Meridian: New World

Meridian: New World is a real-time strategy game with some role-playing elements where you will have to clear a planet from hostile forces and prepare it for colonization.

The leaders of the United Earth have uncover a new planet called Meridian that has fresh clean waters, a breathable atmosphere and lush forests all around. They've decided to send a team in order to see if the planet is a viable choice for colonization and so a small safe zone was created.

Take on the role of the team leader: Daniel Hanson who for the past years thrived to make sure this is a safe planet to begin colonization. In the eve of the night when they should go home and reports that the planet is perfect for a new home, a transmission was received from Catherine Morgan saying something about a virus that has infected some of her squad. They've requested immediate evacuation.

The trip home had to be postponed and instead they've started to advance to the place indicated by Catherine Morgan. Due to the fact that fuel was low, they've decided to stop at an abandoned settlement and this is where all hell broke loose.

The squad in charge of getting the fuel was attacked and the attack was not anticipated due to the fact that someone on the ship had switched off the sensors. This means there's a traitor on board of the ship and also that hostile forces are still on the planet's surface.

The game's focuses on the real-time strategy battle that take place on the planet's surface. You will have to mine Shardium in order to build structures and recruit units. Upgrade their weapons from the laboratory in order to face new threats. Items will be available if you want to improve some of the units, just like in a role-playing game.

As a commander you will gain full control over your forces and the buildings, but this game features something more. A level-up system will allow you to unlock abilities that will prove life-saving: heal, more damage, more rapid fire power, etc. These abilities will consume energy, which is renewable.

Another great thing about the game is the fact that while not in a fight, you will be able to explore the ship, talk to people and perform various actions. The dialogue is a very important part of the game as the world around you will be directly affected by your answers.

With so many shooters and puzzles and role-playing game, the strategy genre feels a bit ignored, but with this game, fans will definitely rejoice. It not only looks great, but playing it feels like a breath of fresh air.