The Darwin Project is a Battle Royale created by Scavenger Games. It was released quietly on PS4 January 14th, 2020 for free and with few expectations as it had been in early access for PC since 2018. At first glance, Darwin looks like a Fortnite knock off. However, the only two things the games have in common are genre and animation style.
It doesn’t take long to realize that this Project shines as a fresh battle royale experience during a boom for this style of game. With survival mechanics and class systems (not to mention the elusive 11th player), Project Darwin brings a fresh and exciting perspective to the myriad of free battle royales.
10 Exciting Gameplay
Looting is still central to success in Project, but not rushing to acquire bigger and better guns. The focus is on Darwinium, an in-game elemental substance used to unlock abilities and upgrades during the match. The abilities and class-specific upgrades are what allow the player to get an edge over the competition. The Darwinium drops in the center of tiles are high risk, high reward that can change the course of the match for individual players. Wood is another important resource as it allows the player to shield themselves, craft arrows, or build a fire. The heat from a fire can make the difference between winning and being another prison sacrifice,
9 The Map
Six hexagonal tiles organized around one central tile compose the map for Project Darwin. These tiles are eliminated by the Director and by the game itself as a means of condensing the competitors into one area. The feeling of just barely making it out of a zone as it becomes forbidden is exhilarating. More often than not, the player will have to just barely escape a zone alongside an opponent, only to turn on them immediately upon crossing the threshold. The excitement (and mild stress) of trying to secure a Darwinium drop while leaving enough time to escape is one of the most fun risks of any battle royale yet. The Map is a fresh take on the formula that benefits the gameplay and experience in Project.
8 Class Variety
There are three classes in the arena. The first is a sniper-esque that excels at flight and raining down arrows from above for extra damage to enemies. This class has good traversal potential and high damage IF the player can hit their shots. The challenge is making those bow shots count from up in the air. The second class is a close-quarters brawler that uses grappling hooks to close the distance and upgraded ax damage to pound competitors into the ground.
This can also be upgraded to allow an auto turret for the player. The third is a recon class equipped with a mechanical bird sidekick that can mark enemies and loot for the player. Invisibility is also a component of this kit, making the recon class adept and hiding out until the last few seconds of a match and sneaking up on the competition. The three classes cater to unique playing styles and are easy to learn.
7 Unique Method For Shrinking Map
The tile system implemented in The Darwin Project is unique in that a whole swath of the maps is blocked off all at once. This could start anywhere on the map, including the central tile. The system can even force players into cross-map portals by dividing the playable areas in half. The mechanic seems gimmicky at first, but once the player becomes accustomed to traversal and the importance of movement in Project the tiles make for exciting games.
6 Cold Survival Mechanic
Since Project Darwin takes place in the Canadian Rocky Mountain Range, the inmates are in danger of freezing to death. The survival portion of this battle royale adds a subtle challenge to the genre’s formula. Finding wood, building a fire, and standing close for a few seconds to refill the cold meter is easy enough on a large map. The real fun begins when the last zone is shrinking, there are 4 people in a tiny area, and suddenly the players’ screen starts to turn white with frost.
Trying to battle enemies while also maintaining a close range to the fire is a simple challenge that always feels amazing if it is pulled. Adding a simple survival meter is just one more way that Project Darwin innovates and keeps itself relevant in a bloated genre.
5 Tracking System
Loot and scoot is the best recipe for success as an inmate. But instead of trying to follow a cold trail of broken Darwinium containers and chopped down trees, Project allows the player real-time insight into enemies' whereabouts. The game encourages ruthless hunting of fellow competitors with the tracking system. Simply investigate a (semi)newly looted resource and find out exactly where those pesky players are running around on the map. Then, if desired, sneak up them and chop them into pieces for a kill.
4 Director Role Changes Up Battle Royale Formula
Another innovation is the role of Director that is unlocked for the player at account level 5. Being a director is a taste of what it is like to be a God in The Darwin Project. From doling out extra resources to blowing up entire areas of the map, being Director feels great.
Having the power to shape a match and be involved in the strategies of individual players makes the game even more exciting. Some are kind and benevolent, others are cruel and scheming; but in the end, no inmate but the champion escapes the clutches of the Director.
3 Zone Clearing Nukes And Manhunts
Two of the abilities that the Director has are the tile clearing nuclear bomb and the manhunt. The bomb counts down from 45, then the tile itself will have an explosion from the center outward. Anyone caught in the tile is instantly incinerated regardless of health or shield. This makes for interesting fights on the run when trying to escape the fallout and deal with a savage enemy at the same time. The Manhunt card highlights one individual player for all others to see and remains of the player for an extended duration. The player that eliminates the hunted player receives bonus resources. If the hunted player can survive they get even more resources for having dodged the opposition. The mechanic causes a huge fight to ensue in a very small area. It is only a matter of time though until a Director forces a manhunt in a nuclear bomb zone...
2 Inventory System
The Inventory system in Project is easy to understand. There are two main resources in the game: wood and Darwinium. From there, all the other inventory items and abilities are crafted. The system appears as a wheel that is quickly accessible for on-the-go crafting. Most importantly, a fire can be crafted in just a few seconds if the players’ cold meter is almost empty. Hopefully, this system remains simple and efficient as the game continues to grow. The more complex battle royale inventory systems can feel slow and punitive, but Project has boiled it down to the most important elements that play very well in such a fast-paced game.
1 The Lore
An impending ice age has forced mankind to fuse science and survival in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Who better than a prison full of inmates to test out new technology and battle tactics that could save the rest of humanity in unforgiving climates? That is the foundation of The Darwin Project. While the game does have plenty of room to expand its’ story, the gist of how the arena came to be is interesting enough to draw some attention. There is huge potential for expanding this story. Hopefully, Scavengers will expand the universe in fun and exciting ways.