Info about Here Comes The Swarm:

Official game description:
Roadmap
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Just Updated
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About the Game
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The hive is **angry**. They have _claimed_ this planet. _Today, today, today_, they whisper to their brothers, to their sisters. The swarm _shivers_ in anticipation. They click, they chitter, they **burst**. _Today, today, today_. They move as a river, a steady stream, towards the camp of the walking machines. In unison they chant: **we kill, we kill, we kill**.  
Will you stop them?
Managing your settlement is _crucial_ in **Here Comes The Swarm**. Gather enough resources for upgrades and expansion while keeping your population _fed and happy_. Make sure your defenses are **ready** when **the swarm** comes.
Build the army _you_ want, and train your units to ready them for the hive's **strongest enemies**. Strength comes in numbers for **the swarm**, and their onslaught will be **unrelenting**. Get ready to find _thousands_ of fiends trying to breach your walls.
Choose between various **deities** and their _divine powers_ to help you on your journey. Their blessings may very well be the difference between **survival and defeat**. Will you focus on attack, defense, or something _completely different_?
Find **Arcane essences** on your **skirmishes** to upgrade your **Arcanum**, unlocking new, **powerful nodes** that will _change the game_. Choose between these new boons to further _tailor the game_ to your own preference.
Enter the **expedition** map for a _whole new adventure_. No play session will be the same as you encounter **new blessings** and **empowered enemies**. With every new step, your adventure will be _further shaped_ by your decisions.
Don't let time be your enemy; make _tactical decisions_ by **pausing** the game during critical moments. You can plan the building of your base, assign army movement, or use it to make yourself a hot drink: you deserve it.

Release date: Mar 5, 2026

Categories: Tower Defense, Real-Time Strategy, Roguelike, Base Building, Survival, Resource Management, Expedition System, Meta Progression


- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game generally performs well across different hardware cohorts, with isolated reports of crashing on higher-end systems.
  - Sample size: 28 (11% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 8 reports): Mostly positive experience with an isolated report of crashing.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (positive, 5 reports): No performance issues reported.
  - Caveats: 28 of 261 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $8.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The majority of the reviews indicate that the game is worth its price, with several users explicitly stating that it is reasonably priced or worth the money. One review suggests that the game is worth it if priced below $10, while another mentions that it is not worth $20. This suggests a fair price range that is lower than $20 but around or slightly below $10.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 2.0h
  - Story completion: 1.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence provides direct and indirect mentions of playtime metrics. The first quote suggests a session length of 0.5 to 1 hour. The second quote indicates that completing a map typically takes around 1 hour, which can be considered as the story completion time. The third quote reinforces the session length by stating that a mission length is around 45-60 minutes. The fourth quote mentions that maps take 1-2 hours, which can be interpreted as the game completion time, considering that players might spend additional time on planning and strategizing.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game starts slow and can be challenging initially, but becomes more enjoyable as players progress and unlock more content. The meta-progression system is a significant factor in enhancing the gameplay experience.
  - Stance: Fun then drops
  - Anchor: Unlocking more units and upgrades
  - Time to anchor: 0h 30m
  - Friction: Slow start during the tutorial; Early game difficulty and repetitiveness; Steep learning curve
  - Unlock drivers: Meta-progression system; Unlocking new units and upgrades
  - Conditions: Skirmish mode; Pushing enemy outposts; Learning and adapting to the game mechanics
- Player Archetypes:
  - Strategic Builder (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the strategic planning and flexibility in playstyle.
    - Playstyle: Relaxed and strategic, utilizing pause mode for planning.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: RTS fan; Strategy gamer
    - Reference games: They Are Billions; Age of Darkness
  - Defensive Specialist (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys the challenge and excitement of defending against hordes.
    - Playstyle: High-pressure, defensive, and strategic.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Tower defense fan; Hardcore gamer
    - Reference games: They Are Billions; Diplomacy is Not an Option
  - Progression Critic (sale)
    - Motivation: Seeks meaningful progression and impactful upgrades.
    - Playstyle: Critical of meta progression and grind mechanics.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Critic; Grind-averse
    - Reference games: They Are Billions; Age of Darkness
  - Comparative Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoys comparing games and recommending based on similarities.
    - Playstyle: Comparative and enthusiastic, using other games as reference points.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: RTS fan; Strategy gamer
    - Reference games: They Are Billions; Diplomacy is Not an Option; Age of Darkness


