	From Dust
	Developer: Ubisoft Publisher: XBLA Release Date: Out Now Players/Online features: One	Words By:
From Dust starts with the natives summoning a force which they call “The Breath”. In the natives folklore it is their way of communicating with the world. You assume the role of “The Breath” and although the natives summoned you, you have autonomy. The game starts off slow so as to get you used to how to use the controls and move the elements around with the spherical cursor. As The Breath it is your job to absorb and release the elements of Earth, Water and Lava in order to not only help the natives stay safe but also to build villages. The basic rules are that Lava cools to form rock, vegetation quickly flourishes in soil and spreads around a village, and moving water quickly erodes the terrain. The natives are on a quest to discover the Knowledge of their ancestors. They roam from one level to the next with your help, in order to clear a level you must help them develop villages around the Totems the ancestors left for them. Some of these totems give you additional powers allowing you to absorb more for a certain amount of time, turn water into jelly, evaporate water, put out wildfires, or even grant you infinite earth for a short period of time. The ancients also left behind knowledge for certain levels, these knowledge stones can contain spells which allow the natives to ward off fire or even floods. Some of these knowledge stones are simply collectables but they still offer a challenge to reach them if you must. Although this may come across as just another “God strategy game” don't let that deter you from giving it a go. As you near the last levels on the campaign it gets quite hectic. The level I am currently stuck on is all about luck, you start in the middle of an active volcano crater, which starts erupting within 30 seconds of the time you take control. To add to the complexity of this level it also rains which helps to flood the inside of the crater. You have to be quick, plan which totems/powers you are going to claim first and seemingly need to get a bit lucky to make it through this level. Don't believe me? Check this video on YouTube; the level is called ‘Movements’. Well, enough yappin’ from me, I'm off to try to beat this level. My village keeps getting eaten by fire before the shaman can make it back from the ward fire knowledge stone…

Best Bits
- Destroyable/moveable environment elements, and natural forces which are totally out of your control and part of the level to add challenge.
- Adjusts to suit both the completionist and the person who just wishes to get through the levels as soon as possible.
- Also has a very competitive challenge mode.

Worst Bits
- Controls are not the best for fine movements
- At times the AI chooses the longest possible route to reach an objective rather than the shortest route.


by: theScott