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Universal Combat

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3.7 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 16 critic reviews
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Based on 19 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: DreamCatcher Interactive

Developer: 3000 A.D.

Genre(s): Space Simulation, Strategy

Players: 64

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: February 7, 2004

Summary

Fight anything anywhere anyhow... and by any means necessary! Universal Combat takes you into a seamless universe full of epic space battles, massive ground skirmishes, fierce naval engagements and even tense dogfights above the planet's surface. In solo mode or in multiplayer, in first- or third-person view, play as a marine, a star ship commander with a full crew, or a pilot in the latest space fighter. Universal Combat brings together the greatest components of any war together in a single game. Conceived in late 2001 as Battlecruiser Generations, the fifth title in the long-running Battlecruiser series, during development it morphed into much more than a massive space simulation. As Universal Combat, the new action-based focus, direction and premise of the new incarnation caters to a wider audience of action and space sim fans alike. [DreamCatcher Interactive]

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Battlecruiser Millennium Universal Combat: A World Apart Universal Combat: Edge to Edge

Also On The Web: GamerFeed Preview GameSpot Preview 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...

GameZone

There are still a ton of controls in the newest version of the Battlecruiser series … but 3000 AD has done a good job in making them a little more accessible for things that you will do most often during the game.

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PC Gamer

The level of freedom afforded is quite unparalleled for a game of this type. [Apr 2004, p.72]

Computer Games Magazine

An amazing bargain, particularly if you like the idea of exploring a dynamic universe and don't mind filling in a few gaps with imagination while you live the Captain Kirk fantasy. [July 2004, p.67]

Gamer's Hell

Remains really the only game of it’s kind, and sadly, if no other developer takes this genera seriously, Universal Combat is the best we’ve to hope for.

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Adrenaline Vault

It’s a very serious niche simulation that’s got some lumps which will be unappealing to the average player. If you want to “get it,” you’ve got to be willing to pour the time into learning the nuances of the title.

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IGN

I would rather have explored a single, dynamic system or three, rather than piles of basically static ones that felt like they hadn't existed the moment before I arrived.

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GameSpot

Much like its predecessor, "Battlecruiser Millennium," this wildly ambitious simulation is torpedoed by an almost incomprehensible interface, the absence of a tutorial both in-game and in the poorly organized manual, numerous bugs, and many fit and finish issues, including dated production values.

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Cheat Code Central

I can tell you right now that only those willing to devote a big chunk of their life to this game will reap any significant rewards from it. And by the looks of the few people online I would say that there's not too many gamers willing to devote massive amounts of time to such an experience.

Computer Gaming World

For anyone who doesn't share Dr. Smart's very specific obsessions, however, Universal Combat is an exhausting, impenetrable bore. [Oct 2004, p.82]

Yahoo! Games

There's something wrong with the game, though, which comes down to two fundamental problems: interface and gameplay. Smart has called it "idiot proof," but the truth is that the game is still way too cryptic.

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Game Chronicles

If you want a decent space sim with some strategy, I would go with "X2: The Threat." Universal Combat, as a whole, is not worth the effort it demands.

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ActionTrip

A dreary atmosphere, blatantly outdated visuals, AI bugs, and many other issues inherited from the game's predecessor, all contribute to an overall disappointing experience. Also, if you happen to be a fan of Battlecruiser Millennium, chances are you'll be bored with facing similar gameplay and practically the same content (same universe map, same ships, etc.).

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PC Gameworld

To enjoy the game requires hours of exhaustive research and patience that most gamers don’t have.

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Worth Playing

The box may say this is "the biggest combat simulator of all time," but for me it was the biggest frustration simulator of all time.

