The management game combined with defending against increasingly large hordes of enemies is a niche genre, but one that is attracting more competitors. “They Are Billions” seems to have solidified public interest, and since the beginning of March, “Here Comes the Swarm” has been positioning itself as a solid option for fans.
Developed and published by CableHook Games, the game revolves around a well-known principle: you must exploit resources to develop your base, and you must develop your base to exploit even more resources.
The problem is twofold: not only are the surroundings of our base, the structure that must be protected at all costs, filled with monsters, but they gather in increasingly large numbers at regular intervals to try and make a meal out of you and your citizens.
To add to our anxiety, treasures await us all over the map, provided we are willing to explore and have a strong enough army to tackle increasingly powerful creatures.
The catch is that it is impossible to explore the map while sufficiently developing your base and repelling enemy attacks. The player will always face a lack of resources and time, and must learn to prioritize, even sacrificing some things along the way. Neglecting to carefully plan defenses or maximize actions per minute (the number of clicks we can make in a limited time to increase impactful gestures in the game) will likely lead to certain death.
In “Here Comes the Swarm,” players are also encouraged through exploration sequences to accumulate points that can be exchanged for special abilities, bonuses, or other advantages. Ultimately, the game has a roguelite element: these upgrades remain active from game to game, which should, in theory, make our task easier. Or at least delay the moment when everything collapses and we must admit defeat.
So, is “Here Comes the Swarm” enjoyable? Yes and no. The gameplay is quick and efficient, the visuals are interesting enough, and it is always satisfying to narrowly survive a new wave of enemies.
However, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel; at least “Repterra” dares to include dinosaurs in the chaotic mix. It quickly becomes frustrating to see your plans unravel in moments because you’re not hyperactive enough to accomplish everything at once and in record time.
In short, the baby should not be thrown out with the bathwater here, but “Here Comes the Swarm” may not have what it takes to truly stand out. Or perhaps it’s just that this journalist is a bit tired of having to avoid annihilation every five minutes. Who knows?
“Here Comes the Swarm” (early access)
Developer and Publisher: CableHook Games
Platform: Windows (tested on Steam)
Game available in French (interface)
