Relic Entertainment, renowned for its work on the Company of Heroes series, has unveiled its latest venture, Earth vs Mars. This turn-based strategy game invites players to engage in a thrilling confrontation between Earth’s forces and a Martian invasion. Scheduled for release this summer on PC via Steam, Earth vs Mars marks a significant shift for the studio, as it embarks on a new initiative known as Relic Labs. This initiative aims to explore smaller-scale, indie-style games, diverging from the studio’s traditional focus on expansive real-time strategy titles.
Game Overview
In Earth vs Mars, players will navigate a narrative steeped in intrigue, where Martians have been abducting Earth’s inhabitants and animals for decades. This time, however, they arrive with a more sinister intent: to claim our planet. Players will assume the role of an eclectic group of commanders tasked with leading Earth’s military against an overwhelming alien force. The game promises intense battles against high-tech saucers, grav-tanks, and elite Martian warriors, all in the name of planetary survival.
One of the standout features of the game is the “Splice-O-Tron,” a unique weapon that allows players to merge human volunteers with Earth creatures. This mechanic enables the creation of formidable hybrid supersoldiers, such as the fast-moving cheetah-fly or the powerful human-rhino hybrids. As players progress through the campaign, they will unlock new creature types, powerful upgrades, and game-altering commander abilities, while also facing increasingly sophisticated Martian adversaries, including the enigmatic organic weapon known as “The Creep.”
Key Features
While further details will be revealed in the coming months, here is a glimpse into the key features that Earth vs Mars will offer:
- Single-Player Campaign – An expansive narrative-driven campaign featuring over 30 meticulously crafted missions.
- Online Multiplayer – Engage in battles against other players, choosing to command either Earth’s forces or the Martian invaders.
- VS Mode – Compete against AI on custom maps, providing ample replayability for single-player enthusiasts.
- Map Editor – A fully-featured editor that empowers players to create their own maps and scenarios.
- Splice-O-Tron – A nostalgic nod to Relic’s roots, this key mechanic allows for the combination of creatures and human volunteers to form powerful hybrid units.
- Unit Abilities – Each unit will possess unique abilities, enhancing strategic depth and gameplay variety.
- Commanders – Multiple commanders will be available, each with distinct passive and active abilities that influence gameplay.
- Beautifully Realized 3D World – The game promises stunning 3D visuals, bringing a vibrant world to life for turn-based strategy fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
As anticipation builds for Earth vs Mars, several questions have emerged:
- When is Earth vs Mars coming out? The game is targeted for a summer 2025 release.
- Will Earth vs Mars be available on other platforms? Initially, the game will launch on Steam for PC, with potential for future platform expansions depending on reception.
- What will be the price of Earth vs Mars? Pricing details are yet to be finalized, as the team is analyzing similar games in the genre.
- What languages will Earth vs Mars support? Language options will be announced closer to the release date.
- Will Earth vs Mars be compatible with Steam Deck? Compatibility is not planned at launch, but it remains a priority for the development team.
- When will more information about the game be shared? Expect regular updates through blogs, videos, and livestreams in the coming months. Joining the official Relic Entertainment Discord server is encouraged for the latest news.
- Is there cause for concern regarding this new direction for Relic Entertainment? No, Earth vs Mars is part of the Relic Labs initiative, allowing for creative experimentation while continuing to develop traditional real-time strategy games.
- Will there be post-launch content for Earth vs Mars? The focus remains on the core game at launch, but additional content may be explored based on player feedback.
For those eager to catch a glimpse of what’s to come, the announcement trailer is available below.
Announce Trailer
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