Earth’s Dawn

Earth’s Dawn is a 2D side-scrolling action RPG set in a futuristic sci-fi world where players battle through waves of enemies using hack-and-slash combat. The game features RPG elements, allowing players to upgrade their gear and abilities as they progress through missions and face challenging bosses. With its fast-paced gameplay and retro-inspired visuals, Earth’s Dawn offers a satisfying, if repetitive, experience for fans of the genre.

Earth’s Dawn: A Deep Dive into a Flawed but Fascinating Action-RPG

Introduction

Earth’s Dawn (2015) is a game that defies easy categorization. Developed by the Japanese studio Oneoreight and published by Rising Star Games, it blends the frenetic combat of classic side-scrolling beat ’em ups with the depth of an action-RPG, all wrapped in a striking manga-inspired aesthetic. The game’s premise—a post-apocalyptic Earth overrun by alien invaders known as the E.B.E.—sets the stage for a brutal, high-stakes conflict where humanity’s last hope lies in the A.N.T.I. (Advanced Neuro-Tactical Infantry), soldiers augmented with alien technology. While Earth’s Dawn has garnered a mixed reception, it remains a cult favorite among fans of niche action games, offering a unique fusion of genres that, despite its flaws, delivers a compelling experience for those willing to engage with its systems.

This review will explore Earth’s Dawn in exhaustive detail, examining its development history, narrative and thematic depth, gameplay mechanics, world-building, and legacy. By the end, we’ll determine whether it stands as a hidden gem or a missed opportunity in the crowded landscape of action games.

---

Development History & Context

The Studio and Vision

Oneoreight, the studio behind Earth’s Dawn, is a relatively obscure developer with a portfolio that includes Freedom Wars (2014), a multiplayer action game set in a dystopian future. Earth’s Dawn was initially released in Japan under the title Earth Wars before making its way to Western audiences in 2015. The game’s development was driven by a desire to merge the fast-paced combat of classic arcade brawlers with the progression systems of modern RPGs, all while embracing a distinctively Japanese aesthetic.

The game’s director, credited under the pseudonym “Shitamachi Games,” sought to create a title that would appeal to fans of both Odin Sphere and Muramasa: The Demon Blade, two critically acclaimed action-RPGs known for their intricate combat and stunning visuals. However, Earth’s Dawn also draws inspiration from Western sci-fi tropes, particularly the idea of humanity’s last stand against an overwhelming alien force. This fusion of Eastern and Western influences is evident in the game’s design, from its character models to its narrative structure.

Technological Constraints and the Gaming Landscape

Earth’s Dawn was developed using the Unity engine, a choice that allowed the team to iterate quickly but also imposed certain limitations. The game’s 2D side-scrolling perspective, while evocative of classic titles, feels somewhat constrained in an era where even indie games often embrace 3D environments. The Unity engine’s capabilities are pushed to their limits in Earth’s Dawn, with detailed sprite work and fluid animations that belie the game’s modest budget.

At the time of its release, the gaming landscape was dominated by open-world RPGs and competitive multiplayer titles. Earth’s Dawn, with its linear mission structure and single-player focus, was something of an anomaly. It arrived alongside other niche action games like Salt and Sanctuary (2016) and Dead Cells (2017), but lacked the polish and widespread appeal of those titles. Despite this, it carved out a small but dedicated fanbase, particularly among players who appreciated its blend of combat depth and customization.

---

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot Overview

Earth’s Dawn unfolds in a near-future Earth ravaged by an alien invasion. The E.B.E. (Extra-Biological Entities) have overrun the planet, and humanity’s conventional weapons prove ineffective against them. In a desperate gambit, scientists develop the A.N.T.I. program, which grafts alien technology onto human soldiers, granting them superhuman abilities. Players assume the role of one of these augmented warriors, tasked with reclaiming Earth through a series of missions that span from the ruins of New York to the depths of alien hives.

The narrative is delivered through static cutscenes featuring hand-drawn manga-style artwork, a choice that reinforces the game’s anime-inspired aesthetic. The story is divided into three perspectives:
1. Military Briefings: These provide context for each mission, detailing the strategic importance of the player’s objectives.
2. Science Officer Insights: A creepy, unnamed scientist offers unsettling commentary on the A.N.T.I. program, hinting at the ethical and psychological toll of the augmentations.
3. A.N.T.I. Commander’s Diaries: These entries reveal the personal struggles of the A.N.T.I. troops, suggesting that the alien technology may be corrupting its human hosts.

