Empires of the Undergrowth

This game walks a perfect line between somewhat realistic and fun to play, which makes it kind of a rare gem among animal sim games. Feels like a perfect spiritual sequel to SimAnt, and you can play with controller. I love the gameplay, which I would describe as Arcade-style RTS. It's a bit stripped down, but it's refreshing as opposed to most RTS and sim games that are all stats and windows.

Positives: -not overly complex -Gui is simple and easy -Realistic relatively to most other insect games -Large to medium variety of ant species -Mid story, but a story for an insect game is cool -Variety of prey and predators is amazing -No big pay walls, you dont have to pay for a dlc that has 20% of the game in it. While there is a few it's not like EA or Paradox interactive -Music is nice and a makes you shiver sometimes! Negatives: -AI is very simple, a rival ant colony sometimes ignores the other insects. So they both team up on you! -A little repetitive, eat, make ants, eat, make ants, eat, make ants. Of course there is more than that but usually thats 70% of the goal basically Overall: One of the better games I play, If you like biology and/or strategy you will love this! However I know lots who dont like either but still love this

FOR THE COLONY!!! P.S. Very flavorful and unqiue RTS with interesting combat and awesome mechanics for each ant species

Fun spin on RTS, first game since Starcraft II I've been motivated to collect all the achievements for; most require you to play the level in a specific manner that adds a whole new level of challenge.

Empires of the Undergrowth is a uniquely captivating real-time strategy game that plunges players into the intricate and often overlooked world of ant colonies. Developed by Slug Disco Studios, this indie title stands out by merging classic RTS mechanics with the biological complexity of insect societies, creating an experience that is both educational and deeply strategic. Unlike typical base-building games, Empires of the Undergrowth requires players to carefully manage and expand a thriving ant colony from the ground up, balancing resource gathering, colony defense, and exploration, all while contending with the diverse threats and challenges of the natural world. At the heart of the gameplay is the careful management of different ant types—workers, soldiers, and specialized units—each with distinct roles essential to the colony’s survival and growth. Players must excavate underground tunnels, gather food, and defend against predators like spiders and rival ant species. The game’s progression is tied to both strategic planning and real-time tactical combat, as players coordinate their ant forces in swarms to outmaneuver enemies and secure vital resources. This combination of micro and macro management demands constant attention and adaptation, rewarding players who master both the details of ant behavior and the broader picture of colony expansion. Visually, Empires of the Undergrowth impresses with its detailed and realistic representation of ants and their environments. The game's graphics balance scientific accuracy with accessibility, featuring well-rendered 3D models of ants and insects that move and interact in believable ways. The subterranean environments are cleverly designed, with tunnels and chambers dynamically expanding as the colony grows. Above ground, lush, naturalistic settings provide a striking contrast, adding variety and depth to the gameplay. The camera system is well implemented, allowing fluid zooming and rotation, which is essential for managing complex underground networks and engaging in combat on the surface. Sound design enhances the immersive experience, with subtle ambient noises of the forest floor, insect calls, and the distinct sounds of ant movements and battles creating a rich auditory backdrop. The soundtrack complements the tension and pace of the gameplay, shifting smoothly between calm exploration and intense defense scenarios. The user interface is clean and intuitive, helping players navigate the complex management systems without feeling overwhelmed, which is crucial given the many variables at play. The game’s campaign mode provides a well-structured introduction to the mechanics, gradually increasing in difficulty and complexity as players unlock new ant species and abilities. Each campaign mission introduces new objectives and environmental challenges, encouraging diverse strategies and replayability. In addition to the campaign, a sandbox mode offers freedom to experiment with colony building and survival tactics without the pressure of mission goals, appealing to players who enjoy a more relaxed, creative approach. Despite its many strengths, Empires of the Undergrowth can present a steep learning curve for newcomers due to the depth of its mechanics and the necessity for multitasking. Some players might find the initial stages slow-paced as they get accustomed to resource balancing and the intricate behaviors of their ant units. Additionally, the AI can occasionally feel inconsistent—while enemy behaviors are generally intelligent and adaptive, there are moments when pathfinding or attack patterns seem less refined. However, ongoing updates from the developers continue to address these issues, improving polish and expanding content. In conclusion, Empires of the Undergrowth is a refreshing and innovative strategy game that offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex world of ants through engaging gameplay and thoughtful design. Its blend of realistic simulation, strategic depth, and accessible controls makes it a standout title for fans of RTS games and nature enthusiasts alike. While it demands patience and learning, the payoff is a rewarding experience that challenges players to think creatively and tactically in a vibrant ecosystem. For those seeking a game that combines science with strategy in an original way, Empires of the Undergrowth is a compelling and enjoyable choice. Rating: 9/10

Really like the game. It's a RTS game that limits you in controls and tools, but due to the narrative it makes perfect sense. Try the demo. Having played it, I could hornestly pay 50eu for it, not that I would have tried it at that price.

