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Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest

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9.2 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 38 critic reviews
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Based on 55 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Introversion Software

Developer: Introversion Software

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 2

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: September 1, 2008

Summary

Long ago a computer scientist called Dr Sepulveda created a beautiful digital world existing entirely within a computer network of his own invention. This world was called Darwinia and it was inhabited by a peaceful, law-abiding digital life-form called the Darwinians. As the years wore on however the Darwinians became ever more aggressive and autonomous. They divided into factions, squabbling over Darwinia’s limited natural resources. Tribes began to roam the fractal voids hell bent on each other’s destruction, drunk on power and unswerving in the pursuit of world supremacy. Far and wide, they became known as the Multiwinians. Welcome to Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest - the ultimate retro-arcade multiplayer experience. Choose from a selection of six hilariously fun, action-packed game modes, set in one of the most beautiful game environs you will ever set eyes on. Challenge your opponent to a game of stick-man slaughter, and watch digital-war unfold, as your Multiwinian army struggles to complete a chosen task faster and better than your rival’s. It's fast, it’s furious, and only the flattest will survive. [Introversion]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Darwinia

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Gaming Nexus

A surprisingly fun and simple RTS, with great pacing and intuitive play.

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2404.org

Multiwinia is, in a two words, chaotically fun.

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Gamer's Hell

Multiwinia is a superb showing from the developers at Introversion with approachable, entertaining RTS gameplay and style to spare.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

A fast, frenzied trip back to the world that Tron forgot.

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PC Format

It's a gorgeous, charming and suitably priced offering. [Dec 2008, p.99]

Gameplayer

The graphics in Multiwinia have a certain retro functional aesthetic that fits in perfectly with both the theme of the game and the style of play – simple and elegant, with very little to distract you from the gameplay at hand. Little has changed from Darwinia and system specs are kept comfortably low as a result. The game is quick to load and quick to play, which is all that a game like this should be.

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GamerNode

If you have dedicated friends to play with, pick it up. If not, wait for Darwinia+ to come out on XBLA so you can have some competition. If that doesn't sell like hotcakes, there's no hope for the world.

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D+PAD Magazine

Multiwinia has a ton of longevity to offer. The game will surprise you constantly, while the formidable AI and exciting variety of match types means there’s plenty of manic multiplayer fun to be had.

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Eurogamer

Click into its leftfield groove and Multiwinia provides a quirky but devilishly compelling distillation of all that strategy games can be - rich, deep and compressed into intense digestible chunks. Yummy.

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Play.tm

It's a quick game which uses its brevity as a lure with that one-more go factor scoring very highly. Its rich visual style and strong core gameplay put many other monster titles to shame.

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Game Positive

At the end of the day, Multiwinia is both a fun and different type of strategy title.

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PALGN

Multiwinia makes most other RTS games look like bloated, honking walruses.

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Gamervision

For fans of Darwinia, this game is an instant purchase, but I’d recommend waiting on the Arcade version for online play. For anyone on the fence, pick up the demo, and here’s hoping it gets the reaction on consoles it deserves.

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PC PowerPlay

Best of all, the only real resource you need to manage is the Multiwinians, so the game becomes much less about who has the best build order and more about crushing the two-dimensional skulls of your brightly coloured foes. [Christmas 2008, p.82]

Thunderbolt

While it’s lacking in singleplayer content, Multiwinia is fun, simple, and addictive.

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YouGamers

Fun little RTS on the cheap, proving that creativity can't be declared extinct just yet - even in this day and age of multi-million dollar game budgets. Best when played against human opponents.

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Game Chronicles

While it certainly lacks the complexity of most RTS titles, Multiwinia still strikes a good balance between strategy and arcade action.

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Total PC Gaming

Great for getting a quick RTS-style fix, it's unadulterated fun, if slightly on the light side. [Issue#13, p.56]

AceGamez

Regardless of whether you're playing single or multiplayer, the game modes in Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest are well thought out and extremely good fun, even though they will confound you beyond belief should you be a newcomer to the series or, like me, not exactly the best strategist in the world.

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Gamers.at

This game isn’t just for arcade-aficionados, it’s truly enjoyable. [Issue # 16]

Jolt Online Gaming UK

If Command & Conquer’s 45 minute matches are too meaty for you, or World In Conflict’s system specs too demanding, then Multiwinia may be the lean and achingly stylish RTS you’re looking for.

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PC Gamer

This hectic, multiplayer-focused Darwinia spin-off is as full of glee and spectacle as any RTS I know. [Holiday 2008, p.73]

PC Gamer UK

Endearing, yet thin. [Dec 2008, p.86]

GamingExcellence

While there are gamers of all varieties seeking groundbreaking games in their appropriate niches, everyone and anyone is sure to enjoy an experience that is so innovative and downright fun.

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MEGamers

Its simplicity and lack of major depths make it a pretty straightforward pick up and play affair.

