Empire of the Ants offers a visually striking multiplayer experience that may initially captivate you with its realistic macro-lens footage of ants in a nature-like setting. The level of detail on the textures of the forest floor is undeniably impressive, but don’t be fooled by appearances. While this real-time strategy game showcases swarms of insects on screen, the actual gameplay experience revolves around commanding a limited number of units. The controls can feel somewhat clumsy as you cycle through units to issue orders, but it does prevent overwhelming micromanagement.
Multiplayer matches in Empire of the Ants require strategic use of a small number of units and nest-building to advance your tech. Skilled players have the opportunity to outmaneuver opponents by utilizing powers to enhance their bugs’ abilities. The dynamic of capturing territory and managing resources like food and wood echoes elements of Company of Heroes, providing a familiar foundation for strategy game enthusiasts. Ant units engage in melee combat with no option to retreat, adding a layer of tactical decision-making to the gameplay.
Each nest you capture in the game offers upgrade slots for buildings or unit support, preventing players from turtling up and encouraging continuous advancement. Disabling an enemy’s nest removes all upgrades associated with it, creating strategic opportunities for disrupting your opponent’s progress. Despite these mechanics, Empire of the Ants falls short in unit variety and faction diversity, limiting replayability and strategic depth.
One notable drawback of the multiplayer experience is the lack of variety in game modes, with only 1v1 and 1v1v1 options available. This limitation restricts cooperative play against AI opponents, diminishing the potential for collaborative gameplay. While the game features diverse maps and unique creatures like spiders and praying mantises, the lack of bug animation variety becomes apparent over time, reducing the visual appeal of battles.
In conclusion, Empire of the Ants’s multiplayer mode offers engaging strategic gameplay, but its shortcomings in unit variety and limited faction options hinder long-term excitement. Despite its visually impressive presentation and nuanced gameplay mechanics, the game’s lack of diverse gameplay modes and faction choices may leave players wanting more from the multiplayer experience.