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CRITIK

Empire of the Ants

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Empire of the Ants
Item: Empire of the Ants
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2024

GenresStrategy, Single Player, Multiplayer

AvailableNov 4, 2024

PlatformPlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

DeveloperTower Five

Overview

Embark on a fantastic journey through the infinitely small and lead your colony to a hopeful horizon

Elsewhere

Game analysis

Critik Scorecard

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Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

69%

Mixed (50-79)

31%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Empire of the Ants are largely positive. Critics like GamingBolt, God is a Geek, and COGconnected praise the engaging and thought-provoking narrative that follows the player as an ant tasked with protecting and expanding the colony. The inclusion of elements like exploration, real-time strategy, and RPG aspects adds depth to the storytelling, making it an immersive experience. The narrative's focus on defending the ant colony against various threats, as mentioned by Hobby Consolas and TheXboxHub, provides a compelling and unique perspective on the lives of ants. On the flip side, some critics express concerns about certain aspects of the story in Empire of the Ants. Push Square criticizes the story mode for focusing too much on tricky movement tasks, potentially detracting from the overall narrative experience. PlayStation Universe notes that while the presentation of the story is enjoyable, it lacks something, possibly due to the challenge of conveying a narrative through non-speaking creatures. These criticisms suggest that there may be areas where the storytelling could be improved to enhance the player's engagement with the narrative. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Empire of the Ants offers an engaging and immersive story that delves into the world of ants from a unique perspective. Critics appreciate the mix of gameplay styles, the thought-provoking narrative, and the challenges faced by the ant colony. While there are some minor criticisms regarding certain aspects of the storytelling, such as focus and presentation, the general sentiment is positive towards the game's narrative. Critics like Windows Central and ZTGD highlight the well-written and interesting story, emphasizing the game's ability to captivate players with its engaging narrative.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics mostly praise Empire of the Ants for its engaging and thought-provoking narrative about protecting and expanding an ant colony. The game combines exploration, real-time strategy, and RPG elements to create an immersive experience. Some critics mention concerns about the focus on movement tasks and the challenge of portraying a story without dialogue. Overall, critics find the storytelling unique and compelling, offering players a captivating experience.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

46%

Mixed (50-79)

54%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The critics generally praise the gameplay of Empire of the Ants for its diverse range of strategic elements and mission types. GamingBolt appreciates the game's resemblance to Nintendo's Pikmin series, highlighting the real-time strategy elements, resource collection, and base defense mechanics. Hobby Consolas commends the game for its inclusion of platforming elements and decision-making for unit management, adding depth to the gameplay experience. PlayStation Universe notes the well-thought-out mechanics tied to the real-world realm of ant empire, emphasizing the need for resource management, structure building, and strategic battle planning. The inclusion of various mission types, such as combat missions, exploration, and nest management, is also positively acknowledged by critics like Impulsegamer and COGconnected. On the downside, some critics express concerns about certain aspects of the gameplay in Empire of the Ants. PlayStation Country criticizes the combat as simplistic and not very engaging, which may deter players looking for more depth in the strategic aspects of the game. ZTGD mentions a disappointing combat system, indicating a lack of satisfaction in the tactical battles despite the well-balanced strategic elements present in the game. Windows Central highlights that the simplified and approachable RTS gameplay may feel limited for hardcore fans of the genre, suggesting that the game might lack the complexity and depth expected by experienced players seeking a more challenging experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Empire of the Ants offers a varied and engaging gameplay experience with a mix of real-time strategy, platforming, resource management, and combat mechanics. The gradual introduction of mechanics, comprehensive tutorials, and challenging missions are appreciated by reviewers like GamingBolt and COGconnected. However, criticisms regarding the simplicity of combat, limited depth for hardcore RTS fans, and disappointing combat system are noted by critics such as PlayStation Country, Windows Central, and ZTGD. Despite these drawbacks, the majority of critics find the gameplay to be enjoyable and engaging, offering a unique blend of strategic elements and mission variety that sets it apart in the genre.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Empire of the Ants impresses with diverse strategic gameplay and mission types akin to Pikmin, praised for its real-time strategy, resource collection, and base defense mechanics. Critics laud the inclusion of platforming elements and decision-making, but some express concerns about simplistic combat and lack of depth. Overall, the game offers an engaging mix of mechanics, though it may feel limited for hardcore RTS fans seeking more complexity. Despite its flaws, most critics find the gameplay enjoyable and unique, with challenging missions and a variety of strategic elements setting it apart in the genre.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

