Empires of the Undergrowth Reviews

Amazing game with great potential but extremely unbalanced

A f**king addictive game! I just hope it gets further support, customisation, better resource generation and more.. It has so much potential.

Really like the game. It's a RTS game that limits you in controls and tools, but due to the narrative it makes perfect sense. Try the demo. Having played it, I could hornestly pay 50eu for it, not that I would have tried it at that price.

I was worried this game would be overwhelming but its been simple to learn and the story has been good. good beginner rts

Possibly the most fun RTS out there. The documentary-style campaign levels are awesome, the base building is super intuitive and theres so much content here for just $14. its literally perfect for every reason other than the 2 I will mention below. Positives: - the documentary levels are truly wicked. Imagine controlling a colony of ants while the VA for walking with dinasaurs talks over you. They've designed them with very grounded premises that make it feel like your playing a documentary. - After the tutorial, you pretty much know everything you need to off the bat. Its one of those games where its really simple mechanics, and they keep adding wacky spins to it. - The idea of a perminent base that you build over time is cool, though the reward system to expand it more can be annoying. food lets your ants respawn so usually if you expand too much you wont survive the next chapter as you've ran out of respawns, meaning you have to replay some campaign levels to get more food. Negatives: - The bad guy in the campaign (a fucking mad scientist) is really annoying, intentionally. He will poke his finger into your group of enemies and oneshot them, he'll unfaily add way to many enemies. Its challenging and balanced, but its one of those bad guys where he just pisses you off the whole game. - There are 2 really stupid decision in this nearly perfect game: You can't change ant types after picking in the campaign (e.g. it will let you pick for leafcutters to taunt or stun) which means you can't adapt based on the upcoming fights. The other stupid decision is that you can't reset your formicarium after making it. Whatever you build, your stuck with it. if you make a shit nest your options are keep repeating the campaign levels for more space and food or brute force the next campaign level until you win with what you have.

SUCH A FRUSTRATING GAME! Warning, spoilers ahead. There is no in-game save function, it only autosaves at the beginning of the level, so if you make ONE mistake, it's game over and you have to restart the level from scratch. That means a game you've been playing for an hour (for me it was 4.1, after defeating the bullfrog, a TON of salamanders and frogs attack you, which you are vaguely given a clue about and about 30 seconds to pull back). The bullfrog battle itself is very tough to begin with, so I thought the level would be done at that point. Nope. I had a TON of soldiers, but because the AI is so horrible, you can't get your ants to stop attacking the enemies they're already engaged with, so basically my ants just let my queen die because they don't LISTEN TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS! Also, the "evil" guy is horrible. Absolutely horrible. It's unashamedly unfair and the game knows it. The guy is an absolute psychopath. I'm guessing it's meant to be "funny," it's really not. It's just frustrating. The level design is pretty repetitive and the game mechanics are very basic. There is no way to farm for some ant types, which I suppose is meant to provide some realism, but if you don't manage your early game resources effectively, you're S out of luck and should restart the level. I don't know how many times I've had to restart the level just for a minor mistake. You only know what's coming after you've already failed several times. I mean, I'm an 80s kid, so I know how tough games used to be, but this one is tough not because the game is tough but because it's unfair and annoying instead.

I've tried to get on this game so many times but always forget why I can never get to finish it. It is extremely frustrating and frankly silly in some levels. You are 100% constantly rushed and can't really enjoy a gameplay session. The scenarios are so small, that their way of challenging the player was to constantly spawn on your nest different threats. There is a fire ant level for example where about 10 frogs spawned inside and completely wiped out the colony. I have yet to see that Discovery channel video where frogs create a small army and launch an attack. If you don't play in a very specific and forced way, it's game over. It is a shame since there is a nice base concept here.

