Stalin vs. Martians

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Stalin vs. Martians
Stalin vs Martians cover.jpg
Developer(s) Black Wing Foundation
Dreamlore
N-Game
Publisher(s) Mezmer Games
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
ReleaseApril 29, 2009 [1]
Genre(s) Real-time strategy
Mode(s) Single-player

Stalin vs. Martians is a parody real-time strategy video game developed by Black Wing Foundation, Dreamlore and N-Game, released on April 29, 2009. Described as "trashy and over-the-top" [2] by its creators, [3] the game mocks World War II strategy games and utilizes pythonesque humor. The developers state that Stalin vs. Martians is "obviously a parody, which sometimes gets close to being a satire" and is "halfway to becoming a trash icon of gaming industry for years". [4] In some interviews the lead designer of the game compares Stalin vs. Martians to the Troma films. [5]

Contents

In July, following the game's release, it became no longer available to be purchased, for unknown reasons. [6] [7] [8] [9] The official website claimed that an upgraded version of Stalin vs. Martians would soon be released, but the game was never made available again, neither in original or upgraded version. [10]

This game uses the same updated version of the Enigma Engine as Blitzkrieg 2 .

Reception

Stalin vs. Martians received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics. It has an average score of 23.41% on GameRankings as well as 25% on Metacritic. GameSpot awarded the game 1.5/10, calling it "perhaps the worst RTS game ever created". The site also named it 2009's Flat-Out Worst Game. [11] IGN, which rated the game a 2/10, noted the game's total lack of any RTS-related elements and asked whether it was 'made in 1994 and sealed into a vault until 2009' given how dated the visuals looked. [12] Resolution, awarding the game 35%, warned readers not to purchase the game, but conceded that it is occasionally "incredibly amusing". [13] Rock, Paper, Shotgun called the game "rubbish" but admitted: "there’s certainly car-crash value, especially if you tie yourself in theoretical knots deciding exactly how much of the game is satire". [14] The Escapist was more positive, specifically to its game's Soviet clichés and the presentation as funny and absurd at the same time. [15] Russian MTV programme Virtuality and its spin-off portal Games TV were quite enthusiastic about the game and its humour. [16]

See also

Notes

  1. Faylor, Chris (April 24, 2009). "Stalin vs Martians Now Coming April 29". Shacknews. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  2. "IGN: Stalin vs. Martians Announced". Archived from the original on May 1, 2008.
  3. "Paradox Interactive press release". Archived from the original on 2009-09-21. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  4. "Interview: All Hail Stalinator! Inside Stalin Vs. Martians".
  5. "2404 - PC Gaming - Stalin vs. Martians Interview". Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
  6. "Stalin vs. Martians on Steam". Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-01-04. Retrieved 2014-08-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "GamersGate - Buy and download games now!".
  9. "GameStop PC Downloads : Stalin vs Martians : Instant Digital Download Purchasing, Product Information, Screenshots, Previews, and more". Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  10. "Stalin vs. Martians Upgrade". Archived from the original on March 12, 2009.
  11. "Stalin vs. Martians Review for PC - GameSpot". Archived from the original on 2009-05-04. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  12. Haynes, Jeff (2009-05-04). "Stalin vs. Martians Review" IGN.com. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
  13. "Resolution-magazine.co.uk".
  14. "RPS Vs Mezmer: Stalin Vs Martians Impressions". Rock Paper Shotgun. 29 April 2009.
  15. "Review: Stalin vs. Martians : Review: Stalin vs. Martians". Archived from the original on 2012-11-26. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
  16. "Games-tv // Обзоры // Сталин против марсиан // Обзор (Kenny & Джиха)". www.games-tv.ru. Archived from the original on 2009-04-11.

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