Genesis Rising: The Universal Crusade

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Genesis Rising: The Universal Crusade is a 2007 3D real-time strategy game developed by Metamorf Studios and published by DreamCatcher Interactive for Microsoft Windows. Players command fleets of largely organic ships built through genetic engineering, focusing on squad-based tactics rather than individual ship control.

Set in a distant future, the story follows Captain Iconah as humanity fights to locate the Universal Heart, the last source of life in the universe, after being pushed to the brink by alien enemies. Along the way, Iconah teams up with figures like Vicar Juno and encounters factions such as the Cy-breed (cyborg aliens), the Defiance, and the Lapis, who rely on ancient altars and mysterious substances tied to the Heart’s power.

Gameplay combines traditional RTS elements with a sci-fi narrative, offering single-player and multiplayer modes. The plot unfolds across the Lifewave Galaxy and beyond, with player choices shaping alliances and battles. Iconah’s journey involves interactions with different factions, discoveries about organics and Bloodair (the Heart’s essence), and confrontations over control of Lapis altars and other powerful artifacts.

The game features time-related twists and large-scale space battles as Iconah moves toward the Heart. Depending on decisions, alliances can shift, influencing how battles unfold and which enemies are confronted.

Release details: Genesis Rising released in 2007 for Windows, with Australia, North America, and Europe receiving the game on March 19, March 20, and May 4, respectively.

Reception: The game received mixed reviews. Metacritic’s score hovered around the mid-50s, reflecting a range of opinions. Some outlets praised the ambitious space setting and tactical combat, while others criticized repetitive missions, technical issues, and pacing. Notable outlets that reviewed the game included 1Up, Eurogamer, GameRevolution, GameSpot, IGN, PC Gamer, X-Play, and GameZone. PC Gamer gave a relatively higher assessment for the PC version, but overall impressions were mixed.