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Subway Invasion
Game
Game2025
Xenopurge
Developer Traptics
Xenopurge is a tactical auto-battler where you are a Commander tasked with purging the Xenos threat. Operate from a remote command center, issuing indirect orders via multi-screen interfaces. Plan routes, set priorities, and adapt as missions escalate and feel the true weight of being in command. From the Steam store page
253 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon, Lemmy) · newest Nov 4, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
85
LovedLoved
159 positive · 29 negative
95% range 79–89%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 159 | 29 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 21 | 0 | 37 |
| Mastodon * | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| 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
268 of 302 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
85% recommend · 160 yes, 29 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 189 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (405 of 470 positive).
Players praise the tense, atmospheric sci-fi horror and unique commander perspective. [1][2][3] Many find the gameplay addictive and rewarding despite its minimalist graphics. [4][5][6] Some reviewers note limited content and repetitive missions as drawbacks. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [20]
The pros: - I love a good sector-by-sector roguelike, and there are some pretty fun high risk / high reward mechanics to it. - It does what's on the box which is real time squad management, I love Duskers but in that game it comes down to guesswork a lot of time, with no progression. This game has good algorithms for the people, and a good progression system. - It's very satisfying to set up a squad member on …
- [1]
I don't know whether to compare this first to Space Hulk, or to Aliens, but it is a great atmospheric game that evokes a huge amount of gritty scifi horror into a beautifully reductive graphical representation. Definitely had moments feeling like Lambert shouting for Dallas to "get out of there", but equally like Gorman in the APC struggling to give commands while watching his squads comms blink out. They have a few …
- [5]
I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE STRESSED ABOUT DOTS ON A SCREEN I've always wanted a game that feels like you're sitting at a Mother terminal in Alien commanding a squad. Xenopurge is that game. Really enjoy that the entire game can be played (and is recommended to) entirely with keyboard inputs. The game play loop is great, and I can finish a run in about 20 minutes. The loop is as follows: Start with your group of cloned …
- [12]
It's weird that the first negative review on this game is someone writing an entire essay off of one hour of gameplay stating the game is only "5% finished". I almost not bought off of that statement alone, as I am fatigued of waiting months or years for games to have finished content or optimization. But, the FLT / Slay the spire loop spoke to me spiritually, and so I tried it. I am addicted. Plain and simple. The …
- [2]
Xenopurge is a strategy game that immediately distinguishes itself through perspective and tone. Developed by Traptics and published by Firesquid, it places the player not in the boots of frontline soldiers but behind the monitors of a distant command station, issuing directives to a squad battling for survival in alien-infested environments. Instead of fast-paced gunplay or direct tactical micromanagement, the core …
Summarised from 34 of the 256 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 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
85% of the 189 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Xenopurge. The complaint that keeps coming up: lacks content and feels like early access. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
60 of 253 · most liked firstSTARTING SOON: EXCLUSIVE early look at XENOPURGE by @traptics.bsky.social! Thank you to @dominictarason.com for the demo key. XENOPURGE is a game about being a commander, far from the action, giving orders to men through a screen to kill or die against a xeno threat. #twitch #slimegirl #vtuber
neutral · AI labelView post →I don't know whether to compare this first to Space Hulk, or to Aliens, but it is a great atmospheric game that evokes a huge amount of gritty scifi horror into a beautifully reductive graphical representation. Definitely had moments feeling like Lambert shouting for Dallas to "get out of there", but equally like Gorman in the APC struggling to give commands while watching his squads comms blink out. They have a few extra elements outside the main gameplay which is pretty cool, but turns it…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The pros: - I love a good sector-by-sector roguelike, and there are some pretty fun high risk / high reward mechanics to it. - It does what's on the box which is real time squad management, I love Duskers but in that game it comes down to guesswork a lot of time, with no progression. This game has good algorithms for the people, and a good progression system. - It's very satisfying to set up a squad member on overwatch in a key junction and have them be the guardian angel of your guys looting…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just a Proof of Concept (This is more of a neutral recommendation, turned negative for the reason explained at the very end of this review.) Consider how much you are willing to pay for ~3-5 hours of entertainment, then don't pay more than that for Xenopurge. The game has a good premise involving a somewhat novelty idea, but otherwise it has very little content. It's interesting and fun, but shallow. A trial version of a full game. A proof of concept. Your squad is limited to 4 members. And…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Following the proud traditions of Alien (on the ZX Spectrum) and Duskers, Xenopurge is a game I know I will adore. 🚀Kickstarter: www.kickstarter.com/projects/tra... 🎥 trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KP3... ♥️Wishlist: store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/...
