ParaWorld from Aspyr Media puts gamers in a situation that they’ve always
wanted, even if they didn’t know it. The game is an RTS that puts you in control
of units riding around on dinosaurs. That’s right, the ParaWorld puts you in an
alternate history where man and dinosaur live together in harmony. Or not.
ParaWorld offers a unique concept that is basically a no-brainer (or a “why
didn’t anyone think to do this sooner?”), but ultimately cool. Unfortunately,
the meat and potatoes of any game is the gameplay, and the innovation buck stops
there. Under the hood, ParaWorld feels just like any number of RTS games,
leaving fans of the genre with a feeling of “been there, done that.” However,
while not terribly groundbreaking in terms of gameplay, what ParaWorld does it
does right, and it should stand as a solid entry to the genre.
The
story in ParaWorld is kind of bizarre, but I suppose it would have to be to
stick dinosaurs and people in epic battle. The gist is basically that three
scientists get trapped in an alternate dimension by some shady bureaucrats. Once
there you team up with one of a few tribes to duke it out with other factions in
the world.
Conceptwise, ParaWorld is very solid; I mean, who wouldn’t want to pit dinosaurs
against each other in combat? And it helps that the game’s design is extremely
cool, too. Whole world is very well conceived and deep, with a great sense of
“Cadillacs & Dinosaurs” pulpiness to keep you enthralled.
However, the gameplay doesn’t quite feel as solid. Granted, what the game does
it does very well, but most of what you’ll find here are the same things you’ve
been doing in RTS’s for years now. The game is a resource builder, where you
basically sit back and compile loads and loads of resources to build your
buildings and units. Once you’ve compiled enough, you’ll be able to lay siege to
your enemy.
The
campaign mode digresses into basic skirmishes most of the time where you’ll
just have to find and wipe out your enemy’s units before he does it to you.
While there are a few deviations from that, there’s not much in the way of
mission variety.
Graphically though, the game is very impressive. The character models are
impressive, made all the better by the solid art direction. The environments are
also very detailed, and sport impressive textures.
Soundwise, the game is a mixed bag. The score is excellent, giving the game some
extra ambience. However, the voice acting is a little too cheesy for it’s own
good.
ParaWorld is a solid entry to the RTS genre, with a fun concept and rich world.
However, the gameplay is a little too run-of-the-mill to make it a truly
recommendable investment.
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Gameplay: 7.5
While the game’s
idea is awesome (who wouldn’t want to ride around on a dinosaur?!), the gameplay does nothing new. Fortunately, what it does it does right.
Graphics: 8.5
ParaWorld’s units
are nicely done, and the art direction is really cool.
Sound: 8.0
The game’s score
is fantastic, but the voice acting is a little bit too cheesy for it’s own good.
Difficulty: Medium
Multiplayer: 7.5
The game’s
multiplayer elements are pretty good, allowing for LAN and online skirmishes.
Concept: 8.5
Commanding units
on dinosaur-back. What else would you want?
Overall: 7.8
ParaWorld is a
fun game with a unique concept, but the gameplay is a bit too much like
everything else out there.
