This article was originally published on 4 December 2019.
Starship Troopers hasn’t found much success since its 1997 outing as a movie adaption of Robert A. Heinlein’s sci-fi novel of the same name, but a revival looks set to be in order. Come 2021, the act of squashing bugs may very well return in fashion, as strategy publisher Siltherine brings a new series member back into the fray.
Titled Starship Troopers: Terran Command, the game takes after its film counterpart, and is set to feature a mix of classic real-time strategy (RTS) mechanics, tower defence, and tactical unit deployment. Players will be given control over the Mobile Infantry troops as they fend off massive waves of Arachnids, but that’s not all – the above gameplay reel promises the added element of strategical prowess, where chokepoints and elevated terrains can be used for unit deployment.
The various designs of mechs, troop carriers, and bug types are also glimpsed, including one that can shoot a laser out of its tail. Having engineers on your team allows for the building of fortifications, turrets, and minefields, and even that might not be enough to stop the pesky aliens from swarming your base. Overwhelming players with huge numbers is one thing, but to be able to lie in ambush and stay out of the game’s line of sight? What slippery, slimy weasels!
Since Starship Troopers: Terran Command falls into the same universe as the 1997 movie, the team has made sure to give authenticity some thought. “We aimed to capture the essence of the original movie and its universe,” Iain McNeil, development director at SIitherine, shared. “This is not only achieved by creating a coherent set of units and scenarios, but also by mimicking the language, visual elements, dialogues, and the little details that made the film such an iconic, cult feature.”
While it’s always nice to see more RTS additions to the gaming scene, repeatedly fighting off wave after wave of enemies can get quite monotonous, which is a concern. With The Aristrocrats, the studio behind World War 2 wargame Order of Battle, at the helm, however, the RTS aspect of Terran Command should at least be in good hands.
No exact release date has been announced yet other than “Out in 2021”, but further details about the game may be found over at its Steam Page. Slitherine will also be revealing Starship Troopers: Terran Command on Twitch, so fans can head over to have a look if they so desire.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
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Jake Su
