Game Classification

Eufloria is the commercial edition of the prototype originally known as Dyson. Compared to the initial version it offers a full single player campaign boasting 25 diverse levels (the prototype only had a single level), a skirmish mode with eight additional levels, and an unlockable Dark Matter mode with new graphics and tougher AI. The single music track by Brian Grainger (Milieu) has been extended to two hours. It also incorporates LUA scripting (replacing XML from the first release) allowing for additional user generated content in the form of custom levels.

It is a strategy game, somewhat similar to Risk and the Galcon series, about colonizing asteroid belts, although the graphics do not resemble space but rather molecular structures. Players start with a single seed place on a lone asteroid. Soon, the seed grows into a Dyson tree, the game's resource. These generate new, self-replicating seeds, small insect-like objects that orbit the asteroid and are used to colonize other asteroids on the belt. The game supports zooming to show the entire asteroid field or as as close as a single seed. Each asteroid has a unique name and a different composition, based on three elements: energy, strength and speed. These influence the amount of seeds generated. When a sufficient amount of seeds orbits an asteroid, they can be offered to plant a new Dyson tree.

To colonize nearby asteroids players select the amount of seedlings to send and use the mouse to draw an arrow towards the asteroid. The seedlings are sent out as a fleet, destroy the opponent's seedlings, get rid of the Dyson tree and penetrate the core to colonize it. Certain asteroids will eventually drain and become useless. The game is completely real-time and there are different opponents that colonize and send out swarms as well. The core of colonized asteroids changes to the colour of the team. Each team has seeds of a different shape, which affects the performance.

When clicking an asteroid an ability filter appears. It can be used to filter seedlings with high values for energy, strength or health, to introduce further tactical elements. A number of seedlings can also be exchanged for a defensive tree that launches explosive pods. Players are encouraged to keep an asteroid as long as possible, as mature Dyson trees offer more seedlings. In addition they sprout flowers, which can be used to plant enhanced Dyson trees (more powerful seedlings) and enhanced defensive trees (offer laser mines).

Strategy is based on managing resources, dividing seedlings over the different asteroids and fighting the opponents to gain more territory. All of the visuals except for the font and the palettes (and the location of UI elements) are generated procedurally.

The PlayStation 3 version includes a new plant and tree type, new collectibles, support for PSN trophies, rebalanced AI, a soundtrack expanded with 100 more minutes, updated visuals, and a redesigned control system. [source:mobygames]

Distribution : Retail - Commercial
Platform(s) : iPhone / iPod Touch - Playstation 3 (PS3) - PC (Windows)

Links

• http://www.mobygames.com/game/eufloria/