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Addictive and fun gameplay (weight 0.35): Players consistently describe the game as very fun and addictive, with an enjoyable gameplay loop that keeps them engaged for many hours.
- Similar to 'They Are Billions' (weight 0.23): Many players note that the game reminds them of 'They Are Billions' and recommend it to fans of that game.
- Smooth performance (weight 0.22): Players report that the game runs smoothly with no performance issues, bugs, or crashes.
- Satisfying progression system (weight 0.21): The game features a good progression system that players find satisfying and enjoyable, without feeling like a chore.
- Challenging and replayable gameplay (weight 0.14): The gameplay is noted for being enjoyable, challenging, and offering good replayability.
- Frequent updates (weight 0.14): The developers are active and provide regular, meaningful updates, showing their involvement and commitment to the game.
- Roguelike elements (weight 0.13): The game includes roguelike elements with unlockable powers and meta-progression, adding depth and replayability.
- Good foundation for early access (weight 0.13): The game is considered to be in good shape for an early access title, with a solid foundation and a lot of potential.
- Responsive units (weight 0.13): Units in the game are responsive and do what the player tells them to, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
- Excellent tower defense game (weight 0.11): The game is considered a great tower defense game with massive potential to become a standout in the genre.
- Developers responsive to feedback (weight 0.11): The developers are responsive to player feedback and actively engage with the community.
- Challenging and strategic gameplay (weight 0.11): The gameplay is challenging, strategic, and highly engaging, offering a satisfying experience for players.
- Good value for money (weight 0.11): The game is considered to offer good value for its price, making it a solid purchase.
- Expedition mode with increasing difficulty (weight 0.1): The game features an Expedition mode with increasing difficulty and special boons, adding variety and challenge.
- Enjoyable endless mode (weight 0.1): Players enjoy the endless mode, finding it super fun to see how long they can survive.
- Comfortable controls (weight 0.1): The controls are comfortable and the game plays nicely, enhancing the overall user experience.
- Less stressful than 'They Are Billions' (weight 0.1): The game is enjoyable for fans of 'They Are Billions' but is noted to be less stressful and punishing.
- Interesting roguelike mode (weight 0.1): The roguelike mode is well-done and adds replayability, making it an interesting feature of the game.
- Variety of game modes (weight 0.1): The game offers multiple game modes, providing a variety of play styles and experiences.
- Easy to learn, hard to master (weight 0.1): The game is beginner-friendly and easy to get into, but offers depth and challenge for experienced players.

Common complaints:
- Lack of variety in gameplay elements (weight 0.35): Players have noted a significant lack of variety in enemies, units, towers, and biomes. This lack of diversity affects the depth and replayability of the game.
- Pathfinding issues (weight 0.29): There are numerous reports of pathfinding problems affecting both enemy and player units. These issues make the game difficult to play and negatively impact the overall experience.
- Road system is restrictive (weight 0.25): The requirement for buildings to be connected by roads is seen as restrictive and not enjoyable. This mechanic forces players to connect everything to a central hub, limiting aggressive and exploration-focused playstyles.
- Missing campaign or storyline (weight 0.19): The game is criticized for not having a full-fledged story campaign, which detracts from the overall gaming experience. Players feel the absence of a narrative or characters makes the game less engaging.
- Game becomes boring quickly (weight 0.18): Many players report that the game becomes boring and monotonous over time. This affects the long-term engagement and enjoyment of the game.
- Game length and difficulty (weight 0.18): Some players find the game too long and challenging. The difficulty curve is noted to be particularly steep, which can be off-putting for some players.
- Economy issues (weight 0.16): The in-game economy is criticized as being slow, costly, and poorly explained. This makes resource management difficult and less enjoyable.
- Poor map design (weight 0.14): Players have criticized the map design as poorly developed and too small. This affects the overall gameplay experience and limits strategic options.
- Comparison to 'They Are Billions' (weight 0.13): Players frequently compare the game to 'They Are Billions' and find it lacking in depth, variety, and engagement. This comparison highlights areas where the game could improve.
- Limited content (weight 0.1): Players feel that the game's content is limited and slightly lacking. This affects the overall depth and replayability of the game.
- Lacks visual appeal (weight 0.1): The game's visual style is considered casual and lacking in artistic style. Players feel it lacks visual impact and atmosphere, making it less immersive.
- Quality-of-life improvements needed (weight 0.1): There are calls for quality-of-life adjustments and additions to improve the overall gaming experience. Players feel these changes are necessary for better gameplay.
- Presence of bugs (weight 0.07): Players have reported the presence of bugs, which affect the overall gaming experience. Addressing these bugs is seen as necessary for improving the game.
- Early access issues (weight 0.07): Being in early access, the game is noted to be not very polished. Players recognize that it is still in development but point out areas needing improvement.

