Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 73 | 70 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 76% | 71 | 579 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 76% | 71 | 238 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Jul 16, 2025) · 238 reviews sampled · 209 total reviews in window · weighted 116.5 up / 36.2 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (40)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
““Empire of the Ants” is a solid strategy title, sadly, its narrative focused campaign drags on for far too long and adds unecessary platforming elements. Pick it up for the skirmishes against AI and to play with friends.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Empire of the Ants is a remake of a cult-classic original that tries to simplify the game mechanics and reinvent it for a more modern audience. The strategic depth of the game is reduced a lot, but it does allow for a more casual audience to be invested in it (even though it may not appeal to hardcore fans of the original game). The visuals look really well done and without significant performance issues (which is quite a standard to be held up in today’s games). The game is worth a play if you can afford to get it right now!”
read full review ↗ - 60
“It can't decide if it wants to be an RTS or a platformer, so both areas feel like they're not achieving their full potential. The presentation is gorgeous and it's enjoyable thinking about the smaller creatures in our world differently, but Empire of the Ants tries to be too much at once. The multiplayer is fun for a time, but lacks the depth seasoned strategy players want. A focus on either the story or RTS would have helped a lot.”
read full review ↗ - 80
““Empire of the Ants” takes the player into a breathtaking world powered by Unreal Engine 5, which captures the fascination of insect life in an impressive way. The gameplay offers a mixture of real-time strategy and platform elements, which provides variety. However, the pace of the battles feels a little sluggish and the AI of the enemies could be more sophisticated. The campaign provides a solid foundation for the game, but lacks in-depth characters and a compelling story. The repetitive tasks and slow pace of progress can slow down long-term motivation.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“With its unique take on exploration and deep yet accessible combat mechanics, Empire of the Ants is a gripping masterpiece of an RTS that is wonderous to behold, making it one of 2024's greatest stand-outs.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Empire of the Ants is a successful adaptation of the original by Bernard Werber and scores particularly well with its photorealistic presentation and sensitive gameplay. The mixture of RTS and platforming gameplay creates variety and challenges the player both tactically and in terms of skill. Anyone who has a soft spot for nature and likes to explore the world from a completely new perspective will get their money's worth with this game. The small weaknesses in the camera work and the simple menu design are noticeable, but do not detract significantly from the experience. For RTS fans looking for a new experience and anyone who wants to experience the microcosm up close, Empire of the Ants is an absolute recommendation. It combines strategy, nature and graphic beauty to create a unique experience that shows just how much life and drama can be found in the smallest of creatures.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Empire of Ants is a unique strategy game that offers players a fresh perspective on the insect world, the last game I personally played with ants was Sim-Ant. The game’s ability to blend realistic visuals with strategic gameplay creates a compelling and immersive experience.”
read full review ↗ - 100
“Empire of the Ants is a welcome breath of fresh forest air in a genre that can always benefit from more nature-based simulators, and sets a well-earned standard for those looking to achieve a similar vision. The story is an enjoyable 20 or so hours inside a world that is fascinating to explore, and I think Bernard Werber would be proud of what Tower Five has accomplished.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Empire of the Ants offers an original and - surprisingly - moving story in a beautiful visual setting. It's a shame, however, that the game's technical condition is as thin as an ant's abdomen.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“This iteration of Empire of the Ants is certainly an improvement over the original game released over 20 years ago. It looks absolutely gorgeous and has a fitting soundscape to boot. The lack of micromanagement makes it more accessible for most but alienates those looking for the next coming of SimAnt. The strategy elements and platforming are basic, but the game remains enjoyable in short bursts. As a whole, it's a good game that you'll only jump into if you want something that feels strategic without going too deep into what the genre offers.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Beautiful, contemplative and engaging, Empire of the Ants is a unique hybrid that will delight fans of the natural world.”
read full review ↗ - 82
“Empire of the Ants offers a surprisingly fun and visually stunning journey into the daily struggles of an ant colony, from gathering resources to battling rival insects. While the story is simple, it fits the game’s purpose, and the gameplay takes creative liberties to keep things engaging, even if movement can be a bit frustrating. The visuals are breathtaking, immersing players in a larger-than-life world, while the audio adds an immersive (if sometimes repetitive) layer to the experience.”
read full review ↗
Hu3br
Gameffine
Push Square
Digitec Magazine
Capsule Computers
TestingBuddies
ZTGD
Pro Game Guides
PPE.pl
Worth Playing
TheSixthAxis
Game8…and 28 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- 🛠️ Achievement fixesJul 6, 2026
- 🛠️ Balancing FixesJul 23, 2025
- 🤝 Time to Unite 🤝 The Swarm Together Update is Now AvailableJul 16, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- ☀️ Upcoming Summer Update 3/5 - QoL & Balancing ⚖️Jul 11, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- ☀️ Upcoming Summer Update 1/5 - Horde Mode ⚔️Jun 26, 2025
- 🛠️❄️ The Winter Update 2024 is HereDec 9, 2024
- 🛠️ Update 1.02.19779 Now AvailableNov 15, 2024significant · resets scoring window