83
MobyRank
100 point score based on reviews from various critics.
3.9
MobyScore
5 point score based on user ratings.

Description

In Introversion's second sci-fi computer-themed game, you once again find yourself as a hacker. Unlike Uplink, however, Darwinia focuses on the world inside the computer rather than our own.

Cruising around the net, you stumble into a mysterious computer network called Darwinia, the brainchild of the barely sane genius Dr. Sepulveda. Darwinia is what amounts to a Jurassic Park for programs; small sprites called Darwinians evolve and adapt to their digital environment as its maintainers watch. But despite the fact that you're not supposed to be in the system, Dr. Sepulveda has no choice but to enlist your help. A deadly virus has taken over the system, and in order to save not only billions of dollars of research but also the simulated lives of the Darwinians, you will need to take command of the computer.

Played inside a fractal-generated world inspired by retro arcade games as well as films like Tron, Darwinia requires you to take strategic command of various program-generated units to protect the Darwinians as well as engage in fast and furious action combating the virus with soldiers.

Alternate Titles

  • "达尔文" -- Chinese title (simplified)
  • "Дарвиния" -- Russian spelling
  • "Future War" -- Working title
  • "Darwinia: A digital dreamscape" -- Tag-lined title
  • "Daerwen" -- Chinese title

Part of the Following Groups


Merchant Title Platform Price  
Amazon
Darwinia Windows $0.01  
GOG
Darwinia $9.99  
ebay.com
Darwinia    
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User Reviews

There are no reviews for this game.


The Press Says

Entertainmentopia Nov 14, 2005 A 100
Game Freaks 365 2005 9.7 out of 10 97
Game Tunnel Jun 17, 2005 9 out of 10 90
Factornews Jun 22, 2006 9 out of 10 90
Gameguru Mania Jul 17, 2005 86 out of 100 86
JeuxVideoPC.com Nov 17, 2005 17 out of 20 85
Play Magazine 2005 8.5 out of 10 85
PC Games (Germany) Jan 23, 2006 72 out of 100 72
GameStar (Germany) May, 2005 70 out of 100 70
Game Revolution Jun 28, 2006 C+ 58

Forums

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Trivia

Inspiration

Similarly to how Introversion's previous game, Uplink, had several references and inspirations from hacker movies of the 80s and early 90s, Darwinia's art direction is also drawn from film, specifically Tron.

Loaders

The game has different unique loaders every time it is started, with references to The Matrix, Cannon Fodder and the ancient Spectrum platform. The fodder loader for example, shows the message "This game is not in any way endorsed by SENSIBLE SOFTWARE". Sensible Software, the developer of the Cannon Fodder games, had the message "This game is not in any way endorsed by the ROYAL BRITISH LEGION" when starting the game.

Release

There was a last minute problem before the Steam release. The Valve guys ran into Darwinia's "Cracked by DMA Crew" bootloader and actually thought some hackers had compromised the build they were releasing, while it just was an inside joke. Ultimately, the release went as planned.

Unused virus model

A giant tripod virus model was created but never used in the main game. It is available in the map editor, however, which is unlocked upon the campaign's completion.

Awards

  • PC Powerplay (Germany)
    • Issue 02/2006 - Wannabe Retro Game of 2005
Information also contributed by Zack Green.


This entry was contributed by Kabushi (104257) and Darksun (14)
 

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