The promising Real-Time Strategy title Starship Troopers – Terran Command is getting a free Steam demo this week, with developer/publisher Slitherine Games promising a gameplay experience true to the classic sci-fi military franchise. Originally a novel by Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers was eventually adapted into a cult-hit 1997 film by Robocop director Paul Verhoeven - which in turn spawned numerous Starship Troopers sequels and spin-offs over the past couple of decades.
Naturally, the Starship Troopers franchise has produced several tie-in video games as well, although these are as varied in reception and quality as the films and TV shows they draw inspiration from. The latest is Starship Troopers – Terran Command, an RTS that puts players in control of the human Mobile Infantry in its never-ending war against the alien Bug army. The game’s campaign is set to consist of 20 missions, during which players will build troops, manage resources, and strike a balance between tactical superiority and overwhelming firepower – just like in the Starship Troopers films.
In a press release yesterday, Slitherine Games announced that a free demo of Starship Troopers – Terran Command will be available to download on Steam during this week’s five-day Steam Next Fest event. It will consist of two campaign scenarios. The first is titled “Peace of Mine” and will task players with guiding their Mobile Infantry troops in defending a mining outpost from attacking Bugs. “Releasing a Starship Troopers - Terran Command demo at Steam Next Fest was a key decision in the development pipeline,” Executive Producer David Sharrock noted. “We really want this game to deliver on the promise of a true Starship Troopers experience, and collecting feedback from the players is an important milestone of this process.” A brief YouTube trailer for Starship Troopers - Terran Command can be seen below, courtesy of Slitherine Games.
Watch the YouTube trailer for Starship Troopers - Terran Command here.
Starship Troopers – Terran Command is just one of the many new games being shown off at this year’s Steam Next Fest, which was renamed from the Steam Game Festival in March. The first event under this new name was held in June, and featured a line-up of limited-time demos for upcoming titles like Road 96 and Severed Steel. Likewise, this month’s Steam Next Fest will put the spotlight on over 700 upcoming titles from all around the world.
Starship Troopers - Terran Command looks to be an interesting adaptation of the cult-classic Starship Troopers franchise, blending RTS gameplay with the feel of commanding a massive army of soldiers against an overwhelming insectoid force. Players looking to earn their Citizenship and defeat the bug army will be able to download the free Starship Troopers – Terran Command demo from now until Thursday, October 7th, with the game itself set for a full release sometime later this year.
Source: Slitherine Games, Slitherine Games/YouTube