Starship Troopers: Terran Command doesn’t reinvite the RTS genre, but it’s so steeped in its fantastic source material and great gameplay elements that it manages to be one of the best games to release in years.

"Starship Troopers: Terran Command" is a real-time strategy game based on the Starship Troopers franchise. As a commander of the Mobile Infantry, you must protect humanity from the Arachnid threat through tactical decision making and strategic unit placement. Engage in intense battles, managing resources and upgrading your forces to ensure survival and ultimately, victory.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW

Reviews

80%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,010 reviews
story391 positive mentions
replayability39 negative mentions
  • story1,886 mentions

    The story of "Starship Troopers: Terran Command" is generally described as engaging yet simplistic, heavily inspired by the original film's satirical tone. Players appreciate the humorous propaganda-style mission briefings and the nostalgic references to the franchise, but many feel the narrative lacks depth and cohesion, often reducing to repetitive objectives across the campaign's 19 missions. While the missions offer some variety, including defensive and stealth elements, the overall linearity and limited character development leave some players wanting more in terms of story progression and replayability.

    • “The story is engaging, and addictive.”
    • “This game wins on its storytelling, setting, and varied and interesting mission design.”
    • “The atmosphere is awesome, music does its job, and the simple storyline with several characters is endearing and entertaining.”
    • “The campaign story is... underwhelming... the missions are boring and repeated over and over.”
    • “The story is very starship trooper gung ho.”
    • “The missions are all exactly the same, and all the 'escort a scientist or whatever missions' are terrible.”
  • gameplay712 mentions

    The gameplay of "Starship Troopers: Terran Command" is characterized by its unique line of sight mechanic, which requires careful troop positioning and discourages the typical "deathball" strategy common in many RTS games. While the game captures the essence of the franchise with engaging combat and a variety of unit types, it suffers from repetitive mission design, clunky controls, and a lack of depth in mechanics, leading to mixed reviews regarding its overall enjoyment and replayability. Despite these flaws, fans of the series may find the gameplay enjoyable, especially if they appreciate tactical positioning and the thematic elements drawn from the original films.

    • “The gameplay is intense and gratifying, and it's fun.”
    • “The line of fire mechanic is very nice, making you think about your approach and allowing the bugs to spring traps if you're not careful.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun and most levels seem very much replayable.”
    • “The gameplay is clunky sometimes unresponsive and using unit abilities is not smooth.”
    • “The game just feels cheap with terrible gameplay, voice acting and disjointed decisions.”
    • “The gameplay is boring and lackluster.”
  • graphics273 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the detailed character models and environments that capture the franchise's aesthetic, while others criticize the low-quality UI and dated visuals. Many players find the graphics decent for an RTS, though not groundbreaking, and some report performance issues even on high-end systems. Overall, the game successfully honors the source material visually, but it lacks the polish and depth expected from modern titles.

    • “Visually, the game is a treat for fans of the franchise, with detailed character models and environments that capture the gritty, futuristic aesthetic of the movies.”
    • “The graphics are amazing for this type of game, detailed but not overly detailed to the point my graphics card sounds like a jet engine warming up.”
    • “The graphics and animations are stunning.”
    • “The graphics are very dated (I had it set on max graphics), gameplay is horribly linear, the tutorial is meh and the game plays out like it was designed by a bunch of 5th graders who have never played a video game before.”
    • “Was so looking forward to this game however it was a complete disappointment, it's a very basic strategy game however graphics are terrible, keeps lagging regardless of the settings and only by using the simple or fastest graphic option or changing between them is the only way the game stops lagging.”
    • “The menus are lacking, the graphics menu in particular (there's no customization), and the game's low budget is reflected in everything outside of the core campaign which is clearly where all the resources and effort went.”
  • music165 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to evoke nostalgia for the original *Starship Troopers* film while noting that it lacks the iconic tracks from the movie. Some players appreciate the dynamic and thematic nature of the soundtrack, which complements gameplay, but others find it repetitive or generic, feeling it doesn't quite capture the epic feel of the original score. Overall, while the music is generally considered decent and fitting, many fans express disappointment over the absence of the classic film soundtrack.

