Created by the team behind the ever-iconic XCOM Long War mod, Terra Invicta is an expansive space strategy game that harkens back to its inspirations in all the best ways. Having released in early access back in 2022, it’s continued to do pretty well on Steam, accruing a respectable 80% rating that places it in the ‘very positive’ category. Its latest update, patch 0.4.78, was teased back in December 2024, promising new human Exofighters and colossal alien warships. After months of waiting, it’s finally here, making now the perfect time to strap on your spacesuit and get ready for battle.
Described as “hard sci-fi meets strategy,” Terra Invicta tasks you with one thing: defending the Earth. Aliens have landed in the Kuiper Belt and begun mining, preparing to invade the cosmos and eradicate humanity. Taking cues from XCOM, its obvious inspiration, you’ll choose from one of seven factions, each with their own ideologies – some sinister, some benevolent. You’ll have to slowly but surely cement yourself as the ruler of Earth, which allows you to set out into the grand strategy game‘s recreation of the solar system to combat the alien threat.
Patch 0.4.78 has been a long time coming, but it’s packed full of new content. First up are the Exofighters, small battle ships that can launch from planetary bases into low Earth orbit to help you stem the tide of the impending invasion. A huge AI change to human units means that your fleet will be more aggressive in the early stages of the game, too, making these new Exofighters an absolute godsend.
But the aliens’ AI has been improved too, meaning that they’re better at choosing their targets. Their arsenal has also been upgraded to include two new ships with Lancer and Titan hulls, and we’ll no doubt run into these heavy hitters in the later stages of play. Will the two big guns or myriad little guns prevail? We’ll have to wait and see.
Back on Earth, there are three new National Priority development paths (Environment, Government, and Oppression), and there are new economic, oil, and mining regions to ensure that those all-important resources keep on flowing. There are 35 new Traits, as well as two additional Councilor Classes: the control-focused Attorney and tech-savvy Engineer. You’ll also be able to enter into intel-sharing pacts with your rival factions – the enemy of my enemy, after all.
Finally, fleet management has received a major overhaul. You’ll be able to choose your formation at the start of combat, then hand-pick which ships will replace them as you call for reinforcements. Officers can now jump between vessels, too, but it’s worth noting that their capability will take a hit.
Terra Invicta patch 0.4.78 is out now on Steam. A full rundown of the patch notes is available here if you’re looking to get into the nitty-gritty details.
If it’s Terra Invicta’s hard sci-fi setting that’s lured you in, check out our rundown of the best space games for even more intergalactic adventures. Alternatively, if you consider yourself a shrewd strategist, we have a list of world-spanning strategy games that are well worth a go.
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