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Universe at War: Earth Assault (Xbox 360, Windows)

common sense media says

Simple real time strategy with dull campaign.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that 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's some swearing, the language is pretty mild, although that could change if you play online.

Educational value: For real time strategy (RTS) novices, this serves as an easy way to learn about the genre.
Positive messages: The overall task is to save the Earth from destruction.
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.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Mild words, like 'damn' pop up. Profanity could increase if you play online.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Universe at War: Earth Assault

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
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. But if they perish, you lose the battle.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
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.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Xbox 360, Windows
Available online
Genre: Real Time Strategy (RTS)
Developer: Sega of America
Released on: March 26, 2008
Price: 59.99
ESRB Rating: T for Mild Language, Violence
This review was written by Brett Molina
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

TakedaIesyu
teen, 16 years old
12
 
A really good game, but iffy for kids.
I notice that some of the themes in this game are pretty gruesome. Any character, when low on health, will say something. The Masari's Lord Charos, for instance, will say "The trickle of blood has become a river" The Hierchy's Radiation weapons are known to turn innocent bystanders into zombies called "slaves". Also, they have some fairly cruel things, such as turning criminals insane, then converting them into soldiers. Nufai says things like "What sin shall Nufai commit?" and Orlok says "All I see are corpses". I hear those and I go EEWEEEE! Occasionally, a bystanding human will run, yelling "Oh my Goood!" and "What the h#!l is that thing!" when they spot any troops.
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