Conquest Earth

Conquest Earth
Developer(s)Data Design Interactive
Publisher(s)Eidos Interactive
Platform(s)Windows, DOS
Release
  • NA: September 18, 1997[2]
  • UK: September 26, 1997[1]
Genre(s)Real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player

Conquest Earth is a real-time strategy video game, published in 1997 by Eidos Interactive, in which aliens from Jupiter invade Earth.

Gameplay

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In Conquest Earth, the player can choose to play as Jovians, aliens from Jupiter, or humans.[3] Humans and Jovians have different menu layouts and tactics which they can employ for offensive and defensive actions.[4] Also, the Jovians must deal with the atmosphere of the Earth, which obstructs their view, by using special troops; the humans also face a problem in the sulphur shrouds of Jupiter.[5] The player can take direct control over any unit, or delegate control to commanders.[6] There is a system called "way-points", which allows the players to bind together multiple locations and thus directly give the units a path which they will follow.[7] The Jovians have several tactical maneuvers, including transforming into vehicles and other objects.[8] All enemies will adapt to the moves made in the game, while actively testing the defense or ambushing the troops.[9]

The game uses DirectDraw to enhance the game's terrain and unit visuals, and Real-time stereo distancing for the sounds.[9][10] It implements its own view system for battles. A picture-in-picture option allows to view 3 locations at the same time. The player can choose from two modes of play, normal real-time strategy, or a more complicated variant.

Plot

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Conquest Earth tells the story of a futuristic war between humans and Jovians, the gaseous inhabitants of Jupiter.[10]

Soundtrack

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Eat Static produced the soundtrack for the game. The game media also contains the music in Red Book audio format, allowing it to be played back in any standalone CD player.

Reception

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The game was released to negative reception. GameSpot named Conquest Earth as the worst game of 1997.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Dixons Deal 97 - Latest PC Software Releases". The Daily Telegraph. September 26, 1997. p. 5. Retrieved December 11, 2023. Now Out - Conquest Earth £29.99 - New
  2. ^ Jebens, Harley (September 18, 1997). "Conquest Earth Ships". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 1, 1998. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  3. ^ Clarkson, Mark (November 21, 1997). "Conquest Earth". Computer Gaming World. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  4. ^ Staub, Daniel. "Conquest Earth by Eidos". Gamezilla. Archived from the original on February 8, 2002. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  5. ^ "The Personal Computer Museum, Brantford, Ontario, CANADA - Recycle, donate, and browse your old computers, electronics, video games, and software". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-11-05.
  6. ^ "Conquest Earth". PC Powerplay. No. 18. Future Australia. November 1, 1997. p. 50.
  7. ^ "Conquest Earth: Eidos successfully invades the strategy genre". Game Players. No. 95. Imagine Publishing. March 1997. p. 42.
  8. ^ Kasavin, Greg (May 1, 2000). "Conquest Earth Review". GameSpot. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Jupiter Attacks!". PC Zone. No. 47. Future plc. February 1997. p. 18.
  10. ^ a b "NG Alphas: Conquest Earth". Next Generation. No. 24. Imagine Media. December 1996. p. 197.
  11. ^ GameSpot staff (1998). "GameSpot's Best & Worst Awards for 1997 (Worst Game of the Year)". GameSpot. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 13, 1998. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
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