Attack of the Earthlings is a turn-based strategy indie game that blends tactical combat with stealth mechanics in a single-player campaign. Players command an insectoid alien species known as the Swarmers in defense of their home planet against corporate invaders. The title stands out for its dark comedic tone and focus on resource management through consumption of enemy remains to build and upgrade forces.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around careful planning in turn-based encounters where action points limit each unit's options per round. Players begin with a powerful Matriarch unit and expand their forces by harvesting biomass from fallen humans and even their own casualties. This biomass converts directly into new specialized units that fill roles such as disruption or direct assault. Stealth plays a central role, requiring careful positioning to avoid detection, use of vents and cover for ambushes, and cleanup of evidence to prevent alarms. Group attacks allow multiple units to strike simultaneously for efficient eliminations, while traps and control abilities add layers of tactical depth. Upgrades for each unit type open branching strategies, such as enhancing ranged options or mobility. The campaign unfolds across a series of missions set inside a corporate drilling operation, with objectives that escalate in complexity and demand adaptation to enemy patrols and layouts. Voice work enhances key characters, particularly the over-the-top regional manager whose dialogue punctuates the proceedings with absurd corporate enthusiasm.
Game Modes
The experience centers entirely on a single-player campaign structured as a sequence of interconnected missions. Each mission tasks the Swarmers with advancing through enemy-controlled areas, often involving vertical progression up a massive drill structure while managing limited resources and avoiding overwhelming resistance. There are no separate competitive or cooperative modes, keeping the focus on the narrative-driven campaign where success depends on efficient unit creation, positioning, and timing of strikes. The structure encourages replay through different upgrade paths and approaches to the same objectives, though the campaign itself remains linear in its overall progression.
Narrative and Presentation
The story follows the Swarmers' insurgency against Galactoil, a profit-driven energy firm whose operations on Planet X13 trigger the conflict. Humor arises from the contrast between the aliens' brutal survival tactics and the humans' oblivious corporate culture, including scenes like disrupting a birthday celebration. The original score supports the tone with atmospheric tracks that underscore both tension and comedy. Visuals adopt a stylized approach suited to the indie scale, emphasizing clear unit distinction and environmental details within the confined mission spaces rather than expansive open worlds.
Is It Worth Playing?
Attack of the Earthlings suits players who enjoy deliberate turn-based tactics with an emphasis on stealth and asymmetric resource systems. Its short campaign length makes it accessible for those seeking a complete experience without long-term commitments, while the upgrade variety and mission variety provide meaningful choices within each playthrough. User reception has been strong, with very positive feedback highlighting the humor, strategic satisfaction, and unique perspective of playing as the invaders. The game remains available on PC with no ongoing seasonal content or major updates required, delivering a self-contained package that rewards careful planning over fast reflexes. Those drawn to dark comedy paired with XCOM-style squad management will find its mechanics rewarding, especially if they appreciate shorter titles that prioritize wit and clever mission design over expansive scope.
