Reviews

PC Gamer March ' 98

The Best Turn-Based Strategy Game Of The Year

• "Incubation is a first: a turn-based strategy game that's as visceral ­ and as cinematic ­ as a good action game."
• "...Incubation offers addictive squad-level combat against diabolical aliens, but it also offers a wonderfully simple command interface that disguises the game's potential for tactical complexity."

Electric Games (Review) October ' 98

• "highly addictive"
• "The combo pack is a great way for those previously unfamiliar with the game to get a lot of gameplay for a reduced price."

The Gaming Nexus (Turn-Based Strategy Awards for 1997) February '98

• Best Game
• Best Graphics
• Best Use of Multi-player
• Biggest Surprise

PC Gamer (Review) January ' 98

Rating 89%

• "Real-time 3D graphics bring a great, new look to this engaging strategy game."
• "As straightforward and friendly as its interface is, Incubation isn't a simplistic or easy game. Most of the missions are designed to make you think.
• "...you develop an attachment to each marine in your squad...it stings a little to lose a guy you've taken through ten or twelve missions."
• "Incubation is a well-designed, well-rounded game."
• "Gamers who love squad-level combat games like X-COM and Jagged Alliance are sure to fall for it."
• "...it's appealing enough to captivate plenty of players who've never looked twice at this kind of game."

Game Briefs.com (Review) December ' 97

• "It's one of the best games to blast into its genre this year."
• "Carefully plan your attack, give your orders, then sit back and watch the military drama unfold. And unfold it does, in glorious real-time 3D action–courtesy of the graphic engine employed in Extreme Assault and free-floating mouse-controlled camera views."

Computer Gaming World (Review) January ' 98

Rating 3.5 of 5

• "The combat graphics are spectacular, but grisly, with exploding gobbets of bloody flesh, nice lighting effects, and great explosions."
• "The user interface is nicely done."
• "It's quite a hoot, and a refreshing departure from real-time games."
• "If your hands are getting sore from all the mousing around in the real-time games, check out Incubation."
• "Appeal: Strategy gamers who may be getting tired of real-time clickfests;"

PCME.com (Review) December ' 97

Rating 92%

• "There are so many things to like about this game. It's more than obvious that Blue Byte looked at where the strategy genre was lacking when they developed Incubation."
• "What Blue Byte has done with the basic tactical combat genre is incredible."
• "Blue Byte has made what could have been a pretty basic turn-based strategy game and turned it into a twitch-gaming splatterfest with big guns and lots of action."

AdrenalineVault.com (Review) December ' 97

Rating 4.5 out of 5

• "The first time I booted it up, I was floored."
• "It is the standard by which all future turn-based tactical combat games will be judged, and is an absolute blast to play."
• "Quite possibly the most innovative turn-based tactical combat game ever made."
• "Blue Byte's latest redefines the squad-level combat genre. We've seen how good a turn-based strategy game can look, and how easy it can be to control, and other games had better start following suit."

Computer Games Strategy Plus (Review) December ' 97

Rating 3.5 out of 5

• "The game starts off with a tremendous visual bang."
• "Blue Byte used the 3D graphics engine from their Extreme Assault game to create what has to be the most impressive visuals on any strategy game yet released..."
• "Incubation's interface is well laid out and easy to pick up."
• "The game is best in its multiplayer modes. Sending a squad up against a human-controlled squad it extremely enjoyable."
• "Incubation really feels like a tactical-level strategy game."
• "...it does almost everything well, even brilliantly..."
• "If you don't mind puzzles in your strategy games...the game can't be recommended highly enough."

Computer & Net Player (Review) December ' 97

Rating 8 out of 10

• "Blue Byte has definitely achieved something different with Incubation"
• "Even if the plot sounds like a mixture of 'Aliens,' 'Mimic' and 'Men in Black', don't let that dissuade you from trying Incubation, as it may wind up being the computer gaming sleeper of the year."
• "The addition of three dimensions also makes the combat resolution much more exciting..."
• "Incubation doesn't disappoint in the multiplayer arena either, thanks to support for a wide range of multiplayer and networking options;"
• "If you're a fan of squad level tactical infantry combat games such as X-Com, Jagged Alliance and Wages of War, don't let Incubation pass you by."
• "Addictive, original and unique, Incubation is a must see for any turn-based strategy gamer."
• "If you burned the midnight oil playing the X-Com series, you should consider Incubation a must-buy."