Had a blast. Hoping they will come out with more content for the game

A f**king addictive game! I just hope it gets further support, customisation, better resource generation and more.. It has so much potential.

Amazing game with great potential but extremely unbalanced

RTS suck, because developers got off on the difficulty. If you've ever played a tabletop RPG and watched the GM grin and rub their hands together, that's the average RTS developer. There's never room for improvisation in an RTS. It's always do the one thing to win. Most RTS games are - few missions to understand the system. Then the difficulty ramps up and either you learn the one way to win or close out. Have fun for a few levels..

Great game, good campaign i really like it. graphics and the game play are awsome

Possibly the most fun RTS out there. The documentary-style campaign levels are awesome, the base building is super intuitive and theres so much content here for just $14. its literally perfect for every reason other than the 2 I will mention below. Positives: - the documentary levels are truly wicked. Imagine controlling a colony of ants while the VA for walking with dinasaurs talks over you. They've designed them with very grounded premises that make it feel like your playing a documentary. - After the tutorial, you pretty much know everything you need to off the bat. Its one of those games where its really simple mechanics, and they keep adding wacky spins to it. - The idea of a perminent base that you build over time is cool, though the reward system to expand it more can be annoying. food lets your ants respawn so usually if you expand too much you wont survive the next chapter as you've ran out of respawns, meaning you have to replay some campaign levels to get more food. Negatives: - The bad guy in the campaign (a fucking mad scientist) is really annoying, intentionally. He will poke his finger into your group of enemies and oneshot them, he'll unfaily add way to many enemies. Its challenging and balanced, but its one of those bad guys where he just pisses you off the whole game. - There are 2 really stupid decision in this nearly perfect game: You can't change ant types after picking in the campaign (e.g. it will let you pick for leafcutters to taunt or stun) which means you can't adapt based on the upcoming fights. The other stupid decision is that you can't reset your formicarium after making it. Whatever you build, your stuck with it. if you make a shit nest your options are keep repeating the campaign levels for more space and food or brute force the next campaign level until you win with what you have.

ive decided im a nerd and biology games are my thing now the sassy scientists and the documentary narrators are an amazing touch this is basically my dream game

This game is addictive. If you like rts, you will fall for this game. Stop reading more reviews and just buy it already. You will not regret it.

I was worried this game would be overwhelming but its been simple to learn and the story has been good. good beginner rts

I like almost everything about the game but I wish they could either update the game to make it multiplayer or even just make a whole second game that has multiplayer as an option, maybe the second game being in the wild and going against other colonies (people) being the original colony the scientists worked on, I feel it'd really improve the game if it had multiplayer

Pretty fun and educational game, some levels definitely require lots of effort

amazing game bro its so fun, but also challenging. The campeign is great but also the freeplay is where it truly gets world class. think like 2017 dybala

It's a little bit simple, but very fun. Excellent to take a break from other thing.

Finally beat it after 40.5 hours on Normal! This game is really well made and the story mode with all the mission feel different every time. You won't get bored that easily. The missions are quite challenging, even if there is no quicksaves, you can still keep trying and you will figure out how to beat the mission. (Besides, I have quite a slow brain and take a bit to progress, I'm sure you all can beat it as well!) Even after beating the game, there is still more to do, more missions and Story Mode+! I will play more to try to beat the Extras. This so worth it! Big recommendation!

I like it. A nice breath of fresh air in the RTS genre. The frustrating parts get better the more you understand the game. Also fire ants are the best ants.

This game accurately teaches people about different insects while allowing them to play an awesome and interactive civilization sim with ants.

Its shockingly fun, wan not sure how they would make an ant game fun, let alone an engaging story more. I enjoyed every second of it!

