Evolution: The Game of Intelligent Life
A 1997 game blending evolution simulation with real-time strategy.
Evolution: The Game of Intelligent Life is a life simulation and real-time strategy computer game published by Interplay Entertainment and Discovery Channel Multimedia in 1997. It allows players to experience, guide, and control evolution from an isometric view on historical Earth or randomly generated worlds, racing against computer opponents to reach the top of the evolution chain.
- Publisher
- Interplay Entertainment, Discovery Channel Multimedia
- Release Year
- 1997
- Genre
- Life simulation, real-time strategy
- Perspective
- Isometric view
- Victory Condition
- First player to evolve intelligent life
Quick Facts
- Title
- Evolution: / The Game of Intelligent Life
- Developer
- Crossover Technologies
- Publisher
- NA · Interplay Entertainment / Discovery Channel Multimedia
- Designer
- Greg Costikyan
- Platforms
- Windows
- Released
- NA · December 1, 1997
- Genre
- Educational / Life simulation / Real-time strategy
- Modes
- Single-player / Multiplayer (1-6)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Players select different ages to play through, from the first amphibians (Labyrinthodontia) to the Age of Mammals. Each species has points that can be spent on adapting or evolving creature populations, represented by animated icons. The more points spent on a field, the quicker the species evolves, becomes better at feeding, or better at fighting off predators. When a player evolves a creature, they can pick a population to upgrade to the chosen evolution. Each creature has a different set of evolution paths, and some can evolve into six or more different creatures. The world grows as the game advances, with land masses drifting and terrain shifting.
Reader's Guide
Evolution: The Game of Intelligent Life is notable for combining educational content with entertainment, as noted by several contemporary reviewers. Inside Games called it an 'excellent simulation' and 'one of those rare edutainment titles that succeeds as entertainment, too.' Electric Play gave it an 80% score, finding it both educational and interesting. Happy Puppy praised its replay value, and Pyramid stated that it 'shares the Discovery success strategy for straddling the road between education and entertainment.' The game allows players to evolve not only human-like intelligent life but also fictional speculative species such as Elephasapiens, parrot men, wombat men, and dino men. It includes competitive elements where players can evolve defenses and attack opponents' creatures. The game ends when a player evolves intelligent life, with bonus points awarded for evolutionary breakthroughs like evolving the first reptile, mammal, or dinosaur.
Did You Know?
- The game allows players to evolve fictional intelligent species such as Elephasapiens, parrot men, wombat men, and dino men.
- Players can earn bonus points for evolving the first reptile, mammal, or dinosaur.
- The game starts with basal tetrapods like Ichthyostega, Tulerpeton, and Acanthostega.
- Each creature can have up to six or more different evolution paths.
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