Darwinia PC game

multiwinia is coming!!!!

I've been a bit of a fan of Introversion's work since they released Uplink and I have to say some of the comments here sadden me because they show people with no understanding of what they're really looking at.

Darwinia is not built on source, in fact most of the coding for Darwinia is purely Introversion's work apart from common libraries which are easier to work with than trying to redesign the wheel ie DirectX API.

The graphics are deliberately simple in appearance in keeping with theme and Introversion's own work ethic which is focused on gameplay over bells and whistles. There is a simple easily understandable interface, the game is playable on lower end machines provided you're willing to switch off some of the options which relieves the processor of those bits of number crunching to cope with the sometimes thousands of objects on screen, seriously many of the maps had to have limitations imposed on spawning to keep Darwinia from bringing down even the bleeding edge machines with the extra AI processing required, I can attest to this on some of the later maps even with a computer beyond the original recommendations there are times when I switch off graphic options so the game maintains a decent speed. So those low polygon count models help keep things going for even the better machines and it's not down to bad coding (as a point of fact in the original HL most of the common place monsters are limited to 30-40 polygons each to keep the game playable when you have more than a few about).

The retro game style also attracts the sort of people Introversion made these games for, the people for whom eye candy is not the first thing they want, or even the second, first they want a game that is fun to play, second they want a game that will keep them interested. Darwinia does this, including the fact it appeals to people like myself who like games which are approachable from a modders perspective. And I've seen some pretty cool mod ideas come out of my fellow Darwinia players, and played through a few which adding onto the hours I enjoyed playing the original.

So then, to address several peoples comments.

First off, this is not based off of the source engine. In any way. It is just offered on Steam.

Second off, it does not have poor graphics. First off, this shows you haven't zoomed in and actually looked at the models and textures. In fact, because of the archaic appearance of the game's graphics, I believe they worked even harder than they normally would have. It could also be that the textures were much faster to make than getting a human's face to look accurate, so they decided to give it amazing amounts of oomph. Second off, you haven't looked at the options menu. This game defaults to 1024x768 (most games default to 800x600), and has quite a few options on. I have a very decent computer and the amount of detail and post-processing this game features actually pushes my computer when run at max settings, which brings me to my last point: you haven't played this on a weakling computer to prove the graphics suck, or you haven't looked at the system requirements and wondered if they really thought a "lemmings-quality, graphic-wise" game demanded that much power (yes, I know no one said that, but it got my point across, didn't it?).

Finally, for my own comment.

This game is freaking amazing! The graphics are GORGEOUS (yes, to those of you who haven't looked past the pixelated Darwinians and viruses, there are advanced graphics, as I've already said).

Also, (this is the important one), IT ADDS DEPTH TO THE REAL TIME STRATEGY GENRE. Most RTS's have a story and have a mission. But, frankly, you don't care if your GDI soldier dies, you have enough Tiberium to replace him (Command & Conquer - Tiberium series). Also, with every RTS I have ever played, you can only see what you have uncovered, which makes the mission too simple: find out where the enemy base is (usually predictable), destroy it, and do some other stuff while you are at it. In order to add depth and longevity to most RTS's, you simply meet harder enemies and recieve more, better units to build. And, the base isn't always a base.

Here, you do indeed control the game like you would an RTS, but first off, you have much more control over your minions (the programs, such as soldiers). You can see everything, allowing you to properly strategize, and it really gets rid of that "just find everything and blow it up" feel. You aren't just waiting for this real-time game to build a building so you can wait more to train a soldier (which, by the way, as real-time as this is, none of that makes sense at all... build a building in under a minute, train a soldier in mere seconds... on a battlefield, in territory which you have no claim over...), but instead guiding programs through a mission to save the virtual theme park that is Darwinia.

This game does get boring for those who don't reach the points of interest fast enough, but all you have to do is beat more than the tutorial level and long second level. After that, you get sucked in. Easily.

And, yes, unlike most RTS's, this has something you actually come to care about: Darwinians. Especially once you can upgrade them and use them for weapons and the like =D

Never played a better game, and I've played them all. 5 months and this game has still not lost it's touch. I can't wait for their multiplayer release!
Totally agree with you frag, only game I've ever played where I don't want to send wave after wave without caring if they get blown away. I think that's what causes the battle fatige.(sp?)

When you play it a level or two you actually CARE about those little green Darwinians <3

I love the game, but it lags on my graphics card.

This game is a waste of moeny, started playig the demo 5 minutes later I was bored andtired of it.

it is supposed to look arcadish like that. man you are just stupid

I really need to get this game. I had a great time playing the demo. I love the cool retro graphics.

In my opinion, this game sucks. The graphics give the game a major blow, as does the extremely slow gameplay. If you want a good real time strategy game try the C&C or Stronghold games.

3 out of 10, it could be worse.