 | Digital Release | PC April 29, 2009 - Steam April 2009 - PC Platforms |
| Delisting | No later than July 22, 2009 | |
| Developer | Black Wing Foundation Dreamlore N-Game |
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| Publisher | Mezmer Games | |
| Available On | None | |
| Links | Stalin vs. Martians homepage [Archive] Steam Store page [Archive] SteamDB page |
Delisting
Stalin vs. Martians was delisted on PC platforms (Steam, Direct2Drive, GamersGate, Impulse) no later than July 22nd, 2009. By that date the game’s homepage was updated to read that “the game is currently not available for purchase at the digital distributors. Watch for the updates, the upgraded SvM is on the way!”. However, the upgraded release never materialized.
The game received a patch and price cut in June of 2009 but performance issues, along with its poor reception, may have persisted to the point that the game was removed from sale. Paradox Interactive may also have sought to distance themselves from the bad publicity as Stalin was sub-label Mezmer Games’ debut release.
One of the co-developers of the game, Dreamlore, was absorbed by KREMLINCORP Entertainment around its founding in 2010, apparently also obtaining the Stalin vs Martians property. Publisher Mezmer Games appears to have stopped operating in 2010 as well with their only other announced title, Legio, ultimately being released under Paradox Interactive’s label.
A Kickstarter campaign was next launched in November of 2013 to fund the development of Stalin vs. Martians 3 — providing the explanation that SvM2 was “too boring to develop” — and would have rewarded backers with a copy of the original Stalin vs. Martians had it succeeded. Around 2019 KREMLINCORP announced plans for Stalin vs. Martians 4 in honor of the original game’s tenth anniversary but as of January 2022 it also has yet to be released.
About the Game
Stalin vs. Martians, as the name suggests, is a game both masterfully trashy and absolutely over-the-top. Fun and accessible, it takes a simple arcade-like approach to the genre of real-time strategy. The player controls the Red Army, as it defends Earth from the Martian Invasion of 1942, that highly classified military operation which even today remains a closely guarded state secret. Stalin himself conducts the mission briefings, and later even becomes a playable unit. The bold leader is duly serious, even as he faces the most ridiculous threat the world has ever known.
The game itself is far from standard RTS fare: this is no realistic and deeply strategic war simulation, but a straightforward, fun and light-hearted arcade-style game – complete with power-ups falling from conquered foes in the form of bright shiny coins.
- Unique concept and design.
- Fast-paced and lighthearted arcade-style real-time strategy, with power-ups, coin-collection and speedy reinforcements.
- Accessible and fun, well suited even for people who don’t normally play strategy games.
- A single-player campaign of 12 missions.
- Incredible Russian soundtrack and wild music-video intermissions.
Thanks to Geon for submitting this game to the site