Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy
- Platforms: Acorn Archimedes, Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows), PC-9800 Series, Sega Master System/Mark III, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Sharp X68000, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine
- Developers: Bullfrog Productions
- Publishers: Electronic Arts, Hudson Soft, Imagineer, Tec Toy
Populous: The Original God Game
Populous is a god game developed by Bullfrog Productions and released in 1989. It is one of the earliest examples of the genre, and it remains one of the most popular and influential god games ever made.
In Populous, the player takes on the role of a god who must guide their followers to victory over their enemies. The player can use a variety of miracles to help their followers, such as creating earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes. They can also use their powers to heal their followers, convert enemy followers to their side, and even resurrect the dead.
Populous is set in a colorful isometric world, and the game’s graphics are simple but effective. The game’s music is also memorable, and it helps to create a sense of atmosphere and immersion.
Populous is a challenging and rewarding game. It requires the player to carefully manage their resources and use their powers wisely. The game also features a variety of different levels, each with its own unique challenges.
Populous was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, charming graphics, and catchy music. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today.
Gameplay
Populous is a strategy game in which the player controls a god who must guide their followers to victory over their enemies. The player can use a variety of miracles to help their followers, such as creating earthquakes, floods, and volcanoes. They can also use their powers to heal their followers, convert enemy followers to their side, and even resurrect the dead.
The game is played on an isometric map, and the player can zoom in and out to get a better view of the action. The player can also rotate the map to get a different perspective.
The player’s followers are represented by small, humanoid figures. The player can select individual followers or groups of followers to give them orders. Followers can be ordered to build houses, farms, and other structures. They can also be ordered to attack enemy followers or to defend their own settlements.
The player’s enemies are also represented by small, humanoid figures. The enemy followers are controlled by the computer, and they will attack the player’s followers on sight. The player must use their powers to defeat the enemy followers and conquer their settlements.
Miracles
The player can use a variety of miracles to help their followers. Miracles are powerful abilities that can be used to attack the enemy, heal the player’s followers, or convert enemy followers to the player’s side.
Some of the miracles that the player can use include:
- Earthquake: Creates an earthquake that damages enemy buildings and followers.
- Flood: Creates a flood that drowns enemy followers and destroys their buildings.
- Volcano: Creates a volcano that erupts and damages enemy buildings and followers.
- Heal: Heals the player’s followers and removes any negative effects.
- Convert: Converts enemy followers to the player’s side.
- Resurrection: Resurrects the player’s dead followers.
The player can only use a limited number of miracles at a time. The player must use their miracles wisely, as they can be very effective in combat.
Levels
Populous features a variety of different levels, each with its own unique challenges. The levels are progressively more difficult, and the player must use their skills and abilities to overcome each level.
Some of the levels in Populous include:
- The Forest: The player must guide their followers to victory over the enemy followers in a forest setting.
- The Desert: The player must guide their followers to victory over the enemy followers in a desert setting.
- The Mountains: The player must guide their followers to victory over the enemy followers in a mountain setting.
- The Underworld: The player must guide their followers to victory over the enemy followers in an underworld setting.
Legacy
Populous is one of the most influential video games of all time. It helped to popularize the god game genre, and it has inspired many other games. Populous is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it is considered to be a classic of the genre.
Conclusion
Populous is a challenging and rewarding god game that offers a unique and immersive experience. The game’s simple but effective graphics, catchy music, and innovative gameplay make it a must-play for fans of strategy games.
Review Score
9.5/10
Art
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