PC Games (Review) December ' 97

• "Incubation, a brilliant and amazingly flawless jewel of a game..."
• "...it's comforting to see that real gems can still occasionally be unearthed from the mounting pile of mediocrity."
• "What makes Incubation truly dynamic is how it employs various perspectives slaved to each soldier's line of sight."
• "Incubation is without doubt one of the most original & refreshing strategy games I've ever played."
• "What Command & Conquer did for real-time gaming, Incubation systematically achieves for the more pragmatic turn-based sect..."

OGR.com (Review) November ' 97

Rating 8.2 out of 10

Gamers.com (Review) November ' 97

Rating 3.5

GamePen.com (Review) November ' 97

Rating 4.5 out of 5

Gamespot.com (Review) November ' 97

Rating 6.6 out of 10

GamesMania.com (Review) November ' 97

Rating 8.5 out of 10

Happypuppy.com (Review) November ' 97

Rating 9 out of 10

Psychogamer.com (Review) October ' 97

Rating 9 out of 10

• "...if you're looking for something different, welcome to Incubation;"
• "...the interface was excellently done."
• "...the sounds and music are outstanding...the weapon sounds are a blast."
• "For people looking for a mental workout instead of just tank rushes, this is for you."
• "Great graphics, sound and playability."
• "An overall winner."

Grendel's Gaming Lair (Review) October ' 97

Rating 4.4 out of 5

• "Blue Byte has re-written the rule book with their latest incarnation of the Battle Isle"
• "...gamers who have played or even those who have never played Battle Isle, will find themselves immersed in an exciting and new form of turn-based strategy!"
• "The overall appearance of the game is fantastic!"
• "...a unique combination of strategy and tactical planning that makes for a fun gaming experience."
• "Incubation is considerable more engrossing than the modern turn-based strategy game."
• "The interface makes it easy to get around and easy to make battle decisions without having to consult a bulky manual."
• "...thirsting for something a little different...then this is for you..."
• "The perfect game for any 'new' strategy fan, or someone who needs a break from the RTS and 1st person shooters we've been swamped with!"
• "The programmers at Blue Byte have another hit on their hands this year...don't miss it!"

Next-Generation.com (Review) October ' 97

• "An elegant interface, good story, amazing graphics & excellent mechanics make Incubation very much like what X-Com Apocalypse should have been."
• "If X-Com Apocalypse didn't satisfy you, or if you're looking for a beautiful new turn-based strategy game, you won't go wrong with Incubation."

CD-ROM AboveBoard.com (Review) November ' 97

• "Incubation is a turn-based strategy game that will send a chill up your spine and place a lump in your throat!"
• "This is an incredible game where nail biting's NOT optional."
• "...I thought for a moment that I was being caught up in some Sam Raimi horror film."
• "Incubation has it all."

PC Games (Preview) October ' 97

• "Incubation looks to be one of the best tactical combat games of the year."
• "If its final version can manage to provide a wealth of inventive environments and missions, this will be one I will await playing with excitement."

PC Gamer (Preview) September ' 97

• "Here's a turn-based tactical game - a la X-Com and Jagged Alliance - with an impressive 3D twist."
• "...makes spectacular use of the technology..."
• "Incubation puts a visually exciting spin on a tried-and-true format."

Computer Games Strategy Plus (Preview) October ' 97

• "This dearth of turn-based titles might lead one to think that such games are dead, or at least have been relegated to a small corner of gaming. Games like Blue Byte's Incubation, however aim to prove those thoughts very wrong."
• "...Blue Byte has created what has to be one of the best looking strategy games ever."
• "The visuals, even at this early stage, should make some 3D shooter games envious."
• "From what we've seen so far, it seems like all the components are there for a great game: graphics, concept, ease-of-use, mechanics, and so forth."

Computer Game Entertainment (Preview) October ' 97

• "...quite impressive."
• "...a special joy for gamers who know military tactics."
• "Incubation looks like it's going to be very successful, durable and highly absorbing entree into the tactical, combat-game arena."
• "...Incubation is more like Jagged Alliance or X-Com..."

Gamepower.com (Preview) August ' 97

Rating 3 out of 4

• "The maps we played were drawn with a dark and moody industrial style, but the final product will include missions in five different areas, ranging from cities to underground labyrinths to outdoor environments."
• "Light sourcing is an important part of the engine, allowing for all sorts of spectacular weapon effects."
• "A fully configurable camera can be used to zoom and swoop around the action, viewing it from whatever angle you like."

