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Perimeter

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6.5 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 39 critic reviews
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Based on 6 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: 1C / Codemasters

Developer: K-D Lab

Genre(s): Real-Time Strategy

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: June 29, 2004

Summary

Perimeter is a ground breaking real-time strategy game which brings, a range of fresh ideas to the RTS genre. Use strategic Terraforming to acquire resources, project a impenetrable perimeter force shield to protect from attack and marshal your forces though manipulation of nano-technology. These key gameplay elements deliver a new challenging and rewarding experience for single and multiplayer. Perimeter is set in a universe where the earth is dying and multiple civilisations are in a race across a newly discovered galaxy to colonise the only suitable planet. This epic journey will involve exploring many new worlds, battling against other civilisations and indigenous species, all to acquire energy to continue the search for a new home. [Codemasters]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Perimeter: Emperor's Testament

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

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...

Warcry

The game is innovative and daring and that goes a helluva long way.

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Loaded Inc

I'll admit it took a little getting into this game, after about 5 or 6 missions it managed to pull be in and have me hankering for more. The gameplay is addictive thanks to the mix of strategy elements.

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Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

Perimeter blows most traditional RTS games out of the water. There are so many unexpected options for attack, more ways to defend, more ideas to experiment with than you'd think possible. It's an enormous, gloopy toolkit of war. And we love it. [PC Gamer UK]

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Gaming Nexus

I enjoyed all the unique aspects of terraforming, unit transformation, and using the Perimeter field, but for some this may just be too much complexity in an RTS.

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GameZone

Even though some of the missions are on the lackluster side, the game as a whole is really fun to play.

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PGNx Media

The one area that KD Lab didn’t skimp on is the visuals. The game simply looks fantastic with incredibly detailed units and environments.

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PC Format

Perimeter is capital-‘huh?’ weird from start to finish, in a brilliant way. The trouble is it’s also hard, with the single-player campaign often being incredibly frustrating.

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VideoGamesLife

It offers a challenge to the experienced gamer that is second to none, and a level of innovation that, while undeserving of its boastful slogan "Real Time Strategy Reborn", could certainly reinvigorate a genre where something truly new and unique is so very hard to come by.

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Computer Games Online RO

Although it’s not a fundamental revolution of the genre, Perimeter has managed to bring a breath of fresh air in an already over-crowded RTS genre.

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GameSpy

Perimeter certainly has its share of problems, from a bizarro-world storyline and ho-hum multiplayer support to lackluster artificial intelligence. But playing the game is just so much fun that it's almost impossible not to recommend.

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Armchair Empire

It has a great balance and will draw you in with its depth thanks to some innovation, and is fun, even if it’s fun in a serious way.

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RealGamer

Music in the game is tense sounding but has a generic feel to it.

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Game Chronicles

And even though you might have that sense of familiarity while playing the game, almost every aspect seems original, both in its presentation and its implementation.

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GameSpot

Delivers a high-concept sci-fi setting, a load of innovative gameplay, and beautiful graphics. And though it falls short in a few areas, it's still a breath of fresh air in a genre in need of it.

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Computer and Video Games

It is, however, an ambitious, pioneering effort that has plenty to offer the dedicated real-time strategy player. If you appreciate its ultra hi-tech scenario, you'll find plenty of enjoyment here.

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IGN

If the premise appeals to you, I'd recommend giving it a try, but if the weird technology and heavy emphasis on base building doesn't appeal to you, you'd probably do well to listen to your instincts.

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Cheat Code Central

A good example that not all of the best game ideas have been taken. Too often developers don't want to take a chance with a new concept and instead just rehash a proven, popular trend.

ActionTrip

Perimeter hasn't exactly revolutionized the genre, but it probably threaded some new ground for the countless RTS games to come.

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Yahoo! Games

While Perimeter's gameplay doesn't always work perfectly, it's refreshing to play a strategy title that stands out from the crowd both in its concept and its graphics. If you're fed up with cookie-cutter RTS games, give it a try.

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2404.org

Easily the best in-planet RTS title I have played since "Starcraft", and it definitely gives me hope for the future of the RTS genre as a whole.

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Edge Magazine

A large number of possibilities awaits the ambitious tactician. From tunnelling assaults to flying barrage defences, Perimeter relies on the imagination of players to become genuinely interesting. [Aug 2004, p.105]

Adrenaline Vault

Perimeter sets itself apart by not relying on what has come before, but by not making changes for the sake of change, it’s also engaging and fun to play.

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G4 TV

A captivating strategy game with oodles of character.

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GamerArchive

Is it complicated? Yes of course. Is it too much for a generation of strategists brought up on the shallow nature of "Command and Conquer" to handle? Most definitely. But, is it still one of the most innovative and important strategy titles of recent times? Of that there’s no doubt.