85%

Mixed (50-79)

15%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The majority of critics unanimously praised the Graphics and Visual Design of Empire of the Ants, highlighting various positive aspects. GamingBolt appreciated the authentic renditions of ants and bugs, while Hobby Consolas and Impulsegamer commended the high-resolution textures, impressive lighting effects, and attention to detail in depicting the miniature world of insects. God is a Geek and PlayStation Universe were impressed by the stunning environments that captured the beauty of nature in intricate detail, with PlayStation Universe comparing the visuals to a David Attenborough presentation. TheSixthAxis and TheXboxHub specifically mentioned the near photorealistic visuals achieved through Unreal Engine 5, creating a vibrant and alive world that immerses players in the insect realm. COGconnected and ZTGD praised the outstanding visuals that showcased reflective water, diverse insects, detailed environments, and realistic ant colony design, making the world of Empire of the Ants visually stunning and immersive. On the other hand, some critics did point out a few shortcomings in the Graphics and Visual Design of Empire of the Ants. GamingBolt mentioned readability issues due to the photorealistic aesthetic, while Movies Games and Tech highlighted rigid plant designs and issues with camera angles and unit movement. Windows Central noted that there was room for improvement in terms of world interaction. These criticisms indicate that while the majority of critics found the graphics to be exceptional, there were some minor drawbacks that affected the overall visual experience for a few reviewers. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Empire of the Ants. The game is praised for its stunning visuals, attention to detail, and immersive world-building that effectively conveys the miniature scale and challenges faced by the ant colony. Critics appreciated the use of Unreal Engine 5 to create nearly photorealistic environments, lifelike depictions of nature, and a unique perspective from an ant's viewpoint. Despite some minor issues raised by a few critics, the general sentiment is that Empire of the Ants delivers an outstanding visual experience that enhances the gameplay and immerses players in a beautifully crafted insect world.

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Empire of the Ants wows critics with stunning graphics and visual design, praised for its near photorealistic detail, immersive environments, and unique insect realm perspective. While some minor criticisms were noted, overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive for the game's exceptional visual experience.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

82%

Mixed (50-79)

18%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The majority of the critics praised the Sound Design and Music of Empire of the Ants, highlighting various positive aspects. GamingBolt appreciated the authentic sound design, noting how it captured the simple sounds of nature with depth and scale, enhancing the overall immersive experience. God is a Geek and TheSixthAxis specifically commended the orchestral soundtrack for its ability to immerse players in the world of insects, with thematic melodies that added a sense of wonder and drama to the gameplay. Additionally, COGconnected and Movies Games and Tech praised the original soundtrack composed by industry veterans, describing it as stunning and rich, respectively. The emotive and serene tunes during calm moments, as mentioned by PlayStation Universe, were also highlighted as a positive aspect that added to the overall experience. However, there were some criticisms regarding the Sound Design and Music of Empire of the Ants. Impulsegamer pointed out occasional issues like audio clipping in the soundtrack, which could potentially disrupt the immersive experience for some players. Windows Central mentioned that while the soundtrack consisted of individual songs per level, the music was forgettable, which may have detracted from the overall impact of the game's audio experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of Empire of the Ants. The majority of reviewers appreciated the immersive soundscapes, realistic sound effects, and captivating orchestral soundtrack that enhanced the gameplay experience. The combination of nature sounds, thematic melodies, and industry veteran-composed music contributed to making the game feel like an animated film or documentary, as noted by TheSixthAxis. Despite some minor issues mentioned by a few critics, the general sentiment is that the Sound Design and Music of Empire of the Ants greatly contributed to the overall quality and enjoyment of the game.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics overwhelmingly praised the Sound Design and Music of Empire of the Ants for its authentic nature sounds, captivating orchestral soundtrack, and immersive experience. Despite some minor issues like audio clipping and forgettable music, the majority agreed that the game's audio greatly enhanced the gameplay, making it feel like an animated film or documentary.