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Computer and Video Games

There's no aspect of the game that isn't abysmally implemented. I would dearly, dearly love to sit here and go on for five or six pages listing the faults, but it really isn't worth the effort. Just avoid UC like you would a diseased badger or rancid tramp. [PC Zone]

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eToychest

I hate this game. It’s the worst PC game I’ve played in months, which, I can assure you, is saying something. I hate it even more because of how much unrealized potential this series has.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 3.7 (out of 10) based on 19 User Votes

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

Meestyk gave it a4:
Since I'm also a sci fi fan and into these space sims games, I rammed into this title and hit an asteroid field. Now, I need help from Smart Derek, but he's always doing something else! (Making this world even bigger?) True, graphics don't make a game, but, really, graphics here is just plain outdated even on the latest from Smart. True, this game's got a huge dynamic universe, but, truly, it needs life not statistics. Frankly, there is no game out there alike this one because it's unique. No one else has or had the guts to make a game like Smart. This game 's got potentials, lots of it. But, Smart would need talents real talents, to realize this potential into the next franchise. Let's face it, we've all played the same games over and over. It's time for some change. 4 for the uniqueness and concept. 5 because it's Smart's. -1 because no tutorials. A game should be fun afterall.

Vinny L. gave it a3:
This game had a lot of potential, but that potential was lost though the poor fps graphics and the extremely user UN-friendly interface. There are much better games of this genre out there.

Igor T. gave it a10:
Great game engine, almost perfect, but needs storyline

Brad G. gave it a4:
Every time Smart makes a new battlecruiser game I pick it up hoping "maybe this time he'll get it right". I think I'm seeing the light though, the man can't make fun games. I don't care how much freedom and option you have in this game, none of it is fun or even functional. Stuff that should take a couple of clicks invilves a huge amount of menu-hunting and rarely works when you figure it out. The FPS portion is a flat out joke, the fighter to fighter combat is a breakneck speed jousting match, and if you decide to do everything from a command perspective instead it, well, isn't exactly user friendly. Do yourself a favour and buy X2 or wait until X3, you don't get the on-planet stuff but you get everything else plus some FUN which is sort of the point right?

Sam L. gave it a 1:
This game tries to be an fps, a space sim and a fighter sim all in one and ends up doing none of it well. theres too many problems with this game for me to list them all so im just gonna list the main ones 1) unless your a fan of the battlecruser games you ARE going to be totaly lost wen you first start playing, theres no totorial, no explanation not even so much as a hint as to how to play the game, just a set of orders and a good luck, its as thow Derek Smart just expected you to be able to read his mind somhow 2) you spend more time looking for a fight than actualy fighting, and its not as thow the fights are particularley exciting you dodge around abit then someone gets a lucky hit and its game over, i cant even see how this wos supposed to be a good fps anyway NO cover, primiraley flat rolling terain with maybe the odd hill here n there 3) there may be many vechicles but there all basically the same, same hud, idecntical handling, identical controls, i think they just took all the vheicals and gave the all the same piloting script changing maybe a few variables such as max speed 4) the clipping problems are so numerous that you wont be thinking "is it going to clip here?" instead youll be thinking "is it not goint to clip here?" and belive me that no exageration 5)it could definatley use a new graphics engin, altho this is more a suggested enhamcement and not relay a problem as such so basicley dont bother buying this game, seriousley i wasted my money on it and im still kicking myself.

Markus L. gave it a 2:
Justin, are you Derek Smart...sorry, DR. Derek Smart? 'Cos I can't believe anyone else could like this piece of s**t! I hated it, and these two points I give for the idea, but...maybe Derek Smart really should read of reviews his games, 'cos all off his games have the same problems (sh*tty gameplay, tons of bugs etc.). Sorry Derek, two points. Please don't sue me.

Justin gave it a 10:
Just as it was said in the manual: you need to have an imagination to play this game. The depth and thoroughness of the game just takes it. The graphics are alright, but graphics don't totally make a game. Furthermore, this game isn't for someone who requires a walkthrough strategy guide to complete every mission. For once there's a game that requires some sort of intelligence and thinking to complete. I rate this game 10, i could play it for hours.

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