After a number of highly successful PC titles, Introversion Software takes their first step into the world of console gaming with Darwinia+ for XBLA. Darwinia+ is a combination of two separate revamped PC games, Darwinia & Multiwinia, offering a fully fledged single player experience as well as a challenging multiplayer one.

Set in the virtual world of Darwinia, you’re tasked with saving its AI inhabitants from a deadly computer virus that threatens to wipe them out completely. You’re not alone in this task however, aided by Darwinia’s creator “Dr Sepulveda” you’ll work together as you try to restore order to Darwinia, and save his life’s work.

While that may sound like an easy task, it couldn’t be much further from the truth. As an end user in the Darwinia virtual themepark experience (I should trademark that), you only have access to a few select unit types at first. Basic Squad units and Engineers are all that you have at hand, as you are thrust into the deep end in your fight against a seemingly unstoppable enemy.

Why is it unstoppable? The virus plaguing the Darwinians doesn’t just simply destroy them, it converts them into the very thing you’re trying to stop. Even the tiniest remnant of it, could potentially lead to the world threatening menace you’re currently facing. It’s not all doom and gloom however, as with each virus unit you destroy, you’ll be able to convert its corrupted soul back into a Darwinian.

Over the course of the game, you’ll be able to use your Engineers to recover various parts of Dr Sepulveda’s research, which will provide new unit types, as well as allowing him to further upgrade the units already at your disposal. Upgrades include increased squad members, and weapon enhancements. You’ll want to track down as much of this research as you can, as it will definitely help against the ever changing virus forces.

It’s the seemingly simple premise which is one of greatest strengths of Darwinia+. It sucks you in, and before you know it you’re deep into a world of frantic action, which will have you gritting your teeth as you move ever closer to the edge of your seat.

However it’s these shining aspects which quickly make Darwinia+’s (very few) flaws apparent. A minor error on the second campaign level left me scratching my head, as I worked to complete the final objective. Moving the Darwinians that I’d rescued to a specially shielded area, I was informed that I hadn’t saved any at all, and indeed the counter remained fixed at zero. After some fevered tinkering, I moved a number of Darwinians a centimetre to the left & voilà: Objective Complete. A simple indicator showing the specific rescue “area” would have spared me from the ultimate n00b frustration. Another flaw is the lack of camera control when you are guiding your squads. The inability to move the camera can sometimes lead to being unable to view the action, which in turn leads to the complete obliteration of your squad. While camera movement gives way to squad movement and targeting, camera rotation could have easily been mapped to the shoulder buttons in this instance, thus making sure that the player can see the battlefield perfectly at all times.

While these problems can be fixed in future patches, something Introversion takes very seriously, it does snap you out of the virtual world and back to reality.

In closing Darwinia+ is a fantastic mix of classic strategy, action, and simple retro graphics that touch upon the various old school elements that were possible influences. From the Spectrum era tape loading screens, to the Tron-like Engineers, Darwinia+ presents a lovingly created world that puts a lot of triple A games to shame.

What are you waiting for? Just buy it already!

8.5/10

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