Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! is a first-person shooter developed by Auroch Digital and published by DotEmu. It was released in March 2026 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S and is based on the Starship Troopers franchise, set in the continuity of the Paul Verhoeven's 1997 film. It features combat between the humans and the bugs, presented as a boomer shooter with a retro aesthetic.
Plot
Twenty-five years after the events of the First Bug War, United Citizen Federation has set up a development studio called FedDev, with a task to develop a video game that would serve as a way to bolster the military's recruitment. Upon start, General Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) thanks the player for buying the game. The story is centered around Major Samantha Dietz (Charlotta Mohlin) during a war effort, with a mission to destroy the Assassin Bug. There are also several scenarios that can be played from the Assassin Bug's perspective to provide a broader view of the situation.
Gameplay
In Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War!, all levels are split into two categories: eight Human Missions and five Bug Missions. Each stage has a set number of objectives to fulfill that are spread out across the map.
Human Missions are centered on the players facing swarms of bugs, such as the Warriors, Tankers or Aphids. The players can use various weapons, including the Morita Assault Rifle and the flamethrower, as well as several tactical supports like orbital attack or air strikes. The squad system allows players to rally AI-controlled allies with enabled friendly fire.
Bug Missions feature a simulation of the Assassin Bug that can fly and produce fire. It has three attack modes, which can be freely changed at any point. The objectives consist of destroying things on the map or raising the soldiers' terror level.
Development and release
The game was developed by Auroch Digital, who previously worked on Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun. The narrative is presented through live-action Full Motion Video (FMV) sequences, a design choice inspired by 1990s titles such as Command & Conquer. These sequences feature Casper Van Dien reprising his role as Johnny. Between levels, the game includes satirical advertisements and propaganda shorts intended to replicate the tone of the 1997 film. Stéphane Pérez, the FMV director, collaborated with the "Starship Troopers German Division" fan community to ensure the accuracy of the costumes used in filming.
Reception
Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! received "mixed or average" reviews on Windows, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and "generally favorable" reviews on Xbox Series X/S, according to review aggregator Metacritic.
CGMagazine called the game "brief but unforgettable" and "a standout piece of satire in its own right", giving it a 9/10. The Jimquisition enjoyed the premise but found the game disappointing, saying that it failed to live up to its potential. PC Gamer said Ultimate Bug War did not understand the film's elements, and called it "dull [and] uninspired" with poor design. Nintendo World Report enjoyed the cutscenes and gameplay but disliked the bug missions.