100% should play best game i have played ever and as a bug favoriter i play this game a lot.

I refunded this game because of a bad tutorial. But really, I shouldn't of. All things considered, it's a really decent game about making an ant colony, and you should give it a try. I refunded it about 1.5 years ago, so they've probably improved it now.

it is a very fun game and i just love strategy games so much and ants too so this game just hits different to me

This is one of my favorite city builders. I have just over 51% of the achievments, and this game has changed my life. Before this game I had almost no friends and was an avid ant-hater, but after this game I found I had many friends, and had a new hobby. AMazing game. 9.5/10 would reccomend

Simple mechanics that work out great in the unfamiliar setting (although there could be more complexity)! The microcosmos of the undergrowth is shown with a lot of attention to detail and a dramatic narration of each new creature encountered. It's a lot of fun!

Not just a game for ant lovers, a beautiful little RTS Game with a unique twist. A game for both ant lovers and RTS lovers alike, highly recommend

Age of empires for autistic ppl. Would be cool to see some multiplayer matches.

this game is great it is a bit hard on star 4 for me but if i push it a way it is great

love the game and all dlcs are great i recemened if you like stradgy

Fun game. More of an RTS than a City Builder. Story mode is fun, the layered dynamic is neat.

In this game you manage a colony of ants. In each level you start off with a queen, and several workers. You have to slowly and strategically build your colony. Food is a precious resource, necessary for expanding your colony, growing the number of ants, as well as replacing dead ants. You must collect food, and then carefully choose when to spend it and thus expand your colony or keep it in reserve to replenish solider ants after an attack. Your colony is under constant threat by a wide array of enemy creepy crawlies hungry for ant-flesh. Expand too fast and these enemies will easily overrun you, expand to slowly and you won't have enough soldier ants to defend the queen. This creates an addictive tension that is so satisfying when you find that right balance. This game is tremendous fun. I remember wishing I had a game like this as a child!

I find this game very fun to get rid off my sadness i played many hours on it its my favorite ant game to ever exist i hope you guys continue updating the game ❤️

I really like this game butttt ive finished this game like 3 times but every time i come back after a few months and it makes me restart like 3 level which for me takes about 3 hours each level but other than that amazing very fun.

Very good indie RTS about ants. Brilliant level design, cool custom games, and an excruciatingly painful max difficulty setting. BEST OST EVER. The theming and composition of the entire ost is just brilliant. It's pretty old so development has been slow but sped up the past few years; its a small studio so that's understandable.

Such a uniquely interesting game, great performance and great graphics. Would recommend

Honestly, I've been looking for this kind of game since I was 12 or so. Loved the ending too. If you like ants and building up a colony...

Excellent game. One of the most original strategy games in the last few years. Thank you for the fun.

I love this game and highly recommend it. Very much a strategy game but the way it is laid out makes it relaxing and super satisfying, More updates would be amazing, and continuing the story would be really nice.

I play Rts games more like 30+ years and this funny ant game is one of the best RTS in last decade.

Seriously - if you enjoy RTS games you will love this one. I play ALOT of Colony / City builders and RTS games and this may be my favorite one so far. Beautiful graphics Engaging gameplay Easy to learn mechanics Challenging missions It really ticks all the boxes and I can't find anything negative to say about it.

This is a breath of fresh air in the RTS genre. I enjoy the unit grouping/pheromone system and absence of micromanagement. Be warned there is currently also the absence of a save system, meaning you have to complete a mission in one sitting (which can easily take 1-2 hours). This seems a huge omission and I hope it gets added soon (if you can save your main colony progress, why not during the individual missions??). Anyway, this remains a big thumbs up from me regardless.

The Final Experiment Isnt good, Highly Dont like it Due to Its to Hard for normal players

Not quite the original SimAnt, however it is a neat alternative with a modern twist.

One of my favorite rts' ever produced. im looking forward to bonus levels and sequels.

I really like ants, I love taking photos of them with my digital microscope, and I love controlling them in a big RTS

Really fun game addicting in story mode everyone should check that out :D

I REALLY LOVE THIS GAME !!! ITS AMAZING I TOTALLY RECOMMEND THIS GAME!! HOWEVER..... I STILL DONT LIKE HOW SLAVE ANTS CANT SLAVE OTHER ANTS in freeplay