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Game Informer

A general lack of polish holds Perimeter back from being a real contender for top dog in the RTS genre. [July 2004, p.121]

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Gamer's Hell

Whatever else is said about Perimeter, there are a lot of very good, very different ideas coming together here.

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Play Magazine

A solid sci-fi themed RTS with a few really great ideas, but it lacks the extra layer of refinement that would allow it to join the upper tier. [July 2004, p.75]

Gamers' Temple

If you’re new to strategy gaming you probably don’t want to use Perimeter as an introduction to the genre. The interface and AI issues may leave you bewildered and overwhelmed.

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Gamers Europe

The ability to completely control the terrain may not appeal to everyone, but you have to admit it’s a great idea. Together with the nanomorphing, Perimeter has enough innovation to turn heads and sell copies.

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Boomtown

I think this is a lateral development for the genre. I hail the ambition, I commend the experimentation and I recognise the potential. However, I wish it still didn't sport some of the genre’s silly little annoyances and the whole thing is a little too unbalanced in its execution.

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1UP

One of the most frustrating elements of the game is the sense of helplessness in controlling and customizing units and squads, and setting up offensive tactical maneuvers. In the end however, the amalgamation of storyline and gameplay is successfully delivered as a truly unique experience in Perimeter.

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eToychest

If you can get past the learning curve of the game, it's a very new and fun experience that any strategy fan would enjoy.

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PC Gamer

Most interesting when you're diddling with the terrain, but it gets old fast when the missiles start flying. Not the breakthrough it could've been, it'll appeal only to experimental-RTS fans. [July 2004, p.62]

GamerFeed

The perimeter shield, one of main selling points of the game, causes a severe power imbalance which is not helped by the fact that opponents have identical unit types.

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Computer Games Magazine

The potential is there for something much greater. The magic just doesn't quite happen. [Oct 2004, p.86]

GameShark

The storyline is very difficult to understand and just won’t make sense to newcomers at first, the gameplay is hard to stomach until players start to comprehend all the little “undocumented features” that the game’s brief tutorial utterly and completely fails to explain, the mission objectives get repetitive, frustrating, and even boring as the campaign moves on, and the game engine definitely demands a kick-ass system to ensure an experience that is at least somewhat smooth.

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The New York Times

While original and imaginative, Perimeter is also remarkably slow. Everything about the game seems designed to annoy the impatient, including the tutorial, in which each sentence of instruction is followed by five seconds of silence, and the game narrative, which is tedious and incoherent.

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Gaming Age

There are unique concepts in the game that hardcore gamers should enjoy tweaking. Though the routine campaign missions, lack of multiplayer audience, and un-novice friendly interface might have some players looking elsewhere.

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Computer Gaming World

The developers get credit for trying something new, but the slow gameplay, some dull missions, nonsensical story, and annoying micromanagement make Perimeter unenjoyable. [Sept 2004, p.78]

What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 6.5 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes

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

Some Guy gave it a7:
It is indeed unique in what it offers, but being a game of it's gener offers nothing new. It's your typical rts game and more about micro management than anything, every unit tied to specific uses some units with further uses. However the gameplay is verry static, as glorious graphics are they do the actual game itself little good. If your into uniqeness, I recommend it but not worth it if you don't have the patience for it.

Tomek G. gave it a 4:
This game is odd... I thought it would be a materpiece but it is just boooring! Gameplay is the most annoying part: units are uninteligent (could drown in a lake or die trying to traverse enemys' perimeter shield!), AI of Scourge is less than zero - they will attack still and still from the same direction. The strong side of the game is the story and graphics, and that is all...

Vivian gave it a 9:
A very good rts..the first one actually that kept me at bay to finished it for years! Try it, love it! :) Vivian

Nick gave it a 4:
This "RTS" can't offer any task for a mind, map is visible, player shouldn't choose which units to produce, the hardest stratigic choice is "from which side I should attack". Boooooriiiiiiiiiing.

Dan G. gave it a 6:
Awful tutorial, dull and obscure story, repetitive gameplay. Nice ideas - the units are genuinely fun - but the game is a resounding "meh" for me.

Mc Tremor gave it a 9:
This game is very good. The graphics are..very detailed and generate a feeling of..softness..can't describe it any better. To make things short: This game ist made for the defensive type of RTS-Gamer..those who are not good in Starcraft against human opponents because theses type of gamers HATE to loose any units in all out attacks. I'm one of them...i like to build and fortify my position. In this game, most missions include the defense of your base, and very few missions have an "attack" subject...enjoy!

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