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Bugs, bugs, and more damn bugs.

That's what this game's about—or more precisely, the stomping of such scourge.

This is a 16 player COOP venture into monster infested lands, both conquest and defense of territory.

The process is simple, queue up, join a squad, and prepare for the madness.

Build, protect, conquer.

There are 4 main classes to choose from, and many missions to undertake for the glory of humanity.

But the core of the game is wave based defense of an expandable and upgradable base.

Many comparisons could and are often drawn between this title and that of Helldivers, an unfortunate result of sharing similar space. However, StarshipTroopers isn't a copy nor cheap knock-off. It's based on the 1997 film based on a book by the same name.

Yes, it's a PvE 16 player coop against waves of ever more dangerous insects, and yes you are part of a ruthless meatgrinder of a militaristic society.

But that is where they begin to diverge into their own identities, with Starships focusing exlusively on the eternal war between man and bug as is written in the book on which it stakes its design.

There is enough within this title to warrant giving it a chance with open eyes, and familiar concepts well executed enough, to attract players from similar make games.

The only Good bug... is a  DEAD BUG!

Enlist in the MOBILE INFANTRY today!

As hinted, you are a soldier, 'enlisted' by the Terran Federation to clean the filth.

You are here to exterminate, to defend and conquer.

If you're lucky you might earn some rights along the way!

There is not much story to the game itself, as it relies heavily on the original media for context, and focuses more on the current state of war.

The backstory is not really present, so for those engaging in this title without context could jump to namecalling and accusations of copying, but it really is sprouted from the idea of a never ending war as humanity tries to colonise the insect filled expanses of space.

You will find that the theme of such a world, and the missions closely align with that, and have a similar but more checkpointed approach to the global war meter as seen in games like Warframe during Invasion events.

The approach is also somewhat reminiscent of the Battlefront series and Battlefield series in that regard.

Performance

I had a significant struggle in getting the game to deliver high performance. There is no sugarcoating it. I was able to play with the occassional rare stutter after lowering my graphics to Low. I also tried downscaling from 2k to 1080p.

My fps would not reach beyond the 45fps mark and hovered around 20fps most of the time.

This is not the expected performance, especially given the recommended and minimum requirements.

I well overshot both, and uncapped my fps, yet found frecuent visual glitches, and rendering delay unjustified to the quality and graphics card that were used.

CPU : Intel(R) Core (TM) i7-10750H CPU @ 2.60GHz
RAM : 16 Gb
GPU : NVIDIA GeForce RTX2060(Mobile)
Monitor: ROG 2K/QHD Fast IPS 144Hz

I believe perhaps there could have been some form of optimisation issue more so than a direct struggle of the graphics card to keep up. The game didn't feel slow or lagging behind, but rather like it just wasn't outputting as intended.

Gameplay

You do what you came to do, exterminate.

The core game loop is enjoyable, and I would highly recommend playing it with friends as it would highly benefit from open comms and actual strategy.

Playing completely isolated from your team results in a more chaotic but disconnected game, it's not the same as the base is built at random and without clear organisation, as well as just turning into a repetitive moshpit.

But it is fun. Especially for those that prefer a build and defend-type angle in pvp.

The base building is actually a crucial and satifying mechanic of the game that gives it its characteristic difference from other alien squashing wave type games. Places have more permanence and importance, and are strictly bound to the wave structure that rules the main game mode.

There are many modes of play and the map is much bigger than just your base.

Leaving it and exploring however, is a death sentence I have yet to exonerate myself from.

Graphics

I have mixed feelings here.

Had the game run on 200fps at atleast medium quality settings, I would have considered them sufficient given the lightweight impact on the performance. But due to what I suspect to be optimisation issues, I cannot consider the performance equivalent to the quality of the graphics that you are delivered.

I am not asking for 4k, however too weak of  a stylised look or too weak of a realist design, will lead this game to always be compared as the mediocre twin to other better marked titles. 

The man may make the suit, yet a jumper is still better than a white T-shirt.

The game lacks in originality in graphics, it lacks style to define it or realism to immerse.

Again, it relies on StarshipTroopers film as a source of inspiration, but it could do a better job of emulating or evolving upon that format with better quality-performance ratio.

The alien bugs, are unique, and disgusting. So great job in that regard. You will find a wide variety of freakishly horrifying creatures with too many legs and too many ways to kill you.

Sound Design

If  there was music I may have zoned it out due to the bugs trying to eat my face.

In general it was fine, no real comment in favour or against the current sfx landscape.

Feedback for shooting and tossing pineapples is satisfying and clear.

When fire rains on you the game will surely let you know of the incoming hot potato.

Help

You are going to die. You are going to turn around in what you thought was a safe place, only to find a breach in the wall and a salivating tiger insect standing above you. That is reality. 

But fear not. Once the round ends, or once a medic decides to stop looking at his hands you get revived, and a small grace period to build and repair begins.

Don't think you are safe in tall towers. That which is possible to be lobbed at you, WILL be lobbed at you.

The only safe space is one without bugs, and as the rounds close in and that mountain of bug carcass piles around you, then you will find some peace and determination.

There is always more grasshopper to fry so get shootin.

Hope

I would like to hope, that Offworld can overcome the limits that have been set upon them.

The core game mechanics are good and user interest over time shows that they are actually headed towards a strong and commited playerbase.

I enjoyed the base construction aspect of the game, as it made me feel like I am actually encroaching on alien lands trying to root ourselves in hostile surroundings.

As fate had it, the film had a contentious and troubled reception. It is for that reason that I believe the theme has had the same effect on this game, coming at a time of genre saturation, as well as the challenges with comparison. Despite StarshipTroopers being somewhat pioneers in the man vs bug genre, its expansion into the videogame world, could not have come at a worse time, with the release being this very year of 2024. The cards were stacked against them and it can't have been given the proper time to mature as one might have wanted.

The game needs time, time to distinguish itself, time to hone its true identity and style that lies dormant within. As it stands, it's a fledgling, a playable and enjoyable title that will only get better over time, given its growing and dedicated community and future legacy in mind.