8-Bit Hordes
8-Bit Hordes
Game
Game2016
8-Bit Armies
Developer Petroglyph
8-Bit Armies is a real-time strategy video game developed by Petroglyph Games, which was released on April 22, 2016 for Microsoft Windows and for Xbox One, and PlayStation 4 on 21 September 2018. From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
182 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Mastodon, Bluesky, Lemmy) · newest Oct 12, 2026 · last updated Oct 12, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
80
LovedLoved
131 positive · 32 negative
95% range 74–86%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 131 | 32 | 0 |
| Mastodon * | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| Bluesky * | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
1,213 of 1,506 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
80% recommend · 134 yes, 34 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 168 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (2,014 of 2,477 positive).
Players compare it to Command & Conquer, praising its familiar gameplay. [1][2][3] Some find the campaign lacks story and depth, feeling repetitive. [4][5][6] Others enjoy it as a simple, fun RTS, especially on sale. [1][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [5]
Its nowhere near as gripping as the Command and Conquer and Red Alert series that it copycats. There appears to be no attempt at level design, with campaign levels feeling like random skirmish maps. It's THAT bland. At least for a copycat, 8-Bit Armies doesn't feel clunky or unintuitive. I like how you need to 3-star each mission to unlock upgrades to your starting loadout, i'd like to see this in more RTS base …
- [4]
Pros: ✅ Easy to learn gameplay. ✅ Voxel art style. ✅ Co-op missions. ✅ Frank Klepacki soundtrack. ✅ Achievements. Cons: ❌ Campaign has no story. ❌ Multiplayer is dead in 2025. ❌ Hard difficulty could have been more challenging.
- [3]
Command and Conquer, but in 8 bit. Seriously it feels like modern day Red Alert 2/Generals with 8 bit graphics and better quality of life and it's super fun and worth it!
- [10]
Middle thumbs up. Low budget game with stagnant tactical gameplay that outstays its welcome quite quickly. The core gameplay here is basically C&C: You spam as many barracks/warfactories as you can in a big conga line towards the enemy whilst spamming out as many units as you can, in the hope that your stream of units overwhelms theirs. All matches seem to devolve into this meta gameplay. But C&C/RA was forgiven for …
- [1]
An RTS like C&C by a studio that unsurprisingly was in on making C&C. Take the formula RTS that C&C uses and pixelate it. You have this game and the other 8-bits, essentially. Nothing new to see here, but on a very deep discount, it is fun for a few hours. 6/10 at 80%+ off.
Summarised from 34 of the 187 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 12, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
80% of the 168 Steam reviewers we collected recommend 8-Bit Armies. The complaint that keeps coming up: campaign has no story or cutscenes. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
60 of 182 · most liked firstPS Plus is Losing 10 Games in August 2023. - 8-Bit Armies - Borderlands 3 - Carmageddon: Max Damage - DCL - The Game - GRIP - Nidhogg - The Crew 2 - Yakuza 0 - Yakuza Kiwami - Yakuza Kiwami 2
neutral · AI labelView post →Pros: ✅ Easy to learn gameplay. ✅ Voxel art style. ✅ Co-op missions. ✅ Frank Klepacki soundtrack.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its nowhere near as gripping as the Command and Conquer and Red Alert series that it copycats. There appears to be no attempt at level design, with campaign levels feeling like random skirmish maps. It's THAT bland. At least for a copycat, 8-Bit Armies doesn't feel clunky or unintuitive. I like how you need to 3-star each mission to unlock upgrades to your starting loadout, i'd like to see this in more RTS base building games. You aren't missing out on anything by not buying this game.