Ants are fascinating creatures. Did you know there are possibly tens of thousands of species worldwide? They are also the longest-living insects, with some surviving for up to 30 years. Ants are highly social too, living in colonies, the largest of which was discovered in Argentina in 2000, stretching over 3,700 miles.Â
As an ant enthusiast, those numbers are great and all, but what I was really excited about was the chance to play Empire of the Ants. Knowing only that it featured photorealistic graphics and an ant protagonist, I was surprised to discover a real-time strategy (RTS) game with online multiplayer capabilities.
Based on the novel by Bernard Werber, Empire of the Ants casts you as Ant 103,683rd. The game begins with a platforming sequence where you chase a butterfly before returning to your vast nest. You soon learn that the nest is under constant threat from other insects, and your role is to defend it and conquer rival colonies.
From there, it’s all about receiving missions from fellow ants, engaging in RTS battles or embarking on quests to explore human artifacts and rescue stranded ants. While I enjoyed these quests, they sometimes left me wanting more, especially in terms of depth and complexity.
The gameplay alternates between platforming and RTS combat. The platforming takes some getting used to, as you must power up your jumps to navigate the three-dimensional environment. Controlling your ant in this manner requires some adjustment, but it becomes enjoyable once mastered.
The core gameplay of Empire of the Ants though revolves around those RTS mechanics. As Ant 103,683rd, you command legions of other ants, including soldiers, projectile-throwing archers, and industrious workers. You conquer enemy nests, expanding your forces and resources. You can construct defenses for your nests and upgrade your legions with new abilities, such as healing and enhanced attacks. As you progress, you can even control larger insects like beetles.
Thankfully, in order to do all this, the control scheme is intuitive, using the RB and LB buttons to select and command units. The nest-building menus are also user-friendly.
The strategic depth of the RTS battles, balancing attack and defense while managing your resources, becomes increasingly engaging as you progress through the campaign. I found myself genuinely invested in the survival of my ant colony and the success of Ant 103,683rd. Strangely, Empire of the Ants ensures you will care for your little buddies…
There is also a multiplayer component to Empire of the Ants, and it is this which offers one-on-one battles and a three-player free-for-all mode. Participate in these and you’ll mostly discover them to be thrilling and tense; even when on the wrong end of a defeat. Of course, as always, this element of Empire of the Ants will be entirely dependent on the online community remaining active.
And then we get to how things look and, visually, Empire of the Ants is stunning. Powered by Unreal Engine 5, it achieves near photorealism at times, and the detailed environments teem with life, reminiscent of a nature documentary. Exploring this vibrant world, with its occasional human artifacts, is a constant delight.
And further to that, kicking around alongside those graphics, the orchestral soundtrack complements the action and natural setting surprisingly well.
Empire of the Ants will probably exceed your expectations – you will be pleasantly surprised by the inclusion of a story campaign, RTS gameplay, and multiplayer options. The ambition of the game is commendable, and the RTS mechanics are well-implemented. The platforming, while initially challenging, is ultimately satisfying too, whilst the world is beautifully realised, and the visuals are consistently impressive.
Now, I eagerly await the next evolution of insect-themed gaming. Perhaps a game starring ladybirds is on the horizon?
Empire of the Ants Marches onto Xbox, PlayStation and PC: A Microscopic RTS Adventure – https://www.thexboxhub.com/empire-of-the-ants-marches-onto-xbox-playstation-and-pc-a-microscopic-rts-adventure/
A miniature marvel – Empire of the Ants is a photorealistic real-time strategy game – https://www.thexboxhub.com/a-miniature-marvel-empire-of-the-ants-is-a-photorealistic-real-time-strategy-game/
Empire of the Ants unveiled for 2024 release on PC and console – https://www.thexboxhub.com/empire-of-the-ants-unveiled-for-2024-release-on-pc-and-console/
Release date for the visually stunning Empire of the Ants revealed – coming to Xbox, PlayStation and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/release-date-for-the-visually-stunning-empire-of-the-ants-revealed-coming-to-xbox-playstation-and-pc/
Buy Empire of the Ants on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/empire-of-the-ants/9p82cbm74srg
