Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War published by Dotemu and developed by Auroch Digital—Xbox Series X|S review written by David with a copy provided by the publisher.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Are you ready to do your part for the United Federation and join in the most realistic depiction of war ever created? Today we join General Johnny Rico and Major Samantha Dietz as they present the first ever game created under supervision by FedDev for the enjoyment of those on the path to citizenship. Ultimate Bug War follows the path of Dietz during the First Bug War 25 years ago. Even though Dietz's highly classified mission to Planet P is under wraps, Rico and Dietz are put through the wringer from the Federation approved accuracy of this training simulation.
The gameplay is very familiar, and comfortable, for anyone who enjoyed Warhammer 40k: Boltgun in specific and retro shooters in general. For your bug blasting pleasure, there are 14 weapons (including several variants on the iconic Morita rifle), 11 tactical supports, which function as single-use smoke grenades to call whichever support you need, ranging from gas bombs to guided missiles to an M7 Razorback being dropped in for support. My favorite of these is the door gunner support, because you can throw it while absolutely swarmed and then temporarily despawn as you take control of the gunner as it circles above the area you indicated, allowing you to safely delete all the bugs preventing your survival.
Map variety is nice, with each planet getting a pair of missions before moving onto the next, with each being quite visibly distinct, especially Zegema Beach, which was beautiful despite the corpses littering the resort. For every pair of mainline Federation missions you complete, you unlock a corresponding Bug mission, framed as a simulation to train citizens in Bug Tactics. You play these levels as an Assassin Bug, which can take two main forms, and temporarily a third form as a Tanker bug.
No key chasing in this game, the way forward is just to kill more bugs (or destroy more Federation buildings). Required bug kills will be marked with skulls over them, and often an event that is framed as timed won’t progress without those kills, making some of the “boss” events a serious resource juggle, including your “squad” mates as they die and re-recruit.
All in all, I think I absolutely love this game. From the visuals to the classic satire of the movie, from the set pieces to the commentary of the fighting and dying infantry soldiers. The loadout list could do with some greater variation, but it all very much fits the setting. The game is a challenge on higher difficulties, as fans of the genre should expect, but come on you apes, you wanna live forever?
Score: 9 / 10
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