E.V.O.: Search for Eden for SNES

Image: MobyGames

E.V.O.: Search for Eden

Minecraft survival mode meets SimEarth

Genre: adventure - platform

Publisher: Enix

Year: 1993

System: SNES

Gameplay Score: 3

Gameplay Notes:

I want to be upfront about this - if played right this game is sheer monotony. It's nothing but grinding and grinding and more grinding. Your only objective is to kill and eat critters to accumulate enough currency to purchase upgrades. Those ugrades are the primary gimmick of this game so if you like experimenting then Controls are not great. Movement is awkward in most of your forms and your offensive capabilities are generally difficult to score hits with. From a pure gameplay perspective this game is honestly not good at all. However, combat and movement are a secondary activity - it's the evolution gimmick which takes center stage. It's sort of like an RPG in that regard.

Level Design Score: 4

Level Design Notes:

There is a maze or two in each level and boss battles as well. Each world has a Mario style overworld so move between stages and they can be visited as much as you'd like. This affords you freedom to grind anywhere you wish.

Theme Score: 5

Theme Notes:

There's nothing else quite like it. It even includes an interesting storyline where Gaia is monitoring your progress as you evolve to hopefully become her equal. It's a weird concept but quite engaging.

Art Style Score: 4

Art Style Notes:

Clear visual language. Excellent use of color. Lovely sprite work, including absolutely adorable creatures like fish and baby dinos

Audio Score: 5

Audio Notes:

Secretly one of the best and most relaxing soundtracks on the SNES. Seriously. Play it for the music alone.

Overall Score: 73

Review ID: 151