Evolution: The Game of Intelligent Life
Evolution: The Game of Intelligent Life | ||
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Designer(s) Greg Costikyan | | |
Platform(s) | Windows | |
Release |
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Genre(s) | Educational Life simulation Real-time strategy | |
Mode(s) | Single-player Multiplayer (1-6) |
Evolution: The Game of Intelligent Life is a
Gameplay
Players select different ages to play through, including the
The game starts from basal tetrapods, the very first land dwellers: amphibians. At the gain of the game, each player starts with one population of a species of prehistoric amphibian—e.g. Ichthyostega, Tulerpeton, and Acanthostega. Gradually, if the player monitors the species' progress and moves them to more appropriate habitats and climate zones, the selected species will feed, breed, and prosper. From that secure population who can then evolve more advanced and adaptable creatures, along with continental drift and climate change, the other, older, and more primitive species will be rendered obsolete, and their creatures will die out.
As the player advances their creatures, extinctions may wipe out populations of some species, while others may not be affected at all. Each species has a drop-down menu, which displays all the more advanced creatures that this particular species can evolve into. Eventually, when the player reaches intelligent and advanced animals, the menu will display certain creatures that can then evolve into the standard intelligent life of civilization builders. The line of intelligent species doesn't have to be humans (e.g.
Once a player evolves intelligent life, the game ends and scores are added up and displayed, although the player who evolved intelligent life is guaranteed victory. Score points are given to players who make evolutionary breakthroughs. For example, evolving the first reptile, mammal, or dinosaur is worth bonus points.
The game can either be played alone or against the computer. With opponents, the game has another side to it. Each animal has the ability to evolve defense, and other animals (predatory creatures) controlled by the players, can fight each other's creatures, thus wiping out an enemy population, reducing competition and weakening the opponent. To fend off these attacks, the other player can, as said earlier, evolve defenses against the opponent's predators.
Critical reception
Inside Games thought it was an "excellent simulation", and that it was "one of those rare edutainment titles that succeeds as entertainment, too".[1]
Electric Play felt the game was both "educational" and "interesting", giving the game an overall review score of 80%.[2]
Happy Puppy thought the game had much replay value, and gave the game an overall positive review.[3]
Pyramid stated that "Evolution shares the Discovery success strategy for straddling the road between education and entertainment. It's fun, and I actually learned something."[4]
References
- ^ "Inside Games - Reviews - Evolution: The Game of Intelligent Life". 1999-04-20. Archived from the original on 1999-04-20. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
- ^ "Electric Games Review: Evolution by Crossover Technologies/Discovery Channel Multimedia". 1999-04-17. Archived from the original on 1999-04-17. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
- ^ "Review: Evolution, The Game of Intelligent Life". 1999-04-17. Archived from the original on 1999-04-17. Retrieved 2018-03-29.
- ^ "Pyramid: Pyramid Pick: Evolution". Sjgames.com. Retrieved 2020-02-06.