Project Planet – Earth vs Humanity is an ambitious, asymmetric multiplayer game that leans heavily on social interactions and hidden-input gameplay. Developed by Fifth Harbour Studios, this thought-provoking title invites players to take on the roles of either the Earth or humanity in a desperate battle to shape the fate of our planet. With its unique blend of environmental disaster, strategic gameplay, and party game elements, Project Planet offers an immersive and engaging experience that sets it apart from other games in the genre.
Project Planet – Earth vs Humanity Features
- 1v5 party gameplay
- Destroy Humanity as Planet Earth
- Survive a wide range of disasters as Humanity
- Play as one of 5 Humanity roles, each with unique gameplay
- Answer impossible dilemmas with lots of real-life parallels
- Work together, but also pursue your own interests. In the end, there can only be one winner!
- Use abilities to cooperate with other players, or punish those who don’t act in the group’s (or your own) best interest
- Branching narratives create limitless ways to experience the disasters
How do I play Project Planet with friends?
All you need to do is invite up to five friends to tag along, make sure they can see the screen (whether in real life or through a stream) and let them join on any web-enabled device (like a smartphone, tablet or PC) by going to www.projectplanet.tv. Once they’ve entered the lobby code and chosen a nickname, their browser will become their controller. They don’t even need to own the game.
When playing remotely, you can use a video conferencing tool like Zoom, Steam Broadcast, Google Hangouts, Discord, and more to stream the game. Just don’t forget to enable audio streaming!
Alright, let’s get into my review!
Stylish Presentation
From the moment you launch Project Planet, the game’s stylish and immersive presentation captivates players. The use of cutscenes, news reports, and web articles enhances the feeling of being part of a real-world crisis. The attention to detail in these visuals is commendable, and it effectively creates a sense of urgency and immersion. Project Planet truly shines in its presentation, delivering a cinematic experience that draws players into its dark and dramatic world.
Engaging Gameplay Mechanics
Unlike traditional party games, Project Planet offers a refreshing departure from the norm. Players can assume the role of the Earth, determined to wipe out humanity, or the surviving human factions, struggling to survive and assert their influence. These distinct roles create a dynamic gameplay experience where players must make strategic decisions to achieve their objectives.
As the Earth, your goal is to bring about the destruction of humanity through various means, such as escalating environmental and ecological crises. This strategic aspect of the game allows for intricate planning and calculated moves to destabilize the world and crush human resistance. The addition of force resources adds depth to the gameplay, offering further options for manipulating events to your advantage.
On the other hand, playing as a human faction brings a different kind of challenge. In order to survive, players must navigate a treacherous landscape where alliances are fleeting, rivalries emerge, and power struggles dominate. Sabotage becomes a viable option, as players can attack each other or boost their own reputation at the expense of others. This adds a layer of social interaction and intrigue, making each playthrough a unique experience.
Social Dynamics and Player Agency
One of the standout features of Project Planet is its emphasis on social dynamics. The game thrives on the interactions between players, fostering a sense of competition, collaboration, and betrayal. Short-lived alliances form and dissolve as players vie for dominance and survival. This multiplayer aspect is where the game truly shines, as it creates a dynamic and unpredictable environment that keeps players engaged and on their toes.
Player agency is at the core of Project Planet, as each decision made throughout the game has consequences. Whether it’s spreading misinformation through the media or manipulating resources, players have the power to shape the narrative and influence the outcome. This element of control adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, empowering players to craft their own strategies and tactics.
What could be improved
While Project Planet offers a captivating and immersive experience, it does have some limitations that prevent it from reaching its full potential. One of the main drawbacks is the limited number of disaster scenarios available, which can lead to repetitiveness over time. Additional scenarios and content updates would greatly enhance the replayability and longevity of the game.
Furthermore, the game’s lack of depth in certain areas may leave players yearning for more complexity. While the social dynamics and player interactions are compelling, the strategic elements could be further developed to offer a more nuanced and challenging experience. A greater variety of choices and consequences would add layers of tactical gameplay, elevating Project Planet to new heights.
Also, the game’s party game format, similar to Jackbox Party games, prioritizes social interaction and quick decision-making over strategic depth. This approach may disappoint those seeking a more focused strategy experience.
Verdict
Project Planet – Earth vs Humanity is a captivating and thought-provoking game that successfully blends party game elements with strategic decision-making and social dynamics. Its stylish presentation, immersive cutscenes, and engaging gameplay mechanics showcase the innovative approach taken by the developers. The game thrives on its ability to create a dynamic and unpredictable multiplayer environment, where alliances are formed and broken, and players are constantly challenged to adapt and strategize.
While Project Planet has a few limitations and areas for improvement, it still manages to deliver an entertaining and unique experience. The game’s ability to provoke meaningful discussions about environmental issues and human behavior is commendable. So gather your friends, prepare for a battle like no other, and dive into the dark and thrilling world of Project Planet – Earth vs Humanity. The most important thing – the game is just extremely fun with friends.
My score: 7.5/10