The plot is straightforward but effective, serving as a backdrop for the game’s action. The twist ending—revealing that the A.N.T.I. soldiers are slowly becoming the very creatures they fight—adds a layer of tragedy to the proceedings, though it’s telegraphed early on through the scientist’s ominous musings.

Characters and Dialogue

The characters in Earth’s Dawn are archetypal, fitting neatly into anime tropes. The military brass are stern and unyielding, the scientist is eerie and morally ambiguous, and the A.N.T.I. commander is a reluctant hero. The game’s dialogue, delivered entirely in Japanese with English subtitles, leans heavily into melodrama, which may alienate players unfamiliar with anime conventions. However, the voice acting is well-done, and the subtitles are clear and concise.

The lack of English voiceovers is a deliberate choice, preserving the game’s Japanese identity. While this may frustrate some Western players, it reinforces the game’s aesthetic and narrative tone. The characters, though thinly drawn, serve their purpose in driving the story forward without distracting from the gameplay.

Themes

Earth’s Dawn explores several themes, though none are delved into with great depth:
– Humanity’s Desperation: The A.N.T.I. program represents humanity’s willingness to sacrifice its own morality in the face of extinction. The augmentations that grant soldiers their power also erode their humanity, a classic sci-fi trope executed with moderate success.
– The Cost of War: The game’s missions often involve collateral damage, and the A.N.T.I. commander’s diaries highlight the psychological toll of the conflict. However, these themes are underdeveloped, serving more as window dressing than substantive commentary.
– Identity and Corruption: The twist that the A.N.T.I. soldiers are becoming E.B.E. raises questions about identity and the nature of the enemy. Is the real threat the aliens, or the corruption within humanity itself? The game hints at these ideas but never fully explores them.

While Earth’s Dawn doesn’t break new ground thematically, its narrative is serviceable, providing enough context to keep players invested in the action.

---

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

Earth’s Dawn is, at its heart, a side-scrolling action-RPG with a strong emphasis on combat. The core gameplay loop revolves around:
1. Mission Selection: Players choose from a variety of story and side missions, each with its own objectives and difficulty rating.
2. Combat: Engage in fast-paced, combo-driven battles against waves of E.B.E. enemies, culminating in boss fights.
3. Progression: Earn experience points (XP) and crafting materials, which are used to unlock new abilities and craft better equipment.
4. Customization: Tailor your character’s skills, weapons, and armor to suit your playstyle.

This loop is repetitive but satisfying, particularly for players who enjoy grinding for upgrades. The mission structure is reminiscent of Monster Hunter, with a hub area serving as a base of operations between sorties.

Combat Mechanics

The combat in Earth’s Dawn is its strongest feature. It borrows heavily from titles like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, emphasizing fluid combos, aerial juggles, and precise dodging. Key mechanics include:
– Weapon Variety: Players start with a basic sword and gun but can unlock dual swords, greatswords, bows, and shuriken. Each weapon type has unique combos and strategic uses.
– Directional Attacks: Combos can be modified with directional inputs, allowing for launches, slides, and aerial attacks. Mastery of these inputs is essential for high-level play.
– Boost Dodge: A limited-use dodge mechanic that allows players to evade attacks and reposition. The boost gauge refills over time, encouraging strategic use.
– EXCEED System: A temporary power-up that enhances attack damage and grants special abilities. EXCEED units are crafted and equipped like other gear.

The combat is fast and responsive, though some players have noted that certain inputs can feel unresponsive, particularly when switching weapons mid-combo. The ranking system, which grades players on their performance in combat, is opaque and inconsistent, often rewarding button-mashing over technical skill.

Character Progression

Earth’s Dawn features a deep skill tree and crafting system that allows for extensive customization:
– Skill Tree: As players level up, they unlock new combat moves, passive abilities, and resistances. Skills can be linked to specific attacks, allowing for personalized combo setups.
– Crafting: Weapons, armor, and accessories are crafted using materials dropped by enemies. Crafting is essential for progression, as better gear is required to tackle higher-difficulty missions.
– EXCEED Units: These special items grant temporary buffs and abilities, adding another layer of customization.

The skill system is robust but can feel overwhelming, particularly for new players. The lack of in-game tutorials exacerbates this issue, leaving players to experiment or consult external guides. The crafting system, while deep, is also repetitive, as many missions involve farming the same enemies for rare materials.

