Etherium

39%
Game Brain Score Based on 558 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • graphics
Etherium Game Cover
Etherium is never aggressively terrible, but theres nothing to recommend it over other, more interesting RTS games.
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"Etherium is a real-time strategy game set in a science-fiction universe with three factions vying for the rare resource 'Etherium'. Experience single-player Conquest mode, managing resources and bases, commanding units, and battling anomalies. In multiplayer, team up or engage in deathmatches with up to 4 players, with each faction having unique strengths, weaknesses, and tactical skills."

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

39%
Audience ScoreBased on 558 reviews
gameplay42 positive mentions
stability24 negative mentions
  • Etherium offers a unique take on faction-based strategy with distinct factions and gameplay mechanics.
  • The game features a dynamic weather system that can impact battles, adding an interesting layer of strategy.
  • The AI provides a challenging experience, making battles engaging and requiring players to adapt their strategies.
  • The game suffers from frequent crashes, especially after battles, making it frustrating and unplayable for many users.
  • There is a lack of a proper campaign mode, with the single-player experience primarily revolving around repetitive skirmishes.
  • The user interface is convoluted and can be confusing, leading to a steep learning curve for new players.
  • gameplay118 mentions

    The gameplay of Etherium is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying its unique mechanics and strategic depth, while others criticize its slow pace, technical issues, and lack of variety in units. While it offers engaging territory capture mechanics and a solid RTS experience, many find it feels outdated and repetitive, with some even experiencing frequent crashes that hinder enjoyment. Overall, it may appeal to RTS enthusiasts looking for a simpler experience, especially if purchased at a discount, but broader audiences might find it lacking.

    • “Etherium is one of those RTS games that is somewhat reminiscent of 'Z' in its 'territory capture' mechanic, yet combined with a lot of units and base upgrades to unlock further weapons.”
    • “From a gameplay perspective, you will find a very interesting mix of concepts which includes territory control, squads, and hard-counters. All of this is quite well balanced as no faction really is overpowered, and every faction has special powers that make them unique and show a wider array of possible tactics.”
    • “The gameplay itself is solid and an experience that focuses on the main things you'd expect from a strategy title, including rock/paper/scissors mechanics and straightforward counter mechanics.”
    • “Sorry but I just can't bring myself to recommend the game... gameplay is slow.”
    • “Boring gameplay, not enough units, not enough updates.”
    • “I found the buttons all over the place and the gameplay for me was quite confusing.”
  • story78 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that it consists mainly of repetitive skirmishes without a cohesive narrative or campaign mode. Technical issues, including frequent crashes and the absence of a save feature, further detract from the experience, making it difficult for players to progress through missions. While some appreciate the graphics and gameplay, the overall sentiment is that the game fails to deliver a meaningful story or campaign experience.

    • “But it is really a nice game and the single player story mode with the turn-based moves in space and the RTS on the ground is nice. All in all, a lot of fun and I can see many hours of playability. Well done, Stardock.”
    • “I can only hope they decide to add story-driven campaigns and space battles in future DLC content, assuming they even have plans to do this. But if not, that's pretty unfortunate as this game definitely has the potential of being so much more.”
    • “This is a brilliant game with great graphics, an interesting story, good gameplay, and generally just good fun to keep you entertained for hours... if it worked.”
    • “There isn't a story, just that you want to gather etherium and the game feels very basic RTS, without good AI.”
    • “Not much of a story or campaign, also constantly crashes.”
    • “The single player campaign has no story, which is another big minus for me.”
  • graphics76 mentions

    The graphics of the game are generally described as decent but not groundbreaking, with many reviewers noting that they feel somewhat dated for a 2015 release. While some players appreciate the distinct aesthetics of the three factions and find the visuals appealing, others criticize the lack of detail and the presence of jagged edges reminiscent of older games. Overall, the graphics are considered a solid aspect of the game, though they may not meet the expectations set by more modern titles.

