Relic Entertainment has unveiled Earth vs Mars, an intriguing new turn-based strategy game slated for a summer release on Windows PC via Steam. This marks the debut project from Relic’s innovative indie division, Relic Labs, which aims to diverge from their hallmark real-time strategy offerings by embracing a tradition of creativity and frequent releases.
Earth vs Mars presents a unique narrative: Martians, who have long been abducting Earth’s inhabitants to fuel their genetic experiments, are launching a full-scale invasion to conquer the planet. As Earth’s last hope, a disparate group of commanders must marshal the world’s military forces to repel the technologically advanced Martian onslaught, featuring high-tech saucers, grav-tanks, and elite alien soldiers.
The game introduces the ingenious “Splice-O-Tron,” a device that allows players to combine human volunteers and animals to engineer formidable hybrid supersoldiers. Imagine unleashing acid-spewing cheetah flies, powerful human-rhino hybrids charging through enemy lines, or stealthy squirrel-cow infantry striking from concealment in your strategic arsenal.
As commanders advance through the campaign, they’ll gain access to new creatures, impactful unit upgrades, and transformative abilities. Yet, beware – as your forces evolve, the enemy’s resistance will too, with Martians deploying their own chilling mutations like “The Creep,” a sentient organic weapon.
Key features include an expansive campaign with over 30 meticulously handcrafted missions, immersive single-player and multiplayer modes that let players square off as either Earthlings or Martians, and replayability-enhancing custom map battles poised to captivate strategy enthusiasts.
A standout feature is the game’s map editor, allowing players to craft customized maps and scenarios, while the Splice-O-Tron mechanic reinvigorates the genre with exciting hybrid units. Earth vs Mars will showcase units with unique abilities, fostering new strategies and depth. Multiple commanders will offer diverse abilities, influencing tactical gameplay significantly.
The game promises a richly detailed 3D world, where visually stunning units, tilesets, and effects heighten the experience for fans of turn-based strategy. Earth vs Mars looks set to captivate players, blending nostalgia with innovative mechanics and a creative storyline that keeps them coming back for more.
