Gods vs. Humans Review

A strategy game with a unique premise, developer Microids' game Gods vs. Humans is confusing as all Hell. Humankind have got wise to the power of their gods and have started building towers to the heavens with one goal: to kill. In Gods vs. Humans players must take on the role of a somewhat complacent god and, using a variety of powers, cause total destruction and bring down the towers. The idea is intriguing, and sounds like it makes for an enjoyable game, but unfortunately Gods vs. Humans falls somewhat short of expectations.

For starters, the logic isn't entirely flawless. Players must keep the human's worship levels high, whilst at the same time maintaining a damaging level of chaos and destruction to the tower, which in turn causes them to be more angry and less faithful. Survival depends on their devotion and earning their worship is a heck of a task.

For a strategy game, Gods vs. Humans feels rough around the edges. Beating a level doesn't necessarily feel as if it's a great accomplishment, and grinding through the first 15-20 levels of the game isn't much of a challenge. After level 20, it's evident that a more complex strategy has to be employed in order to collapse the tower's structure. This involves attacking four of the structural columns on each of the towers floors in order to weaken the foundations in the levels below. Players then have the decision of accomplishing their goal by using one of the many offensive powers at their disposal; be it a sand storm, a fireball, or a bolt of lightning, which each consume a certain amount of energy when used. A strong faith means a greater energy meter. Sounds easy, right? Wrong. Using the powers of destruction is great, but missing and instead hitting an innocent human being can cause a colossal mistake.

Progressing through the levels leads to unlocking a small number of diverse areas, and beyond that more challenges and new Gods to employ, but overall it feels so simple and unremarkable that it gets too tedious to really engage in for more than a few levels. Don't get me wrong, it's fun, but slightly too much on the conventional side to cause much amusement.

This review wouldn't be complete without mentioning the clunky slow animations and the disappointing lack of variation between the levels and the Gods themselves. The music is repetitive and dull, which is most likely because it never changes. The whole idea just seems a bit messy and confused.

On a positive note however, the game's interface is easy to navigate around, and Gods vs. Humans gives the player reference to useful information on human types and god powers by simply pausing the game. Overall, the price is right and the content is acceptable, but the game's lack of creativity is a letdown, and there becomes nothing new to see. Move along now.