Relic Labs has dropped a free demo for Earth Vs Mars, a new turn-based strategy game now available on Steam.
Built under Relic’s new experimental label, Relic Labs, Earth Vs Mars is one of several smaller, fast-turnaround projects that let the studio stretch its creative legs outside the bounds of its usual large-scale RTS offerings. The game pits Earth’s forces against a rebellious Martian colony, with a little bit of splicing, hybrid super-soldiers, and chaos thrown in for good measure.
The demo offers three skirmish maps:
- Downtown Showdown – tight, chaotic, and ideal for new players.
- Independence Bay – full-scale Martian assault, plenty of units, plenty of boom.
- Hazy Hills – enemies hide in fog, night vision not included.
A key feature is the Splice-O-Tron—a wonderfully messed-up machine that lets you combine human “volunteers” with animal DNA (yes, even a fly) to create buffed-up freak units with special traits. Spliced units hit harder, tank more damage, and in some cases, even heal by hurting enemies.
You’ll also get to pick from three commanders:
- Annabel Corman – the support queen. She heals units and resets enemy cooldowns.
- Colonel Marcus Shaw – the military brute. He calls in tanks and extra troops.
- Eric – your guinea pig. Former soldier turned bio-beast. Buffs spliced units and brings lifesteal into play.
This demo serves as a first look at what Earth Vs Mars has in store, with short onboarding missions that give a taste of its tactical depth and its offbeat personality.
Try it for free on Steam. Just don’t stare at the Splice-O-Tron too long.
