Cell to Singularity

Last updated
Cell to Singularity
Developer(s) Computer Lunch Games
Publisher(s) Computer Lunch
Platform(s) Steam, Web Browser, Android, iOS
Release
  • Android: April 6, 2020
  • iOS: August 29, 2019
  • Steam (Official): November 3, 2021
Genre(s) Incremental, Educational
Mode(s)Single and multiplayer

Cell to Singularity (also known as Cell to Singularity: Evolution Never Ends), is an incremental game released by Computer Lunch in 2018. Utilizing idle game mechanics, this game teaches players about evolution, science and the humanities. [1]

Contents

Game mechanics

The beginning of the game starts in the main simulation and it features a character, an artificial intelligence called Semblance, as she requests the player to help her with an experiment which is the game.

The player then starts with a view of a tech tree, the player will use their mouse/keyboard (computer) or hands (mobile) to tap the screen, generating a currency called entropy, this currency is used to purchase generators, representing life forms or objects in the evolutionary pathway or upgrade nodes that represent other evolutionary adaptations. Generators generate currency, online or offline while nodes can do nothing or increase the efficiency of a generator. This keeps going until the player unlocks a new type of currency called ideas and unlocks a new part of the tree dedicated to human civilization. The player can view the unlocked generators and objects in a 3D “garden”.

After unlocking the Technological Singularity, the simulation prestiges in the form of a simulation crash, the player then unlocks the reality engine, where he or she will use a prestige currency called Metabits generated from the entropy and ideas on that run of the simulation to unlock node to increase speed, boost time or unlock and upgrade Nanobots, which can provide a sort of temporarily auto click function. The player then starts again but with much greater speed or with boosts and enhancements, he or she and reboot the simulation as much as he or she likes. The Main Simulation tree ends with the colonization and terraforming of Mars. Occasionally, speed boosts may become available, which allows the player to gain a slight increase of speed in the game, but it requires Darwinium or watching advertisements.

An update in November 9, 2020 added mammals to the game, they are in the form of glitches in the simulation with can be unlocked using Metabits. This game also has a premium currency, called Darwinium, named after Charles Darwin, and can be obtained via in-app purchase, various points throughout the game, via the news tab and completing various achievements. It can also be acquired via the Darwinium synthesizer.

Expansions (other simulations)

Exploration Events

Cell to Singularity is still in active development to this day, with updates releasing regularly. Beginning in early 2022, the first exploration event has been added to the game. These "Exploration Events" are limited time events featuring miniature, simulations about specific topics in science, technology, and the humanities. Currently there are 16 exploration events, they are:

1. Unfold the Universe - This exploration event focuses on the development and launch of the James Webb Space Telescope.

2. Fungus Among Us - This exploration event is about fungi, what it is, it's role in nature, uses for humans, and diseases caused by it.

3. The Big Questions - Focuses on philosophy and it's various branches.

4. Life After Apocalypse - Focuses on the five major mass extinctions over the history of the earth, and speculates what might happen if humans die out in a mass extinction.

5. The Price of Trust - The event focuses on the history and future of money.

6. A Coevolution Love Story - The event narrates the history of the symbiotic relationship between bees, flowering plants and humans.

7. Lurking in the Dark - The event explores the various layers of the ocean.

8. A Journey of Serenity - Focuses on the history and future of tea.

9. Good Vibrations - Focuses on the history and evolution of music.

10. Anatomy of Life - Focuses on Human anatomy.

11.The Power of Images - Focuses on the evolution of visual art.

12. Threat of Infection - This event focuses on various pathogens and the diseases they cause, as well efforts by the human immune system and various prophylaxis or treatments to stop or eliminate them.

13. A Feline Journey - Focuses on the evolution of the cat family, and the domestication of house cats.

14. Set in Stone - Describes various igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock types, as well as various crystals and gems.

15. Face Your Fears - Being the first mini exploration event (which can be completed faster), this event describes various cryptids and urban folklore around the world.

16. Beautiful Complexity - about the various concepts and branches of mathematics and their history.

History

Cell to Singularity began development in 2017, inspired by Computer Lunch co-founder Andrew Garrahan’s love of nature documentaries. [2] Wanting to create a game about science and history, Garrahan saw the emergent popularity of the incremental game genre as a good fit for the more relaxed pace of a documentary. Garrahan was also inspired by James Burke’s “Connections” series for the BBC.

The game was initially released in early access on Android in 2018. [3] It was later also released in early access on iOS and Steam. [4] The game was officially released on iOS in August 2019, [5] [6] and Android in April 2020. [7] Finally, it left Steam Early Access in November 2021.

Reception

Katherine Franklin of BigBossBattle.com called the game "a commendable delve into a fun representation of evolution on (and off) Earth." [8]

Early reviews praised the game’s atmosphere, with one from BlueMoonGames.com declaring, "The visual presentation makes the game feel like an interactive animated educational tutorial through the [historical] periods described..." [9]

Michael Zegar of GamePressure.com compared the game favorably to Spore, Cookie Clicker , and Plague Inc. [10]

The Beyond expansion, released in November 2021, also received positive reviews. Catherine Ng Dellosa of PocketGamer.com called it, "...a refreshing change of pace from the numerous mobile titles out in the market today." [11]

As of 2024, the game has a 4.5 rating on the Google Play Store [12] , a 5.0 rating on the iOS App Store, [13] and a very positive review rating on Steam based on over 22,176 reviews. [14]

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References

  1. ↑ Mohandas, Mithun (2021-03-19). "Cell to Singularity – Evolution Never Ends | Digit". digit.in. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  2. ↑ "Click to Exist: A Chat with ComputerLunch about Cell to Singularity". TechRaptor. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  3. ↑ "Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends gameplay details". JoyFreak. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  4. ↑ "Cell to Singularity Evolving from Early Access - Hardcore Gamer". hardcoregamer.com. 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  5. ↑ "Cells to Singularity iOS Version Arrives August 29, Dinosaurs Coming Soon". TechRaptor. 11 August 2019. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  6. ↑ "Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends - Cell to Singularity Coming to iOS August 29th! - Steam News". store.steampowered.com. 2019-08-23. Retrieved 2022-02-27.
  7. ↑ "Cell to Singularity: Evolution Never Ends (2018) release dates". MobyGames. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  8. ↑ "From Cell to Singularity and back again". Big Boss Battle (B3). 2019-02-13. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  9. ↑ "Cell to Singularity | 2020 Review | Guides, Tips and Tricks". bluemoongame. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  10. ↑ "Free Clicker That Lets You Play God Gains Popularity". Gamepressure.com. 5 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  11. ↑ "Cell to Singularity: Beyond review - "Staring into space has never been this rewarding"". www.pocketgamer.com. 9 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  12. ↑ "Cell to Singularity: Evolution – Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  13. ↑ "Cell to Singularity: Evolution" . Retrieved 2022-03-10.
  14. ↑ "Cell to Singularity - Evolution Never Ends on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
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