Pandora: First Contact
A 4X game inspired by Alpha Centauri about colonizing a hostile planet.
In 2013, German developer Proxy Studios and publisher Slitherine Software released the 4X game *Pandora: First Contact*. Drawing inspiration from *Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri*, the game centers on Earth factions with conflicting ideologies as they settle a dangerous planet. The native creatures start off peaceful but turn hostile as human colonists pollute and destroy their environment. Each faction receives unique bonuses tied to its ideology. The technology tree is partially randomized but still requires certain prerequisites to be researched. Game journalist Dan Griliopoulos wrote the game, also inspired by *Alpha Centauri*. Slitherine released it on November 15, 2013. An expansion, *Eclipse of Nashira*, was announced on July 29, 2014, and came out on September 19, 2014. Reception was mixed on Metacritic. GameSpot’s Daniel Starkey criticized the game for “awful design choices” and a confusing mix of old and new mechanics, noting that unlike the *Civilization* series, *Pandora* forces players into a single winning strategy. Rock Paper Shotgun’s Adam Smith called it “a solid example of the form” but too simple to fulfill its more ambitious design. Rob P. of Digitally Downloaded recommended it to 4X fans but warned that Firaxis fans might find it more war-focused than its inspirations. The developer and publisher later made *Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War*, another 4X title.
- Developer
- Proxy Studios
- Publisher
- Slitherine Software
- Release date
- 15 November 2013
- Expansion
- Eclipse of Nashira (announced July 29, 2014, released September 19, 2014)
- Writer
- Dan Griliopoulos
- Metacritic reception
- mixed reviews
Lore & Background
The game is set after Earth is polluted, forcing colonists to settle a new planet. The native lifeforms are not initially hostile, but as human colonists destroy their habitats by polluting the world, the lifeforms grow increasingly restless. The human factions are split among ideological boundaries and receive different bonuses. The technology tree is partially randomised, but still has prerequisites that must be researched.
Reader's Guide
Pandora: First Contact received mixed reviews on Metacritic. GameSpot's Daniel Starkey wrote that the game 'is laden with awful design choices and a confusing mishmash of old and new mechanics,' and unlike the Civilization series, Pandora effectively forced players to play in a single way to win the game. Rock Paper Shotgun's Adam Smith wrote, 'It's a solid example of the form but too simple in execution to live up to the more ambitious and unusual aspects of its design.' Rob P. of Digitally Downloaded cautioned fans of Firaxis' games that the game has a stronger focus on war than its inspirations. Despite its flaws, it was recommended to 4X enthusiasts by some critics. The game was written by game journalist Dan Griliopoulos, who was inspired by Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri. An expansion pack, Eclipse of Nashira, was announced on July 29, 2014, and released on September 19, 2014. The next 4X game by the same developer and publisher is Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War.
Did You Know?
- Native lifeforms become hostile only after human colonists pollute the planet.
- An expansion pack, Eclipse of Nashira, was released on September 19, 2014.
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