positive · AI labelView post →I really appreciate what this one was trying to do, and it kept me going enough to play about 2 hours (I didn't intentionally stop here, this is just when I got sick of it). There's two major problems in my eyes and a third more minor one 1. Terrible information. In a game this quick and brutal you really wanna know what's going on. When you unlock the alternate starting setups, the game doesn't tell you what's in them. It says someone starts with a scanner or an armor, yet you have zero…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Xenopurge Demo is out people! Wanna fight the Xenos threat? Want to contribute to MACE? Here's how: 1. Wishlist the game 2. Play the demo 3. Leave a review store.steampowered.com/app/3175750/... #indiedev #gamedev #indiegames #wishlistwednesday #aliens
neutral · AI labelView post →I like the idea of the game. Unfortunately, the gameplay gets very repetitive very fast (in about two runs). There are only a handful of mission types and enemy types, and all of the maps are a square with a jumble of rooms and corridors. The maps don't matter at all though, all missions are completely defined by where the mission objectives and enemy spawners randomly end up. There aren't any varied character builds to speak of (just upgrading weapons and speed solves the game), and none of…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Xenopurge has a release date! 🖥️ The game is releasing on Steam on July 11th! #indiegame #horrorshowcase #xenopurge
neutral · AI labelView post →@traptics.bsky.social's Xenopurge is a palm-sweatingly tense game about hitting a few keys on your keyboard. Also, there's aliens … but you'll never see them. www.rogue.site/editorials/x...
neutral · AI labelView post →Such a good game and such an unexpected gem! Games don't need to be overly complex to be good, and Xenopurge is proof of that. Core gameplay is simple: assemble your squad, drop them into the fray, watch as your units explore and enter battles with enemy units, input commands in real time, survive and escape. But there there are more layers of strategy, which is the best path to take to make it to the end, unit synergies, upgrades (or downgrades), positioning choices and much more. The…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Never did I think watching little dots on the screen run around in a panic would fill me with such anxiety and glee, 10\10 would recommend
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If you are looking for an Alien-inspired commander simulator look no further! Check out Xenopurge, a roguelite real-time tactics game, where you manage a squad of Xeno-hunting space marines! store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/... #indiedev #gamedev #indiegames #wishlistwednesday
neutral · AI labelView post →Last #screenshotsaturday everyone, do your best! Game: Xenopurge Genre: Real-time tactics + Simulation Link: store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/... Extra Info: Playtest open, soon on Kickstarter Remeber to Wishlist on Steam and Follow on Kickstarter! #indiedev #gamedev #indiegames #scifi
neutral · AI labelView post →I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE STRESSED ABOUT DOTS ON A SCREEN I've always wanted a game that feels like you're sitting at a Mother terminal in Alien commanding a squad. Xenopurge is that game. Really enjoy that the entire game can be played (and is recommended to) entirely with keyboard inputs. The game play loop is great, and I can finish a run in about 20 minutes. The loop is as follows: Start with your group of cloned troops > decide which track you want to follow on the map > Complete the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Happy to be part of @wingsfund.me Steam event for women-led Studios, with Xenopurge. We are currently having a playtest you can access through Steam. Join us and wishlist the game! store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/... #indiedev #gamedev #indiegames #screenshotsaturday
neutral · AI labelView post →I was going to say it's at an acceptable state for an early access game, but given that it's apparently not in early access, it's very.. simple for where its at. It's an alternative to Duskers, (which is much better in my opinion) and the main idea is certainly there, but it's not worth $12.49, let alone $7.49 on sale. I'd wait for a few more updates to see where they're going with it, because it certainly has promise, but it feels like its missing so much content and its just such a simple…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'm sure this appeals to someone, but that someone is not me. This game claims to be an auto-battler, but that is very misleading. Your soldiers require constant real-time management, the only thing that is automated is movement, and even then, only from pre-set commands. Your troops WILL NOT act without orders, even for very simple tasks like picking up a piece of loot. The default orders they fall back on are extremely simplistic and almost useless in most cases. This would be acceptable if…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Back when we initially started Xenopurge we intended to make it look like a board game. Then we found Duskers and it dawned on us. If you want to do an Alien-inspired game you can't leave the retro-futuristic tech out. store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/... #indiedev #gamedev #wishlistwednesday
neutral · AI labelView post →I can't believe it. MY VOICE IS IN A LEGIT VIDEO GAME. Xenopurge is a tactial auto-battler game by @traptics.bsky.social and it releases on July 11th this year, and you can play its demo RIGHT NOW! There's a chance you'll hear my voice as one of the soldiers! store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/...
