Darwinia
- July 4, 2010
- Introversion Software
- 21h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Darwinia" is a single-player and multiplayer real-time strategy game with co-op mode and an intriguing Science Fiction story. The game, updated in 2022, features fast-paced action, strategic battle planning, and a unique control mechanism. With 80's retro-inspired graphics, it's a critically acclaimed indie classic, perfect for those seeking a fresh and relevant gaming experience. For more indie games, check out the latest from Introversion Software.
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Reviews
- Unique and engaging gameplay that combines RTS and action elements, allowing players to control units while also managing strategy.
- Charming retro graphics and a captivating soundtrack that enhance the overall experience, creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
- Emotionally resonant story that makes players care about the fate of the Darwinians, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Poor pathfinding and unit control can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences, as units may get stuck or fail to follow commands effectively.
- The game is relatively short, with a playtime of around 5-10 hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- Lack of clear tutorials and guidance can make it difficult for new players to understand mechanics and objectives, leading to confusion.
- story137 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally praised for its originality and engaging narrative, which revolves around the struggle of a digital species, the Darwinians, against a virus threatening their existence. While some players find the plot to be minimal or hit-and-miss, many appreciate its depth and emotional impact, particularly in the context of the game's unique retro aesthetic and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the story enhances the gameplay experience, making it a notable aspect of the game despite some critiques regarding its execution and pacing.
“A great and interesting story, no doubt worthy of trying the game alone.”
“As the story unfolds, we uncover the sad truth behind the fall of Darwinia, which makes our fight to reconquer the digital world that much more heroic and rewarding.”
“The story is deep enough and heart-touching in some ways.”
“The story is hit and miss - by which I mean in my playtime most of the blurbs about the story didn't fire.”
“From the tutorial, you can see that the story is just as poor as the design of the game.”
“Great overall game, but it has a horrible story.”
- gameplay111 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of innovative mechanics and a unique retro aesthetic, appealing to fans of strategy and resource management. However, many players noted that the gameplay can be slow and laborious, with some mechanics feeling frustrating or poorly explained. Overall, while the game offers a captivating experience with its story and atmosphere, it may not hold the attention of all players due to its simplistic and sometimes monotonous gameplay.
“Fascinating point of view, gameplay is real-time, strategy is dimensional rather than linear.”
“Coupled with some very satisfying game mechanics, and a well-paced increase in difficulty - via the introduction of new enemies and new map styles in every game level - this story produces an overall gameplay that is captivating from start to finish.”
“The gameplay is fun in a non-frustrating way - it's hard to get into a position where you lose, and even if you aren't employing the optimal strategy for a level, given enough time, you will be able to beat each stage in different ways.”
“The gameplay is very slow (in my first two hours of playtime at least).”
“One of the most interesting stories and worlds for 2005, but the frustrating mechanics made plenty of sections feel too much like a chore.”
“The controls are awful and the gameplay is poor.”
- graphics101 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique retro aesthetic, often described as Tron-like, with minimalistic yet charming visuals that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgic low-poly design and clean performance, others find the graphics outdated or simplistic. Overall, the art style effectively complements the game's themes and story, making it a memorable experience for those who enjoy retro-inspired visuals.
“Great tron-like graphics and butter-smooth performance.”
“A fantastic game with a gorgeous mix of low-poly and higher-res graphics, and an enjoyable, unobtrusive soundtrack.”
“The retro graphics look great, and the gameplay is fun and unique.”
“The graphics are pretty simple, and this works in its favor, almost like a visual representation of something much more complex.”
“What I got was poor graphics, little help or tutorials, and a game that got dry and boring very quickly.”
“The lackluster trailer, uninspiring description, and graphically deficient screenshots for Darwinia made me gloss over this game for years.”
- music40 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its enchanting and atmospheric qualities, often described as a delightful blend of retro chiptune and modern influences. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as one of the game's strongest aspects, enhancing the overall experience without being intrusive. While some suggest that more unique tracks could enhance the gameplay further, the existing music is generally regarded as fantastic and fitting for the game's aesthetic.
“A fantastic wee game with a most enchanting story-line, a gorgeous mix of low-poly and higher-res graphics, and an enjoyable, unobtrusive soundtrack.”
“The retro graphics, the epic music, and the disturbingly Sinclair-like presence of Dr. Sepulveda will send you on a (sometimes slightly psychedelic, sometimes downright mystical) trip down memory lane, while providing several hours of very rewarding tactical gameplay.”
