Earth 2140 Review Summary

Classic RTS gameplay remains engaging and fun with diverse factions and an excellent soundtrack, though broken enemy AI and a missing tutorial leave newcomers lost.

Top-class classic RTS: Reviewers widely praise the game as a top-tier RTS from its golden era, describing it as classic, satisfying, and all-around awesome for its time.

Engaging and fun gameplay: Reviewers find the game engaging, interesting, and fun to play, with many still enjoying occasional rounds.

Great for its era: The game is repeatedly called a fantastic classic back in the day, with graphics and setting nice for their time.

Ages well, still playable: Many note the gameplay holds up after many years, retaining its original charm and remaining a classic worth recommending.

Excellent soundtrack: The BGM and OST are consistently praised, with a mix of calm and energetic tracks; the intro music is also well done.

Broken enemy AI throughout: Players repeatedly report that the AI is broken, passive, or completely non-functional across the base game, HD, and Steam versions. Many note the AI never attacks, never builds structures, and only reacts through scripted events.

Missing tutorial leaves players lost: Multiple reviewers state there is no tutorial or that the tutorial explains nothing useful. Players are left unsure how to build units, complete objectives, or understand what the game expects of them.

Outdated graphics and interface: The interface and graphics are widely called dated and unattractive, even for the time of release. Some note the graphics are completely bad even for 2013 and leave much to be desired.

Steam version compatibility failures: The Steam release is described as not working properly on modern Windows, with fluidity problems and AI that does not function. Reviewers compare it unfavorably to other broken Windows releases.

Inconvenient and complicated controls: Controls are described as inconvenient, complicated, mediocre, and poor. Multiple reviewers find the control scheme lousy and less convenient than expected.

Classic RTS core: Reviewers consistently describe the game as a classic 90s-style real-time strategy experience. Core mechanics include resource gathering, base building, and commanding armies against AI opponents.

Command & Conquer inspiration: Many reviewers compare the game to Command & Conquer and Red Alert in style and mechanics. Some note it is harder than Red Alert, appealing to fans of the genre.

Fast-paced RTS action: The game is described as fast-paced, with large-scale unit clashes and quick decision-making. This appeals to players seeking energetic strategy gameplay.

Base building and unit production: Players construct bases, including power stations and refineries, to produce units and expand their armies. This traditional RTS mechanic is central to the gameplay loop.

Extensive mission campaign: The single-player campaign is a major highlight, featuring over 50 missions spread across factions and locations. Players note that difficulty scales as the campaign progresses.

Serious HD compatibility failures: Multiple clusters report the HD version does not launch or run properly on modern systems. Issues span crashes, compatibility errors, and complete failure to start.

Resolution and display scaling broken: Numerous display issues occur at higher resolutions and DPI settings, such as shifted images, overscan, thin bars on widescreen monitors, and two-monitor zoom. These break the UI and make play impossible.

Crashes and freezes: The game frequently crashes or freezes, including mid-game crashes, launch failures under Windows 10, and complete hangs. This affects both original and HD versions.

Unplayable on modern hardware: Feedback indicates the game fails to run correctly on modern hardware, including high-end AMD systems and Windows 10. Compatibility issues make it unplayable for many.

Buggy AI and gameplay: The AI system is buggy, and a specific bug in the EA campaign causes crashes on a Scandinavia mission. General bugginess contributes to an unplayable experience.

Classic RTS appeal: Many reviewers recommend the game to fans of classic real-time strategy and 90s nostalgia. It is considered a timeless genre classic worth trying even outside the hardcore RTS audience.

Nostalgia-driven recommendation: The game is repeatedly recommended primarily for players seeking nostalgia or replaying an old favorite. Several reviewers say it mainly appeals to those who know it from the past.

Do not buy advice: Several reviewers explicitly advise against buying the game or its series, calling it a waste of money. Some say it is not worth it even for free.

Steam version discouraged: Reviewers recommend avoiding the Steam/HD version and instead buying an old CD or playing the original release. The DOSbox versions are suggested as the better alternative.

Broken AI blocks recommendation: Multiple reviewers cannot recommend the game until the AI is fixed, citing broken AI bugs. This criticism specifically targets the Steam version as well.

Community fair range: $0.99 - $1.99.

Game completion: 4.0h.

Session length: 4.0h.

Reviews describe the RTS gameplay as boring or unplayable, with missing onboarding and broken AI. No later point is identified where enjoyment begins for these players.

Friction: No tutorial or in-game explanation for new players; Unfamiliar controls and unclear menus; Tedious base and army construction; Broken AI that camps its base; No multiplayer available; Generic gameplay and boring mission presentation.

Unlock drivers: A proper tutorial would improve onboarding; External Let's Plays and walkthroughs help players learn the game; Independent experimentation can reveal the basics quickly.

Nostalgia-Driven Veteran Collector: Revisits the original campaigns and collects physical or digital copies as keepsakes rather than playing competitively. Motivation: Reliving childhood memories and preserving a formative PC gaming experience they grew up with. Stance: buy.

Classic RTS Genre Loyalist: Plays traditional base-building RTS campaigns and evaluates the game against classic benchmarks like Command & Conquer and Red Alert. Motivation: Seeking authentic old-school real-time strategy gameplay in the mold of the genre's founding titles. Stance: buy.

Modern Player Expecting Comfort: Tries the game briefly expecting modern usability; gives up when confronted with clunky interfaces and dated mechanics. Motivation: Curiosity about a historical classic, quickly frustrated by outdated controls, menus, and design. Stance: no buy.

Steam Deck: The filtered reviews show mixed Steam Deck/Linux friction. Campaign play is generally praised, with one isolated crash reported. Trackpad input via Proton is described as broken by one reviewer, but another reports that trackpad mouse controls work fine. There is no evidence of anti-cheat errors, launcher problems, unreadable UI, or launch failure, so the experience is best classified as playable with some compatibility and input concerns.

Linux and Proton: Only one Linux-relevant review is present. It reports that playing with a trackpad under Proton feels broken, which is an input/peripheral complaint rather than a launch, stability, performance, or anti-cheat blocker. No user reports failures to start the game, crashes, graphical glitches, or required Proton Experimental/GE workarounds, and no positive Linux evidence is available either. The available evidence therefore indicates low, isolated Linux/Proton friction rather than broad incompatibility.

Comparison to Command & Conquer: The game is frequently compared to Command & Conquer, often described as a clone or a harder cousin. Some reviewers judge it favorably against C&C, while others see it as a mediocre clone.

HD version availability: Multiple reviewers note that the release includes an HD version, often alongside the original game. The HD version is available on Steam and lets players choose between the Windows and HD versions.

Includes expansion mission packs: The release includes two mission packs (Mission Pack 1 and Mission Pack 2), adding extra campaigns and missions. This is highlighted as a content-rich package.

Unfavorable comparison to Red Alert: Several reviewers compare the game negatively to Red Alert, stating it resembles Red Alert 1 but is worse in every way. Red Alert 3 is cited as several times better.

HD version only ups resolution: The HD version mainly improves resolution and basic adaptation, supporting up to Full HD. It does not make other visual or technical changes.