…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I originally got this game and played with my friends back in the day when I was in high school, it was fun for a time. It had some pretty animations, was just polished enough to feel mostly complete without feeling like you were missing to much, but that there might be more coming. Unit types felt at first like that mattered and seemed varied and interesting enough at first as well. Overtime as we played though my friends and I started to see just how shallow the game really was, there is no…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unbelievable boring and generic "campaign". No video sequences. Only one party. No real story or lore. You cannot make much tactical or even strategical decisions here, just send massive amounts of units. In normal difficulty, the enemy does not really is a danger for you. There is no challenge and there is no fun, just monotony and ugly graphics. For a hobbyist single developer such a quality could be acceptable, maybe.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Maybe it's just not for me, but I don't think it's a good RTS. - in some areas it's too basic, in others too restrictive, - you can build only one thing at a time, - expanding and getting more resource nodes is done in a way I hate, - only 2 factions to play (aren't really that different). - when it comes to display settings, only fullscreen works. Borderless auto-sets to 1600x900 window and can not be changed. Windowed auto-sets to 1920x1080 window and can not be changed. Just look…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its mostly just spam units and attack, Not much strategy involved. At least not enough to call this a quality RTS game. Boring missions and boring game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An RTS like C&C by a studio that unsurprisingly was in on making C&C. Take the formula RTS that C&C uses and pixelate it. You have this game and the other 8-bits, essentially. Nothing new to see here, but on a very deep discount, it is fun for a few hours. 6/10 at 80%+ off.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Its every bit as mechanically tight and well designed as the classic command and conquer games, but it lacks any personality whatsoever. The low-rez blocky look is neat, but the game has no flavour at all.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →IN ONE HOUR Another game from my Steam library: 8-Bit Armies! A 3D blocky RTS. I'm not good at RTSes :) www.twitch.tv/monocles #vtuber #envtuber
neutral · AI labelView post →11/10 best RTS out there
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Pretty decent if you like Command and Conquer games
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →legalise nuclear bombs
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I have been trying to get my son into RTS games so we could play together, as I loved playing C&C, Red Alert, and AoE2 (and others) when I was a kid. To him though, those games are unappealing and too old. The new strategy games are generally very complex, clearly targeting a more mature audience. I couldn't figure out how to get him into the genre. 8-bit armies was the bridge. Its a modern feel and art style, and I was able to jump right in as the controls and gameplay are almost exactly the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A bare bones generic RTS that truly lives up to the CnC legacy...unfortunately. As a mature, reasonable adult, I'm able to appreciate that Command and Conquer, which I do love, is dated. That shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, so I don't know why Petroglyph, which is made of ex-Westwood alumni, would just do what got them shut down and re- re- re- re- remake the one game that they'd been making for years... Simplistic designs choices, not just visually but mechanically, mean I don't feel…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a fun game. I really want to like it, however they failed to implement the left mouse action. You have you select and attack with the right mouse. I came from command and conquer and I've been using left mouse action for years. It's my second nature to keep using the left mouse and for the life of me I can't get used to the right click rubbish. I can't believe they've failed to implement such a simple key input. Like its within the very least you can do.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Command and Conquer, but in 8 bit. Seriously it feels like modern day Red Alert 2/Generals with 8 bit graphics and better quality of life and it's super fun and worth it!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Starting to go through my collection and highlight 2 games a day to talk about them! This mornings it is strategy game, 8-Bit Armies. Grabbed this during the height of my “collect just to collect” phase so I don’t actually know much about this one but it looks decent! Have you played this one?
