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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Age of Pirates 2: City of Abandoned Ships
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
Developed by Petroglyph, this combat-intensive real-time strategy game enlists players in an epic struggle to prevent total alien domination of planet Earth. Universe at War: Earth Assault is set in the near-future when multiple factions from across the galaxy have come to Earth to wage epic warfare. Containing numerous features and customization options never-before-seen in the RTS genre, Universe at War: Earth Assault creates an exceptional strategy experience for single-player and especially multiplayer battles. The game employs a unique balance system called "Tactical Dynamics" that allows players to retrain and customize units in the midst of battle to better cope with enemy forces and tactical situations. Weaponry and defenses can be modified in true real-time to take advantage of constantly shifting battlefield conditions. Fully customizable tech trees allow players to control the development of technologies that they deem key to victory. Battles in Universe at War: Earth Assault are large in scope and take place in malleable and deforming environments. Deadly sci-fi weapons and alien powers will allow players to destroy cities and whole territories on a global scale. Because the world of Universe at War: Earth Assault is persistent, players can revisit previous battlegrounds to find them still smoldering in ruins. The game gives players achievements, rewards, and medals in a balanced environment to further encourage players to move forward in the game. Players from around the world battle in persistent-style online campaigns for ultimate faction supremacy across a virtual representation of the Earth. [Sega]
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... 87
ActionTrip
Once again, the gents and ladies at Petroglyph haven't disappointed. However, there's still nothing groundbreaking to be had here and due to the aforementioned slip ups, the game failed to achieve its full potential. But it comes very close.
 86
The New York Times
Most video games use up all their gameplay ideas in the first few hours, but Universe is always offering something new. While all three races perform the basics of strategy games — gathering resources, building weapons and finding and destroying enemy bases — the way they approach these tasks is quite different.
86
Gamers' Temple
Overall Universe at War can be a lot of fun for strategy fans. However, some annoyances and the lack of any real innovation may be enough to turn off the more casual player or those who are burned out on the standard strategy game paradigm.
85
PC Gamer
It's far from perfect, but Universe of War accomplishes what few RTS games have dared to attempt--introducing three sides that have completely unique gameplay experiences. [Jan 2008, p.76]
85
Computer Games Online RO
Universe at War is a diamond that is a bit rough, a game with great potential, but it is sabotaged by the LIVE system and some elements which can be repaired in an ulterior patch (the bugs, the limited zoom and the path-finding).
84
YouGamers
Online play suffers from the Games For Windows Live disease while the single player game is a tad short and heavily scripted.
83
Gamers.at
When a sleeper turns out to "only" be recommendable to hardcore fans, something must have gone wrong. In the case of UaW, it's the realization of the sensational ideas and hugely announced features, that, in the end, apparently didn't totally work out. Yet UaW offers RTS-gameplay at a very high level, that may help to overcome the waiting time for "StarCraft 2." [March 2008]
83
Game Informer
Playing through the single-player story-driven campaign or fighting a real-time global campaign is fun. Multiplayer is somewhat bare-bones, but the matches themselves are entertaining enough.
82
GameStar
Finally a new RTS where you can discard all the usual strategies. The makers of Universe at War offer suprisingly refreshing and innovative real-time battles.
82
Strategy Informer
Universe At War: Earth Assault is a finely shaped game with some underlying issues to be sure, mainly UI related, but Petroglyph’s brand of cheesy action humour and the great diversity of strategy, especially when playing against other red blooded players, can make war a guilty pleasure again.
81
Pelit (Finland)
Universe at War feels initially too much like blast from the past. Mainly thanks to some fun units and interesting background setting, in the end UAW is an OK game. No less, no more. [Mar 2008]
80
Play (Poland)
The alien races fighting for control of the Earth are completely different from each other and from the usual anthropocentric units, and yet the designers managed to strike the proper balance of forces. It's easy to forgive the exceedingly huge mech designs taking up half of the field of view and occasional trouble with units failing to find the right path to the target. Overall it's a refreshing departure from the routine in the RTS genre. [March 2008]
80
Gamer 2.0
Universe at War delivers a unique, fresh gaming experience with factions that have truly innovative concepts sewn intrinsically into them.
80
PC PowerPlay
We found the different races to be surprisingly equal on the battlefield and if this holds up under super competitive online play UAW could become very popular indeed. [Feb 2008, p.59]
80
Total Video Games
A decent start to the inevitable franchise, Universe at War's solid Campaign and range of game modes for both online and offline RTS action offers enough for players to get on with. The fact that it also introduces new features such as dynamic tactical upgrades to units on the fly also helps to make Petroglyph's latest stand out.
80
G4 TV
The battles are explosive and exciting, and despite having three really odd factions, the learning curve isn’t terribly steep making it easy to pop in and play any side without too much of a headache.
80
GamerNode
With some neat spins on the RTS formula along with three excellent races, Universe at War is a good addition to the genre. A few problems, such as spotty AI and a predictable campaign keep it from being a classic.
80
GameZone
The distinct factions make for some interesting encounters and require noticeably different strategies on the battlefield. This makes for increased replayability and definitely ups the fun factor. At the same time, it is marred by some longtime issues inherent in the genre.