    • “The graphics are gorgeous.”
    • “The graphics are great, they make the map look realistic, the units and structures as well.”
    • “This is a brilliant game with great graphics, an interesting story, good gameplay and generally just good fun to keep you entertained for hours.”
    • “The graphics are also 'last gen', not up to scale with the big games out there.”
    • “Graphics are below average, limited unit types and effectiveness.”
    • “Mediocre graphics, kinda stiff animations and okay sound?”
  • stability24 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous reports of bugs, freezes, and crashes that hinder gameplay, including problems during the tutorial and in both single-player and multiplayer modes. Many users express frustration over the game's unfinished state and the developer's history of abandoning similar projects, leading to a consensus that the game is currently unplayable for many. Overall, the stability of the game is a major drawback, overshadowing its potential enjoyment.

    • “Unfortunately, it seems quite buggy and I can't even finish the tutorial.”
    • “Game freezes constantly, like it is processing.”
    • “As much as I was trying to enjoy this game, it has way too many problems with bugs, glitches, etc. First, it stopped doing anything at the very first turn the AI fleet was given.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly in the conquest mode, which, despite having interesting ideas, becomes repetitive and lacks meaningful progression. Frequent crashes after lengthy missions exacerbate the grind, forcing players to replay extensive ground missions multiple times, leading to a generally poor gameplay experience. Overall, the combination of limited unit caps and the game's technical issues contributes to a sense of monotony and dissatisfaction.

    • “There is a conquest mode (which is to be fair the only real thing to do as the community seems a bit dead) which has some interesting ideas but becomes a bit grindy no matter how well you are doing.”
    • “Sadly the entire game feels quite poorly put together from the cheap looking and hard to navigate build options, to the lackluster effects on the gunfire (lazy color lines as their lasers), also the gameplay is very tedious and dull after a single skirmish largely due to limited unit caps and unlimited resources, so dominating a map doesn't really give you a huge advantage.”
    • “I probably should've taken the mixed (42%) ratings as a bad sign, and not bought this, but I did anyway as the gameplay seemed a whole lot of fun. Unfortunately, this game is fundamentally broken, in that 5 out of 6 ground missions I play end in the game crashing right after I achieve victory. This wouldn't be quite so painful if it wasn't for the fact I have to replay the entire ground mission again, and again, and again, until it finally decides to not crash, which was a 1 in every 6 games experience. Keep in mind, some of these ground missions are on pretty large maps, and towards the end of a game, they can take quite some time to complete, in excess of 40 minutes or so, and as the computer players like to constantly engage you in ground missions, it gets very, very tedious.”
  • music8 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, contributing effectively to the sci-fi atmosphere and providing a relaxing experience for players. While some users appreciate the soundtracks, they note that it doesn't quite reach the level of iconic composers like Frank Klepacki. Overall, the music is rated positively, with an average score of 8/10.

    • “The music is nice and helps to create the sci-fi atmosphere; just don't expect anything like what you get whenever Frank Klepacki is around.”
    • “Epic soundtracks.”
    • “Music: 8/10”
  • optimization6 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its smooth performance and appealing visuals, meeting expectations for modern hardware configurations. Users report a satisfying experience without significant optimization issues.

    • “All in all, it looks pretty, runs smoothly, and wastes time in an enjoyable way.”
    • “Being a modern game, I expected it to run smoothly on Windows 8 with 16 GB of RAM and a higher-end graphics card.”
    • “Runs smoothly.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a "pure cash grab," with users expressing frustration over the lack of advertising efforts prior to its release. This suggests a focus on profit over player experience.

    • “Pure cash grab.”
    • “First of all, you can't throw a game on the market without having made anything in terms of advertising.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with multiple users noting that there is little incentive to play it again after the initial experience.

    • “Cons: hardly any replayability.”
    • “Cons: hardly any replayability.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere is enhanced by pleasant music that effectively contributes to the sci-fi setting, though it falls short of the high standards set by renowned composer Frank Klepacki. Overall, while the sound design is appreciated, it may not fully satisfy those seeking a more iconic auditory experience.

  • humor2 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a well-programmed AI that delivers amusing interactions, particularly in the singleplayer mode, which, while entertaining, can become repetitive. Overall, players appreciate the comedic elements, though they note some minor balance issues.

    • “The AI is well-programmed and brings a lot of humor to the game, making the single-player mode entertaining despite some repetition.”
    • “The game features a funny single-player mode with a huge variety of maps, providing plenty of laughs along the way.”
    • “The humor in the game adds a delightful touch to the overall experience, making even the repetitive elements enjoyable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

60% average critic score

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