Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Real Time Strategy (RTS), Simulator, Strategy
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, DOS, PC-9800 Series, Sharp X68000, Turbografx-16/PC Engine CD
- Developers: Bullfrog Productions
- Publishers: Electronic Arts, Hudson Soft, Imagineer
Populous: The Promised Lands is an expansion pack for the classic strategy game Populous, developed and published by Bullfrog Productions. It was released in 1989 and adds five new landscape types, 500 new maps for Conquest Mode, and a new soundtrack.
The gameplay in Populous: The Promised Lands is largely the same as in the original game. The player takes control of a god-like figure and must guide their followers to victory over their enemies. This is done by using a variety of powers to shape the landscape, create earthquakes and storms, and summon creatures to fight for you.
The five new landscape types in Populous: The Promised Lands are:
- Grasslands: A lush, green landscape with plenty of resources.
- Desert: A barren wasteland with few resources and harsh conditions.
- Mountains: A treacherous landscape with high peaks and deep valleys.
- Ice: A frozen landscape with slippery surfaces and icy winds.
- Volcano: A dangerous landscape with active volcanoes and lava flows.
Each of these new landscape types presents its own unique challenges and opportunities. For example, the grasslands are easy to traverse and provide plenty of resources, but they are also vulnerable to attack from all sides. The desert is difficult to cross and offers few resources, but it can also be used to your advantage to create chokepoints and defend your settlements.
The 500 new maps in Populous: The Promised Lands offer a wide variety of challenges, from small skirmishes to large-scale battles. There are also a number of new scenarios, such as “The Battle of the Gods” and “The Siege of Olympus,” which offer unique challenges and rewards.
In addition to the new landscape types and maps, Populous: The Promised Lands also features a new soundtrack by composer Peter McConnell. The soundtrack is a mix of ambient and orchestral music that perfectly captures the game’s atmosphere.
Reception
Populous: The Promised Lands was critically acclaimed upon release. Critics praised the game’s new content, improved graphics, and enhanced soundtrack. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.
Legacy
Populous: The Promised Lands is considered to be one of the greatest strategy games of all time. It was one of the first games to allow players to control the landscape, and its innovative gameplay has been imitated by many other games since. Populous: The Promised Lands is still enjoyed by gamers today, and it remains a classic example of the genre.
Tips for Playing Populous: The Promised Lands
Here are a few tips for playing Populous: The Promised Lands:
- Use the landscape to your advantage. The landscape can be used to create chokepoints, defend your settlements, and launch attacks on your enemies.
- Be careful not to overextend yourself. It’s important to expand your territory, but don’t spread yourself too thin. Make sure you have enough resources to defend your settlements and launch attacks.
- Use your powers wisely. Your powers can be used to shape the landscape, create earthquakes and storms, and summon creatures to fight for you. Use them wisely to gain an advantage over your enemies.
- Be patient. Populous: The Promised Lands is a complex game that takes time to master. Don’t get discouraged if you lose a few battles. Just keep playing and learning, and you’ll eventually become a master of the game.
Conclusion
Populous: The Promised Lands is an excellent expansion pack for the classic Populous. It adds new landscape types, maps, and more, making it a must-play for fans of the original game. Whether you’re a new player or a long-time fan, Populous: The Promised Lands is a game that you’ll enjoy for hours on end.
Review Score
9/10
