Beetle Uprising
- November 5, 2020
- Slug Disco
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Beetle Uprising" is a real-time tactics game with breeding simulation elements, allowing you to breed an army of beetles and lead them into battle. The game features a complex genetics system based on real-world science, allowing you to interbreed your beetles to bring out the best traits for combat, aesthetics, and survivability. The game includes 16 campaign missions and additional side missions for your beetle army to conquer.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a fun and engaging gameplay loop that allows players to breed and manage their beetles, providing a unique blend of simulation and strategy.
- The graphics and animations are well done, creating a charming and visually appealing environment for players to enjoy.
- The genetic system is detailed and offers depth, allowing players to experiment with breeding to create stronger and more unique beetles.
- The game suffers from technical issues, including crashes, disappearing UI, and bugs that hinder the overall experience.
- Gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, leading to a feeling of grind and frustration over time.
- The requirement to kill older beetles to make room for new ones can feel morally uncomfortable and detracts from player attachment to their beetles.
- story32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The game's story revolves around managing a colony of beetles, where players must send them on foraging and scouting missions to gather resources and upgrade their abilities. While the gameplay loop is engaging, some players express frustration with the high difficulty of missions and the in-game currency system, which can hinder progress. Overall, the narrative is centered on survival and resource management within a competitive environment, but it may feel unbalanced due to the reliance on upgrades and the potential for resource depletion.
“The main loop is sending beetles out on foraging and scouting missions, where if successful they return with food or furnishings for your nest.”
“You can also go to the 'world map', which is basically a map of a vacant lot with a few areas in it that are locked at the start and have to be explored with quests to get access to them.”
“There are automated missions where you can send out designated beetles on missions to gather items for your lair, or take missions whereby you are placed in charge of a group of 'offspring' beetles to take on the other inhabitants in the yard.”
“If the difficulty setting only exists in creative mode, then it is not fun, as there are no missions and enemies to beat.”
“You can also go to the 'world map,' which is basically a map of a vacant lot with a few areas that are locked at the start and have to be explored with quests to gain access to them.”
“Use the limited loot drop system, or do the repeatable missions that cost you more 'goop' than you get back from said mission, so you run out and lose the game!”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Beetle Uprising is praised for its detailed genetics system and the engaging behavioral changes it offers for beetles, providing a fun and evolving experience as players unlock new features. However, some reviewers suggest improvements such as the addition of a crafting mechanic and more diverse beetle species visuals to enhance mechanical depth. Overall, the game is seen as having significant potential, with customizable difficulty settings allowing players to tailor their experience.
“The game is really fun, I like how the gameplay changes over time and you unlock new stuff for your beetles!”
“This game is filled to the brim with potential, it has a very detailed genetics system, and the overall gameplay is not too bad.”
“Actually, any game having a difficulty setting (not in creative mode) allows players to choose the gameplay experience at the exact level they want at that certain time.”
“There is Critter Mond, Slurpy Derpy, and this, but they all feel lacking in mechanical depth.”
“The only thing I'd recommend to make it better is a crafting mechanic (for beds or food, etc.) and adding skins/visual styles of beetles to be actual beetle species (stag beetle, Hercules beetle, flower beetle, dung beetle, etc.).”
“Actually, any game should have difficulty settings (not in creative mode), so players can choose the gameplay experience at the exact level they want at that certain time.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are praised for their quality, with well-executed animations and visually appealing designs, particularly of the beetles. Utilizing the Unity engine, the game combines functional and charming graphics that enhance the overall simulation experience, complemented by fantastic sound effects. Despite lacking a major studio backing, the developers have successfully emphasized visual quality and immersive gameplay.
“The animations and graphics are quite nice, and the beetles are really well done and pretty.”
“Unity engine and great graphics, fantastic sound effects, and just a ton of fun!”
“While it doesn't have a major studio behind it, it's clear that the team has emphasized quality of simulation as well as functional yet endearing graphics that help bring your colony alive.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized for sounding jarring and reminiscent of royalty-free tracks, leading some players to turn it off in favor of their own selections. Many reviewers suggest that the music could benefit from a significant overhaul to enhance the overall experience.
“The UI and the music create an engaging atmosphere.”
“The music adds a unique layer to the overall experience.”
“While I turned off the music due to its jarring quality, I appreciate the effort put into the soundtrack.”
“The music can use an overhaul.”
“The UI and the music are not well integrated.”
“As a minor detail from my part, I immediately turned off the music as it sounded like something that was royalty-free and very jarring, replacing it with my own.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted to enhance the overall experience, with features like funny objects and whimsical environments contributing to its charm. However, some players feel that these elements are ultimately superficial and do not significantly impact gameplay.
“I think it adds some more humor to the game.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization of "Beetle Uprising" has been noted as a weaker aspect compared to "Empire of the Undergrowth," with users indicating that it falls short in this area despite excelling in other categories.
“Beetle Uprising is the beetle equivalent of Empire of the Undergrowth and then somehow manages to slightly outpace EOTU on basically everything it scores on (aside from optimization).”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users describing it as a "buggy mess," indicating significant issues with performance and reliability.
“Buggy (no pun intended) mess.”
“Buggy (no pun intended) mess.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its creativity and ability to evoke nostalgia reminiscent of classic 3D games from earlier eras. This emotional resonance enhances their overall enjoyment and appreciation of the experience.
“The game is bursting with creativity and really succeeds in evoking nostalgia for the old 3D games on vintage PCs, making me feel a deep emotional connection to that era.”
