Summary
- Release Year: 2015
- Genres: Indie, Simulator, Strategy
- Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Pixel Quality Games
- Publishers: Pixel Quality Games
Project Aura: A Hope for Humanity in the Face of Climate Catastrophe
Introduction
Project Aura (2015) is a thought-provoking simulation/strategy video game that thrusts players into the sobering reality of a post-climate disaster world. As the leader of a colony of survivors, you must guide them in rebuilding society and adapting to the harsh new environment. With limited resources, extreme weather conditions, and the constant threat of disease, Project Aura presents a challenging yet rewarding experience that explores the resilience of humanity in the face of adversity.
Gameplay
Project Aura is played from a top-down perspective, giving players a comprehensive view of their colony and its surroundings. The game’s core gameplay loop revolves around resource management, city planning, and research. Players must carefully allocate their resources to ensure the survival and prosperity of their colony. This includes constructing buildings, producing food and water, and managing the health and well-being of the population.
City planning is crucial in Project Aura. Players must strategically place buildings to optimize efficiency and minimize the impact of environmental hazards. The game features a variety of buildings, each with its own unique function. Some buildings, like farms and water treatment plants, are essential for sustaining the population. Others, like research labs and hospitals, provide valuable bonuses and upgrades.
Research is another important aspect of Project Aura. By investing in research, players can unlock new technologies that improve their colony’s efficiency, productivity, and resilience. Research projects range from developing new farming techniques to creating advanced medical treatments.
Setting
Project Aura is set in the near future, where the effects of climate change have ravaged the planet. Sea levels have risen, extreme weather events are commonplace, and food shortages are rampant. In a desperate attempt to survive, humanity has turned to cryo-preservation. Thousands of people have been placed in suspended animation, awaiting a time when the Earth’s climate has stabilized.
The game begins as a group of survivors awakens from cryo-preservation. They find themselves in a world vastly different from the one they left behind. The once-familiar landscape is now a barren wasteland, and the remaining pockets of civilization are struggling to survive.
Challenges
As the leader of the colony, players will face a multitude of challenges. The most pressing challenge is the scarcity of resources. Food, water, and building materials are all in short supply, and players must carefully manage their resources to avoid starvation and disease.
Extreme weather conditions are another major challenge in Project Aura. The game features a dynamic weather system that can unleash devastating storms, floods, and droughts. Players must be prepared for these events and take steps to mitigate their impact on the colony.
Disease is also a constant threat in Project Aura. The harsh environment and unsanitary conditions can lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases. Players must invest in healthcare and research new medical treatments to keep their population healthy.
Hope
Despite the many challenges, Project Aura is ultimately a game about hope. It is a story of humanity’s resilience and its ability to adapt and overcome adversity. As players progress through the game, they will witness the colony grow and prosper. They will see new technologies developed and new alliances formed. And they will come to realize that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better future.
Conclusion
Project Aura is a thought-provoking and rewarding simulation/strategy game that explores the resilience of humanity in the face of climate catastrophe. With its challenging gameplay, immersive setting, and compelling narrative, Project Aura is a must-play for fans of the genre and anyone interested in the future of our planet.
Review Score
8/10