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Maelstrom Profile Preview - The Hai-Genti

By Staff, GameSpotPosted Jan 29, 2007 5:06 pm PT

Learn how to use the Hai-Genti aliens in battle most effectively in this final faction preview for the upcoming sci-fi real-time strategy game.

Science fiction and real-time strategy have always blended well together, because it can be fun to pit futuristic war machines in battle against one another. And most sci-fi real-time strategy games like to mix things up even more by adding in alien factions. That's certainly the case with Maelstrom, an upcoming game set on a devastated Earth. Two human factions are busy battling one another when an alien species appears. We previously covered the two human factions, the Ascension and the Remnant, and in this final faction preview, we'll introduce you to the Hai-Genti aliens. Maelstrom is scheduled to ship this February.

The Hai-Genti are looking to conquer Earth in Maelstrom.

Hai-Genti Strategies

The Hai-Genti aliens attempting to terraform Earth in Maelstrom are experts in biological warfare. After rendering their own home planet uninhabitable, the Hai-Genti aliens look to make Earth their new home. But first, they must wipe out those pesky humans. Hai-Genti tactics focus on using genetically engineered warbeasts and biological weapons, as well as tapping into the forces of nature.

One tactic that the Hai-Genti like to use is to contaminate water sources to poison their enemies. The Hai-Genti are aquatic in nature, so they like to surround themselves with water. Their mutagen pumps can flood areas with tainted water that damages human units and structures but heals the Hai-Genti.

Hai-Genti base defense doesn't rely on molding the terrain to their advantage or building defensive structures, like the two human factions. Instead, the aliens rely on their overwatch ability. This ability turns its bio-thrall unit into a proximity mine, and the aliens like to seed their perimeter with these mines. To back up the overwatch mines, the Hai-Genti rely on groups of scuttler units to take out any enemy heavy units that make it past the mines. Scuttlers can gain a powerful slime upgrade that slows enemy forces further, which can buy the Hai-Genti enough time to summon reinforcements. Meanwhile, the biological upgrades that the Hai-Genti can research are potent. They include toxins, slimes, acids, and microorganisms that can wreak havoc on the enemy.

When on the offense, the Hai-Genti like to create powerful offensive groups. The aliens can call in their larger warbeasts, such as scuttlers, crushers, sirens, and raptors. In particular, crushers can, well, crush enemy vehicles in their jaws, while sirens attack from a distance and raptors swoop in from above. If they're attacking enemy fortifications, the Hai-Genti will first commit lots of small units, such as spawn, into the fight to draw enemy fire away from the larger units. Scuttlers can then destroy enemy fortifications, clearing the way for the main assault group.

The aliens thrive on contaminated water that damages human units.

Because the Hai-Genti "grow" their biological units, they can draw upon a practically endless pool of warriors. As such, the aliens like to attack with mass, overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers. A well-balanced attack force will have plenty of melee units in the form of crushers, devourers, and spawn. Ranged units like sirens, rippers, and scorpions will back up the frontline troops. If facing soft targets, such as infantry, fire-breathing salamanders can be brought in to make short work of them. And progenitors, or giant worms, can be brought in to really finish things off. Air cover can be provided by a number of units, including pestilence and raptors.

Since the Hai-Genti are aquatic, water can be used as an advantage. While human units must figure out how to bridge or cross large bodies, the Hai-Genti can move through water naturally. Keep that in mind, as it can increase your mobility options considerably when playing as the Hai-Genti.

13 Comments

  • Ascension101

    Posted Feb 14, 2007 4:35 am PT

    played demo horriable uninstalled straight away gg releasing a 80% finished demo that most rts fans get hands on see the 2 bit worse than cnc 1 graphics play abit and uninstall, then they think no hope to game and gg your gonna flop supreme comander and cnc 3 got my cash for sure and dow 2 if it comes....

  • amm253

    Posted Feb 6, 2007 10:17 am PT

    It does sound promising. Unfortunately, poor planning times this release on the same day as Supreme Commander. I am not saying that this game will have the same sort of gameply as SupCom, but unfortunately it will be perceived as a lower quality version by the average consumer. I loved Perimeter, one of the most innovative and interesting RTS games ever, and was hoping to see Codemasters get some of the recognition they so rightfully deserved after coming up with Perimeter. Unfortunately this is gonna be like releasing a babylon 5 movie on the same day a Star Wars movie comes out. People are idiots and will go with the hype, regardless of what they actually want.

    Supreme Commander is freakin awesome, I've been playing the Beta for months and cant wait for release. This game has a wider variety of gameplay to it though and will most likely have more emphasis on story. All 3 sides in SupCom are essentially the same until tier 4. In my world there is room for all good RTSs, unfortunately this is not true for the current market.

  • GigaKaiser

    Posted Feb 2, 2007 12:22 pm PT

    "Hmm, the Hai-Genti sound like the Zerg from Starcraft, awsome. BTW did the idae for the Hai-Genti came from the Zerg because the info on this image sounds a little close to the Zerg's base construction method:"

    You could say the same thing of the Zerg and the Arachnids from Starship Troopers. The Hai-Genti was probably influenced by a number of alien races.

  • Greywind88

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 6:31 pm PT

    With so many really good rts's comming out or already out, this one seems really kinda second rate which is too bad because it would probably be really good if it weren't for all the other rts's comming out. The new concepts of how an rts should play have left this one behind. It seems like it is just repeating the old style of rts with a few variations. I must admit I can't get all that excited over this one.

  • tehmamushka

    Posted Feb 1, 2007 8:43 am PT

    This game does sound promising.

  • Lassiurs

    Posted Jan 30, 2007 7:29 pm PT

    Hmm, the Hai-Genti sound like the Zerg from Starcraft, awsome. BTW did the idae for the Hai-Genti came from the Zerg because the info on this image sounds a little close to the Zerg's base construction method: http://www.gamespot.com/pages/image_viewer/frame_lead.php?pid=930706&img=21&sid=undefined . But this game looks awsome and a great buy.

  • Thewtfpwner

    Posted Jan 30, 2007 6:04 pm PT

    Looks like a fun RTS.

  • Pete5506

    Posted Jan 30, 2007 5:26 pm PT

    nice

  • -HAC-Oscuro

    Posted Jan 30, 2007 10:36 am PT

    Impressive.

  • Mercanis

    Posted Jan 30, 2007 9:15 am PT

    I just hope this game is as crazy cool as Perimeter.

  • cjcr_alexandru

    Posted Jan 30, 2007 8:25 am PT

    Sounds cool...

  • sonictank

    Posted Jan 29, 2007 7:50 pm PT

    woot second posting! this game looks similar to c&c but way different and cooler

  • SM2099

    Posted Jan 29, 2007 5:44 pm PT

    So if they release this game in Japan will they call it: NARUTO?

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