While the core concept is sound and the community is welcoming, Starship Troopers: Extermination's technical issues on PS5 make it difficult to recommend
Would you like to know more? That's the question that echoes through my mind as I dive into Starship Troopers: Extermination, a cooperative first-person shooter that attempts to channel the spirit of Paul Verhoeven's 1997 cult classic film. Set in the same universe as the movie, you take on the role of a Mobile Infantry trooper fighting against endless hordes of Arachnids across various planets.
The setup is straightforward - you and up to 15 other players drop onto massive maps with objectives to complete, ranging from defending strategic positions to gathering resources and ultimately evacuating before being overwhelmed. The game tries to capture that desperate "last stand" feeling from the film, where waves of bugs come crashing against your fortifications as you and your fellow troopers try to hold the line.
The game's structure revolves around mission-based gameplay where your efforts contribute to a larger war effort, similar to the propaganda-style news updates from the movie. Between missions, you can customize your loadout and character from six different classes - Assault, Heavy, Tactical, Doc, Tech, and Marksman. Each class has its own progression path and specialized equipment to unlock.
The progression system is refreshingly old-school. Sure there are some microtransactions where you can buy some "exclusive" cosmetics like dfferent visors or weapon skins, but for the important things you simply play the game to unlock new weapons, attachments, and gear. It's a pure gameplay-focused approach that feels rewarding, as every match brings you closer to that next upgrade you've been eyeing.
The community aspect is where Extermination truly shines. Despite the game's technical shortcomings, the player base has embraced the cooperative nature of the experience. Veterans take newer players under their wing, coordinate defensive positions, and maintain constant communication. It's not uncommon to hear squad leaders calling out incoming waves or organizing tactical retreats when things get too hot. This social element helps create memorable moments that somewhat make up for the game's rougher edges.The community aspect is where Extermination truly shines. Despite the game's technical shortcomings, the player base has embraced the cooperative nature of the experience. Veterans take newer players under their wing, coordinate defensive positions, and maintain constant communication. It's not uncommon to hear squad leaders calling out incoming waves or organizing tactical retreats when things get too hot. This social element helps create memorable moments that somewhat make up for the game's rougher edges.
However, the technical state of Extermination on PS5, at least, is difficult to ignore. The frame rate is wildly inconsistent, dropping significantly when the action heats up - precisely when you need responsiveness the most. Texture pop-in is a constant distraction, with environmental details materializing suddenly as you move through the world. The blood splatters on the ground constantly flicker and it's very distracting. The visual presentation feels dated, with character models and environments that wouldn't look out of place in a last-gen title.
The networking issues are perhaps the most frustrating aspect. Severe rubber-banding and lag make precise shooting nearly impossible at times. You'll often see bugs teleporting around or hits not registering properly, which is particularly problematic in a game that's all about holding positions against swarms of enemies.
The gunplay, which should be the cornerstone of any shooter, feels imprecise and lacking impact. Weapons don't have the satisfying punch you'd expect, and the hit feedback is inconsistent. This is exacerbated by the technical issues, creating a disconnect between your actions and their effects on the battlefield.
Audio design is similarly mixed. While the distant screech of approaching bugs can create tension, weapon sounds lack punch, and the voice acting is serviceable but unremarkable. The game includes some voiced lines from Casper Van Dien, reprising his role as Johnny Rico, but these appearances feel more like window dressing than meaningful additions to the experience.
The game's saving grace might be its potential. Under the technical issues lies a solid foundation for a cooperative shooter. The map designs encourage tactical thinking, and the objective-based missions provide enough variety to keep things interesting. The progression system rewards dedication, and the strong community shows that players are willing to look past the problems to find fun in working together.
There are moments where everything clicks - when your squad is working in perfect harmony, holding back waves of bugs while completing objectives, it can genuinely feel like you're part of the Mobile Infantry from the films. These moments, however, are too often interrupted by technical hiccups that break the immersion.
At its current state, Starship Troopers: Extermination feels like a game that needed way more time in development, at least for the PS5 version. While the core concept is sound and the community is welcoming, the technical issues on PS5 make it difficult to recommend. With continued support and substantial performance improvements, this could evolve into something special. For now, though, if you are planning to get the game on PS5, just don't, as it requires significant more polishing to become something you can truly enjoy.
Would I like to know more? Yes, but preferably after some major technical updates. Until then, Helldivers 2 is right there, waiting for you to uhh deliver some democracy! Thanks for reading!
The game was reviewed on a PS5 via a promo copy provided by PR. Starship Troopers: Extermination is available on PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