Gameplay feedback:
- Tower defense and RTS blend (weight 0.39): The game combines elements of tower defense and real-time strategy genres. Players can expect a mix of building defenses and managing resources in a strategic manner.
- Multiple game modes (weight 0.32): Players can enjoy various game modes including Expedition, Skirmish, and Endless. Each mode offers different challenges and gameplay experiences.
- Roguelike mechanics (weight 0.23): The game features roguelike elements such as unlock systems and gameplay loops. This adds a layer of replayability and progression.
- Expedition mode features (weight 0.23): Expedition mode includes multiple maps with increasing difficulty and roguelike features such as modifiers and boons.
- Deity and arcanum system (weight 0.22): The game features a deity and arcanum unlock system, allowing players to customize their gameplay experience with unique abilities and upgrades.
- Similar to They Are Billions (weight 0.19): The game is frequently compared to 'They Are Billions' due to similar gameplay mechanics and strategic elements. Players familiar with that game will find this one reminiscent.
- Base building and defense (weight 0.17): Players can build and upgrade defenses such as walls, towers, and units to protect against enemy attacks. Strategic placement is key to success.
- Build variety and synergies (weight 0.16): The game offers a variety of building options and synergies, allowing players to customize their strategies and playstyles.
- Random map generation (weight 0.13): Maps are randomly generated with different trees and resources, providing a unique experience each time players start a new game.
- Survival mechanics (weight 0.11): Survival elements are a core part of the gameplay, requiring players to manage resources and defend against waves of enemies.
- Resource management (weight 0.11): Managing resources is crucial for progression and survival. Players must gather and allocate resources efficiently to build and upgrade their defenses.
- Exploration and strategy (weight 0.11): The game involves exploring areas and making strategic decisions. Players must plan and execute their strategies carefully.
- Pause mechanic (weight 0.1): The game features a real-time pause mechanic, allowing players to pause the game and plan their strategies without time pressure.
- Gameplay loop (weight 0.1): The gameplay loop involves repetitive elements such as waves of enemies and resource management. This can be both engaging and challenging.
- Road system integration (weight 0.1): Roads are used to connect buildings and facilitate faster movement. This adds a layer of strategic planning to the game.
- Pathfinding issues (weight 0.09): Some players have reported issues with the pathfinding mechanism, which can affect unit movement and gameplay.
- Strategic planning and execution (weight 0.08): The game emphasizes strategic planning and decision-making under pressure, requiring players to think carefully about their actions.
- Game mechanics and explanations (weight 0.08): The game includes detailed mechanics and explanations for units and gameplay elements, helping players understand and strategize effectively.
- Game progression and scoring (weight 0.08): The game features a progression system and scoring mechanics, allowing players to track their progress and achievements.
- Meta progression system (weight 0.08): A meta-progression system is in place, allowing players to unlock new content and upgrades as they progress through the game.
- High difficulty gameplay (weight 0.08): The game is known for its high difficulty, providing a challenging experience for players who enjoy intense gameplay.
- Loadout and customization (weight 0.08): Players can customize their loadouts and strategies, allowing for a personalized gameplay experience tailored to their preferences.
- Difficulty scaling (weight 0.08): The game includes difficulty scaling, providing a challenge for players of all skill levels and ensuring a balanced experience.
- Various playstyles and builds (weight 0.08): Players can experiment with different playstyles and builds, adding variety and replayability to the game.
- Developer responsiveness (weight 0.07): The developers are responsive to player feedback and concerns, which helps improve the game and address issues.
- Unit movement and control (weight 0.07): The game features unit movement and control mechanics, allowing players to manage their units effectively during gameplay.
- Limited content availability (weight 0.07): Some players have noted that the game has limited content, which may affect replayability and long-term engagement.

