We wish to joke about ‘What if you could talk to the monsters?’ right here on RPS, however Junkfish’s new XCOM-ish turn-based techniques sport Attack Of The Earthlings goes one step additional, prompting us to ask probing philosophical questions past even ‘What if man was the true monster after all?’.
Faced with an implacable, capitalist and shamelessly company foe invading from the planet Earth, you too can be compelled to ask your self: ‘What if the Chrysalids were the good guys?’.
Playing because the insectoid Swarmers, you’re tasked with defending your planet in opposition to company human invaders, right here to strip your world of its pure assets earlier than buggering off again into house to promote all of it to the best bidder. It’s as much as you to steer a guerrilla battle in opposition to your would-be oppressors, and perhaps eat a number of of them alongside the best way; presumably there’s no Geneva Convention on planet X-13.
Rather than solely ape (bug?) the Chrysalids, the Swarmers don’t spawn new models straight inside fallen people, however relatively devour their foes to transform into biomass, which in flip will be funneled into the manufacturing of further models. It appears that this can be a considerably extra close-combat-focused sport than XCOM, along with your insectoid troops scuttling via vent shafts and interesting in stealthy infiltration greater than head-on assaults.
Wearing its inspirations proudly on its chitinous sleeve, not solely are comparisons to XCOM onerous to flee when taking a look at Attack Of The Earthlings, however the press launch we obtained cites each The IT Crowd and Father Ted as tonal touchstones. Aiming excessive for positive. Given how onerous comedy is to do proper in any medium, not to mention video games, I’m all of a sudden intrigued as as to if Attack Of The Earthlings comes inside 100 miles of the mark, writing-wise.
Reviews for this one appear comparatively constructive thus far, though widespread complaints on the grapevine appear to be that the sport is – in contrast to XCOM – linear and mission-based and maybe a bit of on the straightforward aspect, that means it’s not fairly the three-course xeno-tactical expertise that these contemporary from War Of The Chosen are in search of, but it surely might nicely be a pleasing little tactical snack in-between greater video games. Snacktical, even.
Attack Of The Earthlings is out now on Steam for $22.50/£18, with the now-customary 10% low cost off for the primary few days after launch.
