Darwinia

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,629 reviews

story202 positive mentions

grinding36 negative mentions

Unique and engaging gameplay that combines RTS elements with a charming story.
Retro graphics and a captivating soundtrack create a nostalgic atmosphere.
The game encourages creativity and experimentation in completing objectives.

Poor AI pathfinding and unit controls can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
The tutorial and guidance are lacking, making it difficult for new players to understand mechanics.
The game can feel slow-paced and tedious, especially in the early levels.

story
433 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The story of Darwinia is generally praised for its intriguing and emotional narrative, which revolves around a digital world and its inhabitants, the Darwinians, as they face a virus threat. While many players find the plot engaging and well-integrated with the gameplay, some note that the story is delivered in a minimalistic manner, often through brief messages, leading to a perception of it being light on content. Overall, the narrative is considered a strong point of the game, providing a unique and compelling backdrop to the gameplay experience.
- “The story is quite interesting and makes for fun and diverse missions.”
- “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.”
- “I love this game, it seemed like such an odd premise at first, as the tutorial explained how to play, it seemed even more odd, but it was so engaging, it had me hooked from the first proper level, the gameplay is fun, the visuals, unique, and the story, whilst being minimal, is excellent for the game, it immersed me so well.”
- “The story is primarily delivered via short messages before starting each area, and given the small number of different areas and the amount of time it takes to get through one of them, the game ends up feeling a bit light on narrative.”
- “Unfortunately, it's light on story content, has awkward controls, units often get stuck on things, and everything in this game just takes too long.”
- “The plot is threadbare, featuring you as a mysterious stranger, helping an AI researcher save the green darwinians from a virus and the evil red darwinians.”
gameplay
319 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
56%
5%
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its unique mechanics and nostalgic retro style, while others criticize it for being slow, tedious, and lacking depth. Many reviews highlight the simplicity and accessibility of the controls, but also note issues with AI and pathfinding that can detract from the experience. Overall, while the game offers engaging moments and a charming atmosphere, it may not hold up well for all players, especially those seeking more complex or refined gameplay.
- “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.”
- “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 concept behind the game is amazing, and the gameplay is completely unlike anything you've ever played before.”
- “The gameplay is tedious, the controls are barebones, and there is a severe lack of quality of life features that leaves you as a player feeling starved the entire time.”
- “Unfortunately, I found the gameplay to be worse.”
- “Darwinia is a promising plot held back by flat gameplay, obscure mechanics, and lackluster AI.”
graphics
310 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
52%
5%
The graphics of Darwinia are characterized by a unique retro aesthetic, often described as low-poly and reminiscent of early arcade games, particularly with a Tron-like influence. While some players appreciate the simplicity and charm of the visuals, others find them dated or lacking in detail; however, many agree that the graphics effectively complement the game's engaging story and gameplay. Overall, the retro style is seen as a defining feature that enhances the game's nostalgic appeal and immersive experience.
- “Above all else, the graphics are truly unique and unlike anything I've ever played before; it's surprisingly graphically impressive despite being an older game.”
- “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 graphics served their purpose beautifully, but if you go for graphics over gameplay this game isn't for you.”
- “Ear-raping audio, awful graphics, lame gameplay.”
- “What I got was poor graphics, little help or tutorials and a game that got dry and boring very quickly.”
- “Ruined by the shitty engine and graphics.”
music
122 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The music in the game has received a mixed response, with many praising its charming chiptune and retro-inspired soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere. However, some players noted the lack of background music during gameplay, which they felt detracted from the experience during lengthy battles. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a standout feature, there are calls for more variety and integration throughout the game.
- “The sfx and soundtrack match the atmosphere with quirky noises and some great chiptune and tracker music.”
- “The visuals are staggering, the music is so atmospheric, you really do feel for the little digital guys.”
- “The music is just fantastic.”
- “Most of the game doesn't have music though, which is a bit of an odd choice, and really didn't help during those long, drawn-out battles.”
- “There's no background music either, just silence and occasional sound effects while you shoot red lines.”
- “The music is the lowest facet I can mention, so I'll start there.”
grinding
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
2%
95%
