Bug Hunt Bonanza: Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War Drops Amidst a Helldivers Hysteria
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Auroch Digital, the studio behind *Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun*, has unleashed *Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War*, a retro FPS where you can fight as a Mobile Infantry soldier or turn the tables and play as an Arachnid in an RTS-hybrid mode. While the game boasts a charming early 3D aesthetic and innovative gameplay, it faces the curious challenge of launching amidst the colossal success of *Helldivers 2*.
Right, so you've just about finished liberating a planet from giant bugs, haven't you, mate? Your fingers are probably still twitching from all that stratagem deployment, and your brain is likely still screaming 'For Super Earth!' Well, guess what just landed, fresh out of the Warp (or perhaps a slightly less chaotic dimension)? Auroch Digital, the clever chaps behind the gloriously over-the-top *Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun*, have unleashed their latest retro FPS beast: *Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War*.
Now, before we dive into the glorious, multi-limbed chaos, let's talk about Auroch Digital for a sec. These wizards have a knack for taking beloved (and sometimes niche) IPs and injecting them with a potent cocktail of retro charm and modern punch. *Boltgun*, if you recall, was hailed by Caelyn Ellis in their Rock Paper Shotgun review as 'the FPS that 40k fans have dreamed of since the first time they inexpertly splodged too-thick paint all over a Space Marine.' That's high praise, and frankly, I reckon it's spot on. It perfectly captured that visceral, run-and-gun energy we all secretly crave, dripping in glorious pixelated gore. So, when I heard they were taking on *Starship Troopers*, my curiosity circuits started firing like a plasma rifle on overdrive.
*Ultimate Bug War*, which officially dropped today for PC, casts you as one of the Mobile Infantry, tasked with doing what Mobile Infantry does best: wrassling with the Arachnids across a smattering of human colonies. And yes, for those wondering, one of these delightful locales is a seaside resort planet. My brain immediately conjured images of slightly-too-low-poly palm trees and the faint, nostalgic scent of sun-baked sand mingled with bug guts, reminding me a fair bit of *Halo: Combat Evolved*'s sunnier moments. It's a nice touch, anchoring the sci-fi spectacle in something a bit more... vacation-y.
Graphically, we're not talking *Boltgun*'s straight-up Doom-era homage here. Auroch has apparently cranked the dial a few years forward, giving us something that leans more into the early polygonal 3D period. Think the heyday of *MDK* and *Turok* – that glorious era just before the dreaded 'brownification' of every action game under the sun. Boxy, chunky, but with a surprising amount of character. It's an aesthetic that speaks to my soul, honestly, like finding an old spellbook with diagrams that are wonderfully blocky but still perfectly effective. It's a subtle nod to a time when graphics were less about hyper-realism and more about distinctiveness.
But here’s where *Ultimate Bug War* really flexes its chitinous muscles, mate: you can be a Bug! No, seriously. In a truly delicious twist, there's a separate mode where you get to control the Arachnids themselves. It's described as a hybrid RTS experience, which, if you ask me, sounds like absolute chaos, and I am *all for it*. You even get a special blue bug that can transform into a flying scout, a flame-breathing tank (yes, you read that right), and a lifestealing DPS unit. My brain immediately started mapping out strategies for maximum human discomfort. All that's missing, honestly, is the chance to tunnel under walls and try to bite Michael Ironside's legs off. Imagine a special Ironside Cinematic Universe DLC where you get to tangle with Sam Fisher Ironside, performing inverted pipe takedowns on your poor centipedal backside. A man can dream, right?
Now, for the big, multi-segmented Arachnid in the room: *Helldivers 2*. It's impossible to talk about *Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War* without acknowledging the towering, bug-squashing shadow cast by Arrowhead's phenomenal success. *Starship Troopers*, the original film, was a brilliant, biting satire of fascism and military propaganda. It was clever, campy, and utterly unique. Fast forward to now, and it feels a bit like its thunder has been absolutely stolen by *Helldivers 2* – a game that, whether intentionally or not, has become the de facto spiritual successor in many gamers' minds. It's a bittersweet pill, isn't it? Like bringing a perfectly crafted, artisan cake to a party only to find everyone's already stuffed themselves silly on a ridiculously delicious, unexpected buffet.
Is it fair? Probably not. But then, when did reality ever play fair with timing? The original article mentions 'The Kids' discovering dusty VHS copies of *Starship Troopers* and uttering the cursed words, 'oh wow, a *Helldivers* movie.' And honestly, that's just a bit gutting for an IP that genuinely stood on its own two feet (or six, or eight). So, the big question hanging over *Ultimate Bug War* isn't just 'is it good?', but 'can it carve out its own space in a world currently obsessed with similar bug-blasting mayhem?'
Thankfully, if you're as curious as I am, there's a Steam demo available as of writing. So you can go kick the tyres (or perhaps the mandibles?) yourself before committing. Because while I'm cautiously optimistic that Auroch Digital has pulled off another gem – their track record certainly suggests it – the timing does present a unique challenge. This isn't just about making a fun game; it's about reminding players why *Starship Troopers* matters, beyond the recent buzz, and why being able to *play* as the bug is a genuinely compelling proposition.
So, while the collective gaming consciousness might be yelling 'For Super Earth!' at the top of their lungs, maybe, just maybe, there's still a glorious, retro-tinged place for a good old-fashioned bug hunt where you can turn the tables and become the six-legged terror yourself. I reckon it's worth a look, mate. Just try not to get your legs bitten off.
Massive thanks to Edwin Evans-Thirlwell over at Rock Paper Shotgun for bringing this absolute gem to our attention in their original article, 'Everybody fights, no-one goes AFK in Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War, the new FPS from the makers of Warhammer 40K Boltgun'. Go give it a read if you want the full lowdown!
Tags: FPS, RetroGaming, StarshipTroopers, AurochDigital, IndieGames
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun