Darwinia is a strategy game in which you play as a computer hacker. In game you have to manage various different units in order to save Darwinia from a virus. If you are expecting a strategy game that is a comparable experience to strategy games of old think again. When I started playing this game I was expecting it to be a Sci Fi strategy game. That was not dissimilar to the original Warcraft games. However when I started playing the game it became apparent that there is many differences. Other than the fact that, both games are in the strategy game genre. There is very little that both games share in common.
Gameplay wise I feel that this game is very frustrating due to the slow pace. This game is also very monotonous. This is because everything in the game takes a very long time to do.
The fact that you cannot instantly upgrade your units with stronger gear or skills does not help. As this game’s upgrade mechanism revolves around waiting a predetermined amount of time.
Nevertheless, you can only enhance one component of your equipment at once. You cannot have any buildings/assets do extra research. As a result of this you are waiting around even longer.
Also, one thing that I don’t like is that if you take too long to do anything in this game. The instructions will be repeated multiple times. Although this is good if you are playing the game and you have to leave the computer for whatever reason. However, sometimes it is because your units are unable to do their task. The game does get annoying especially given how the game is.
Technically the game is very basic as you can only control 1 unit at a time. Sadly you cannot control multiple units at a time as you can in other strategy games. Due to its poor development, the artificial intelligence is also not very intelligent.
As a result of this any unit in the game you have you must directly control. Primarily because, your units take orders literally. Taking this as an example I sent a unit to go to another part of an island. The unit decided to try going there in a straight line without considering its environment. As an inevitable result the unit became stuck. This happened because there was the ocean in its way. Since it was unable to move the unit decided to jog on the spot. As a result of this you will have to do the journey for them step by step. This is repetitive and unneeded in a modern strategy game.
It is also a major issue in combat as your units cannot fight for themselves. As a result of this you will have to do the fighting for them. This does become a chore playing as the units. Primarily because have only so much use. When a unit dies you have to respawn a unit from the nearest tower. This can be frustrating sometimes, especially when it is a long way from where your objective is. Consequently you will have to redo the journey you did with your previous squad before taking on the enemy forces.
Sadly I cannot recommend this game as it is a really dull experience.