80
Armchair Empire
If you like your strategy games with a sense of fun about them, while still offering some actual strategy, Universe at War: Earth Assault should speak to you.
80
GamePro
On one hand it has plenty of great ideas and promise, but it lacks that polish that helps elevate games towards greatness. I'd still recommend that gamers check out Universe At War but it's a shame that it doesn't quite live up to its potential.
80
Cheat Code Central
Online is where Universe at War: Earth Assault comes into its own. It's not overly complex, but it offers plenty of depth with all of the various options and customizing features.
80
IGN
Universe at War is a great, well-balanced design that's marred by a predictable sci-fi concept and a disappointing campaign.
80
Games Radar (in-house)
Universe at War takes a lot of chances, and most of them pay off in the form of a unique real-time strategy experience. Just grin and bear the campy story and you'll find plenty to love here.
80
Hardcore Gamer Magazine
Universe at War is a good title, but it isn't without it's flaws. As-is, though, Universe at War is a comfortable ride. [Dec 2007, p.64]
79
PC Zone UK
For all its merits and imagination, all its potential and breathtaking battles, Universe at War is lacking an essential ingredient of real-time strategy games: strategy. [Mar 2008, p.72]
78
PC Gamer UK
I really wanted to like Universe at War far more than I did. It never goes quite far enough, nor delivers the money shot. [Feb 2008, p.68]
75
PALGN
An unexpectedly good time that manages to rise above a cluster of problems, most notably - for us, at least - with multiplayer. A smidge more polish will get Universe at War up there with the best.
75
PC Format
Healthy doses of polish and patching are needed. [Mar 2008, p.106]
75
Play Magazine
RTS fans would do well to investigate Universe at War. [Dec 2007, p.96]
75
GameSpot
Universe at War has three engaging factions and some interesting ideas, but it's also saddled with some annoying issues.
75
Worth Playing
There are still plenty of entertaining moments buried beneath the scorched rubble if you have the patience to dig far enough to find them, but be ready to accept a little collateral damage on your part if you do.
75
NZGamer
Universe is a good game that deserves serious consideration by RTS fans that are looking for a new game that doesn't stray too far from the Command & Conquer mould.
75
PTGamers
Universe at War: Earth Assault is a good RTS, but clearly needed more production time to correct some glaring bugs, that even the recent patches couldn't completely eradicate.
72
Jolt Online Gaming UK
It’s such a shame though to see what could have been a splendid old-school RTS with mostly decent presentation (aside from the fact that the camera doesn’t zoom out enough) and three imaginative and well-balanced factions being wasted on a single player campaign that’s broken, and a multiplayer mode that nobody’s yet playing.
70
AceGamez
Had the single player been up to scratch and had the online functions been open to all instead of the select few willing to pay the extra costs, Universe at War could very well have been one of the year's first great strategy games.
70
Gamer.nl
Mixed feelings about this game. On the one hand Petroglyph is trying something new with totally different factions, but on the other hand it's not executed very well, a missed opportunity!
70
GotNext
As long as developers continue to chase after "jaw dropping" graphics we'll have to continue to be content with ho-hum AI players.
70
Eurogamer
The heart of Universe at War is a beautifully crafted strategy game which could have been one of the best things in the genre in years. This just makes it even more tragic that it's let down by a passable but unimpressive graphics engine, utterly dull single-player and the disastrous decision to use the godawful Games for Windows Live Gold service for multiplayer.
70
Game Over Online
If it had free no-holds-barred multiplayer, UaW would be a very good game.
70
GameTap
After learning the full extent of each faction's abilities, it really is pretty neat to completely adjust strategies based on both who you're playing as and against.
70
1UP
Sophistication's not UAW's strong suit: It flaunts its influences on its sleeve and thrives on its absurd outlandishness -- an exploitation RTS, suitable for midnight screenings.
70
GameSpy
The sheer exhilaration one gets when watching horribly damaged walkers amble into an enemy base, exploding and taking out half the opponent's infrastructure can't be underestimated. Unfortunately, a poorly designed single-player campaign can't help but limit the game's appeal and the multiplayer, while awesome to play, has that Games for Windows LIVE nonsense tied around its neck like an anchor.
70
GameDaily
Universe at War: Earth Assault has what it takes to be a great RTS game, but sadly, it doesn't come together in a fulfilling way.
70
Gameplanet
As the box says - if you can't wait until "Starcraft 2", then you should give Universe at War a shot.
69
MEGamers
The game looks good with neat graphics and a solid gameplay. However, a poorly designed AI and a bad camera view are problems which hamper the experience.
67
Game Revolution
Universe at War shows a lot of promise. As a first entry to a brand new series, there’s a lot to like on display.
60
Gameplayer
Everything that's wrong comes down to a lack of polish, and a poor choice in multiplayer game management.
60
Edge Magazine
Takes great pride in its science-fiction absurdities and provides a genuinely entertaining skirmish game for those who still hanker for the base-building battles of old. [Feb 2008, p.94]
Frederik M gave it a9: apop gave it a10: Alex M gave it a10: Stuart D. gave it a0: Zach R. gave it a5: Kyle S. gave it a10: Rogue9 gave it a10: |
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