Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Conquest Earth: “First Encounter” delivers a rich real-time strategy experience that pits humanity against the mysterious inhabitants of Jupiter, the Jovians. Players can choose either faction and immediately notice distinct menu layouts tailored to each side’s strengths and weaknesses. The human interface emphasizes rapid deployment and reinforcement of units, while the Jovian menus focus on specialized troop abilities and atmospheric countermeasures.

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One of the standout mechanics is how each faction copes with foreign environments. Jovian forces must contend with Earth’s dense atmosphere, which impairs visibility and sensor range. To overcome this, they deploy advanced reconnaissance drones and cloaking units that temporarily clear atmospheric interference. Meanwhile, human armies struggle with the sulfuric shrouds of Jupiter, requiring experimental filtration tanks and heat-resistant armor for survival.

Adding to the strategic depth is the innovative picture-in-picture (PiP) view system, reminiscent of multi-camera sports broadcasts. At any moment, you can monitor up to three separate battlefronts, ensuring no flank goes unnoticed. This flexibility lets you micro-manage critical skirmishes while keeping an eye on your broader war effort, dramatically reducing the need to constantly switch screens.

Graphics

The visual presentation in Conquest Earth is both functional and occasionally breathtaking. Terrain modeling showcases Earth’s lush forests and desert plains, contrasted by Jupiter’s swirling, sulfur-laden skies and rocky outcroppings. Unit models are crisply detailed, from the steel-plated tanks of the human army to the bio-luminescent walkers of the Jovians.

Special effects play a significant role in immersing the player. Explosions, laser beams, and ion cannon blasts produce satisfying particle effects, and environmental hazards—such as dust storms on Earth or acid rain on Jupiter—add a dynamic layer to each mission. Watching the Jovian cloaking devices ripple atmospheric distortions or the human filtration units vent toxic plumes underscores the stakes of fighting in alien conditions.

Performance is generally smooth on mid-range systems, though the PiP feature can introduce slight frame drops when all three views are active with high particle counts. The developers have included quality presets to help players balance fidelity and framerate, ensuring that even those with modest hardware can appreciate the game’s visual ingenuity without compromising responsiveness.

Story

At its core, Conquest Earth weaves a compelling narrative of interplanetary conflict and survival. The opening cinematics set the stage: a human expedition to Jupiter gone awry, provokes the Jovian civilizations into a defensive war for their own survival. From the first mission, you feel the tension of a war fought far beyond Earth’s boundaries.

Each faction’s campaign unfolds through a series of missions interlaced with mission briefings and in-engine cutscenes. Human officers debate the ethics of deep-space colonization, while Jovian generals lament the destructive forays of these armored invaders. These story beats are well-acted and provide context to each battlefield objective, whether it’s capturing a sulfur refinery or disabling a planetary shield generator.

The dual-campaign approach allows players to see both sides of the conflict. Shifting perspectives from human to Jovian highlights how each race interprets the same events differently: an orbital bombardment is heroic liberation for one side and heartbreaking devastation for the other. This narrative symmetry adds weight to your decisions and motivates multiple playthroughs.

Overall Experience

Conquest Earth: “First Encounter” stands out as an RTS that doesn’t just rehash familiar mechanics—it challenges players to adapt to alien environments and asymmetric tech trees. The dual-faction design offers high replay value, ensuring that no two campaigns feel identical. Whether you favor the disciplined firepower of humanity or the organic tactics of the Jovians, there’s a compelling strategy waiting to be mastered.

The game’s learning curve is moderated by two modes of play: a streamlined “normal” RTS setting for newcomers, and an advanced variant that exposes every micromanagement option—ideal for veterans seeking a deeper strategic sandbox. A comprehensive manual and in-game tooltips guide players through complex controls, but you’ll want to revisit the documentation when tackling the hardest difficulty.

Ultimately, Conquest Earth delivers a robust package for strategy enthusiasts. Its rich mechanics, visually engaging battles, and thoughtful storytelling combine into a package that’s greater than the sum of its parts. Whether you’re commanding Earth’s final defense or fighting for Jovian sovereignty, this game offers a fresh take on interplanetary warfare that will keep you strategizing mission after mission.

Retro Replay Score

6/10