But the fun in M.U.L.E. is the way you compete with the other three players, second guessing their intentions and trying to fake them out in tense real time auctions. There's no combat, but there is ruthless competition. There are random events that can turn the game around in an instant. A pirate raid at the wrong moment or an unexpected spike in Crystite prices will turn everything upside down. M.U.L.E.s go crazy and run off.
Pestilence screws up food production.
Sunspots and planetquakes and space gypsy in-laws are all ready to throw a monkey wrench into the works when you least expect it. It also gives you plenty of convenient excuses if you lose. Yes, the graphics are ugly. Atari 800 ugly. Commodore 64 ugly.