    • “The music and voice acting is well done, the maps are well made and utilized, each mission feels different, the sound effects are on point, and the troop variety matters.”
    • “The music for each map only compliments this.”
    • “The ambiance and music of the game is 10/10, and the little fed net propaganda scenes in between each mission makes it feel even more complete.”
    • “The only cons I can see are the replayability, the music (not the special effects, adding a stressful environment to the actions in-game), but the soundtrack seems extracted from a class B anime instead of the official soundtrack released in the 1990s by Tri Star Studios, getting lame over the course of a game or when the game is paused; making you rush back to gameplay before your ears start bleeding.”
    • “The music is forgettable and sad, which is made even worse when you consider that the IP had previously used Basil Poledouris's work.”
    • “I understand the composer wanted to be different, but when it is so different that you have to start humming the original soundtrack to yourself, you know it's not exactly scratching that Starship Troopers itch.”
  • replayability156 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a significant concern among users, with many noting a lack of multiplayer options, skirmish modes, and varied content. While some players find enjoyment in community-created scenarios and the potential for future updates, the current state offers limited replay value primarily through replaying the campaign on higher difficulties. Many reviewers express hope for additional features that could enhance replayability, such as a scenario editor or new game modes.

    • “The gameplay loop is fun and most levels seem very much replayable.”
    • “This game is fun, and the community maps add near infinite replay value.”
    • “They added a scenario editor, giving this game lots of replay value.”
    • “There isn't really any replay value unless you want to sort through community scenarios and hope they're fun or balanced.”
    • “The gameplay itself is really nice and refreshing, but I do not see a lot of replayability in it without a co-op mode.”
    • “The game severely lacks any form of replayability.”
  • stability89 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches that can negatively impact gameplay, such as AI pathfinding issues and freezing during missions. While some users noted that the game runs relatively smoothly and is enjoyable despite these problems, others experienced significant issues that hindered their ability to play, including crashes and unresponsive mechanics. Overall, while the game shows potential, it requires further polish to address its stability concerns.

    • “Starship Troopers: Terran Command looks, sounds, and runs great, even by regular gaming standards.”
    • “The graphics are good, and the game runs great on older equipment.”
    • “It's pretty bug-free (pun intended haha), which is nice to see for a new game release. They released a well-polished game where the only bugs you hunt down are the ones intended.”
    • “Couldn’t even get the game to launch. Went through all the troubleshooting YouTube videos and still could not get the game to launch. I sent in a ticket and got my money back.”
    • “I click the continue button on the game and it freezes every time.”
    • “Gameplay is unfortunately plagued with incomplete or nonexistent animations, frequent graphical glitches/bugs, and an overall lack of polish.”
  • atmosphere69 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its faithful recreation of the original "Starship Troopers" movie, capturing its campy humor, militaristic themes, and intense action. Players appreciate the effective use of voice acting, graphics, and music that enhance the immersive experience, although some note that the gameplay mechanics may detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, the game successfully evokes the spirit of the film, making it a treat for fans of the franchise.

    • “The atmosphere captures the movie well.”
    • “Very good game, it captures the atmosphere of the original movie very well.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game mirrors the satire of the movie.”
    • “Cut scenes are ok, interface is ok, but the game has 0 atmosphere.”
    • “It is a mediocre at best attempt to catch the atmosphere of the book and the movies with its federal network news cutscenes, but even those are C-grade animations of just moving static cutouts.”
    • “Not even close to the movie, no atmosphere, boring and repetitive mission design.”
  • grinding52 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly due to the need for extensive micromanagement and the nature of missions that often feel like a slog. While some appreciate the challenge and the strategic elements, the overwhelming number of enemy units and the lack of efficient command options lead to frustration, especially on higher difficulty levels. Overall, players suggest that the grind can detract from the enjoyment, making the experience feel more laborious than engaging.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Even on moderate difficulty, it gets very grindy in an unsatisfying way.”
    • “The game is a faithful representation of the world of Starship Troopers, but the missions are repetitive and after 5-6 missions, it becomes tedious.”
    • “The scorpion bug spam is strong towards the middle of the game; it stops being a fun challenge and becomes a tedious slog.”
  • humor52 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and strong ties to the "Starship Troopers" franchise, featuring dark satire and over-the-top propaganda that resonates with fans. While many find the comedic elements entertaining and a highlight of the gameplay, some reviewers note that the humor can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game successfully captures the spirit of the original films, providing a mix of nostalgia and humor that enhances the tactical experience.

