DESCRIPTION

The collapse of Earth begins quietly in the year 2048. The United Nations commits to saving the environment by utilizing all resources to eliminate dangerous areas of radiation. Major corporations rebel and attempts are made to usurp power from the U.N. — the renegades are defeated. Corporations are dissolved and the U.N. seizes all facilities in the effort to save the planet.

In the early part of the 22nd century (2109), artificially produced "ozone replacement" begins to close the holes in the ozone layer, reducing radiation levels. For the next 400 years Earth prospers. Ecological and humanitarian problems are eliminated and the focus turns to scientific advancement. The U.N. military force ensures peace worldwide.

Combining elements of Einstein's Unified Field Theory with anti-matter physics, scientists, in 2563, create a means to explore space through "warp" technology, a new form of spacecraft propulsion. Finally, travel between solar systems becomes reality. Five years after the technological breakthrough, the first manmade probe reaches another star system, reaching speeds of eight times the speed of light. Within a decade, two fully equipped research ships are launched. Man is on his way to the stars.

Fourteen years after liftoff, all contact with Explorer 1 is lost after a frantic recorded message is received, indicating the ship was being approached by an alien entity of sorts. The crew is considered missing and presumed dead. The other exploratory ship, Explorer 2, returns in 2609, having successfully located several habitable planets in the far-reaches of the galaxy.

In the year 2615, Explorer 2 returns to space to colonize the newly discovered habitable planets. The launch barely beats an uprising on Earth the following year that eliminates the old regime and brings in a new era of Earth control by rebel forces. Sustaining damages when traveling through an uncharted asteroid field, Explorer 2 finally arrives at the new solar system in 2621. The warp generators explode due to stress factors encountered in deceleration. A small number of survivors escape and make it to a planet, dubbed New Earth. The long process of survival and colonization begins.

Reunion begins 300 years after that event. New Earth is thriving, self-sufficient, stable and free from conflict and disease. Technology is nearly on a par with that of old Earth at the time of departure and space travel is imminent. You can explore up to eight different solar systems and encounter more than ten unique alien races. The ultimate goal is to return to old Earth and reunite the peoples of Earth once again. The mystery lies in what has happened on the home planet and what wondrous life and technology can be found on new worlds.

Maintaining a cast of advisors in areas relating to your space fleet, construction, fighting forces and development is essential to gameplay. Building new structures, mining resources, researching and designing new machinery, projects and technology and managing inventory all complement the eventual exploration and colonization of new worlds. Combat is inevitable as you encounter hostile alien forces in either space or ground warfare.

Adventures in the vast reaches of space await you — do you have what it takes to reunite the people of Earth from a galaxy far, far away in Reunion? ~ Michael L. House, All Game Guide