Empires of the Undergrowth
Release Date: June 7, 2024
Steam
Developed by Slug Disco Studios, the game is an unusual real-time strategy, which places the player in control of an anthill. The experience is accompanied by a commentary resembling narration in a documentary film. This element of the game teaches the player a lot of interesting facts concerning the functioning of an anthill.
Empires of the Undergrowth for PC is an unusual strategy game, which places the player in control of an anthill. The game was created by Slug Disco Studios – an independent team.
Plot
"Your queen has set up home beneath a rotting log. She is fat and vulnerable. Her first brood will need to move quickly if the colony is to survive. Their priority now is to find food, and there is plenty around; but there are other hungry creatures in the undergrowth. The workers will need to be vigilant."
The player's actions in Empires of the Undergrowth are accompanied by a narration from a person that is making a documentary about ants. This element of the game teaches the player a lot of interesting facts concerning the functioning of an anthill.
Mechanics
Empires of the Undergrowth for PC is a real-time strategy game, which requires the player to manage the development of an anthill. The player can gradually improve their "base", build tunnels and chambers where food can be gathered and cubs can be bred. On the surface on the other hand, a ruthless fight for territory takes place – above all, the player has to face dangerous beetles and arachnids, as well as other ant colonies. What constitutes the key to success is an adequately designed nest, the right number of fighters, and choosing the right moment to attack.
Game modes
The experience consists of a few game modes. Above all, there is Formicarium, which places the player in control of a unique species of ants that can take in DNA of the opponents in order to develop certain useful features the enemy has. However, the game gives an opportunity to play as other ant species as well. Each of them has its own strong and weak spots.
Technical aspects
Empires of the Undergrowth for PC stands out with its alluring visuals presented in full 3D. Both the ant and arachnid or insect models are detailed and nicely animated. One also cannot have anything against the in-game locations – both the underground ones and those situated on the surface.
Last updated on January 23, 2018
Videos and Screens
[1:32] Empires of the Undergrowth Empires of the Undergrowth - 1.0 Release Date Announcement Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Unique Theme and Gameplay: Players appreciate the unique concept of managing an ant colony, which combines elements of RTS and simulation. The game is often compared favorably to classic titles like SimAnt.
- Engaging Mechanics: Many users enjoy the core mechanics of resource gathering, ant management, and strategic combat against various threats. The game offers a variety of ant types and enemies, adding depth to gameplay.
- Visuals and Atmosphere: The graphics and overall presentation are praised for their detail and charm, creating an immersive experience. The documentary-style narration adds humor and engagement.
- Variety in Missions: Players find the missions to be diverse and challenging, with the inclusion of skirmish and New Game+ modes providing additional content.
The main cons of the game
- Performance Issues: Several users report performance drops, particularly when managing large numbers of ants, which can lead to significant frame rate issues.
- Frustrating Difficulty Curve: Some players find the difficulty spike in certain missions to be frustrating, with long play times and arbitrary goals leading to repeated failures.
- Limited Control and UI Issues: Users express dissatisfaction with the unit control system and UI, stating that it can be confusing and lacks necessary information, making strategic planning difficult.
- Story Mode Limitations: The campaign mode is criticized for being too short and padded with repetitive missions, leading to a lack of substance and engagement.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Multiplayer Mode: Many players express a desire for multiplayer capabilities to enhance the gaming experience.
- Improved UI and Controls: Users suggest the need for better user interface design and more direct control over units to improve gameplay.
- More Content and Depth: Some reviews indicate a desire for additional missions, ant types, and gameplay mechanics to increase replayability and depth.
- Pause and Speed Control Options: The absence of pause or speed control features is mentioned as a significant drawback, especially during intense gameplay moments.
Summary
- Overall, "Empires of the Undergrowth" is generally well-received for its unique concept and engaging gameplay, but it faces criticism regarding performance, difficulty, and some design aspects that could be improved.
Summary generated on:
Empires of the Undergrowth Summary
Early Access:December 1, 2017
Platforms:
PC Windows
Developer: Slug Disco Studios
Publisher: Hooded Horse
Age restrictions: 12+
Empires of the Undergrowth System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-760 / AMD Phenom II X4 965, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GT 440 / Radeon HD 6750 or better, 5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-2400 / AMD FX-8100, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 550 Ti / Radeon HD 7750 or better, 5 GB HDD, Windows 10 64-bit
Game Expansions for Empires of the Undergrowth
Empires of the Undergrowth: Exploding Ants
Expansion
Strategy
March 24, 2025
The first expansion for the 2024 real-time strategy game. Empires of the Undergrowth: Exploding Ants expands the original game with one new species of ants and one new species of termites. The DLC features new units, capable of exploding and covering their enemies with toxic sludge.