Dark Colony

About

Dark Colony is a real-time strategy game where combat takes center stage. Resource collection and base building are streamlined, letting you jump straight into battles against alien forces. Choose to lead humans or the Taar in a struggle for Mars, using fast-paced unit management to outmaneuver and overwhelm opponents. Each mission offers tactical challenges, with ancient ruins holding powerful relics that can shift the battlefield in your favor when things get tough. The game stands out for its no-nonsense approach to RTS mechanics, prioritizing action over micromanagement. While its 1997 release date shows in the graphics, the strategic depth and relic system have earned it a lasting following among strategy enthusiasts. The dual-campaign structure lets you experience both sides of the conflict, adding replay value as you switch allegiances to see how each faction’s strengths and weaknesses play out in the war for Mars.

Storyline

In a gloomy not-so-distant future, mankind have finally made it to Mars. The colonization of the red planet is vital for humanity's survival, as the heavily polluted Earth's resources are nearly depleted. At the same time, the Taar, a mysterious alien race that lost their homeworld many centuries ago, has decided to take Mars as their new home. As the war between the two species erupts, the player has to choose his side and lead his people to ultimate domination over the red planet. Things become even more complicated when the ruins of an extinct ancient civilization are found on Mars, revealing immensely destructive weapons that could easily turn the tide of the war in favor of the faction that manages to gain control over them first.