Performance notes:
- Smooth performance on various systems (weight 0.22): The game runs well and smoothly, even on low-spec systems. This indicates good optimization and performance across different hardware configurations.
- Stable and bug-free experience (weight 0.17): Many players reported minimal to no crashes or bugs, indicating a stable gameplay experience. This suggests that the game has been well-tested and optimized for a smooth performance.
- High GPU and PC usage (weight 0.13): The game is reported to be heavy on GPU usage, with some players noting that it heated up their PCs more than expected. This could be a concern for players with less powerful systems or those who are sensitive to high hardware usage.
- Frame rate issues reported (weight 0.1): Some players experienced frame rate issues and frame drops. This could be due to various factors such as hardware limitations or specific in-game scenarios.
- Sound issues present (weight 0.07): There are reports of sound issues, including crackling and glitchy audio. These issues can detract from the overall gaming experience and may need to be addressed in future updates.
- Crashes and bugs encountered (weight 0.07): Some players have experienced crashes and bugs, which can disrupt gameplay. These issues, while not widespread, are significant enough to warrant attention.
- Good performance at high settings (weight 0.04): The game performs well at high settings, with reports of 144 FPS in Full HD. This indicates that the game is well-optimized for high-end systems.
- Loading issues reported (weight 0.04): There are reports of game loading issues, which can affect the overall gaming experience. These issues may be related to hardware specifications or software conflicts.
- Lack of quick save functionality (weight 0.04): Players have noted the absence of a quick save feature, which can be inconvenient for those who prefer to save their progress frequently. This feature could enhance the gaming experience if implemented.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for RTS and strategy fans (weight 0.41): This game is highly recommended for fans of real-time strategy (RTS) games, especially those who enjoy titles like 'They Are Billions' and other strategy and tower defense games.
- Highly recommended for strategy fans (weight 0.19): The game is highly recommended for fans of strategy games, particularly those who enjoy customizable and complex gameplay.
- Highly recommended at current price (weight 0.19): Many reviewers highly recommend the game, especially considering its current price tag, making it a worthwhile purchase.
- Worth the price (weight 0.16): The game is considered worth the price of entry by many reviewers, indicating good value for money.
- Not recommended in current state (weight 0.1): Some reviewers do not recommend the game in its current state, suggesting that it may need improvements or more content.
- Not for casual players (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for players seeking a tougher challenge and is not suitable for casual players due to its high difficulty.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Excitement (weight 0.25): Players are thrilled by the game's unique blend of RTS, roguelike, and survival elements, creating a fresh and addictive gameplay loop. The variety of game modes, strategic depth, and potential for future updates and content also contribute to the excitement.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.19): Players find the game's combat mechanics, smooth performance, and strategic gameplay highly satisfying. The game's value for price, regular updates, and satisfying gameplay loop also contribute to this emotion.
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Players are frustrated by various technical issues such as pathfinding problems, frame drops, and crashes. Additionally, balancing issues, high difficulty, and certain game mechanics contribute to the frustration.
- Disappointment (weight 0.15): Players feel disappointed due to the lack of content, variety, and innovation in the game. The absence of a full-fledged story campaign and the perception of the game being a reskin of another also contribute to this emotion.
- Hope (weight 0.06): Players are hopeful about the game's future updates, improvements, and potential content expansions. The active development team and the solid foundation of the game also contribute to this emotion.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players enjoy the game's challenging and fun gameplay, high replayability, and different modes of play. The skill progression and the Arcanum system are also highlighted as enjoyable aspects.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Players find the game becomes monotonous and repetitive over time, with a lack of biome variety and uninteresting skirmishes contributing to this emotion.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players love the game's Expeditions mode, upgrade tree, and overall mechanics, leading to many hours of enjoyable gameplay.
- Hopeful (weight 0.02): Players are hopeful about future updates and improvements, anticipating a great game with more content and a potential campaign.
- Anticipation (weight 0.02): Players are looking forward to future updates, desiring more variety and depth in units and enemies, and anticipating a storyline campaign.
- Excited (weight 0.01): Players are excited about the potential future content and the challenge of endless mode, eager to see what the developers deliver next.
- Frustrated (weight 0.01): Players are frustrated by specific game mechanics such as scrolling issues and poor economy and difficulty balance.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Players are angry due to poor game mechanics, lack of rewards, and issues like game loading problems and the absence of quick save functionality.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players feel grateful for the developers' responsiveness to feedback and appreciation for the game makers.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Players are enthusiastic about the game's potential and its refined gameplay, considering it worth the price and a fantastic indie game.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Players experience joy from the many hours of fun gameplay the game provides.
- Eager (weight 0.01): Players are eager for major updates that will bring more content and improvements to the game.}