UI and Mission Structure

The game’s UI is functional but unremarkable. Mission briefings are presented in a straightforward manner, and the hub area is easy to navigate. However, the mission structure is repetitive, with many side missions involving little more than defeating waves of enemies or collecting items. The lack of variety in mission design is one of the game’s biggest weaknesses, as it leads to fatigue over time.

The difficulty system is flexible, allowing players to adjust the challenge level on a per-mission basis. However, the ranking system’s inconsistency can make it difficult to gauge progress, particularly for players aiming for high scores.

---

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

Earth’s Dawn is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, with missions taking place in ruined cities, alien hives, and underground facilities. The game’s world is bleak and oppressive, reflecting the desperation of humanity’s last stand. The manga-inspired art style gives the game a distinct visual identity, with detailed character sprites and elaborate enemy designs.

The atmosphere is reinforced by the game’s sound design, which features a mix of synth-heavy tracks and metal riffs. The music is serviceable but repetitive, with many tracks reused across multiple missions. The sound effects, particularly the crunch of weapons and the screams of enemies, are well-done and add to the game’s visceral combat.

Visual Direction

The visual direction of Earth’s Dawn is one of its strongest aspects. The game’s character models are detailed and expressive, with fluid animations that make combat feel dynamic. The enemy designs are particularly impressive, with the E.B.E. ranging from insectoid grunts to towering bosses. The game’s use of color is striking, with neon accents contrasting against the grimy, post-apocalyptic backdrops.

However, the game’s environments are less inspired. Many missions take place in similar-looking ruins or alien structures, leading to a sense of visual fatigue. The lack of environmental variety is a missed opportunity, particularly given the game’s sci-fi setting.

Sound Design

The sound design in Earth’s Dawn is competent but unremarkable. The voice acting, delivered in Japanese, is well-done, though the lack of English options may deter some players. The music, while fitting the game’s tone, becomes repetitive over time, particularly during longer missions. The sound effects are solid, with weapons and abilities sounding appropriately powerful.

---

Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception

Earth’s Dawn received mixed reviews upon release, with critics praising its combat and customization but criticizing its repetitive mission structure and lack of polish. On Metacritic, the game holds a score of 68/100 based on 12 critic reviews, indicating “mixed or average” reception. Player reviews on Steam are similarly divided, with a “Mostly Positive” rating based on 260 reviews.

Critics highlighted the game’s fast-paced combat and deep crafting system as standout features. COGconnected called it “a great game for fans of 2D beat ’em ups and action RPGs,” while Wccftech praised its “genuine feel of being developed by people that have played other similar games in the genre.” However, many reviewers noted the game’s repetitive mission design and lack of variety, with IGN Spain describing it as “interesting but repetitive.”

Commercial Performance

Earth’s Dawn did not achieve significant commercial success, though it developed a cult following among fans of niche action games. The game’s price point—$3.99 on Steam at the time of writing—has made it accessible to a wider audience, contributing to its longevity.

Influence and Legacy

While Earth’s Dawn has not had a major impact on the gaming industry, it remains a notable example of a game that successfully blends multiple genres. Its combat system, in particular, has been praised for its depth and fluidity, and it has drawn comparisons to other action-RPGs like Odin Sphere and Dragon’s Crown.

The game’s legacy is one of a flawed but fascinating experiment. It demonstrates the potential of merging classic arcade action with modern RPG mechanics, even if it falls short of greatness. For fans of the genre, Earth’s Dawn is a hidden gem worth exploring, particularly at its current bargain price.

---

Conclusion

Earth’s Dawn is a game of contradictions. It boasts deep combat mechanics and a robust customization system, yet its repetitive mission structure and lack of variety hold it back from true greatness. Its manga-inspired aesthetic is striking, but its environments grow tiresome over time. Its narrative is serviceable, but its themes are underdeveloped.

Despite these flaws, Earth’s Dawn is a compelling experience for fans of action-RPGs and side-scrolling beat ’em ups. Its combat is fast, fluid, and rewarding, and its crafting system offers hours of customization. For players willing to overlook its repetitiveness, it provides a satisfying challenge and a unique blend of genres.

Final Verdict: Earth’s Dawn is a flawed but fascinating action-RPG that rewards patience and persistence. While it may not be a masterpiece, it’s a worthy addition to the library of any fan of niche action games. 7/10 – A cult classic in the making.