You can upgrade them by playing one-off missions, sometimes with your home colony and sometimes with other ant species. The primary game mode in early access is Formicarium, where you take ownership of a home colony of unique DNA-harvesting ants as they work to assimilate the desirable traits of their foes. Missions are narrated from the perspective of a documentary film maker studying the ants, who offers intelligent insight into the goings-on of the colony and the undergrowth beyond. Nest design, army size, composition and attack timing are key to securing victory. On the surface, the ants claim territory, gather resources, overwhelm fearsome arachnids and clash with other colonies.
The player excavates their nest underground, constructing tunnels and chambers to store food and raise brood. The workers will need to be vigilant.'Įmpires of the Undergrowth is an ant colony management game, in a fast-paced real-time strategy style. Their priority now is to find food, and there is plenty around but there are other hungry creatures in the undergrowth. Her first brood will need to move quickly if the colony is to survive. 'Your queen has set up home beneath a rotting log.