positive · AI labelView post →Look MA I'm on the credits! Helped with translating and love everything about the game!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I really want to like this game but it falls short. Time is the enemy, aliens spawn increases with each wave. It pushes you to be as efficient as possible, to give commands quickly and correctly. It is suck when your soldiers die, but it pushes you to go for another run. Graphics are meh, but that's OK. Run times are short, about 10 mins or so. The game is repetitive but it tries to mix it up with different squads, random maps, weapons, armor, missions and commands. This is a rogue like so…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It feels very small and limited with only four objectives, and it doesn’t seem like the developers are planning to expand that aspect further.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →EDIT: Disabled comments as morons kept attempting to argue that this is an auto-battler, simply because the developers call it an auto-battler. In realty this is a limited control RTS with roguelite elements, but the few RTS controls you do get are so awful and non-specific that this game would honestly be better if the devs tossed the entire RTS aspect and actually made this an auto-battler. It's everything I never wanted from a RTS! It's quasi-turn based RTS with a significant lack of…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Unique and addictive tactical auto-battler - inspired mainly by Aliens and Space Hulk - which uses immersive human voice acting and sound effects, music and minimalist but communicative/functional graphics to build suspense and dread as you oversee your 2-4 troops in their completing a variety of objectives in randomly generated maze corridor battlefields of varying sizes. https://youtu.be/uHmzjL9eX5o?si=gKPQM-e2tmFUC5O6 Four different Squads provide a wide variety of Actions to turn the tide,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An absolute gem of a game. I’d love to see a sequel with enhanced visuals—soldiers moving through corridors and the action shown from a top-down isometric perspective would be incredible. The replayability and overall fun factor are outstanding. I’m having a blast playing it so far—definitely one of my favourite games in my library.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Sadly no option to take off and nuke the site from orbit; that's the only way to be sure in these circumstances.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An example of how a good idea and passion can create a game better than many soulless triple-A games. A great tribute to the atmosphere of the 80's Aliens film and a little gem worth trying for strategy enthusiasts.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Xenopurge is a strategy game that immediately distinguishes itself through perspective and tone. Developed by Traptics and published by Firesquid, it places the player not in the boots of frontline soldiers but behind the monitors of a distant command station, issuing directives to a squad battling for survival in alien-infested environments. Instead of fast-paced gunplay or direct tactical micromanagement, the core tension comes from being the detached overseer—responsible for life-or-death…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Super cool concept but it's a touch lacking in content. I was hoping for a bit more story rather than "go here, kill these guys." It feels a bit like an early access game (not that there's any hate to that at all.) I will certainly be retrying in a few months! The devs seem super on top of things and have pushed pretty consistent and frequent patches.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This is a very interesting game and I really enjoy the controls and squad management. I love the premise and there's a lot of potential here. I got my $12.50 of enjoyment out of it. Unfortunately the roguelike elements really detract from my enjoyment long term. I have unlocked untold guns, armor, and commands but I never get to use them because I have to randomly draw a store at a favorable part of the run where I might have resources and then the gear I want for my build has to be…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Incredibly frustrating controls. Instead of direct control over your squad, you only issue generic orders like scout, group up with someone, pick up item X, leave the area. Sounds simple, right? Not even close. Everything is buried under layers of menus and submenus, so even the most basic commands take three separate steps: pick the action, pick the character, then pick the target. Stuff that’s intuitive and standard in other games turns into a constant struggle here. On top of that, the UI…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's weird that the first negative review on this game is someone writing an entire essay off of one hour of gameplay stating the game is only "5% finished". I almost not bought off of that statement alone, as I am fatigued of waiting months or years for games to have finished content or optimization. But, the FLT / Slay the spire loop spoke to me spiritually, and so I tried it. I am addicted. Plain and simple. The first run was easy. As its supposed to be. I thought I knew the core mechanics,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Xenopurge has a great concept and a good start for a tense tactical auto-battler https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/07/xenopurge-has-a-great-concept-and-a-good-start-for-a-tense-tactical-auto-battler/ #Xenopurge #IndieGames #Steam #PCGaming #Gaming #LinuxGaming
