Review of Relativity for Xbox 360

Relativity for Xbox 360 is a unique real time strategy and simulation game developed by Purple Games. Relativity is based upon Einstein's theory of the relativity of space and time. In a nutshell, players colonize planets and wage war on other civilizations in spaceships that utilize Einstein's laws of relativity to make it to their destination.

According to the narration from in the game and the Relativity's website:

"While Relativity uses some pretty crazy physics concepts you really don't need to understand them to play this game. Hopefully some physics will rub off as you are playing the game and you will suddenly start impressing your friends in the pub with phrases like "space/time continuum" and "time dilation".

One of the greatest features in Relativity for Xbox 360 is the narration and tutorials. The tutorials in Relativity for Xbox 360 are immaculately executed and do a fantastic job of preparing players to play the game itself. The music in Relativity for Xbox 360 is also very pleasant to listen to.

The graphics in Relativity for Xbox 360 are certainly nothing for one to drop their jaw at. What Relativity for Xbox 360 lacks in its visual department, it makes up for in its game play.

Relativity for Xbox 360 has more depth to it than one would typically expect out of an Xbox 360 indie title. While there are only ten levels to play in the campaign, each level takes a good half hour to full hour to beat. Relativity for Xbox 360 can be compared to StarCraft or Darwinia+ (read a review of Darwinia+ here). In all three games, players manage and build their resources before conquering their rivals.

During my analysis of Purple Game's Relativity for Xbox 360 there were a couple of features (or lack thereof) that became annoying. While one does have the ability to switch easily between planets with a couple flicks of their fingers, there is no way to change the overhead display. The combination of being able to zoom the camera out far in order to see more solar systems and rotate the camera angle would have made navigating Relativity much more easier.

The second aspect of Relativity that became abundantly apparent is that the levels feel like they drag on forever, even though they may only last from half an hour to an hour. Because the populations of all planets are constantly growing, if one is not a fast player the computer can quickly amass tens of thousands of inhabitants that need to be destroyed. Luckily there is a time dilation weapon at your disposal to help out. It would have been nicer if the levels in Relativity were shorter and more plentiful.

Relativity for Xbox 360 is available here from the Xbox Live Marketplace for 240 Microsoft Points ($3). When all of the positive features of Relativity for Xbox 360 (including its low price) are added up, the $3 price point makes this Xbox indie game a must own. More information about Relativity can be obtained through the Purple Games website purplegames.yolasite.com.

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