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2006 · Reality Pump Studios · Post-apocalyptic · Real-time strategy

Earth 2160

Only a few thousand humans managed to escape from the Earth before its collapse in 2150 A.D. They spent the next few years on the terra forming of the red planet, developing new technologies and building up new civilisations. Somehow each of the three fractions "Eurasian Dynasty", "United Civilised States" and "Lunar Corporation" did this independently and separately from each other - but in the year 2160 something strange happens in this new world. Will the ED, UCS and LC join forces or continue their old war against each other?

Released: 1 April 2006
Platforms: Linux Windows macOS
Genres: Post-apocalyptic Real-time strategy Strategy
Developers: Reality Pump Studios
Publishers: Zuxxez Entertainment
Series: Earth
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Third person Bird view / Isometric
Themes: Action Science fiction
Country: Poland
Age ratings: PEGI 12 ESRB T USK 12
Languages: Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Spanish (Spain)
Time to beat: 23hmain story31hcompletionist

About

Earth 2160 is a real-time strategy video game, developed by Reality Pump Studios. A third entry in the Earth series, it is a direct sequel to Earth 2150. The release of the game was staggered, originally published in Russia, Germany, and Poland in June 2005, then released in the rest of Europe in September with North America receiving the latest release of the game November. It was also released on Valve's Steam platform in April 2006, and later from Good Old Games in 2009. The game continues the dystopic themes of the previous Earth games, and is set in numerous locales throughout the Solar System.

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The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

An "agent" system allows factions to hire freelance persons each with their own specific abilities. Some assist scientific research, others in reconnaissance, resource harvesting and so forth. Each recalls his previous contracts, this affects price. Further, they have an attitude towards their fellow agents, ranging from love to resentment.

Research plays a major part in Earth 2160, and factions can choose numerous technologies to research, often at the same time. Research centers are still prevalent, and the number constructed will have an effect on the speed of research. Earth 2160 uses modular construction, in which buildings and units can be constructed from a wide assortment of basic parts. The game economy is based upon three material types: Water, Metal, and Crystals.

Story

In Earth 2150, the three factions of the United Civilised States (UCS), the Eurasian Dynasty (ED) and the Lunar Corporation (LC) raced to build starships and evacuate the Earth before it became uninhabitable due to being destroyed by the sun. All three factions succeeded and sent ships to Mars, but the UCS colony ship inexplicably disappeared en route. Both the ED and LC set about the difficult and lengthy task of terraforming Mars independently of one another, and also set up outposts on the outer planets and moons.

In Earth 2160, the player initially takes the perspective of Major Michael Falkner of the ED forces. Falkner completes various missions for his ED superiors, largely against the LC, until he is sent to investigate a biological research operation that has gone silent. Upon reaching it an insectoid alien race is found, which then becomes the primary antagonist. At the end of the ED campaign, Falkner is betrayed by his superiors, who fear his idealism and imprison him.

Development

Earth-4 is the graphics engine used in Earth 2160. It is a 3D engine developed to make a highly detailed environment and AI. It also has a hardware version that supports pyrotechnic and lighting effects. It was developed by Mariusz Szaflik.

The game uses the Earth-4 engine, which uses a T&L rendering module supporting pixel shading and bone calculation direct to ones graphics card. Bump mapping, lighting effects and detailed units are also present.