Auroch Digital's Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War lands on Switch 2 as a raucous, unashamed celebration of '90s shooter design. Drawing from the pulpy sci-fi licence and the era that spawned DOOM and Quake, the game trades subtlety for speed, spectacle and an almost gleeful excess of alien blood.

Gameplay and pacing

The core loop is simple and effective: land on infested worlds, clear waves of arachnid horrors, and move on to bigger, nastier encounters. Combat is fast and direct, favouring movement, target prioritisation and a steady stream of firepower. Weapons hit hard and feel distinct. Close-quarters encounters encourage aggressive play while larger set-pieces demand situational awareness and an appetite for controlled chaos.

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Visuals and presentation

Visually, the game leans into a retro aesthetic with modern touches. Levels are chunky and recognisable, populated by grotesque, well-animated bug designs that sell the threat. The presentation embraces pixelated grit without feeling dated; lighting flourishes and particle effects lift the spectacle where it matters. The gore is unapologetic and frequent, fitting the manic tone.

Controls and Switch 2 performance

Controls feel tight and responsive on Switch 2. Button layouts are intuitive, and the game translates the keyboard-and-mouse sensibility into a comfortable controller experience. Performance on the new hardware is generally strong, with short load times and steady framerates through most encounters. On particularly cluttered battlefields the occasional hitch appears but rarely undermines the action.

Level design, variety and replayability

Maps are varied enough to keep progression interesting, shifting between claustrophobic interiors and more open, multi-route arenas. Enemy variety escalates well, introducing new behaviours and threats that force players to rethink tactics. The structure leans on replayability through scoring, optional objectives and the sheer joy of mowing through different loadouts, although repetitive mission hooks will be apparent to players who seek a more narrative-driven experience.

Sound and score

Sound design is workmanlike and effective. Weapon impacts, alien screeches and environmental ambience combine to create an immersive, aggressive soundscape. The score supports the action with adrenaline-fuelled tracks that match the game's pace and tone.

Final verdict

Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War is not a reinvention of the genre. Instead it excels at delivering the pleasures that boomer shooter fans crave: fast, violent encounters, a memorable IP spin, and punchy, well-crafted weapons. Occasional repetition in mission design and sporadic performance dips keep it from perfection, but the game's sense of fun and finely tuned combat make it a worthwhile addition to the Switch 2 library. Fans of retro-inspired shooters and franchise devotees will find a lot to enjoy; those after deeper storytelling or systemic innovation should temper expectations.

Verdict: A gloriously entertaining, blood-soaked boomer shooter that understands its audience and mostly delivers on the promise of unrelenting alien-slaying action.