I'm going to start off saying that I have no idea of CURE will be a fun game to play, but it is crazy interesting, unique, and creative. RTS games and attempts to make them are in a definite lull in the gaming world these days, so it is compelling to come across something with such a unique theme that is incredibly easy to see and understand as an RTS game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-5rWka74-c Players take the role of a scientist that can engineer his/her own microbes to go out and destroy the most deadly diseases to protect humanity ... or engineer something to destroy it. That's pretty much the setting and the theme for the game, which is matched incredibly well by the aesthetic. I was sold immediately.
Getting into the gameplay, CURE adds some interesting elements to the RTS genre. First, the way in which you upgrade units is unique—the Greenlight page says it is comparable to systems seen in RPGs. You choose how units evolve, upgrade, and change allowing unique creations that are also permanent.
It goes further than that as you "reproduce," aka produce units, there is a chance to have a mutation. Those mutations will be passed down generations if you reproduce with those units, and the winner of the match at the end gets to keep the mutations as genes. Genes are like items in your inventory you can then "plug in" to your units for permanent upgrades.
The persistence of the units you create and what that means is still a little of a mystery. Does this mean that you can have multiple saves or "microbes" that are themselves different teams you have evolved, upgraded, etc. over time? There is a army building and resource collecting aspect to the game so how does that play into that persistence? However it is implemented, it could be interesting.
Speaking of resource collecting, that is somewhat unique in CURE too. Instead of having your standard base building with worker-like units there to collect resources, you have to explore the map and collect them with the units you have. So you move your microbe around to the various nutrients and what have you to gather resources and build up an army.
Another interesting thing to note about CURE is its use of the environment. Many RTSes have things like line of sight, elevations, and a certain 3D depth to the battlefield, but CURE does not have that. Instead, there are various physical objects throughout any given map you can move around to create your own strategic defensive area, or whatever comes to mind. That idea adds another layer of strategy in that you're not only thinking on countering certain unit types, but you have to also watch out for what your opponent may have planned for you in the environment as well.
If you're interested in RTS games, or just enjoy interesting concepts, CURE is something I'd say is worth checking out. It has some cool things going for it and the design so far appears very competent. In any case, most of you likely knew from the video at the beginning whether or not you were interested in playing the game.
Check out the Greenlight page if you think CURE is something that interests you, and the developer, Cryogenic Entertainment, is also running a Gamekicker campaign where you can find a playable demo.
What do you think of CURE? What will it have to do to be a successful RTS?
