Undertow (video game)

Gameplay

Undertow features a 15 level campaign for single-player or co-op and two multiplayer modes for up to 16 players. Players select their race (Iron Marine, Nemoidian, Atlantean, or Elect) and unit type and are then launched into battle. Each of the four races features four unique, upgradeable unit types ranging in ability from the fast and agile to the large and powerful. Players have the ability to unlock and purchase unit upgrades as they acquire points. Each unit type has three levels of permanent upgrades.

Through conquest-style battles, players obtain points by killing enemies, accomplishing team goals, and capturing check points. Points and a variety of power-ups can be used to further upgrade unit abilities.

Plot

Undertow is set underwater, where an aquatic alien race known as the Elect launches an attack on the polar ice caps, causing them to melt and flood the planet. Most of the human race is decimated in the destruction. The remaining humans band together to reclaim the planet back from the alien race. The Iron Marines, an elite group of underwater divers, are sent to combat the alien threat. Elsewhere Captain Nemo and his followers become enraged at the oceanic disturbances, joining the fight. With the city of Atlantis thawed by the melting of the ice caps the Atlanteans also become a threat, vowing to reclaim the planet and rule again.

Marketing

On April 23, 2007, Chair Entertainment announced through an official company press release that Undertow was in development for Xbox LIVE Arcade. The news had been first reported in an exclusive "first look" preview on IGN.com and quickly became a popular news item across all other major gaming news sites. In addition to the news, the company also released a 30-second teaser trailer, which revealed the first footage of the game in action. Creative Director, Donald Mustard was quoted, "We’ve really enjoyed designing Undertow for Xbox LIVE Arcade because it’s given us the freedom to create a pure gaming experience focused on fun, addictive game play. Whether a player is looking for hours of intense multiplayer or they have just 10 minutes for the ultimate gaming experience, we’re confident Undertow will be as exciting to play as it has been for us to create." Chair began production on Undertow in the fall of 2006 and the game was released on November 21, 2007.

On January 18, 2008, Microsoft selected Undertow for its free game offer from January 23 through January 27 as compensation for the holiday traffic/outage experienced on Xbox Live. Given the game's strong focus on multiplayer, Chair welcomed the opportunity to participate in this promotion as the immediate influx of hundreds of new players greatly enhanced the competitive game play experience.

A single downloadable content pack was released for the game. Titled "Path of the Elect", the pack featured a new five-mission campaign following the story of the Elect, the aquatic alien race responsible for flooding the Earth, as well as new multiplayer maps.

Reception

The game received numerous Editors Choice Awards from leading gaming publications and websites, including Official Xbox Magazine, IGN, and Team Xbox. IGN also selected Undertow as its Game of the Month for November 2007. Undertow was nominated for Microsoft's 2007 XBLA Awards and 1UP's 2007 Editors Choice Awards and was selected by Official Xbox Magazine as its 2007 Game of the Year for Xbox LIVE Arcade.

As of year-end 2010, Undertow has moved more than 634,000 units.