    • “It's all just so funny, and it just gets funnier the longer you play the game.”
    • “The humor is top notch and nails the feeling of Starship Troopers.”
    • “The spirit and humor of the books and movies are alive in this one!”
    • “Oh and stop with all the stupid movie quote references, honestly it's not funny and it's not helpful, we get it!”
  • optimization39 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance on high-end systems and minimal crashes, others experience significant stuttering, pathing issues, and performance drops during intense gameplay. Some users noted that the game runs well on lower-end hardware, but there are still areas for improvement, particularly in graphics optimization and unit management. Despite these issues, many find the game playable and entertaining, suggesting that with future updates, it could become a standout title in the RTS genre.

    • “This game runs smoothly on all my lousy computers!”
    • “Lastly, performance is great and the game ran flawlessly on my 2080 Super at 4K on the maximum preset.”
    • “Runs well and is optimized; no crashes.”
    • “4090, Ryzen 7 7700X, WD Black SN850X NVMe, 64 GB of RAM, lowest fastest graphics setting and still can't play the stupid game without performance issues... it's games like this that tarnish developers' reputation.”
    • “My expectations weren't high, I'd read a few reviews, but the disappointment still cuts through when you see just how few bugs Terran Command is willing to try to put on-screen at once, even as the bodies of fallen bugs crudely slide through the floor as they desperately cull for performance from the first ten seconds of combat.”
    • “Things that are broken: I have to click several times to build a tower with engineers; it's simply not working for me on the first go. I noticed some performance issues on the last three missions; looks like there are too many bugs!”
  • monetization13 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users initially expecting a cash grab but ultimately finding it to be a well-crafted experience that honors its source material. While a few critiques label it as a lazy cash grab, many players appreciate the effort and love put into the game, suggesting that it offers good value despite its price tag. Overall, it appears to strike a balance between nostalgia and quality, distancing itself from typical exploitative monetization practices.

    • “Not because the game is evil, but because it is a brain-dead excuse at a cash grab.”
    • “This game is nothing more than a lazy cash grab at best, and if you strip away all the Starship Trooper stickers off of it, it's a bad RTS with half the functionality cut away, bad voice acting, and stupidly designed missions.”
    • “Addendum: you know a game is truly successful when a skinner box mobile developer (Joystic Limited) uses cheaply altered gameplay footage of your game to shill their own subpar mobile game (Marsaction: Infinite Ambition) on YouTube ads.”
  • emotional8 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits a complex range of feelings, from a sense of detachment regarding the fate of characters to moments of genuine resonance, particularly in the final mission. Players express a mix of frustration and sadness due to gameplay bugs and the emotional weight borrowed from the source material, which can enhance or detract from the experience. Overall, while the game successfully evokes some emotional responses, it also leaves players feeling conflicted and sometimes overwhelmed.

    • “Emotionally, I felt dirty by the end of the Gehenna DLC campaign.”
    • “I don't know what exactly made me feel this way, and for 25€, I can't help but recommend this RTS.”
    • “It borrows emotional beats from the movie too much, though the last mission's emotional resonance was good—because the movie's was good too.”
  • character development4 mentions

    Reviews indicate a significant lack of character development in the game, with players expressing disappointment over the absence of meaningful arcs or progression. Despite memorable artwork and character design, the overall narrative and character growth are deemed nonexistent, leaving players unsatisfied.

    • “The artwork is memorable and the character design is quintessentially stunning.”
    • “The mission finishes and you sit there waiting for the next mission, expecting some kind of character development arc, and instead you see credits.”
    • “There's no base building or character development.”
    • “Nonexistent story and character development.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

18hMedian play time
18hAverage play time
12-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 51 analyzed playthroughs

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