neutral · AI labelView post →Dont waste your money
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's not a bad game per say, but I can't recommend it. It feels like it doesn't have a whole lot going for it. I will say the campaign is interesting, rewarding you for completing side objectives which help you in other campaign missions. If you want an RTS, I recommend play Planetary Annihilation: Titans
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A perfect game for every Command & Conquer fan.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →LEAVING SOON: #PSPlus August 15: • Borderlands 3 - PS4/PS5 • Nidhogg - PS4 • DCL - The Game - PS4 • Yakuza 0 - PS4 • Yakuza Kiwami - PS4 • Yakuza Kiwami 2 - PS4 • GRIP - PS4 • The Crew 2 - PS4 • 8-Bit Armies - PS4 • Carmageddon: Max Damage - PS4
neutral · AI labelView post →tl;dr: Not a bad game. Interesting, but can get boring playing against the AI. Buy only if going to play against friends. The good: The game is polished and well looking. I haven't had any performance issues. The mechanics are similar to the classic Command and Conquer. The bad: The game could get boring real quick by playing against AIs. Certainly they pose a challenge, so that's not the problem. I can't pinpoint what is it, but Red Alert 2 could be more entertaining against AIs than 8-Bit…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unoriginal art style that almost suits the gameplay, which is to say they're both pretty simple.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Command & Conquer Styl in Voxel Look... Made from people who actually made C&C? Music from Frank Klepacki? Call me hooked. Call me excited. This game is fun. Even without cheesy FMV Movies.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Middle thumbs up. Low budget game with stagnant tactical gameplay that outstays its welcome quite quickly. The core gameplay here is basically C&C: You spam as many barracks/warfactories as you can in a big conga line towards the enemy whilst spamming out as many units as you can, in the hope that your stream of units overwhelms theirs. All matches seem to devolve into this meta gameplay. But C&C/RA was forgiven for having cool looking units and fun FMV. Aside from that, the game itself is…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →In only did the single player campaign. The campaign is good. Quite a nice idea with the the small challenges per mission unlock more units/building for start. Mission are not too hard but a bit repetitive.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I would recommend everyone start with 8 Bit Invaders, then play 8 Bit Armies. 8 bit invaders is easier and a lot more accessible, 8 bit armies is a bit more bland, but it's fun after playing as the aliens to get used how 8 bit armies plays. I'm currently exploring their conquest mode, which is interesting because every zone has a different type of enemy. Alien, Human, dragon, orc, it's interesting to watch humvees fight with giant orcs.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great RTS game. Absolutely worth grabbing when it goes on sale. Get the entire series.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Decent, simple and fun, but low in replayability and depth.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is an excellent pass the time sort of game. Really enjoyable and quirky in it's on way. It is easy to get in to and understand. I really enjoyed playing 8-Bit Army and recommend this game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →My Petroglyph Games friends have announced their latest update to the 8-bit Armies series on Steam. Looks fun! #PetroglyphGames #8BitArmies #9BitArmies #SteamPowered https://store.steampowered.com/app/1439750/9Bit_Armies_A_Bit_Too_Far/
neutral · AI labelView post →One of the best RTS in recent years shows that simplicity is the power. 8-bit Armies commemorates the first Command & Conquer game, features an addictive gameplay and has a great chance to charm the community.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Quaint little game. Quote: "Remember Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, the Life. Probably worth a google?"
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've completed 10 missions, all of which are the same. About every 2 missions, you unlock a new building or unit, but everything remains the same. Just build about 15+ tanks, head for the enemy base, and you've won (and this is the only way to earn all 3 stars within the time limit set for the missions).
