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"A God simulating RTS game"

Introduction

Populous is real time strategy game where you play as a God. In each level you and your people rival another God and its people. You win a level when you wipe out all of the opposing God's people.

Game-play

You have limited control over your own people. They are pretty much left to their own devices but you can change the overall population mindset. A group of settled people is represented by a building. A group of unsettled people is represented by a person. If a group of unsettled people remain unsettled for too long, they die of exposure. Groups of settled people expand their population. For a group of people to settle, they need some empty, flat and fertile land to build on.

In populous you have a selection of God spells available to cast. The most common spell used is ‘raise/lower land'. It is useful for flattening out the landscape. The larger the area of a piece of flat land is, the larger a settlement can become. The largest settlement is represented by a castle. Large settlements help build up the technology of your people which makes them stronger in combat.

Other spells include natural disasters (e.g. floods and earthquakes), turning your people's leader into a fighting champion and the very important Armageddon. Casting the Armageddon spell causes everyone to leave their settlements and approach the centre of the level for a final battle to the death. It is possible to finish a level without using the Armageddon spell but using it is the quickest way of finishing a level. Spells require mana in order to be cast. Mana is generated by having worshippers (your people). The more people you have the faster your mana bar fills up.

Each level has its own enemy God and its own set of rules. There are several different landscapes that a level can form e.g. desert, snow, grass plains. There are around 1000 worlds.

Graphics

The graphics are a top down 3D isometric representation of a landscape. You may only view in detail, a small area of the world map at a time. The graphics aren't bad.

Music/Sound

Music is almost non-existent. There is music played at the title screen but not during levels. Having no music in this game can be an advantage because it makes it easier to hear when a disaster strikes. The sound effects are ok.

Final Recommendation

This is quite a good game. I haven't seen another RTS game like this with such indirect control over units, with the exception of its sequel: Populous II: Two Tribes which is also available on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. Populous II isn't currently listed under the Genesis games on Gamefaqs. I would recommend playing this game unless you have access to the more complicated Populous II.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/16/06