Retro Strategy Roguelike: Fend Off Aliens With 1970s PCs
▼ Summary
– Xenopurge is a roguelike strategy game where players remotely control a squad of marines fighting aliens on derelict starships using retro-style PCs.
– Players interact indirectly via abstract top-down displays and basic orders, creating tense, frantic gameplay as aliens swarm.
– The game allows upgrades for squad stats, equipment, and behaviors, adding depth but the demo lacks some expected auto-battler complexity.
– The full release, due July 11, promises more features like alternate starting squads and meta-progression for commanders.
– Xenopurge excels in atmosphere and minimalist retro aesthetics, evoking tension through simplicity, with a free demo available on Steam.
There’s something undeniably captivating about the raw simplicity of 1970s computer technology, the flickering green text, the mechanical hum, the tactile satisfaction of clunky keyboards. This nostalgic aesthetic forms the heart of Xenopurge, a roguelike strategy game that transports players into the role of a remote operator guiding space marines through derelict starships overrun by hostile aliens.
Instead of direct control, players manage their squad through a retro-inspired interface, issuing commands via a primitive top-down display while marines autonomously follow pre-set behaviors. The tension builds as alien threats swarm in, forcing players to frantically navigate menus and make split-second decisions with limited information. The abstract visuals leave plenty to the imagination, amplifying the sense of dread as unseen horrors lurk just beyond the screen.
Progression comes through upgrading marine stats, equipment, and behaviors, like teaching a melee specialist to fire while charging. New orders unlock deeper tactical options, including the surprisingly thrilling ability to direct units to specific rooms. While the demo hints at potential, some mechanics feel underdeveloped, lacking the intricate build-crafting typical of auto-battlers. Still, greyed-out menu options suggest richer systems, like alternate squads and meta-progression, will arrive in the full release on July 11.
What truly shines is the game’s atmospheric brilliance. Much like Duskers, Xenopurge leverages minimalist retro tech to evoke tension far more effectively than flashy graphics ever could. The demo, available for free on Steam, offers a perfect taste of its eerie, immersive world, no facehuggers required.
(Source: PC Gamer)