Windows Phone 7 App of the Week: The Harvest

Date: October 29, 2010
App type: Game, Xbox LIVE
Publisher: Microsoft Games Studios
Release date: October 16, 2010
Price: $6.99
Requirements: Access to your data connection, sensors, media library, Xbox LIVE

At the MIX'10 trade show back in March, Microsoft showed off the first-ever Xbox LIVE game for Windows Phone 7, called The Harvest. At the time, the game--which was to be made available in versions for the phone, Windows PCs, and the Xbox 360--seemed more like a proof-of-concept than an actual product. The demo showed off the title's gorgeous 3D graphics, featured the first-ever look at a Windows Phone-based Xbox LIVE achievement, and arcade quality sound.

"This world is actually 3D," Microsoft corporate vice president Joe Belfiore said as he did the demo. "And you can tell as I move around the environment, my guy goes behind stuff and the creatures here are going behind stuff. And not only does it give me a really nice 3D experience, but this is an Xbox LIVE game. And what that means is I can do things like get achievements, so boom, when I blast out a bunch of those guys, I can unlock the killing machine achievement, and I just earned 10 gamer score points by doing that. And when I come over here, you'll see, again, an example that this is a real 3D environment. It's a destructible environment, in fact. I can crush that bridge. I better get over here before I fall, and in fact, I just unlocked another achievement there by being a destructive force."

It was a good demo, but I honestly never expected to see the game. So imagine my surprise when The Harvest showed up on the Windows Phone Marketplace earlier this month. It costs a whopping $6.99--the highest cost I've seen yet for a Windows Phone game--but it's quite worth it: The Harvest is good looking, as promised. But it's also a good game.

According to the promotional materials, and some in-game plot points, The Harvest is set in a universe where an evil alien race has all but enslaved humanity and is mopping up the remnants with a group of alien-human hybrids known as harvesters. As part of the Global Defense Force (GDF) army charged with vanquishing these harvesters and putting an end to their human harvest, you can take the form of three different fighters, each with unique capabilities.

But honestly, the plot doesn't matter much. The Harvest is a gorgeous and fun 3D action RPG (and not a straight-up shooter as it first appeared to be). It's immersive, and beautiful to look at, and even a bit challenging. Highly recommend.

Achievements

Because The Harvest is an Xbox LIVE title, it offers the following Achievements:

Anti-Venom You have destroyed the first Boss – Amelatu. Points: 10

Arachnocide You have destroyed the second Boss - Enki. Points: 10

Asp Wind Your stealth skills are unsurpassed. Points: 5

Completionist If you want something done right, get the GDF to do it. Points: 15

Destructive Force You are a destructive force of nature. Points: 15

Falcon EMP You left them speechless, and dead. Points: 5

Great Explorer The Harvesters can run, but they can not hide from you. Points: 15

Juggernaut You are untouchable. Points: 15

Juiced Up It's all or nothing for you! Points: 5

Kitted Out You have got style! Points: 10

Level UP You are our GDF's most decorated hero. Points: 10

Loyalty You have earned our army's complete trust. Points: 15

Multitool You know how to use your special abilities under pressure! Points: 5

Scarab Express They better get out of the way of "The Scarab Express"! Points: 5

Shutdown You destroyed the final Boss – Marduk. Points: 10

Specialist You know your talents. Points: 10

Speed Run You are like greased lightning. Points: 15

Survivor No prison can hold you. Points: 5

Trashman You have destroyed the third Boss - Kingu. Points: 10

War Journal This one is for all our fallen soldiers. Points: 10