Darwinia demo for Windows

By Darwinia
Trial version
User Rating

Used Darwinia demo for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffJuly 15, 2015

Intelligent creatures called Darwinians live and evolve solely inside a computer network, but an evil Viral Infection threatens them with extinction. Armed only with a variety of executables, you must save them by destroying the virus. Initially, the sprite-based graphics give Darwinia a retro feel, but the gameplay is as engaging and far more unique than most new real-time strategy games.

You cannot control the Darwinians directly. Instead, you exert influence by using mouse gestures in the game's Task Manager to execute computer programs. One of the most basic programs is the Squad, which attacks the virus and its offspring. Other programs include Officers, which herd the Darwinians, and Engineers, which harvest souls and rebuild infrastructure. You can run up to four programs concurrently.

Although we like the concept of gesture-based commands in theory, we couldn't see the practical advantage over just punching a button. All of the other controls, including camera angles, are responsive and easy to learn, and though the graphics are pixelated, it's actually an amazing world to explore. The integrated instructions consist entirely of contextual hints and there is no accompanying documentation, but the game's Web site provides adequate assistance.

Darwinia demo for Windows

By Darwinia
Trial version
User Rating

Used Darwinia demo for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 28, 2005

Latest update: July 15, 2015

Version: 1.3

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Also available in:: Mac

Operating System

Windows 98 SE
Windows ME
Windows 2000
Windows XP
Windows 98
Windows 10

Additional Requirements: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP, 600MHz CPU, 128MB RAM, GeForce2 graphics card

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 36,719

Downloads Last Week: 0

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.5/5

11 User Votes

Somewhat Interesting
treysthemanJanuary 24, 2006
Pros
Easy gameplay while still fairly interesting.
Cons
Bad Graphics... not enough units(at least in the demo) 2 major units and one minor one.
Summary
This is one cool game!
speedybug256November 18, 2005
Pros
I really like this game. The makers did an excellent job and the latest demo is superb. Thank you, Introversion!
Cons
Nothing was bad about it!
Summary
WOW I gave it a 5
laythssOctober 5, 2005
Pros
The idea is great, the graphics are nice, not high end but retro like. The game is fun because of the presence of two elements the strategic, and the shooting. Both are equally fun, which is unusaly in my opinion. Just a comment of the CNET review I think that the Gestures (the programs) are meant to add to the stratgic power of the game, since they allow you to use only 4 programs at the same time, this did not seem to matter much at the demo level but I think it might actualy make a difference later on in the levels. You only encounter three versions of the RED (EVIL) Darw. the original ones, and two kinds of snake like programs... I wounder if there are more or not. I am sorry to reply to one of the other comments by saying I FINISHED the demo level in an hour, the last part gets a bit tricky, but as long as you notice that your controlled (green) Darw. ar laying around the buildings and the lights are turning green you know you are doing it right. And I think the rocket just needs time to refule, so dont get impatient. I highly recomend this game. Oh by the way no problems at all with this version with unzipping etc. and also there is a tutorial which starts when you land at the island.
Cons
I could not figure out a way to replay the introduction, but that might be just me or just the demo...
Summary
A highly creative game
ZantaloMay 19, 2005
Pros
Everything is upgradable. The scientist will make everything more efficient with time, that gameplay will be different whenever you want it to be. Gestures are very easy to use, it even beats Black and White. The squads are completely controllable and very fun to use. Darwinians are very unique and when upgraded, are extremely fun to play around with, with an officer. Graphics are unique resembling Tron (note the engineer) which makes this game even more interesting.
Cons
The level you play on is huge and it starts on in island. I've played this game for a whole week and still can't find out how to get past the first island.
Summary
didn't download!
knowitall 101March 31, 2005
Pros
Cons
This game did not just get corrupted because <p>i downloaded it several times and it still did not work!
Summary
This game is great BUT get the most updated version
gil knocks!March 29, 2005
Pros
I thought the game concept of using mouse gestures was weird, but when I started playing it, it grew on me and now I can't stop playing it. Take note though I was using version 1.1, not the one here (see below).
Cons
The version here in Download.com doesn't have a tutorial, so it's a bit hard to learn. Their most recent version (v1.1) on their website has a really great tutorial.
Summary
Didn't work.
jessbot101March 15, 2005
Pros
Cons
I downloaded the archive, unzipped it, and the program didn't work.
Summary
best
sanju patelJanuary 30, 2005
Pros
games
Cons
Summary
A brilliant Game with wonderful grapic details
MarconiusJanuary 29, 2005
Pros
the game had wonderful graphics, and a brilliant story thesius.
Cons
Summary
Brilliant concept
steviesteveoJanuary 29, 2005
Pros
Made by a bedroom programmer company with practically no resources compared to big publishing houses but still manages to be incredibly addictive
Cons
is still an alpha release
Summary

Developer’s Description

Use gestures to spawn units in this unique strategy demo with exclusive content.