The reviews overwhelmingly describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with many players finding the micromanagement and slow gameplay to be a significant drawback. While some appreciate the unique art style and innovative elements, the overall sentiment leans towards the experience being boring and inconvenient, often leading to a lack of enjoyment. A few players noted that the grind could become more tolerable over time, but the general consensus is that it detracts from the game's potential.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Honestly one of the most tedious games I have ever played in my life.”
- “The gameplay is tedious, the controls are barebones, and there is a severe lack of quality of life features that leaves you as a player feeling starved the entire time.”
- “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.”
emotional
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game elicits strong emotional responses from players, with many expressing deep attachment to its simple characters and heartfelt narrative. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a powerful emotional impact despite its minimalist graphics and gameplay, often leading to tears and a sense of loss when characters are harmed. Overall, the story is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, making it a memorable experience for players.
- “It is an extraordinary and touching story that holds space very near and dear to my heart.”
- “This is an amazing game that made me cry; this doesn't normally happen...”
- “Losing some to an avoidable mistake is heartbreaking, and you’ll want to protect them from harm, even though they are easily replaced.”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
17%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its retro-futuristic style, enhanced by quirky sound effects and a captivating chiptune soundtrack that immerses players in a nostalgic 1980s setting. The low-res 3D graphics complement the storytelling, creating a compelling and magical experience that resonates with players. Overall, the combination of visuals, sound, and worldbuilding contributes to a unique and engaging atmosphere that many find memorable.
- “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 visuals are staggering, the music is so atmospheric, you really do feel for the little digital guys.”
- “None of the music is intended to work when you play the game, as it faces the atmosphere of the 1980s technology setting.”
- “I like the worldbuilding, the mechanics, and the atmosphere of the game.”
replayability
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
45%
15%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it endlessly enjoyable and revisit it multiple times, others note a lack of inherent replay value, especially in modern contexts. The simplicity of gameplay and limited content can hinder replayability, but the availability of mods and the nostalgic aesthetic can enhance the experience for some. Ultimately, while it may not offer extensive replay options, certain elements keep players coming back.
- “Great replay value.”
- “I've played through it multiple times, though, so the replayability is there.”
- “The excellent score and sound effects coupled with the game's relaxingly retro aesthetic have proven great for replayability, making Darwinia a world I'm happy to revisit often.”
- “The gameplay itself is quite simple; there isn't much of a replay value, but fortunately there are a few mods (including full singleplayer campaigns) found on the internet to extend the fun.”
- “I'm not sure how to get the replay value out of it once you complete the game (you know, to go back through and replay anything).”
- “I do recommend this game, but I should warn you that its replay value is pretty low in modern days.”
stability
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while it runs smoothly on modern PCs and Linux, users report several annoying glitches and bugs, particularly with unit selection and placement. Despite these issues, the game is generally well-made and polished, with minimal glitches that do not significantly detract from the experience. However, some players find the recurring bugs frustrating enough to impact their enjoyment.
- “People often talk about timeless design, and this is definitely a game with one; the graphics were simple and blocky even almost 20 years ago, but the retro visuals still look great. The game itself runs smoothly even on modern PCs, thanks to developer support.”
- “Runs great on Linux, and the performance is impressive overall.”
- “Even though Introversion's other games are good, they are still really 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 had to dismiss the unit just built and give the build order again. It's annoying the first time; 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.”
- “There are also some placement glitches that mysteriously do not allow you to deploy units.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its quirky moments and amusing sound effects, often leading to self-deprecating laughter from players about their own mistakes. Many find the blend of challenging gameplay and humorous elements, such as characters kicking each other, to enhance the overall enjoyment, making the experience genuinely fun despite occasional frustrations.
- “There are challenging moments, frustrating events, hilarious little quirks, and of course, beautiful digital environments, but all in all, the game is really genuinely fun to play.”
- “I thought the sound effects were funny.”
- “(kinda funny when they just keep kicking each other.) xd”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game features impressive tron-inspired graphics and delivers exceptionally smooth performance, particularly on modern systems, which has garnered positive feedback from users regarding its optimization.
- “Great tron-like graphics and butter-smooth performance.”
- “Genuinely happy to see it updated to run smoothly on modern systems.”

79%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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21h Median play time

17h Average play time

10-24h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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