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Disclaimer I finished regular campaign on normal. It seems DLC is basically the same game just with different units. TL;DR Basic doesn't feel the right word. It's so basic that it's unremarkable. Only worth it on a steep sale if you don't mind playing missions that feel one step above skirmish, but not like actual proper campaign. Will take about 10h to finish it all on normal. Description Classic RTS, has a bit of a C&C feel. 1 faction only. Classic military units. Resources are gathered…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →8 bits. I love 8 bits. 8. wait. 8.... I ate. a lot. I ate my feelings into my soul and now I'm an empty casket of lust and decrepit loneliness waiting to be swallowed by a 7 foot goth latina vampire. May Allah bless me. Netanyahu please save us.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Mini RTS is cute and a good grab on a cheap cheap sale.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →this is a fun war game!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →g'old gameplay, good visual style and awesome music! Highly recommend to at least try.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Welcome back commander. I adore the concept of the campaign. Beating levels and bonus objectives gives you more starting units for all future missions. Towards the end you start with a rather large army which is super helpful for the last couple missions. My biggest complaint is definitely the nuke. It needs an extra couple seconds to be able to see it and run away. Your entire army can disappear in the blink of an eye, and that is common in the last few campaign missions. A second complaint…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →pretty straightforward on gameplay. its a good thing if you need something to occupy your time while something else is downloading
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →this game is the best i love it. i would highly recomend it
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A really good game for any fan of the Westwood Command & Conquer/Dune games. The difficulty is spot on, with enough difficulty if you want it to be. Good multiplayer and skirmish modes too. All around really fun for anyone interested in casual RTS's or strategy games.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just a shallow game with nothing to learn except big blob win.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Got a cat here. Friends passing by can touch her and click Like to pet her once. Award for good luck, Take My Points for infinite pets :) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ＿＿ ／＞ フ | _ _ l ／` ミ＿xノ / | / ヽ ﾉ │ | | | ／￣| | | | | (￣ヽ＿ヽ)__) ＼二つ
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love dropping nukes every 5 seconds and releasing the fear of a million souls on my friends. WAR CRIMES FOR THE WIN!!!!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's in the same mold as earlier Command & Conquer / Dune style games, but fun nonetheless.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Going #Live on #Twitch with another Lurkit game: 8-Bit Armies! Leaning back to classic Command & Conquer days, it seems! twitch.tv/nikki_envt #ENVTubers #VTubers #SmallStreamer
neutral · AI labelView post →It's an okay game. I had fun with the campaign for a while, but the controls are a bit clunky. Overall, I think it's just not my type of strategy game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really liked Command and Conquer and to my surprise I also liked 8-Bit armies. It does not have the storyline with videos that Command and Conquer had, it has very few different maps and the graphics are simple. So I thought I would not enjoy it that much. But it does not take itself super seriously and the gameplay is very enjoyable. Also they have a very unique way of handling the difficulty level. You can earn advantages by winning levels in the campaign or by winning while also doing…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm generally not a RTS fan, but this simple and intuitive voxel-based game was instantly understandable and enjoyable. It reminded me a lot of a demo I played endlessly back in the 90s(!) of "WarGames", due to the very similar methods of building and moving units. I only played a few of the campaign missions, and they were obviously ramping up in difficulty. Even in the very first non-tutorial mission, the enemy will start scouting your area, testing your defences etc. I didn't get a good…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Games Leaving Playstation Plus Premium and Extra on August 15th: - Borderlands 3 - Nidhogg - DCL Game - Yakuza Zero/Kiwami/Kiwami2 - Grip - The Crew 2 - 8-Bit Armies #GameNews
neutral · AI labelView post →I Love This Game
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I think the game is fun. Its very basic compared to most rts. What i like is how fast it is and the maps. I only tried campaign and you get rewarded by playing missions over and over again. While it is basic, i do like some of the ideas in this and wished it carried over to other games. For the story i have no clue what was going on. But yeah a cheap multiplayer rts with a long story. Thumbs up.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I got C&C:Tiberium Wars on a sale for the same price. Tiberium Wars is miles ahead of this. This one is too primitive for my enjoyment.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Stop looking at negative reviews and just buy it already!
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →if you played command and conquer back in the day, this is a modern take on it. They couldn't of got it more right. really addictive. Not awkward to control different groups of military units at the same time. Graphics as good as they need to be. Designed for pc gaming. played it on ps5 I think back in the day. The console really struggled with it. Whereas my pc experience was really smooth game play. no matter how many units u where operating. Too many and the camera view on PS was jumping…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A solid, old-school, slightly ugly RTS game, like a low-poly/minecraft-style C&C clone. Units are cheaper compared to C&C, so yes, you will often command many of them. But the claim made in some reviews here, that there was no rock/paper/scissors element to them, and its all just about mass, I do not agree. It may seem like that in the first 3 missions, but once you get helicopters and advanced tech, this is obvisouly not true. The campaign has a bit of a skirmish/multi-player feeling:…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →6/10 - Very bland. There is no reason to play this instead of C&C.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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