Analysis of The Empire of Ants

Ant Empire brings us an RTS with a third view of arthropods that will make us rethink the dimensions of this little world at our feet.

The game is based on the science fiction novel The Ants by Bernard Werber. The book tells the story of an ant colony faced with a mysterious threat. It shows a complex society with alliances between species, wars and expansions. Ant Empire He collects these wickers and transports us to the Bel-O-Kan colony, center of the Federation. Your queen wishes to expand the territory, With a look beyond her borders, she sends the bravest into battle against termites (these weird “sisters” who don’t eat meat), ladybugs, shoemakers and even other ants who dare to prevent their plans.

103683 (us) is a particularly talented ant. A worker with great exploration and leadership skills that the queen sends on the most special missions. After the long winter, the colony wakes up and it is time to regroup, reconnoitre the terrain and move forward.

War is not everything.

Although it is an RTS, Ant Empire begins with a section of solo exploration. These phases will occur throughout the story allowing little 103683 to recognize the terrain, locate other insects and hop (yes, jump) from leaf to leaf to leaf discovering enemies, resources and also the remains left by humans. These types of levels range from infiltration, to reporting on enemy bases, to finding and rescuing lost sisters. Here is revealed the control of a bug capable of moving on any type of surface, whether sideways, face up or face down. This movement is recreated to perfection but having a spare room makes it extremely difficult to move the stick when we are, for example, inside a plastic bottle. This point makes access or movement very difficult depending on the area.

But the important thing is the war.

This 103683 move in the platforming phases is a cat for the battlefield. The real engine of Ant Empire: You must defeat the enemy and advance into the war zone. The arenas are based on these nests where you manage resources, create troops, evolve… all without forgetting to defend it. Browse without a mouse because we are on the battlefield. The point of view is that of the ant, like a king at the top of the hill, dung in this case, we manage the troops during the fight then we approach the nest to be able to manage it. To some extent it reminded me of the battles of brutal legend (Courtesy Tim Schafer), but with a much greater strategic touch, being more in the mud. This decision to be on the warpath forces us to simplify actions in the strategy compared to the aerial view we are used to in RTS. At first it seems complicated because there is no good learning curve, once internalized the movement is acceptable, simple with depths that can be reached with hours of practice.

Short legs.

The disadvantage: Wanting to get to the other side of the map takes a lot of time. Even here you have to overcome obstacles by jumping. Avoid water as you will drown trying to reach a nest that is under attack or simply applying an upgrade. We’re too used to the cursor and being all-powerful, clicking on the map and teleporting to manage a faraway area. In Ant Empire We have to cover the distance on foot and it is sometimes difficult because there are very complete maps to cover at the pace of an ant.

We do not strike (they strike us) but we command the different troops of Workers, Warriors or Artillery, to which will be added later other troops of our alliance such as the heavy scarabs. We give them encouragement in the form of fury, boosts and speed with lab-created power-ups. Troops are also limited and almost better, because in combat and with multiple fronts open it is quite confusing to discern which battalion you are commanding.

My whole body itches

The graphics section clashes a bit with all this I’m talking about, of course. They are photorealistic ants in photorealistic spaces. The work of textures, modeling and movements carried out by the inhabitants of the forest is impressive. Impressive and disgusting at the same time if you have an aversion to arthropods, invertebrates and all kinds of insects, as I do. Climbing on a slug or using a snail to defend yourself is both epic and disgusting. The use of light in the settings, the water… everything is extremely realistic and contrasts greatly with the story and the graphics. This partly makes sense because a forest has such recognizable textures and colors that if the icons were plain they would not be distinguishable. But Round five opted for some cartoon icons in very bright colors that distract you from the seriousness of the plot. In their dialogues (yes, they speak through pheromones but they have it translated into Spanish), they use serious typography, almost without design. This dissonance breaks the dynamic of the game.

We don’t need to talk about sound because only the image is enough to talk about the sound of forest insects, also realistic. The soundtrack is correct, sober and bucolic when it comes to exploration and military when it comes to combat.

Conclusions

Ant Empire It presents a fairly adequate perspective of a world. We do not fall into exaggerated extravagances because they are ants. Use a scientific basis for what you propose. The ants, even though they talk and the protagonist jumps, are ants and have a real hierarchy and needs. This is supported by photorealism that makes it impossible to look away, with up-close but wild scenarios from the insects’ point of view.

Like RTS it has limitations linked to the control system, but the French developers were able to control these barriers manage well what can be done and what cannot be done. Although the 103683’s control system can cause some headaches, mainly due to camera movement. Two of these free spirits must break somewhere. Despite everything, I want to read the novel.