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IGN UK

Multiwinia largely succeeds as an enjoyable -- if slight -- multiplayer expansion of Introversion’s Darwinia. Its idiosyncratic design is as delightful as ever and the developer’s knack for capturing the essence of 8-bit gaming purity is once again evident.

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AtomicGamer

Even though it is more of an enhancement to Darwinia than a new game, Multiwinia is a worthwhile purchase if you enjoyed Darwinia and were left wanting more with the same theme.

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GameSpot

Multiwinia adds a multiplayer mode and even easier controls to the addictive gameplay and visually striking world of Darwinia.

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Armchair Empire

While the selling point of Multiwinia -- that would be, multiplayer -- is somewhat lacking in regard to number of players all the other pieces are in place for a very satisfying experience.

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PC Zone UK

If you want a simple game that doesn't require you to devote the whole of your brain or your evenings, can buy into the game's modern-retro visuals, and can forgive a few flaws; it's undeniably worth a spin. [Dec 2008, p.76]

VideoGamer

As a game to please fans Introversion probably has another hit on its hands, but Multiwinia is unlikely to broaden its fanbase too considerably.

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Boomtown

The nagging doubt about Multiwinia is that it is possibly too simple and short term – fun to drop into in the odd quiet half-hour, but with no visible form of progression, nothing that you will stick with in the long term.

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DarkZero

There’s a lot to like, and equally as much to dislike.

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GamingXP

The confusing title hides a solid strategy game. Gamers who enjoy graphics should avoid this game though, strategy fans should play the demo-version before buying Multiwinia.

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Worth Playing

There isn't all that much to Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest, unfortunately. The gameplay is short, and necessarily so, because any single match can drag on very quickly, and once a clear lead is established, it is quite difficult to break.

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Gamers' Temple

It isn't a bad game, not at first, and surely it will find some fans out there. Before you do, try the demo, and even then it would be best to tread carefully.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

Prepare for an extremely abstract experience. Nicely done multiplayer for renowned "Darwinia". A bit too straightforward for a strategy game though. [Nov 2008]

1UP

And speaking of multiplayer, that's about all you'll want Multiwinia for. Repetitive maps, exploitable A.I., and a lack of any backstory or plot whatsoever hamper the single-player mode. That said, the game does have "multi" in its title, and for the price (about $20), you could do worse for an online time-waster.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 9.2 (out of 10) based on 55 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Tyler gave it a3:
Very dull RTS compared to others. It caught my attention for about 5 minutes and it's too dang simple. It has some new features then Darwinia, but altogether, it's nothing compared to it. Sure, it looks good, but it lacks in gameplay.

Mike M gave it a7:
Fun game, but in the world of RTS I can't give it more than a 7. the fundamentals are all present, but it needs some sort of "super" units, something that adds some depth and tactics to the game. As it is you just build up your units, hope a box (random) drops near your units to offset the balance of the game, and rape your enemy. If there was some sort of super unit structure you could decide, do I need 100 little guys or combine them into 10 heavy units, and your enemy would be doing the same. Hope they do something like this in the next version but I'm gonna have to leave it on the shelf as is.

Ian D. gave it a10:
Wow, it's nice to see a game focus on MACRO-strategy for once, and do it so WELL! Best part are the bite-sized gameplay portions. Even though the longest games are around 20 minutes, you still find yourself playing for hours! HUGE variety in game modes as well! Somehow, Introversion has outdone itself, again!

Robin B. gave it a10:
Only at first glance a multiplayer add-on to Darwinia, Multiwinia soon surprises with lots of new, wonderfuly chaotic mayhem, that thoroughly expands on the ideas presented in Darwinia and thus justifies its position as a separate game easily! Normally I don't buy multiplayer only games, but boy, I'm sure glad I got this gem!

Peter R gave it a7:
The gameplay itself is great. A little hard to micromanage, but practice makes perfect. I had no choice but to knock off a few points because Introversion has taken their minimalist approach a little too far with this one. You can't chat with players until you've started the game (i.e. there's no talking while waiting for a game to start) and many other basic features, like server passwords, are non-existent. Supposedly they're going to patch these things into the game soon. Let's hope they're true to their word.

Floyd W. gave it a9:
Multiwinia is a blast...a pick up and play RTS with surprising amounts of depth, as you'll find out when you get annihilated by some of the better players out there. Don't listen to those who say it's just moving units around and waiting for a powerful power up...there is an art to arranging your units effectively. Forget the single player and dive straight in to multi player mayhem, the only place to develop your skills. With fantastic retro artwork from Darwinia and in your face sound effects from the battle ground, you have something very rare in gaming today...an original, fun game you'll not grow tired of playing.

Tom M. gave it a10:
Quick, visceral, strategy which is hugely satisfying in short bursts. Not a game for epic gaming sessions, but rather one you can come back to regularly for months to come. This really is an essential game for LAN parties!

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Multiwinia: Survival of the Flattest

Game Info

Summary

Also On Metacritic

What The Critics Said

What Our Users Said

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Recent Releases