Only last year, NASA found possible signs of life on the Red Planet. But what if this alien life was especially hostile towards us human beings? That is one familiar scenario that Relic Entertainment will explore in its next turn-based strategy game.
The name Relic Entertainment may be pretty recognizable to fans of tactics games, and that’s no wonder as the Vancouver-based game developer has a solid track record for turn-based strategy. From the Company of Heroes franchise, a visceral WWII experience, to Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War, a tactical role-playing series, Relic stands alongside Paradox and Firaxis as one of the genre’s heavy hitters. Going independent since 2024, the Canadian studio is bouncing back with a string of smaller titles, including a fresh take on the sci-fi genre inspired by vintage titles like Advance Wars.
Earth vs. Mars puts players in control of Earth’s destiny. Martians have been coming down to the Blue Planet for decades, abducting humans and animals to create hybrid creatures through an uncanny process of genetic manipulation. Once again, these outer space visitors are on their way to Earth. Only this time, they’re ready to take over the planet in their high-tech flying saucers. Placed at the head of a group of commanders, players must lead Earth’s military to fend off this extraterrestrial invasion.
Ensuring the planet’s survival means leveraging the passive and active abilities of each battlefield leader to implement superior tactics. Likewise, units boast unique abilities that allow players to juggle between different strategies. Gaining the upper hand against genetically modified Martian invaders also requires developing an army of biotech-enhanced super-soldiers to level the playing field.
With the help of a secret device, the Splice-O-Tron, players may turn human volunteers into formidable weapons by infusing them with animal DNA. Some of the game’s most intriguing combinations include the swift cheetah-fly, which can rain acid from up above, and the lethal squirrel-cow infantry. As the enemy’s military forces evolve continuously, Earth’s units will go toe-to-toe with sentient organic weapons and terrifying mutants.
According to Relic, Earth vs. Mars will comprise over 30 hand-crafted missions in its single-player campaign. Additionally, this turn-based tactics game will feature a skirmish mode against AI opponents while multiplayer fans can choose between Martian and human forces in a 1-on-1 PvP mode. A map editor will enable them to get creative with custom scenarios and levels.
Halfway between Mars Attacks and Nintendo’s Advance Wars, Earth vs. Mars is set to be the first game coming out of the new Relic Labs initiative, which focuses on exploring new sub-genres and ideas. After it parted ways with SEGA, the Canadian studio outlined plans for smaller-scope games. Incidentally, the upcoming release of Earth vs. Mars is part of a larger emphasis on the development of indie-style in-house titles, alongside the reimagining of older classics from the Relic’s catalog.
No release date has been disclosed for this strategy game, although Relic is targeting a summer 2025 launch. In the meantime, players can wishlist Earth vs. Mars on Steam. Depending on its reception, Relic may consider bringing the game to other platforms in the future.
Awaiting further news, PC gamers can discover many sci-fi games set on Mars. An innovative spin on the city-building genre, Surviving Mars is a blend of management and survival simulation that tasks players with establishing the first operational colony on the Red Planet. Much more bombastic, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare brings an interplanetary twist to the run-of-the-mill shooting experience.
The Martian theme is just as trendy in iGaming, with machine slots like Journey to Mars and Mars Odyssey taking players on an outer space adventure. Gamers can grab free spins to get cracking at spinning the reels. These bonuses are a popular way for online platforms to incentivize users to explore their game lobby, all without depositing any money. Free spins are usually part of welcome packages afforded to new users upon signing up. If unsure of where to start, first-timers can visit specialized websites to get expert advice on which promotional deals to claim and how.
Dropping this summer on PC, Earth vs. Mars marks a significant step forward for Relic as the studio strives to regain its footing and reinvent itself after a wave of layoffs following its split from SEGA. Advertised as a more scaled-back experience compared to the studio’s past titles, this sci-fi game of strategy looks inventive enough to appeal to modern audiences and RTS fans alike.
