Title: Darwinia+
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios, Introversion Software
Platform: Xbox 360
Cost: 1200 Microsoft Points ($15)
Genre: Real Time Stratagy + Twin Stick Shooter + Puzzle + God Game
Verdict: Crazy combination of genres that creates a unique and satisfying experience
Pros: Stylish Graphics, Interesting Controls, Robust Multiplayer
Cons: A clear lack of direction can be frustrating.
Before most of the world cared about indie games, or for that matter knew what defined an ‘indie game,’ the original incarnation of Darwinia was busy collecting a mantle full of IGF (Independent Games Festival) awards. Since it debuted on Mac and PC almost five years ago, Darwinia has had to evolve with the advent of the ever-growing market for indie games on home consoles. Introversion’s release of Darwinia+ on Microsoft’s Xbox Live Arcade is a welcome addition to the service by providing a significantly enhanced and refined version of the original.
The single player component of Darwinia+ puts you in the role of a ‘cyber tourist’ that upon entering the world of Darwinia (a computer generated world that exists in cyberspace) is drafted by it’s creator to help eradicate a computer virus that threatens the existence of Darwinia’s sentient race, the Darwinians. Wireframe vistas and blocky landscapes provide a believable game world, especially for one that is powered by a surplus of 1980’s supercomputers.
Although the graphics and story provide a solid incentive to play, the unique game play is what really shines in Darwinia. In what feels like an amalgamation of real time strategy, twin stick shooter, and god style sandbox games, Darwinia is an experience that you won’t find in any other medium. Player controlled units are moved throughout the map in an effort to dispatch the virus, capture certain objectives and to help repopulate the world with Darwinians. Navigation closely resembles a modern RTS control scheme, but because of the limited number of units that a player can create, it avoids the stigma that RTS games usually accrue when they are brought to home consoles.
Basic combat is handled by controlling a squad of laser wielding characters that are used to dispatch the carious forms that the virus takes. Anyone familiar with twin stick shooters will feel right at home, but the somewhat imprecise and finicky aiming takes some getting used to. Moving the Darwinians is handled through a way point system that can also take some getting used to, but ultimately feels like a necessary design decision to keep the game flowing at a consistent pace.
Accompanying the single player campaign is the multiplayer variant, Multiwinia. Playable over Xbox Live, as well as against an AI opponent, Multiwinia offers familiar game modes that become an added layer to the Darwinia experience. Despite the robust offerings, I did find myself much more consumed and entertained by the single player campaign.
The criticisms surrounding Darwinia+ are few and far between. The only significant problem I encountered was trying to find out the conditions for fulfilling each levels objectives. I’m not sure if this was a conscious design decision intended to make the game have a more puzzle like quality, but the lack of direction can be a tad frustrating at times.
Available for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15), Darwinia+ is a bargain considering the robust single and multiplayer modes included in the game. As this release provides the definitive version of Darwinia, I implore you to pick it up and delve into this one of a kind world.
Popularity: unranked [?]
