Lost Souls picks up where the first two acclaimed Earth 2150 games left off, with billions of people having already evacuated Earth before its degenerating orbit leads to natural cataclysms of apocalyptic proportions. Three factions now fight to gain access to escape ships or, failing that, to take revenge on those they blame for their setbacks. Over the course of the single-player campaign, you’ll command all three forces, in either the suggested order or starting with your side of choice.

One of the most attractive features of the Earth 2150 games is the handling of unit production: instead of churning out a set variety of units, you mix and-match chassis, weapons, shields, and armor to make customized weapons of war. Each side has unique weapon mounts — e.g., plasma guns for the United Civilized States and sonic cannons for the Lunar Corp. All weapons can be improved through research, and eventually you’ll discover nuclear bombs and even the ability to launch devastating meteor showers.

A mouse-based system for tilting, rotating, and zooming makes viewing the battlefield easy. Though the graphics engine seems to be the same as in the original game, it’s still got pizzazz: zoom in for a close-up during battles, and the brilliant pyrotechnic effects will give you the urge to duck for cover.

Like any complex game, Lost Souls has its quirks. Its “fog of war” is both annoying and anachronistic — to think commanders wouldn’t know the terrain of every area on the globe 150 years from now is laughable. Plus, time actually advances bit by bit in Pause mode as you click to queue production of buildings and units — not a lot, but hell, it shouldn’t advance at all.

Thankfully, the long, challenging single-player missions, full support for Internet play over Earthnet, and a built-in (albeit undocumented) mission editor more than compensate for these little glitches.

Though Lost Souls offers few new units or gameplay enhancements to distinguish it from Earth 2150: The Moon Project, it packs plenty of punch for series newbies.

— Stephen Poole