on and start a new game - at that point I either just change maps or I go for the goal to see how well I can do with where I am.

Again I say, its kind of hard to explain, but once you play it will make a lot more sense.

[Docsprock]

It is like a sport. People play golf because golf is fun. If you golf by yourself, you are not really trying to win, you play because you like playing. Bowling is fun too, but there is no winner if you bowl by yourself.

This game is fun, but it is not competitive. Certainly you can win, or 'finish' the game, but the fun part is the gameplay.

[Knight.R]

I just stay for carnage that involves either 30 manhunting rabbits. Several drop assualts of enemy commandos with weapons that can one shot a granite wall and the sight of what is essentially Hordes of tribals/targets. I tend to enjoy the last one with mortar barrages. seeing 30-40 tribals go down and still having over half of the horde charging at you bleeding and near breaking point is amusing. Especially when my pawns and turrets cut them down like the rice and potato harvests.

Hmm i feel i would of covered every tile in my map with a grave where it not that that i need to keep my pawns alive.

at this point for me the means of leaving the planet is all but forgotten. its more of simply survivng for as long as i can.

[M.K.]

Originally posted by End Dream:

Can you beat this game?

Oy Vey!

Here a community of several hundred thousand players, and none of us have noticed that the game cannot be won? How sad!!

Just in case you Sarcasm-o-meter is broken.... Yes the game is playable. Yes it has a (soft) final goal that Yes, can be beaten.
The final goal is to build a Starship and escape from the planet.
Yes, this goal is attainable.
No, it does not require modding, cheating or even savescumming.
Admittedly even for a veteran playing a true max difficulty, unmodded, no-saves-ever playthrough to the win is a bit of a hard task. More due to the hours required than the direct difficulty, as I cannot see any full playthrough completing in under about 40 hours of game.

Virtually all the random events, attacks, disasters, diseases and strife in the game can be "tamed" down to manageability by sensible gameplay and planning, with no recourse at all to cheating, mods or saving.

[Duke Flapjack]

Of course, if you install the Save Our Ship mod there is no longer THAT ending...

[Morkonan]

Originally posted by End Dream:

I know it's randomized by AI but can you 'win' or finish a campaign even if randomized?

It's "randomized."

But, that "randomization" has Rules.

You can learn the Rules.

You can overcome the "Randomization" in order to "Win."

Or, you'll be violated by manhunting squirrels... Either way, you get to play and that's the whole point. :)

I rarely go for a full "Victory" and prefer trying to see how long my colony will survive, instead. When I get bored or have simply built up too much for the game to be reasonably fun anymore, I'll start a new playthrough. I expect that's what most players do, too.