Populous
- A Classic is Reborn on the Nintendo DS – The interface is built around the stylus and touch-screen controls while retaining the feel of the classic; Actions taken on the touch-screen play out on the top screen
- Additional Gods and Miracles – Five different elementally imbued gods, each with their own unique miracles and demon counterpart, are now selectable rather than just one
- More Release-Player Missions and Variety – Challenge Mode with 50 missions to clear as well as Free Play Mode including a “Find The Warrior” mini-game
- 4-Player Wireless Multiplayer – Versus Mode allows up to four players to compete, unleashing disasters such as earthquakes, tidal waves and volcanic eruptions to wreak havoc on opponents’ lands
- A Must-Have for Populous Fans – The most well loved and classic maps from previous editions pay homage to the roots of this legendary series
Product Description
A completely re-imagined remake of the Populous PC classic from Electronic Arts that launched the god-sim genre, Populous DS brings the potential of the gods into the palm of the player’s hands. The unique features of the Nintendo DS increase upon the original with touch-screen controls, dual-screen layout, and wireless versus play with up to four players. The gameplay is fresh for returning players as multiple gods each with their own unique miracles have been added. All new play modes and areas appear, by the side of with favorite classic maps from previous editions of Populous. In the beginning, there was not anything but a void, and from the void five gods made the world, each exercising their splendid potential to shape the world with five different but brilliant colors. Earth made the basis for all things; Water soothed it; Fire imbrued it with vitality; Wind breathed into it freedom; Harvest provided it with nourishment. Fish, beasts, and finally beings called man came into being. The potential of the gods brought harmony among all living things and the world gave way to an age of glory. But, prosperity made darkness in the hearts of man, and from that darkness demons were birthed. The demons controlled the same five elements as the gods and rose against them. A chaotic battle for the world had begun. Thus opened the gates of an age of darkness, where man trembles in dread, helpless as the awesome powers rage around them. It marked the beginning of a long-lasting age that would test their faith between the gods and the demons.
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This game is the same format as the ancient Populous game, but as with many remakes, the original was left best unmade. The game play is similar, where the player needs to manage growing their followers population while conducting a war with the opposing side. Added in are a few graphical enhancements to allow the player to better manage their civilization, and some new miracles were added it. All thing being said, I would not recommend this game to anyone, even those who played the original game.
Rating: 2 / 5
1. It is very similar to the original PC, but with touch screen controls.
2. Many, many hours of fun and gameplay if you like the thought of Sim City meets Act Raiser.
3. If you didn’t know that last note you are too young to like playing this.
4. Pretty incredible graphics for a DS game. Lots of new god/goddess abilities from original.
A few negatives are:
1. Only a few save slots, one for each mode, free play, mission, etc.
2. Even experienced players will find some mission levels hard to beat, and therefore unlock the next levels (but don’t give up).
3. Your hand will cramp after hours of using the tiny DS screen.
But still, a really wonderful game for less than $15 all in all.
Rating: 4 / 5
Unenthusiastic reviews kept me from purchasing this game when it first came out. It looked fun, but I had never played the original Populous so I had no thought what it was going to play like. Furthermore, I hadn’t heard anything about the publisher (Xseed) at the time to know if they had a excellent reputation. As time passed I learned that Xseed was publishing some splendid sports meeting (Retro Game Challenge, Rune Factory: Frontier, Small King’s Tale, Avalon Code, etc.) and they are a group of former Square Enix members. The price went down on Amazon and I knew it was time to take the plunge. I am soooo glad I did! This game has me hooked right now. It’s everything I hoped it would be and more.
Basically, you are a god against a demon with humans (your followers) as the pawns. Fascinatingly, you never in fact take control of your followers. At most you give them general instructions (build, fight, unite, gather). You can also force followers out of cities they have built so they can do something else. Apart from that they are completely autonomous. The key to success is paving the way for your followers to outnumber and defeat the enemy. To do this you must flatten the land so cities can be built, raise land from the seas, and go miracles to hurt your opponent’s followers or help your own. You gain spirit from your followers, so the more you have the better. The more spirit you have the more miracles are available to you. Examples of miracles are raising a volcano that oozes out lava to ruin anything in its path and spreading conversion pools that convert your opponent’s followers to your own. It’s the constant flattening land and performing miracles while giving general instructions to your followers that keeps things fascinating. Each god has certain stats for their followers on top of the unique miracles they have, so choice of which god to use is vitally vital.
There is a time limit in most maps. At the end of the limit Armageddon starts (you can also start this with a miracle) pitting all of your followers against the demon’s. No miracles are allowed, so you just watch and see who wins. This is what decides the victor over a map. Therefore, it is extremely vital that you keep your population over your opponent’s at all time. Although the first levels are pretty simple, the later levels will have you scrambling to keep up.
There is a Free Play mode that allows you to play the regular game with your own rules and there is a Warrior Hunt mode that has you searching for specific people in a mix of others. The Warrior Hunt mode is an fascinating minigame, but it won’t hold your attention like the regular gameplay does. As you unlock all the gods (there are five in all which are pictured on the box art) Free Play mode will probably be the place you come back to the most. It’s kind of like playing Advance Wars outside of the tale mode.
The music and graphics aren’t anything special, but it’s hard to care. The gameplay is so engrossing that I never really notice.
Pros:
+Unique gameplay
+Addicting gameplay
+Can be challenging
+5 gods to choose from with their own unique stats and miracles
+Splendid replay regard
Neutral:
=Music is not anything special
Cons:
-Graphics are poor (but who really cares?)
Who shouldn’t get this game? People who want to directly control/manage their units, want a variety of unit types, require splendid graphics, or people who don’t know what fun is!
By and large, I would give this game a 9/10. Thanks for another splendid game, Xseed!
Rating: 5 / 5
Frankly I was a small worried about this title. The original was one of my favorite PC sports meeting in the early 90’s. Subsequent console ports were pretty unplayable. And honestly the trailer video doesn’t look that excellent. Plus the new play options are much more complicated than the elegantly unadorned original.
But the verdict is: it works. It works well. It plays at least as well as the original. The touch screen on the DS is a huge plus. The screen is a small small and the controls take a small getting used to, but only a small. By the first or second game after the tutorial I pretty well had it down, controlling just with the stylus and left shoulder button. Simple, fun and very reminiscent of the experience from the days of yore.
Like the original Populous the game can be at times slow and others frustrating, but it plays well, and it is a excellent puzzle/approach game. This update has more approach than the original, and I feel it works well. I don’t reflect anyone will call this version one for the ages. But if you already like this kind of game, or were thinking about buying it based on fond memories of the original on the PC, it’s certainly worth the price of admission.
Rating: 4 / 5