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Metareview: Universe at War: Earth Assault (PC)
Universe at War: Earth Assault enters the market during a time we're calling: "Publishers at War: Wallet Assault." UaW probably benefits from there not being a plethora of high-profile sci-fi RTS games entering the market at the same time. The reviews don't have a lot of negative things to say about the game, so if you're looking for a solid sci-fi RTS during the holiday season, UaW seems like a good choice. We're still curious to see how the Xbox 360 version plays when it releases early next year. Game Informer (83/100): "Like Blizzard's RTSs or Command & Conquer, Universe at War requires a hands-on approach to command. Adept focus-firing, forcing enemies into bad unit matchups, resource harassment, and the like will carry the day more often than out-gathering your opponent – especially given the particularly binding population cap." Games Radar (80/100): "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." 1UP (70/100): "Each side handles resources differently, too, which will likely wind up separating the UAW lovers from the haters. Both the Hierarchy and Novus simply send out harvesting units to automatically appropriate junk far-flung across the map, while the Masari simply construct structures anywhere, which generate resources indefinitely. That means multiplayer battles focus more on breaking main bases and less on the localized miniskirmishes that are some other RTS games' hallmark." %Gallery-7459%
Sega beefs up Steam offerings: Universe at War and more coming
Steam is the agoraphobic gamer's best friend: all the joy of video games, none of the hassle of venturing "outside" with "people" to acquire them. So it's with these folks in mind that we deliver the latest news from Valve's land of digital distribution: Sega is beefing up their offerings on Steam – currently limited to Medieval II and Rome: Total War – beginning with Sega Rally Revo and Sega Rally (both available now) to be followed with the rather high profile RTS Universe at War as well as the movie tie-in The Golden Compass next month.There's also some good news for our European friends: those previously available Sega titles are now also available in "Europe and most of the world." Oh, and you can look forward to Sega's Worldwide Soccer Manager and Futbol [sic] Manager if that sorta thing interests you. We'll probably stick with the alien invasion one.
Universe at War bumped to 2008
If you're a PC gamer looking to fill the gap in your soul until Starcraft 2's release in Who Honestly Knows of 200?, you might be disappointed to hear that sci-fi RTS Universe at War: Earth Assault has been delayed from November into January 2008. The delay does come with a silver lining though. The game supports cross-platform play between 360 and PC, and this delay puts the two releases closer together. Maybe this means 360 players won't be beaten as badly by their PC counterparts.Also, the delay means a few more months of peace for the universe, and isn't that what we're all really working for? Of course it is.%Gallery-7459%
Universe At War to set the bar for console RTS
We haven't been keeping close tabs on Universe at War, but we're starting to think we should. Loads of new gameplay videos have been released this week, and Joystiq got some interesting info from the developers at Petroglyph. It was revealed earlier this summer that Universe at War would feature cross-platform play between Xbox 360 and PC, which understandably raises the hackles of any self-respecting gamer. Cross-platform play on an FPS is questionable, but an RTS? Downright impossible, right? Not so according to Petroglyph. According to the devs, UAW "is going to be the act to follow when it comes to RTS interface and control." We hope that's true, because the gameplay videos (embedded after the break) look very impressive. We particularly like the Novus and their ability to travel along power lines. Check out the videos and hope that the controls really do live up to Petroglyph's words.%Gallery-4367%
Universe at War media blowout and Xbox interface calming
When the guys from Petroglyph sent over some better pictures from their visit to see Master Chief at Madame Tussauds for our gallery, we felt obligated to ask how Universe at War was coming along. Well, things seem to be just fine with the PC version which is still set for October, with the Xbox 360 version expected early next year. They sent over a bunch of screenshots of the game for our gallery below. Above you'll see the pretty UaW cinematic and (because you know how much we dislike showing non-game footage,) after the break you can find gameplay footage of the three factions in UaW.One of the big things about Universe at War is that PC players will be able to compete against Xbox 360 gamers across Live. Which, of course, begs the question of: How's the UI? We first got the "official line" which was: "We have validated not only our controller design, but the functionality and ease of use of our UI as well." Then in normal human speak Chris Ainsworth of the community team said, "Honestly, I think UaW is going to be the act to follow when it comes to RTS interface and control, and we're backing our words... we'll be the first 3rd party game with interoperability between console and PC players, so the console controls are going to HAVE to be good." Definitely a game RTS fans should keep on radar in this packed holiday season.%Gallery-7459%
Universe at War features cross-plat play
Sega has announced that their upcoming RTS title, Universe at War: Earth Assault, will support cross-platform play between 360 and PC players. This makes Universe at War the third title to utilize Live Anywhere (along with Shadowrun and UNO) and the first third-party title to do so. Sega announced the title in February. It's an RTS featuring three alien races warring over control of Earth (humans, it seems, really get the short end of the stick in Universe at War). The game comes from Petroglyph Studios, creators of Star Wars: Empire at War.Okay, we admit it. PC vs. 360 in an FPS game like Shadowrun may be decently balanced, but cross-platform play in an RTS seems downright unfair. This is especially so given that PC players will be playing Universe at War this year. 360 players will have to wait until 2008 to prove themselves.[Via Joystiq]%Gallery-4367%
Universe at War features Xbox 360, PC cross-platform play
Sega's upcoming strategy title Universe at War: Earth Assault is embracing the battle of keyboard and mouse vs. gamepad by allowing cross-platform play, joining Shadowrun and Uno as titles utilizing Microsoft's LIVE AnywhereCan Xbox 360 owners fare well against their Windows counterparts in a largely point-and-click-centric genre? When announcing the console version, Sega VP of Marketing Steinberg lauded the gamepad control scheme but gave no details on how it works.Universe at War is coming out for PC in late 2007 and the Xbox 360 sometime in 2008.%Gallery-1444%
Sega announces Universe at War: Earth Assault
Cliché game design number 24: science fiction real-time strategy game. Sega announced today Universe at War: Earth Assault, a new RTS being developed by Petroglyph Studios (Star Wars: Empire at War). In the game, you play as one of three alien races (humanity is relegated to the damsel in distress role, for the most part) fighting on what the press release promises is the entire globe at once.In an interview with IGN, Design Director Adam Isgreen notes that the studio decided, after gripes from Emipre at War, to make the campaign more linear than its previous titles. On-the-fly customization of troops is being touted as major strategical feature, as are destructible environments that stay decimated throughout the game.Universe at War: Earth Assault is expected for release in late 2007. %Gallery-1444%