Voice Acting

Analysis Unavailable

Summary unavailable

TL;DR

voice acting

Description unavailable

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

100%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the positives for Empire of the Ants on the PS5, Hobby Consolas highlights the game's high graphical fidelity running at 30 fps, showcasing detailed environments and character models that demonstrate the developers' commitment to realism. Additionally, Impulsegamer notes that the game runs smoothly on the PS5, with only minor technical issues like audio clipping and occasional AI problems. These aspects contribute to an immersive visual experience for players on the PS5 platform. On the other hand, the negatives for the PS5 version of Empire of the Ants are evident from GamingBolt's and God is a Geek's reviews. Both critics mention wonky controls, camera stability issues, and struggles with 360º freedom of movement, impacting the overall gameplay experience. TheSixthAxis also points out minor issues with the visual presentation of menus and UI, as well as challenges in controlling the ant character on different surfaces. These technical performance issues on the PS5 platform detract from the game's potential enjoyment. Overall, the consensus among the critics for Empire of the Ants across both the PS5 and Xbox Series X platforms is mixed. While the game impresses with its graphical fidelity and attention to detail on the PS5, the technical performance issues such as control responsiveness, camera stability, and occasional AI problems detract from the overall experience. Similarly, on the Xbox Series X, critics like COGconnected and Movies Games and Tech highlight challenges with controls, camera angles, and clunky unit movement that hinder gameplay progression and cause frustration. Despite some positive aspects, the technical issues seem to be a common concern among reviewers, impacting the overall sentiment towards Empire of the Ants on both gaming platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

Empire of the Ants on PS5 impresses with high graphical fidelity, but suffers from wonky controls, camera issues, and technical glitches that hamper gameplay. Reviews on both PS5 and Xbox Series X platforms show a mixed consensus, with critics noting significant challenges with gameplay mechanics and technical performance problems.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

25%

Mixed (50-79)

75%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

The critics generally agree that Empire of the Ants offers significant replay value, especially through its multiplayer modes and varied gameplay mechanics. GamingBolt praises the game for its compelling single-player campaign and full-featured online multiplayer suite, highlighting the meditative experience it provides while exploring the world and hubs. Hobby Consolas also appreciates the variety of missions, weather conditions, and strategic decisions that contribute to the game's replay value, offering around 20 hours of engaging gameplay. Additionally, Movies Games and Tech mentions the online multiplayer options for 1v1 skirmishes or private lobbies, providing plenty of replay value for players seeking strategic challenges. On the downside, some critics point out potential drawbacks that may affect the game's replayability. Impulsegamer notes the lack of a mid-scenario save feature, which could enhance replayability for players looking to revisit specific sections of the game. PlayStation Country highlights that the 20-hour story mode may feel like a bit of a grind due to some dull missions, suggesting room for improvement in terms of pacing and mission variety. Push Square also mentions the lack of depth in the multiplayer mode, which may not fully satisfy seasoned strategy players seeking more complexity and strategic depth. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Empire of the Ants offers good replay value, particularly through its multiplayer modes and engaging gameplay mechanics. While there are some criticisms regarding certain aspects like mission variety and depth in the multiplayer mode, the general sentiment is positive towards the game's ability to provide an enjoyable and strategic experience for players looking for relaxing gameplay or challenging strategic battles. The game's unique concept and tranquil atmosphere, as highlighted by TheSixthAxis, contribute to its overall appeal, making it a worthwhile choice for fans of RTS games or players seeking a different gaming experience.

TL;DR

replay value

Critics praise Empire of the Ants for its significant replay value, engaging gameplay mechanics, and full-featured multiplayer modes. However, some note drawbacks like the lack of a mid-scenario save feature and dull missions in the 20-hour story mode. Despite these criticisms, the game is generally seen as offering an enjoyable and strategic experience, especially for fans of RTS games looking for a unique gaming experience with both relaxation and challenge.

