Str: Darwinia [by Introversion Software]

Game Review: Darwinia
Release Date: March 4, 2005
Developer: Introversion Software
Genre: Strategy / Action
System Requirements: 600Mhz, GeForce2 graphics card, 128mb RAM, 10MB HD, Windows98, DirectX9 (Mac and Linux versions available as well)
Players: 1
Price: $29.99


Many people have heard of Uplink, Introversion Software's first game title. It was truly innovative, meaning that it wasn’t simply a clone of another game. Darwinia is a similar game in that sense and it took me some time to classify it. Is it Action? Real Time Strategy? Simulation? Whatever it is, it's fun and refreshing.

The back story is great: Dr. Sepulveda, renowned game developer, created the much-hyped Protologic 68000 in 1986. Unfortunately, the game console had major flaws that weren't easy to fix, resulting in warehouses full of unsold and returned machines. Sepulveda started to experiment with the machines, linking them together in a quantum grid. He created a virtual world called Darwinia where each inhabitant has its own "spirit" that is be released upon the Darwinian's death. That spirit is then imprinted in a new Darwinian life, which means that new Darwinians learn from their past.

Unfortunately, some of the "digital DNA" was corrupted, resulting in a virus-like infection that spread using the same manner of evolution and reproduction that originally helped the Darwinians. Dr. Sepulveda has attempted to protect the Darwinians by isolating areas, but large portions of the world have been overrun. You managed to hack your way into the network, which surprises Dr. Sepulveda, but he is desperate and requires help. You must destroy the viral infection and save the Darwinians.

Clearly Darwinia's world is inspired by video games and the amazing promises of computing from decades ago. The Darwinians themselves are stick figure characters that would fit into old Atari 2600 games. The landscape is polygonal yet modern and fits the theme well. You really need to see the game in action to appreciate what would be considered "outdated" graphics in other games. In fact, each character in the game seems inspired from classic games and movies, from the ‘Centipede’ mutant virus to the ‘Space Invader’ airstrike squadrons.

Dr. Sepulveda provides in-game hints about how to maneuver around the world of Darwinia. He also researches useful Programs which are the main method of fighting the viruses. To load a Program, you make use of the hand-gesture system. For instance, if you draw a triangle, you'll produce the laser shooting Squad. They initially have the ability to throw grenades. Later upgrades are not only able to improve the range on your weapons but also provide you rocketry and airstrike capabilities. Another Program is the Engineer, which is used to recapture buildings and collect spirits from the dead. There are collectors in some areas that can produce Darwinians from the spirits. This is important because later on in the game it becomes imperative to have additional Darwinians on your side. Typically you send in a Squad to take out some viruses and then send in an Engineer or two to collect spirits before they float away. Darwinians generally move about independently, but you can use the Officer Program to control their movement. You can have the Officer dictate where Darwinians should move, which is helpful for getting them out of harm's way or for staging a massive attack. Armor can be used to transport them quickly and can also be converted to a stationary Battle Cannon. The Darwinians can also upgrade to shoot lasers and grenades, but they are still not familiar with military life. You will need to help them with Programs, although later levels will allow you to lead the Darwinians into their own battles.

Again, screenshots don't begin to convey how you'll feel when you play this game. You really start to care about the Darwinians. Introversion Software apparently worked with great care to create a living world. The Darwinians aren't just sprites moving about in a 3D world. They wander, they work, and they even have rituals! When Darwinian dies, it leaves behind a spirit. Any Darwinians in the area will gather around the spirit and sway to and fro. Eventually a kite is created which carries the spirit into the air. It's really a sight to behold.

They chuck grenades at enemies then flee screaming to avoid the blasts. You'll feel a sense of urgency as you watch virus ants carrying off the poor Darwinians, and you’ll wish your Squad were close enough to help. You will watch proudly as they take part in epic battles and the viruses are pushed back, and you will mourn their defeats.

It's involving and you don't have to worry about losing progress. The levels are designed so that you can't lose, although it should be clarified that resetting a level doesn't completely restart it and is expected to be used as a regular gameplay element. If I have any complaints about this game, it is because some things are not very apparent, even if you read the documentation. For instance, when I started playing the game, Dr. Sepulveda tells you how to use hand-gestures to load Programs, he neglects to tell you that you need to click and drag when you draw rather than simply move the mouse around. I think it is just a matter of missing elements in documentation, but there are support forums on Introversion's site that are filled with supportive fans and developers.

Darwinia is also moddable, and there are already a number of mods that range from new skins to entire new campaigns. With the quality of the fan sites out there, you can expect to play this game for some time. As hard as it is to describe this game, I can see five to 10 years from now people reminiscing about playing Darwinia much like people today talk about playing Amiga games and the original Doom.

Graphics: 9
Yes, I gave this game a high rating because it is gorgeous! The retro/polygonal graphics compliment the story, and you really feel like a part of the world.

Sound: 7
It has some music, but I didn't hear it much except when accomplishing some major task. The screams of the Darwinians and viruses are heart-breaking, and the weapons each have their own distinctive sound.

Game Play: 8
Even after you get used to the controls you can still get frustrated, especially when a large number of characters are on the screen and the mouse gestures don't recognize what you're doing. Still, it is very intuitive and easy to play, although instructions lacked some clarity.

Value: 8
It's got mods! The original game might seem rather short, but there are definitely some quality mods out there already, and more are being made. Darwinia will continue to provide hours of fun for years to come.

Concept: 10
Darwinia is a unique game. Some elements of Real Time Strategy can be found, but you can also see it as a god game and an action game. Still, it isn't the mixing of elements so much as the high quality of polish putting them together that make a great game, and Darwinia is definitely that.

Fun: 9
I can sometimes fall into the trap of getting excited about a new game, thinking it is better than it really is. To counteract this tendency, I stopped playing for a few days and came back to it. I have to say that I still find it incredibly fun.

Overall: 9
It's immersive and yet lets you exit at any time without losing progress, which makes it great for hardcore and casual players alike. It's moddable, it's beautiful, it's intuitive. Darwinia is a masterpiece of gaming and a tribute to how innovative indie game developers can be. Yes, there are problems, but they are minor and don't interfere with the game enough to merit notice.
Added: June 17th 2005
Reviewer: Gianfranco Berardi
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