Empires of the Undergrowth is a uniquely captivating real-time strategy game that plunges players into the intricate and often overlooked world of ant colonies. Developed by Slug Disco Studios, this indie title stands out by merging classic RTS mechanics with the biological complexity of insect societies, creating an experience that is both educational and deeply strategic. Unlike typical base-building games, Empires of the Undergrowth requires players to carefully manage and expand a thriving ant colony from the ground up, balancing resource gathering, colony defense, and exploration, all while contending with the diverse threats and challenges of the natural world. At the heart of the gameplay is the careful management of different ant types—workers, soldiers, and specialized units—each with distinct roles essential to the colony’s survival and growth. Players must excavate underground tunnels, gather food, and defend against predators like spiders and rival ant species. The game’s progression is tied to both strategic planning and real-time tactical combat, as players coordinate their ant forces in swarms to outmaneuver enemies and secure vital resources. This combination of micro and macro management demands constant attention and adaptation, rewarding players who master both the details of ant behavior and the broader picture of colony expansion. Visually, Empires of the Undergrowth impresses with its detailed and realistic representation of ants and their environments. The game's graphics balance scientific accuracy with accessibility, featuring well-rendered 3D models of ants and insects that move and interact in believable ways. The subterranean environments are cleverly designed, with tunnels and chambers dynamically expanding as the colony grows. Above ground, lush, naturalistic settings provide a striking contrast, adding variety and depth to the gameplay. The camera system is well implemented, allowing fluid zooming and rotation, which is essential for managing complex underground networks and engaging in combat on the surface. Sound design enhances the immersive experience, with subtle ambient noises of the forest floor, insect calls, and the distinct sounds of ant movements and battles creating a rich auditory backdrop. The soundtrack complements the tension and pace of the gameplay, shifting smoothly between calm exploration and intense defense scenarios. The user interface is clean and intuitive, helping players navigate the complex management systems without feeling overwhelmed, which is crucial given the many variables at play. The game’s campaign mode provides a well-structured introduction to the mechanics, gradually increasing in difficulty and complexity as players unlock new ant species and abilities. Each campaign mission introduces new objectives and environmental challenges, encouraging diverse strategies and replayability. In addition to the campaign, a sandbox mode offers freedom to experiment with colony building and survival tactics without the pressure of mission goals, appealing to players who enjoy a more relaxed, creative approach. Despite its many strengths, Empires of the Undergrowth can present a steep learning curve for newcomers due to the depth of its mechanics and the necessity for multitasking. Some players might find the initial stages slow-paced as they get accustomed to resource balancing and the intricate behaviors of their ant units. Additionally, the AI can occasionally feel inconsistent—while enemy behaviors are generally intelligent and adaptive, there are moments when pathfinding or attack patterns seem less refined. However, ongoing updates from the developers continue to address these issues, improving polish and expanding content. In conclusion, Empires of the Undergrowth is a refreshing and innovative strategy game that offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex world of ants through engaging gameplay and thoughtful design. Its blend of realistic simulation, strategic depth, and accessible controls makes it a standout title for fans of RTS games and nature enthusiasts alike. While it demands patience and learning, the payoff is a rewarding experience that challenges players to think creatively and tactically in a vibrant ecosystem. For those seeking a game that combines science with strategy in an original way, Empires of the Undergrowth is a compelling and enjoyable choice. Rating: 9/10

This game walks a perfect line between somewhat realistic and fun to play, which makes it kind of a rare gem among animal sim games. Feels like a perfect spiritual sequel to SimAnt, and you can play with controller. I love the gameplay, which I would describe as Arcade-style RTS. It's a bit stripped down, but it's refreshing as opposed to most RTS and sim games that are all stats and windows.

Positives: -not overly complex -Gui is simple and easy -Realistic relatively to most other insect games -Large to medium variety of ant species -Mid story, but a story for an insect game is cool -Variety of prey and predators is amazing -No big pay walls, you dont have to pay for a dlc that has 20% of the game in it. While there is a few it's not like EA or Paradox interactive -Music is nice and a makes you shiver sometimes! Negatives: -AI is very simple, a rival ant colony sometimes ignores the other insects. So they both team up on you! -A little repetitive, eat, make ants, eat, make ants, eat, make ants. Of course there is more than that but usually thats 70% of the goal basically Overall: One of the better games I play, If you like biology and/or strategy you will love this! However I know lots who dont like either but still love this