Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is a solo retro FPS whose appeal depends on how much you want a campaign of bug-blasting missions—and whether you can do without multiplayer. Reviews split sharply: Nintendo Life praised the Switch 2 version’s mission design and performance, while PC Gamer’s PC review criticized its sparse encounters, repetition, pacing and satire.
What is Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!?
Developed by Auroch Digital and published by Dotemu and Game Source Entertainment, Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is a retro first-person shooter. Dotemu describes it as set 25 years after the original Starship Troopers film, following war veteran Major Samantha “Sammy” Dietz as she hunts the Assassin Bug during the First Bug War. General Johnny Rico appears in full-motion-video sequences.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War - PlayStation 5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 2 |
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Five Nights at Freddy's: Secret of the Mimic - PlayStation 5 | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Fort Solis (PS5) | Buy on Amazon |
The campaign is designed for solo play. The publisher advertises more than 30 weapons and items, plus Bug Mode, which lets players fight as the Arachnids. Those are advertised features, not an independently verified count or assessment of how each mode plays. Steam lists achievements, Steam Cloud and Family Sharing alongside the single-player designation.
What do the reviews say?
The two reviews in this comparison reach very different conclusions, and they cover different platforms. Nintendo Life reviewed the Switch 2 version; PC Gamer reviewed the PC version. Their scores should be read as those outlets’ assessments of those editions, not as a shared technical comparison.
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- A faithful Training Simulation - Recruits like you are vital to the Federation. We expect the best, and we give the best! Our Games and Theory department have been working hard to develop an in-depth training course. Troopers on the path to Citizenship will find a unique experience within Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!
- Authentic retro FPS experience - lead your squads through epic battlefields in a solo campaign packed with missions, secrets and (of course) BUGS!
- Devastating anti-Bug arsenal - wield over 30 iconic weapons and items, from the classic Morita rifle to mechanical bipeds, tactical nukes and more.
- Sharply loyal story - experience a unique and original story honoring the Federation’s commitment to save humanity from the Bugs.
- Video and audio starring General Johnny Rico himself - witness the legend return in full, high-quality FMV and meet new Federation hero, Major Samantha Dietz.
| Review | Platform and score | What the reviewer emphasized |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Life, Ken Talbot | Switch 2 — 8/10 | Praised accessible bug-blasting action, open mission design, Bug missions and smooth performance in docked and undocked play. The review also noted working mouse controls and identified the absence of multiplayer as a weakness. |
| PC Gamer, Nova Wright | PC — 40/100; published April 16, 2026 | Criticized low enemy density, repetitive scripted objectives, pacing and the execution of the film’s satire. |
The contrast is useful if your decision turns on mission flow or tone: one critic found the open missions entertaining, while the other found the encounters too thin and the objectives repetitive. It is not evidence that one platform runs better than another. Nintendo Life specifically reported its performance impressions on Switch 2; PC Gamer’s criticisms concern its PC review.
Is it worth it if you want a Starship Troopers campaign?
It may suit players who want a solo campaign in the franchise, enjoy retro FPS combat and like the prospect of switching perspective for Bug missions. Nintendo Life’s favorable assessment suggests the open mission structure and straightforward bug-blasting are a draw for some players and fans of the films.
The case is weaker if you expect dense, varied encounters throughout or want the satire to land as strongly as the movie’s. PC Gamer’s review raises concerns on both counts. The sharp difference between the two reviews makes your tolerance for repetitive objectives and your interest in a more open mission structure more useful buying considerations than an averaged-out verdict.
Rank #2
- Murray's Costume Manor - Explore Murray's costume manor, a brand-new location filled with whimsy and terror
- Any Costume, Any Character - The mimic can adapt to any costume, so keep your wits about you because it could be anywhere
- Discover the Secrets - Find a way to escape the workshop and survive the night while attempting to uncover the hidden secrets behind the mysterious proprietor and his most terrible creation.
- Pack-in Bonus - Includes a 12"x18" fold-out poster. Languages - English in-game voice. English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish (LATAM), and Spanish (EU) in-game text.
- Pre-Order Bonus - Pre-order and receive a download code for the digital soundtrack
Does Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! have multiplayer?
No. Steam lists the game as single-player, and Auroch Digital told Space.com that “Multiplayer was never considered.” Bug Mode changes which side you play as; it does not add co-op or competitive multiplayer.
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Nintendo Life scored the Switch 2 version 8/10, praising the mission design and reporting smooth performance in both docked and undocked play. The review also found mouse controls worked. These are that outlet’s observations of the Switch 2 version, not a guarantee for every setup or a performance claim about the PC, PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S editions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you play it?
The official listings cover PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Steam gives the release date as March 16, 2026. Check the relevant platform’s store for current availability and edition details; the available sources do not establish regional physical formats or stock.
Rank #3
- Includes Downloadable Art Book and Soundtrack
- Featuring performances from gaming legends Roger Clark & Troy Baker, and TV’s Julia Brown
- Explore the mysterious Fort Solis and piece together the mystery that befallen Jack O’Leary
- Stunning visuals and a gripping story deliver a next-level immersive experience
What do Steam players think?
Steam displayed 92% positive from 1,380 all-time user reviews and 84% positive from 39 reviews in the last 30 days when accessed October 8, 2026. These are dated store snapshots, and the recent-review figure is based on a much smaller sample. They provide another view of player sentiment, but are not a permanent score or a substitute for the platform-specific critic reviews above.
Verdict: who should consider buying it?
Consider it if a solo Starship Troopers campaign, open missions and playable Arachnid sequences are what you want. Think carefully if multiplayer is essential, or if sparse fights, repeated objectives or the film’s satirical tone are deal-breakers: those are central points of disagreement and criticism in the published reviews. On Switch 2, Nintendo Life’s review is notably positive about performance; that judgment does not establish how the other versions perform.
Quick Recap
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