“The mix of old 8 and 16-bit music with a modern twist is greatly appreciated.”
“There could be more music tracks unique to each stage, more area-unique enemies, and overall more interesting puzzles and combat.”
“Could have used better music and backgrounds seemed kind of bare.”
“It doesn't fail to create an interesting atmosphere, mainly due to the soundtrack, which reminds me of Introversion's later title 'Defcon'.”
- grinding14 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant divide in player experiences regarding grinding, with many describing it as tedious, boring, and frustrating due to lengthy micromanagement and repetitive tasks. While some players appreciate the game's innovative design and aesthetic, they still acknowledge that the grinding can feel slow and inconvenient at times. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a major drawback for those who find it tedious, despite some players finding it rewarding in the end.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Honestly, one of the most tedious games I have ever played in my life.”
“I'm sure it's great if you like the genre, but this game was so incredibly boring and tedious for me that I couldn't stand to play any more of it.”
“The biggest problem with this game is that the micromanagement required can feel very tedious, and the game doesn't offer much to make it easier to handle.”
- emotional11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players consistently highlight the game's profound emotional impact, noting its ability to evoke strong feelings despite its simple graphics and gameplay. The story is described as deep and heartwarming, with many expressing unexpected emotional attachments to the characters, even leading to tears over pixelated figures. Overall, the game is praised for its powerful storytelling and emotional resonance, making it a standout experience in its genre.
“The story is deep enough and heart-touching in some ways.”
“This is an amazing game that made me cry; this doesn't normally happen...”
“I found myself amazed at how emotionally attached I became to each little stick figure and its survival.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it endlessly enjoyable and worth revisiting multiple times due to its engaging missions and retro aesthetic, others note a lack of substantial replay value, especially after completing the main content. Despite its relatively short length, certain elements like the score and sound effects enhance the experience for those willing to return.
“Unchanging, but endlessly replayable.”
“I've played through it multiple times, though, so the replayability is there.”
“Although relatively short, it has great replay value, especially the later missions.”
“I'm not sure how to get the replay value out of it once you complete the game.”
“I do recommend this game, but I should warn you that its replay value is pretty low in modern days.”
“There isn't much available in terms of replayability, though.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating retro-futuristic style, enhanced by low-res 3D graphics and a chiptune soundtrack that evokes a strong sense of the 1980s. Reviewers appreciate the compelling worldbuilding and the ability of the atmosphere to engage players, despite minimal exposition in the story. Overall, the combination of visuals and sound creates a unique and immersive experience.
“A timeless favorite with spectacular atmosphere, magical sounds, and low-res 3D graphics which is actually 100% justified by the story.”
“The setting and atmosphere are perfect, the difficulty is perfect, and the story manages to be interesting and compelling despite being given almost no time for exposition of any kind.”
“The retro, polygonal graphics, tasteful chiptune soundtrack, and overall atmosphere are really interesting to experience.”
“The lack of music is intended to enhance the atmosphere of the 1980s technology setting, but it often feels empty.”
“The retro-futuristic style is great, but the atmosphere suffers due to a lack of missions.”
“While I appreciate the worldbuilding and mechanics, the overall atmosphere feels underdeveloped.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users find the game's stability to be a mixed experience; while it is generally well-made and polished, there are notable bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay. Common issues include problems with unit selection and build orders, which can become frustrating over time.
“Even though Introversion's other games are good, they are still really buggy.”
“They are really enjoyable, but buggy.”
“There are a few little annoying glitches and bugs, like when selecting a unit to build. Often, I would not always get the one I chose, and so I had to dismiss the unit just built and give the build order again. It's annoying the first time, but by the tenth time, I was actually getting into the habit of automatically holding down the unit menu [tab] in order to cancel what it was going to build... that's not a good thing.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features impressive tron-like graphics and delivers exceptionally smooth performance, with users expressing satisfaction over its optimization for modern systems.
“Great Tron-like graphics and butter-smooth performance.”
“Genuinely happy to see it updated to run smoothly on modern systems.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is primarily derived from its sound effects and the comedic interactions between characters, such as their amusing kicking antics. Overall, players find these elements to add a lighthearted and entertaining touch to the gameplay.
“I thought the sound effects were funny.”
“It's kind of funny when they just keep kicking each other. XD”
