Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Starship Troopers: Terran Ascendancy delivers a fresh twist on the real-time strategy genre by removing the traditional base-building and resource-gathering mechanics. Instead of overseeing sprawling bases, you command up to three highly specialized squads, each led by a veteran officer. These squads consist of a leader, five infantry soldiers, and a specialist role—ranging from medics and engineers to psychic operatives and elite MIST-Troopers. This tightly focused command structure forces you to think tactically and make every decision count, as reinforcements are simply not an option once a mission begins.

The developers have crafted a challenging AI for the iconic Arachnid foes, who may not outthink you but compensate with sheer numbers and specialized abilities. From acid-spewing warriors to suicide bombers and long-range artillery bugs, each enemy type demands a different response. Missions vary widely, from straightforward “search and destroy” operations to high-stakes escorts and capture assignments. Success depends on leveraging each squad’s unique skills and ensuring that your soldiers remain alive and well-equipped throughout the encounter.

Adding depth to the tactical layer, Terran Ascendancy features robust RPG mechanics. Each time your soldiers down a bug or dismantle an enemy hive, they earn experience points that contribute to rank promotion and stat improvements. Higher-ranked troopers can don advanced battle armor and wield more potent weaponry, rewarding careful play and veteran leadership. Equipment upgrade points further allow you to fine-tune your arsenal—boosting firepower, enhancing armor durability, or integrating specialized tech items like gas grenades and remote demolition charges.

Squad composition and loadout customization are crucial to survival. You can outfit each trooper with two personal weapons and two tech items, creating combinations that fit your tactical preferences. Whether you prefer a supporting PSI operative who reveals hidden threats, a heavy weapons specialist packing anti-armor rockets, or a stealth MIST-Trooper sniper, the choices you make before each drop directly impact how effectively you will contain the ever-evolving bug menace.

Graphics

Visually, Terran Ascendancy opts for a deliberately gritty aesthetic with low-detail terrain that evokes a war-torn, post-apocalyptic frontier. While the environments may initially seem sparse, this design choice emphasizes clarity during combat—enemy movements and firefights remain easy to track, even amid the chaos of battle. You’ll find yourself relying on clear sightlines to manage crossfires and flanking maneuvers, rather than losing troops to obscuring scenery.

In stark contrast to the subdued landscapes, the combat graphics shine with explosive flair. Weapons discharge with satisfying muzzle flashes, and bugs burst apart in a visceral display of alien biology. Each explosion features dynamic lighting effects that momentarily illuminate the battlefield. Watching a well-placed rocket or a well-timed grenade rip through an Arachnid cluster never loses its impact, making every firefight feel intense and immediate.

Cutscenes are rendered using the in-game engine, preserving the consistent visual style while delivering mission briefings and narrative context. Though not as polished as pre-rendered cinematics found in larger-budget titles, these sequences integrate seamlessly with actual gameplay footage. Sound design and voice acting complement the visuals effectively; you’ll hear soldiers acknowledge orders, call for medical aid, or shout warnings of incoming bug swarms, adding personality and stakes to each encounter.

On the audio front, weapon sounds are satisfyingly weighty, and each Arachnid emits unsettling screeches and chittering noises. Background music is sparingly used, heightening tension in key moments without overpowering the soundscape. This balance ensures that you stay immersed in the battlefield ambiance, always aware of approaching threats through both sight and sound.

Story

While Terran Ascendancy borrows its premise from Robert A. Heinlein’s classic novel, it does not retread the narrative of the 1997 film. Instead, the game unfolds its own episodic campaign across multiple planets infested by the Arachnid menace. Briefings and in-mission dialogue paint a picture of humanity’s desperate fight to expand its interstellar reach, only to encounter an enemy that replicates faster than it can be contained.

Character development is woven into the RPG progression system. As your troopers rise through the ranks, you learn tidbits about their backgrounds and personalities. This narrative layer fosters emotional investment: watching a seasoned engineer repair critical equipment or a veteran leader rally the squad under fire creates memorable moments that transcend simple strategy gameplay. The occasional loss of a high-ranking soldier hits harder, reminding you that every decision carries weight and consequence.

Mission briefings and debriefings give context to each operation, from securing vital research facilities to rescuing stranded civilians. Although the story does not feature lengthy cutscenes or deep plot twists, it maintains a steady pace that aligns with the gameplay’s tactical flow. You always know why you’re deployed, what obstacles lie ahead, and how success or failure will shape the broader war effort against the Arachnid horde.

Overall, the narrative compliments the mechanics without overshadowing them. By focusing on small-scale squad actions rather than sprawling galactic politics, Terran Ascendancy delivers a grounded experience that keeps you focused on the fight—and on the lives of the soldiers under your command.

Overall Experience

Starship Troopers: Terran Ascendancy stands out as a unique entry in the RTS genre, combining tight squad-based tactics with meaningful RPG progression. The absence of traditional base-building forces you to concentrate on battlefield tactics and soldier preservation. This creates a sense of urgency in every mission, as casualties are not easily replaced and each soldier carries hard-won experience.

Fans of the source material will appreciate how the game channels Heinlein’s spirit of camaraderie and military discipline without relying on the campy humor of the film adaptation. The Arachnid designs and mission scenarios capture the novel’s relentless pace, offering a variety of challenges that keep gameplay fresh from one planet to the next. The RPG elements further deepen the strategic layer, encouraging you to nurture veteran squads that grow in power and specialization over time.

While the graphics engine shows its age in static landscapes and lower polygon counts, the explosive combat visuals and immersive sound design more than compensate for any visual shortcomings. Performance remains smooth even during large-scale engagements, ensuring that tactical commands and reinforcements execute without frustrating lag.

In conclusion, Starship Troopers: Terran Ascendancy is a compelling choice for players seeking a strategy experience with a heavy focus on small-unit tactics and character-driven progression. It may not boast the glossiest graphics or the most intricate story, but its challenging gameplay, meaningful soldier customization, and faithful nods to Heinlein’s vision make it a rewarding journey for both strategy veterans and sci-fi enthusiasts alike.

Retro Replay Score

7/10