Universe at War: Earth Assault

 PC
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 48 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 48
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 48
  3. Negative: 0 out of 48
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  1. Jolt Online Gaming UK
    72
    It’s such a shame though to see what could have been a splendid old-school RTS with mostly decent presentation (aside from the fact that the camera doesn’t zoom out enough) and three imaginative and well-balanced factions being wasted on a single player campaign that’s broken, and a multiplayer mode that nobody’s yet playing.
  2. 1UP
    70
    Sophistication's not UAW's strong suit: It flaunts its influences on its sleeve and thrives on its absurd outlandishness -- an exploitation RTS, suitable for midnight screenings.
  3. GameSpy
    70
    The sheer exhilaration one gets when watching horribly damaged walkers amble into an enemy base, exploding and taking out half the opponent's infrastructure can't be underestimated. Unfortunately, a poorly designed single-player campaign can't help but limit the game's appeal and the multiplayer, while awesome to play, has that Games for Windows LIVE nonsense tied around its neck like an anchor.
  5. GameDaily
    70
    Universe at War: Earth Assault has what it takes to be a great RTS game, but sadly, it doesn't come together in a fulfilling way.
  6. GameTap
    70
    After learning the full extent of each faction's abilities, it really is pretty neat to completely adjust strategies based on both who you're playing as and against.
  7. Game Over Online
    70
    If it had free no-holds-barred multiplayer, UaW would be a very good game.
  8. Eurogamer
    70
    The heart of Universe at War is a beautifully crafted strategy game which could have been one of the best things in the genre in years. This just makes it even more tragic that it's let down by a passable but unimpressive graphics engine, utterly dull single-player and the disastrous decision to use the godawful Games for Windows Live Gold service for multiplayer.
  9. Gamer.nl
    70
    Mixed feelings about this game. On the one hand Petroglyph is trying something new with totally different factions, but on the other hand it's not executed very well, a missed opportunity!
  10. GotNext
    70
    As long as developers continue to chase after "jaw dropping" graphics we'll have to continue to be content with ho-hum AI players.
  11. AceGamez
    70
    Had the single player been up to scratch and had the online functions been open to all instead of the select few willing to pay the extra costs, Universe at War could very well have been one of the year's first great strategy games.
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  12. Gameplanet
    70
    As the box says - if you can't wait until "Starcraft 2", then you should give Universe at War a shot.
  13. MEGamers
    69
    The game looks good with neat graphics and a solid gameplay. However, a poorly designed AI and a bad camera view are problems which hamper the experience.
  14. Game Revolution
    67
    Universe at War shows a lot of promise. As a first entry to a brand new series, there’s a lot to like on display.
  15. Edge Magazine
    60
    Takes great pride in its science-fiction absurdities and provides a genuinely entertaining skirmish game for those who still hanker for the base-building battles of old. [Feb 2008, p.94]
    All this publication's reviews
  16. Gameplayer
    60
    Everything that's wrong comes down to a lack of polish, and a poor choice in multiplayer game management.

Awards & Rankings

55
#55 Best PC Game of 2007
27
#27 Most Discussed PC Game of 2007

User Reviews

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User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 149 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 114 out of 149
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 149
  3. Negative: 11 out of 149
  1. MechMarine
    Jun 8, 2011
    6
    While Universe at War could have been a glorious game, comparable to Starcraft in how different the factions are, there are some issues thatWhile Universe at War could have been a glorious game, comparable to Starcraft in how different the factions are, there are some issues that make it considerably less than it could have been. First of all the most glaring example, units are too strong. Every fight lasts minutes because units have so much health and so little damage. Superweapons are a mere support power, in fact the only super weapon that is powerful is the Novus Gravity Bomb, a black-hole type power that sucks all units into it. Oh, and it deals more damage than almost anything else. Another issue is the fact that two of the three factions are considerably more useful than the third. The 1st faction, Hierarchy, who is based around steamrolling, yet have the best scout (Monolith) and the have the ability to see the entire map at once. They are also the only faction to have an artillery unit, who is also debatable the most powerful Hero unit in the game. They also have structures who double as what is essentially an Epic/Super unit. The 2nd faction, Novus, is a swarming faction who also has the only notable Air units. The Dervish is a fast fighter that also has the ability to shoot lightning in every direction and kill just about anything. They are also supported by Vertigo, the only Air Hero. Vertigo is stealthed, fast, and has a deadly Railgun. The Novus also have Mirabel, who has more offensive capability than any other Novus unit. She has a powerful burst-fire Railgun, shoulder launched anti-ground missiles, and the ability to snipe a target from long distances. This Sniper ability is the only weapon that can instant kill another unit besides Superpowers. The final faction, the Masari, are supposedly Gods, yet are horribly outmatched. They supposedly are the turtling faction, yet the Novus have the only turret that can hit air and ground. The Novus turret also redirects enemy fire and increases in damage as more of them are made. The Hierarchy has an anti-ground turret that can mutate infantry into zombies and hold most vehicles at bay. The Hierarchy Anti-air turret can pull air units to the ground while it kills them when upgraded. The Air units cannot escape. Even Vertigo is not immune. The Hierarchy also has a stealth hero who can pull air units down, and then turn invincible as he drains their health. He can also drain vehicles health while invincible. His claws deal with infantry easily. Generally, this makes him a deadly force against all units. His one weakness: He has pathetic range. The game does have many more differences in the factions than games like Supreme Commander 2, but it is nowhere close to the differences between Starcraft's factions, and the differences are not exploited as much as in games like Command and Conquer 3.… Full Review »
  2. Mcneal
    Jan 10, 2008
    10
    Finally an RTS game where all three factions have different play styles, functionality, and personality. Who would have thought this possible Finally an RTS game where all three factions have different play styles, functionality, and personality. Who would have thought this possible after generic games like C&C 3 and SupCom. UAW is a fine fine game worth checking, simply for the fact that all three factions are truly unique and a blast to play online.… Full Review »
  3. MarkoP.
    Jan 20, 2008
    10
    The game is a standard RTS set in the very near future with different gameplay for each of the 3 assymetric factions. what takes this game The game is a standard RTS set in the very near future with different gameplay for each of the 3 assymetric factions. what takes this game apart is the ability to change your tactics on the fly through the use of tactical dynamics, adapting to each of the battlefield conditions. a win for all looking for something new to the genre. :)… Full Review »
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