Gamecenter.com (Preview) August ' 97

Rating 4 out of 5

• "Certainly Incubation will be filled with enough features that even RPG and action gamers could find a home here."

OGR.com (Preview) July ' 97

• "Blue Byte seems determined to become one of the power brokers in the computer gaming industry...These guys are serious."
• "Incubation probably won't win any awards for developing an original plot, but where it rakes in the brownie points is in the execution."
• "...Throw in a little Crusader: No Remorse, a sprinkle of Space Hulk, a smidgen of Warhammer, and more stomach churning gore than a Friday the 13th Retrospective, and you begin to get a little taste of what Incubation is all about."
• "The first thing that grabs you by the throat is the stunning detail of the 3D engine...it looked absolutely amazing."
• "The interface Blue Byte has developed is absolutely fantastic and deceptively easy to use."
• "A good interface is a must for this atmosphere and they have thankfully delivered."
• "While the graphics of the environment are truly impressive, what is sure to please most gamers is the graphic violence."
• "Incubation drips atmosphere and tension."
• "This effect is a great one and really lends itself well to creating a high degree of nervousness every time."
• "Incubation, even in this early stage, already wields an addictive quality."
• "Because of its turn based nature, latency shouldn't be too much of an issue. In any case, Incubation should prove to be great fun when played against other people."
• "It's nice to see something new and fresh coming out, something that blends a few popular formats into one cohesive whole."
• "If all holds true to final release, Blue Byte will no doubt have a winner on their hands."
• "Prepare yourself for Incubation."

Next-Generation.com (Preview) July ' 97

• "...uses Blue Byte's own graphics engine to create the 3D environment on the new planet."
• "Each of the environments are a far cry from the flat, less detailed terrain of most real-time strategy titles."
• "The engine allows smooth, quick animation's for the space marines and enemy creatures."
• "The weapons effects are particularly exciting with a variety of explosions and environmental damage."

Gamespot.com (E3 Report) June ' 97

• "It has the makings to become the runaway strategy hit of the year."

Gamepen.com (E3 Report) June ' 97

• "Incubation has taken the familiar platoon-level tactical game and added some twists to make it refreshing."
• "Think X-Com meets Quake and you might see the picture, and subsequently start salivating."

Next-Generation.com (E3 Report) June ' 97

• "...a playing style similar to X-Com".
• "The graphics engine is the same one that powers Blue Byte's graphically impressive Extreme Assault."
• "With the recent deluge of real-time strategy titles flooding the market, the turn-based gameplay of Incubation might turn out to be a refreshing alternative."

Strategy Plus CDmag.com (E3 Report) June ' 97

• "The Battle Isle universe returns in this new turn-based [hooray!] tactical game."
• "Using the Blue Byte 3D engine (from Extreme Assault), the game has plenty of eye-candy..."
• Incubation should prove to be great fun when played against other people."
• "It's nice to see something new and fresh coming out, something that blends a few popular formats into one cohesive whole."
• "If all holds true to final release, Blue Byte will no doubt have a winner on their hands."
• "Prepare yourself for Incubation."

Next-Generation.com (Preview) July ' 97

• "...uses Blue Byte's own graphics engine to create the 3D environment on the new planet."
• "Each of the environments are a far cry from the flat, less detailed terrain of most real-time strategy titles."
• "The engine allows smooth, quick animation's for the space marines and enemy creatures."
• "The weapons effects are particularly exciting with a variety of explosions and environmental damage."

Gamespot.com (E3 Report) June ' 97

• "It has the makings to become the runaway strategy hit of the year."

Gamepen.com (E3 Report) June ' 97

• "Incubation has taken the familiar platoon-level tactical game and added some twists to make it refreshing.
• "Think X-Com meets Quake and you might see the picture, and subsequently start salivating."

Next-Generation.com (E3 Report) June ' 97

• "...a playing style similar to X-Com".
• "The graphics engine is the same one that powers Blue Byte's graphically impressive Extreme Assault."
• "With the recent deluge of real-time strategy titles flooding the market, the turn-based gameplay of Incubation might turn out to be a refreshing alternative."

Strategy Plus CDmag.com (E3 Report) June ' 97

• "The Battle Isle universe returns in this new turn-based [hooray!] tactical game."
• "Using the Blue Byte 3D engine (from Extreme Assault), the game has plenty of eye-candy..."