Eufloria- An ambient RTS title with a unique feel.

I did not know what to expect when I heard about an Indy title called “Dyson” a few weeks back. An RTS where you plant trees to grow seeds to take over asteroids sounded wild, but would it be good? I downloaded the demo, and got hooked. However, would a commercial release stand up as well? The answer is an unqualified “yes.” Eufloria is well worth the price for such a unique and enjoyable experience.

The game play mechanics are simple: The mouse controls unit creation, movement, and map functions. Clicking on an asteroid gives you an intuitive heads-up display, which tells you everything you need to know about that location. You can see the asteroid’s Energy, Strength and Speed attributes, as well as what kind of units you can plant there. To plant a new tree, you need to have room on the asteroid, ten seedlings, and an idea of whether you want to build an attack tree (which produces more seedlings), or a defensive tree that stays behind to fight off incoming enemy seeds. Attacking is as easy as sending your seedlings to an undiscovered asteroid, and letting them work their magic. Seedlings can attack other seedlings, trees, and finally the asteroid core, which allows you to add that asteroid to your empire.

The player has three types of seedlings depending on the attributes of the asteroid: Fast seeds are good at running interference and slipping past enemy defenses. Strong seeds are good for taking down enemy trees. High-energy seeds excel at attacking asteroid cores (and are better at surviving defensive pods.) Proper mixing and use of your seedlings is key in the battles ahead.

As an “ambient” game, the pace can be slow. However, this allows you time to watch your trees and seeds grow and mature (mature trees are more powerful). It also allows you to Alt-Tab into something else while you’re waiting, which is actually a nice feature. The pace picks up in battle, however. I’ve found myself anxiously awaiting sending a massive battalion of seeds to some unsuspecting asteroid, and then loudly cheering on the slavering hordes of… wait. I’m getting a little too excited here.

Eufloria also exhibits procedural game play and AI, which means that no two sessions ever play exactly the same. Throw in skirmish arenas, Dark Matter mode (featuring reversed graphics and tougher opponents), and the ability to create/import custom maps, and you have a lot of game for a small price.

The graphics are colorful and interesting, if not awe-inspiring, but it allows far more people to play this game, even on poorer systems like mine. The sound effects are passable, with zaps and explosions. I do really like the fact that when the camera is zoomed out as far as it will go that you can’t hear a battle at all, and that it gets louder as you zoom in. Brian Grainger’s music is soothing and never grates. It makes a very pleasant background, and is very fitting considering the atmosphere and tone. The storyline, such that it is, is intriguing but not all-encompassing. I did notice however, that I kept thinking “If MY leaders think the opposing seeds are evil and plagued, what does that make US since we’re eradicating them wherever they exist?” I like having existential doubt in my games… especially in an otherwise simple game. Tactical thinking is most definitely rewarded in this game, but it’s not paramount to the experience. (I liked discovering that my fast seeds make great escorts for my heavy fighters when plunging through defense pod laden forests).

Eufloria is not perfect, though. The ability to set waypoints would go a long way towards balancing out the pacing, and prevent a lot of needless clicking. Many players are disappointed in the complete lack of multiplayer modes, although I’m not one of them. Also, while there is a lot of value to be had here, the $20 price point does seem a tad high. Games like World of Goo and Plants vs Zombies seem more “finished” for the same cost. That being said, Rudolf Kremers and Alex May have created a fantastic title that I personally think you should bite the bullet and spend the cash on. Eufloria is a wonderful experience, and should not be missed.