Genesis Rising Preview

Bearing a resemblance to other space sims, Genesis Rising: The Universal Crusade may appear to be another simulator, though looks are quite deceiving. As opposed to being very sim-heavy and relying on space commerce, Genesis Rising instead chooses to follow the route of fast-paced RTS gameplay with some distinct RPG elements added to the mix. The result is a fun and engaging strategy title that has some great campaign elements and even some puzzles coupled with the goals.

In Genesis Rising, humanity is painted out as a brutal and aggressive race, tearing their way through other civilizations with their raw force and their near-invincible space fleets. Obviously, this doesn’t bode well with other peoples throughout the galaxy, who band together in an effort to take them down.

As Captain Iconah, you take a prime role through the conflict by working your way through the main campaign. Your main goal requires you to recover the Universal Heart, an object that has the ability to cement humanity’s position in the universe and ensure that they could never be defeated.

The gameplay has some definite role-playing influences meshed in with the fast-paced RTS action. You’ll complete a variety of puzzles involving your ships’ genetics, where you’ll have to alter your vessels as well as complete the stated goal. Upgrades will have some interesting effects on how your units handle the game’s battles, and add a cool dynamic to the formula.

The ships in Genesis Rising can be altered as you play by collecting genes. Given that the ships are biomechanical, genetics are important in allowing them to adapt to battlefield conditions and even complete some puzzles that require you to shift your ships.

There are some harvesting elements involved in the game that add to the strategy elements. Aside from gathering genes to alter your ships’ appearance and performance, you’ll have to collect bloodair. Instead of being something that you can only cultivate from certain areas of the map (called altars), you’ll also be able to draw them from the ships of your fallen foes. Bloodair can be used to upgrade your ships’ genetics, create new ones, or heal the ones that had been damaged in battle.

Genesis Rising sports a very cool and detailed look. The ships have a very organic appearance to them, almost to the degree of an H.R. Giger design in their level of biological and mechanical synergism. They benefit from detailed textures and lighting, and the game’s special effects look great.

Genesis Rising: The Universal Crusade is looking to be a unique strategy game with a solid campaign and a deep story. The real-time battles are fast-moving and have unique goals focused on the puzzle solving and dynamic vehicles. Look for it this March.