Starship Troopers: Extermination brings the classic sci-fi universe of Starship Troopers into the realm of co-op first-person shooters, in an attempt to capture both the intense action of battling overwhelming bug hordes and the camaraderie of team-based combat. While it leans heavily on these beloved core elements of the film franchise, its new mechanics and class-based gameplay provide depth and variety for both longtime fans and new players.
The game’s premise sticks closely to the Starship Troopers narrative – humanity is locked in a relentless war against the bugs, and you’re part of the elite Deep Space Vanguard tasked with retaking planets from these arachnids. Despite Casper van Dien’s involvement there isn’t a heavily developed narrative, but the setup fits well with the source material’s militaristic, mission-focused style. What makes Extermination stand out from other shooters is its cooperative nature, where teamwork is key as you and your squad face swarming waves of enemies in large-scale planetary conflicts. The game doesn’t push character development or story twists, but it does evoke the sense of being part of the larger war effort.
One of the most engaging aspects of Extermination is its class system. Offering six distinct classes, including Ranger, Medic, Demolisher, and Sniper, each comes with its own set of weapons and abilities, making it essential for teams to work together and complement each other’s strengths. The Ranger and Sniper classes are great for players who prefer to stay on the offensive, while Medics keep everyone alive in the heat of battle. The Demolisher, with its powerful explosives, is ideal for taking out the larger, more dangerous bugs. As you level up, you unlock new perks and equipment, which adds a layer of progression that keeps things interesting over time.
The gameplay itself is fast-paced and intense, with large-scale battles where you and your squad face off against waves of bugs that grow progressively more difficult. The sheer scale of the enemy encounters, with hundreds of bugs on screen at once, create a sense of chaos and desperation. At times, the onslaught can feel overwhelming, but this is where the game’s base-building mechanics come into play. Constructing fortifications, ammo stations, and towers mid-battle adds a tactical element to the gameplay, allowing you to hold back the bug tide long enough for reinforcements to arrive. While the base-building mechanics aren’t as deep as some other titles in the genre, they provide just enough flexibility to keep things engaging.
Visually, the game delivers in terms of environment design and creature models, particularly when it comes to the bugs themselves. The detail on the various Arachnid types, from drones to the Tiger Elite, is impressive, and the environments are suitably desolate and hostile, matching the war-torn planets of the Starship Troopers universe. The large, open maps offer a mix of terrains, giving each mission a sense of scale and variety. However, while the game’s visuals are generally solid, there are moments where performance issues can crop up, especially when the screen is packed with hundreds of bugs and explosions. This can cause occasional frame drops, and although it doesn’t detract too heavily from the overall experience it frustrates a little after having played Space Marine 2 recently.
The audio design features immersive sound effects that add to the intensity of the battles. The whir of weapons, the screeches of incoming bugs, and the background noise of a planet under siege create a fitting atmosphere. However, some of the voice lines and dialogue can feel a bit repetitive, especially after several missions, and could have benefited from more variety in order to bring the Starship Troopers universe to life.
Overall, Starship Troopers: Extermination succeeds in delivering an action-packed, co-op experience that stays true to its source material. The mix of large-scale bug battles, team-based mechanics, and class progression make for a highly replayable game, though performance hiccups and a lack of narrative depth might prevent it from being a long-term staple for some players. Fans of the franchise will find plenty to enjoy, as it captures the spirit of the source material well.
Score: 7.0/10
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