Universe at War: Earth Assault - T

Simple real time strategy with dull campaign.

Publisher: Sega of America Category/Genre: Video Games - Real Time Strategy (RTS) Platform: Windows, Xbox 360 Price: $59.99 Online Enabled: Yes Graphics: Low: Battles pack visual punch, landscapes look drab. Playability: Medium: Controls simple to use after a couple of skirmishes. Reading Level: Medium Release Date: 03/26/2008 ESRB Rating: T for Mild Language, Violence

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know this game is a solid strategy title for teens. Most of the violence, which involves lasers, guns, and explosive devices, is seen from afar. Most of the enemies are robots, so you won't see any blood. While there is some swearing, the language is pretty mild, although that could change if you play online.

Families can talk about the real time strategy genre. What makes them fun? Since a keyboard and mouse paves the way for improved control, are RTS games better suited on a PC than on a console?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Brett Molina

UNIVERSE AT WAR: EARTH ASSAULT represents the latest real-time strategy title trying to break into the console market. While controls are pretty easy to pick up, the presentation and overall campaign are bland. You're cast in the middle of a major war on Earth in 2012. You get to control three factions: Novus, Heirarchy and Masari. Each group boasts a unique set of capabilities which prove advantageous on the battlefield. The mechanical Novus, for example, can quickly travel to map points via an intricate Flow Network resembling power lines.

The control scheme is designed for simple use. On the Xbox 360, the A button serves as your main command button. The left analog stick moves the camera, while the right stick zooms. Using a map in the corner as your guide, you can briskly move throughout the landscape by moving the camera while holding the right trigger. Unit selection is easy as well. You can choose engineers, infantry, or other units individually or by group, each of which have their own specific sets of commands. A unique strategic wrinkle is the inclusion of Heroes, an elite unit with high-powered strikes. However, if they perish, you lose the battle.

Battles often begin with your building a command center, an infrastructure for harvesting energy and military construction. Once you built your armada, you can move ahead with your missions. Most levels presented little challenge. Often, you can zip through your objectives with little military resistance from the enemy. Landscapes look bland, while the impact of major explosions or attacks on terrain is barely noticeable. Overall, action looked choppy. Characters and vehicles stutter across environments.

Universe at War does offer some intriguing multiplayer options, including a Conquer the World option which focuses on battling online foes for territory. But despite the solid use of console controls, too many hang-ups prevent this from becoming a must-have console RTS.

Fans of real-time strategy on the console might enjoy Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars or Supreme Commander. Younger players should check out Civilization 4 for PC.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence Weapons range from guns to lasers, missiles and other explosive devices. One faction uses a giant walker to stomp out foes. However, battle scenes occur from a faraway view. Also, since most foes are robots, no blood is visible.
Language Mild words, like 'damn' pop up. Profanity could increase if you play online.
Message
	Social Behavior The overall task is to save the Earth from destruction.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco
	Educational Value For real time strategy (RTS) novices, this serves as an easy way to learn about the genre.