The god game has a long history in PC gaming, and The Universim is attempting to bring it into the modern era. As with any god game, the goal is to shepherd a group of lesser beings – referred to in this game as Nuggets – as they face crises and mayhem.

In The Universim, this means developing a small, simple tribal society into a globe-spanning civilization and then leading them on a voyage to other planets.

The Universim lets you be the God you want to be

The player adopts the role of a lesser divinity referred to as the Creator. The Creator has a range of divine powers, from a telekinesis ability used to transport resources or rescue Nuggets to a selection of weather-control powers.

Powers consume Creator Points, which are generated based on how many Nuggets are graciously worshipping the Creator. These gifts are used to aid the Nuggets as they reproduce, construct new buildings and develop their technology and culture.

Initially, the player will need to take a very hands-on role – healing and rescuing Nuggets, pulling up trees to serve as timber for new structures, and even playing matchmaker with unattached Nuggets.

As the society develops, the player’s role becomes more administrative and big picture – delegating and automating tasks and guiding the growth of settlements in more global ways.

Lovely visuals and simple controls

The Universim can be a visually striking game. There are some great transitional effects to reflect the passing of the seasons, but it’s the movement of the sun that will leave the best impression.

The Universim has some splendid sunrises. There are also some novel takes on Earth’s life forms, though most of that will have to wait until the space exploration phase.

The Universim has fairly simple controls, but there isn’t much of a tutorial to speak of, so trying an hour-long test run or two is highly advised. A full game of Universim can be a very long experience and fill many play sessions. The early game can be a little slow, though, which is another good reason to avoid playing the game for an audience until you have a basic understanding of the mechanics.

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Drew Johnston

ANDREW JOHNSTON is a teacher, writer and journalist based out of mainland Asia. He is a regular contributor to Superjump Magazine, where he specializes in independent video games and the gaming culture of East Asia. He has published short fiction in 30 markets and anthologies including Daily Science Fiction, Nature: Futures and the Laughing at Shadows Anthology.