Pax East Preview Drone Swarm

PAX East 2020 is already gearing up to be an experience no gamer will want to miss. From Fallen Angels to Cloudpunk, there seems to be no shortage of unique games. One such title blends an expert sci-fi narrative with the real-time strategy concept, reminiscent of Stellaris, Homeworld, and Sins of a Solar Empire.

In collaboration with Astragon Entertainment, Stillalive Studios would like to invite players onto the mothership Argo, whereupon resides the last remaining essence of humanity. The year: 2118. Earth has been decimated by a malicious alien swarm of drones, which has become your only protection as you scour the cosmos in search of a new home. Will you find salvation out there in that deep dark abyss, or will the deadly and unknown manifestations of the universe be your undoing?

Drone Swarm is just as beautiful as it is exciting. From gameplay mechanics to visuals, the time spent in this ever-evolving cosmos is electrifying and intense. Controlling 32,000 drones, Argo’s only form of protection and insight into the universe at large, is one of the most interesting concepts of this game. While it may not be like Liftoff: Drone Racing, it’s just as—if not a little more—enjoyable given the abundant amount of resources to discover, upgrades to unlock, and enemies to overcome. It is, after all, a strategy game that requires players to think several moves ahead while also enhancing their arsenal. In Drone Swarm, however, the only form of retaliation at your disposal is the trusty alien drones that destroyed your home planet.

With an entire universe at one’s disposal, Drone Swarm is filled to the brim with an immense amount of detail. Gathering resources will help players to unlock various upgrades for not only the mothership but also the drones, which are essentially the player’s lifeblood. Without them, the various cosmic enemies that populate the almost-infinite universe will destroy Argo without a second’s hesitation. Though, that’s not to say all alien creatures are immediately hostile. Players will have the option of siding with either the Dashan or Voohr alien races in what will become the deciding fate of humanity.

Drone Swarm is one of those few games that expertly weaves narrative and storytelling into the fabric of its gameplay. Though it may not be an extravagant open-world-esque sci-fi adventure, like Fallen Order or Outer Worlds, it still captures a similar strand of imagination and runs with it. Even Michael Bay’s 451 Media Group has partnered with Stillalive Studios to develop not only a graphic novel tie-in of the precursor to Drone Swarm but also a TV series. It’s clearly in another world of its own.

Experience the last-ditch effort of humanity as Commander Carter, captain of the starship Argo, and journey through the unknown reaches of space between February 27 - March 1 at PAX East in Boston.