In the campaign the game is played from several different points of view and you are introduced to each race as you progress (which is a good way to learn how the game is played). It is also a good way to decide which race is your favourite. Each race is unique right down to their strengths, weaknesses and abilities, but you’ll probably need to play a few AI skirmishes to fully appreciate what each faction has to offer (again, highly recommended to do so).
The multiplayer game offers several different game modes, including one particularly interesting mode called ‘Conquer The World’ where the object of the game is as the title suggests; your only goal is to take over as much of the globe as possible. The other game modes are fun if you enjoy the more competitive edge (in Ranked) or if you're just looking to play a friendly game with buddies (in Player matches). You can also take on the AI in ‘Skirmish Battles’ and with a nice variety of maps to choose from, you can pass the time and remain entertained whilst waiting for multiplayer matches to join.
Graphically, I was both impressed and a little disappointed by Universe at War: Earth Assault. The Novus looked superb, especially with the zoom function which allows you to see your troops close up in all their glory. But the humans didn’t fare too well on the graphical side of things and looked a little too ‘boxy’ for my liking. Square heads somehow don’t look good in any game, especially in high-def.
If you're a fan of RTS games however, Universe at War: Earth Assault is a game that is tailor-made for you. This is due in part to the schematics of the game which allow for the real strategists amongst us to plot and tactically out-manoeuvre their opponents in a multitude of ways. The game (from an RTS point of view) has a lot of scope and depth, and hours of replayability.
The complexity of the units in Universe at War: Earth Assault is a lot more expansive than initially expected for an RTS game, which again could be a steep learning curve for anyone new to the franchise and to RTS games in general. Ultimately the control system in the game was probably the most difficult and frustrating portion of it for a beginner. On the other hand, for seasoned gamers the amount of work that has gone into the development of each faction and their units and capabilities would present a very entertaining and welcome challenge.