Overall Verdict

CRITIK

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Critik Score

Positive (80-100)

57%

Mixed (50-79)

40%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Empire of the Ants has garnered praise from multiple critics for its engaging gameplay, intriguing story, excellent visuals, and authentic sound design. GamingBolt commends the game for delivering a uniquely compelling experience, while Impulsegamer highlights its charm and enjoyable gameplay. The detailed graphics and atmospheric sound design, as mentioned by Hobby Consolas, further enhance the immersive experience of being part of an ant colony. Additionally, the celebration of the natural world disguised as an RTS game, as noted by God is a Geek, adds a unique and heartwarming element to the game. On the downside, some critics pointed out certain technical issues and control challenges in Empire of the Ants. PlayStation Country mentions that while the game has impressive visuals, the gameplay falls short of expectations, impacting the overall enjoyment. Push Square highlights the struggle to balance RTS and platformer elements effectively, indicating a lack of depth in the multiplayer mode. Furthermore, PlayStation Universe notes missed opportunities in utilizing DualSense features on the PS5, suggesting room for improvement in enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Empire of the Ants offers a unique and visually stunning experience with engaging gameplay and immersive elements. While there are some technical issues and gameplay challenges, the game's execution of its premise, detailed graphics, and captivating story have been well-received. Critics like TheXboxHub and COGconnected praise the game for its well-implemented mechanics and stunning visuals, recommending it for those seeking a unique real-time strategy experience. Despite the mixed opinions on certain aspects of the game, the overall sentiment leans towards Empire of the Ants being a thought-provoking and satisfying adventure that may appeal to a passionate audience willing to overlook its minor flaws.

TL;DR

Empire of the Ants impresses critics with engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and immersive sound design. While some note technical issues and gameplay challenges, the game's unique charm and captivating story make it a visually stunning and thought-provoking real-time strategy experience worth exploring.

CRITIK

Reviews

43 reviews found

Impulsegamer

PlayStation 5

Nov 6, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of Ants is praised for its gameplay, visuals, and charm, offering a unique and enjoyable experience despite some minor technical issues and lack of certain features like more unit types and mid-scenario saves.

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COGconnected

Xbox Series X

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of the Ants is praised as an excellent game with stunning visuals, a beautiful soundtrack, and engaging gameplay. While facing some control and camera challenges, the single-player experience is highly recommended for those seeking a unique real-time strategy experience.

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Hobby Consolas

PlayStation 5

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of the Ants delivers a unique and engaging experience, immersing players in the life of an ant colony. Despite some control challenges, the game's detailed graphics, atmospheric sound design, and strategic gameplay make it a satisfying adventure.

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TheXboxHub

Xbox Series X

Nov 6, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of the Ants exceeds expectations with its story campaign, RTS gameplay, and multiplayer options, showcasing commendable ambition and well-implemented mechanics, while delivering a visually stunning and satisfying experience.

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PlayStation Universe

PlayStation 5

Nov 6, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of the Ants offers a fresh twist on the RTS genre, with engaging gameplay, detailed graphics, and a captivating story. The game is praised for its attention to detail and realism, although there are missed opportunities in utilizing DualSense features on the PS5. Overall, the game deserves an enthusiastic and passionate audience.

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TheSixthAxis

PlayStation 5

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of the Ants impresses with its visuals, engaging gameplay, and immersive sound design, despite some minor technical issues. It offers a unique and tranquil experience that may not be for everyone but can be rewarding for players who enjoy exploration and strategic challenges.

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GamingBolt

PlayStation 5

Nov 6, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of the Ants delivers a uniquely compelling experience with engaging gameplay, an intriguing story, excellent visuals, and authentic sound design. Despite some technical issues, the game stands out for its execution of the premise and offers a thought-provoking experience for players.

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ZTGD

Xbox Series X

Nov 7, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of Ants offers a unique and visually compelling strategy game experience, despite some issues with combat. Multiplayer options may add to its replay value.

God is a Geek

PlayStation 5

Nov 4, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of the Ants is praised for its celebration of the natural world disguised as an RTS game, offering a simplistic approach with heart and beauty, despite some control issues.

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Movies Games and Tech

Xbox Series X

Nov 12, 2024

AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details

Empire of the Ants is a great game with minor complaints, offering strategic elements, ultra-realistic world, and massive maps. Worth the time and money, with potential to be a spectacular RTS hybrid if minor issues are ironed out.

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