Nuclear Dawn

Nuclear Dawn
Developer(s)InterWave Studios
Publisher(s)Iceberg Interactive
EngineSource
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows, Mac OS X
  • 26 September 2011[1]
  • Linux
  • 21 April 2014[2]
Genre(s)First-person shooter, real-time strategy
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Nuclear Dawn is a hybrid first-person shooter real-time strategy multiplayer video game. It was originally announced in February 2006 as an amateur mod for the Source engine,[3] but in April 2009 was revealed to have become Source-based project for Windows and Mac OS X. It was released on 26 September 2011.[1]

Gameplay

One randomly selected player on each team is a commander, who directs the team from an overhead view. This player sets up infrastructure and spawn points. The remainder are soldiers who play it as a first-person shooter. These players can choose from four classes: stealth, a quick class who can turn invisible; exo, a slow heavy weapons specialist designed to destroy enemy buildings; assault, a player versus player class who can see invisible units; and a support class who can heal teammates or repair buildings constructed by the commander.[4] New abilities become available to each class as the commander researches technologies and erects buildings. Each side comprises 16 players. A team wins when they destroy the other side's base. There are six post-apocalyptic maps.[5]

Development

Drivable vehicles were originally planned, however this was cut due to issues.[6][7]

Reception

Nuclear Dawn received mixed reviews on Metacritic.[8] PC Gamer found the perks "muddled and unclear" and disliked how there is no way to practice the commander role outside a live game. However, they called it "surprisingly deep and well-designed" and praised the map design, technology tree, and first-person elements.[4] GameSpot praised the design, game balance, and maps, but they criticized the lack of a tutorial or solo play. They said players' experiences will likely vary according to how experienced their teammates are, ranging from "a white-knuckle tactical struggle" to "a sloppy brawl".[5] Although they felt there were still balancing issues that needed to be fixed, Rock Paper Shotgun recommended it to fans of Savage and Natural Selection.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b "Nuclear Dawn Teaser - Spring 2011". InterWave Studios. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
  2. ^ Larabel, Michael (April 21, 2014). "Nuclear Dawn Update Has Full Linux Support". Phoronix. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
  3. ^ "Nuclear Dawn homepage, April 2, 2006". Internet Archive Wayback Machine. Archived from the original on April 2, 2006. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Geere, Duncan (2011-11-27). "Nuclear Dawn review". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  5. ^ a b Todd, Brett (2011-10-13). "Nuclear Dawn Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2018-09-01.
  6. ^ "Behind the scenes of the level design department". InterWave Studios. July 28, 2009. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2009.
  7. ^ "Wheels on Ice". InterWave Studios. February 11, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  8. ^ "Nuclear Dawn – Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
  9. ^ Grill, Dan (2011-09-23). "Wot I Think: Nuclear Dawn". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
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