Seed

There are no codes to break in this Da Vinci, but there are engineering problems aplenty that need to be solved.

Seed, from Runestone, is not your typical online game. First of all, there are no wide-open vistas and environments that will have players traversing the world. The game centers within the colonizing structure that is known as Da Vinci. Secondly, there is no combat, no mobs that you kill to gain experience and level up. Instead Seed focuses on maintaining the colony platform, fixing various and persistent equipment breaks, leveling up engineering skills and then, if you so choose, engaging in the politics within the colony.

Of course, this requires a different mindset on the part of the gamer. It also, in many ways, requires more creativity.

In Seed, players take on the role of a colonist on a planet far from Earth. The original mission was to terraform the planet, but the plans have gone very wrong. The terraforming is way off track, and the colony tower – Da Vinci – is starting to fail and fall apart. You, the player, are inserted into this environment with the opportunity to pursue the path of engineer, or maybe become a politician in this enclosed environ.

There are some problems with this Runestone title. The game does take a while to launch and plays in a window, by default, on the desktop. There seems to be lag in launching and occasional spikes within the game itself.

Plus the design calls for windows to be opened up within the game interface and your view can be hampered because of it. For example, early on you may find that you come across a hatch with steam and other gas pouring out of it. Obviously, this needs to be repaired. You open up your assets menu and equip the appropriate item (for electrical, structural or mechanical) and then select the damaged equipment and click on the equipment to repair. The repair work is mostly of the ‘start it and walk away’ variety, though you have to pay attention to the fatigue value of your equipment and the stress you may be exerting on the damaged unit.

Rather than have quests, the game calls these stories. Stories are a big part of this game. Not only can you undertake those handed out by some of the NPCs (peopleworkers) in the game, but you can also create your own story, which may have an effect on the world.

Because of the maze-like quality of Da Vinci, players may wish to create waypoints to pop around the station. The game interface, which can become very crowded, does make that easy to do.

The game is very much a point and click, mostly relying on the left mouse button for all actions. The right mouse button is primarily for looking around. The economy is trade-driven, and the community of players within the game is very friendly, although sparse. And that is sad considering that this is a game with great potential to forge a new kind of MMO.

Graphically Seed is very nicely done. The game sports a cel-shaded comic book style that is both colorful and really conveys the feel of the game very well. The animation is not totally fluid, but within the confines of the graphics style. The sound is a little spotty at times and is mostly relegated to environmental sounds. 

The player interface may have some different terminology but the game is actually easy to control and use.

Seed is a sedate experience, with a very nice community. The game is well-thought out and looks very good. This is a game that is a great departure from the normal fare. This is not a game driven by the quest for experience points; rather it is a game that is driven by a concerted player-based effort to hold on to a failing home. It is a vehicle that is for players and about players.

This is a very good experience and perfect for those looking to jump into the MMO space but leery of playing a game that is based on killing.

Gameplay: 7.7
Mostly mouse driven, the game’s interface can become a mess of windows, but generally the interface is easy to understand. The learning curve comes in understanding the fine points, like upgrading equipment and so on.

Graphics: 8.8
There are moments when you can be stuck behind environmental elements, and the camera does not always auto-follow your avatar, but the general look of this game is very good. The dev team has crafted a very strong and visually appealing look.

Sound: 6.0
Not much of it here.

Difficulty: Medium
Players, when they are on, help, but trying to figure some of this out can be a bit of a hunt.

Concept: 8.5
Seed moves away from the typical MMO concepts and offers something different. That is a very nice break. The only failings comes in labeling elements people may be used to differently and some of the concepts take a bit to figure out. With not a lot of help with a tutorial, this is a game that is not the most newcomer friendly.

Multiplayer: 9.0
If this rating is based on the player base, then as sparse as it may be, Seed’s community is both friendly and helpful.

Overall: 8.3
Seed does have a few problems, but this is a game that is a marked departure from the typical MMO fare, and what Runestone has crafted is very nice.