neutral · AI labelView post →Xenopurge, my first ever casting credit in a video game, is now OUT! If you like tactical strategy games with a horrific sci-fi twist, give it a look! It's currently 22% off at time of writing and is VERY reasonably priced, even off sale. #indiedev #indiegames #gamedev #autobattler #xenopurge
positive · AI labelView post →Players will have access to two squads with distinct playstyles and can replay the game across multiple difficulty levels. Xenopurge is coming out July 11th in Early Access. store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/... #indiedev #gamedev #indiegames #scifi #aliens #xenopurge
neutral · AI labelView post →This week we have an #interview with Mike Papagathangelou from @traptics.bsky.social about their 1new game Xenopurge! Take a look! #indiegame #indiedev #indiegamedev #indiegames @firesquid.games
neutral · AI labelView post →Checking out some STEAM Next Fest Demos! Starting with Xenopurge! Live at: www.twitch.tv/yeoden #vtuber #vsky #SteamNextFest #calamitycrew
neutral · AI labelView post →We're excited to partner with @traptics.bsky.social and publish the very unique sci-fi game: Xenopurge! 🖥️ Xenopurge is a tactical auto-battler where you are a Commander tasked with purging the Xenos threat. Wishlist now and join the playtest on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Ooh, it is time to do something again with streaming! It has been a while, but receiving the @missmonster.bsky.social Smilodon mask clearly got this one to go for it. We are playing #Xenopurge and try to understand game! twitch.tv/isolectra #furry #furrystreamer #twitchstreamer #livevirtaaja #gaming
neutral · AI labelView post →The making of Xenopurge with game designer Mike Papagathangelou of @traptics.bsky.social. ⏰ Live today at 18:00 CET on YouTube: www.youtube.com/live/cA5wmhK... #gamedev #indiedev #makingof
neutral · AI labelView post →Mike Papagathangelou, @traptics.bsky.social's game designer responsible for titles like Xenopurge and Homeseek, will be doing a live presentation of his *Practical Introduction to Systemic Game Design* course on March 23. 🎲 Reserve your free seat here: www.eventbrite.com/e/a-practica...
neutral · AI labelView post →good game when you really like how duskers feels. it is much better btw. still needs some quality of life features like: 1. fast forward that automatically back to normal speed when enemy encounter. 2. reset to root command so that i can react faster when i was in middle of commanding other one. 3. better recon logic and pathing maybe. I don't think it is intended to just peak at door and go away and another member come to see *one tile* left in the room. their path is no efficiency in mind…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →New Review for XENOPURGE out! 🔗 youtu.be/n5qJQCcMmBM @traptics.bsky.social made an incredible game with so little. I'm truly impressed at how much the game nails the tension and atmosphere, and I could really see the action as if it was a movie. #indiegame #strategygame #autobattler #roguelike
neutral · AI labelView post →This strategy roguelike [Xenopurge, demo available on Steam] is like trying to fight off an alien invasion with a bunch of PCs from the late 1970s.
neutral · AI labelView post →Xenopurge Demo is up on Steam now. It's an Aliens-inspired real-time tactics game with a slick Duskers-style retro interface over some space-hulk adjacent gameplay Check it out, maybe leave a review, and share it with friends who might also wanna purge some xenos! #indiegame
neutral · AI labelView post →We are making Xenopurge a game inspired by Duskers and Aliens. It's roguelite, it's retro futuristic and its all played through a screen.
neutral · AI labelView post →Good game, though a little bit stressful for me XD
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The Making of Xenopurge -- join us for a live #gamedev interview with game designer Mike Papagathangelou of @traptics.bsky.social on March 16! ▪️ The discussion will be streamed on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA5w...
neutral · AI labelView post →Absolutely awesome real time tactics game! You can play it on an easy 'simulation' tactical pause mode, but I'd guess that would massively reduce the tension & excitement. I normally avoid real-time action in favour of proper turn based combat games. But this one is very much worth the effort. Getting snowball powerups with the bioweave squad and being totally OP for the second half of the run is the most fun I've had in years. Only -ve I'd call out is that they're being a bit naughty to call…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Inspired by the movie Aliens, tactical roguelike Xenopurge heads to Steam on July 11 https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2025/07/inspired-by-the-movie-aliens-tactical-roguelike-xenopurge-heads-to-steam-on-july-11/ #Xenopurge #IndieGames #PCGaming #Gaming
neutral · AI labelView post →Must buy for any Aliens fan
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Decent but very bare-bones. Highly limited options both during and between runs. Not really a ton of variety. Probably good to check out someways down the line.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Am I...am I a voice actor? 🥹 My first official video game credit comes out tomorrow and I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas morning 🥳 Check out Xenopurge on Steam, releasing tomorrow! #voiceactor #voiceacting #indiegames #gaming
positive · AI labelView post →This is a game that seamlessly blends a lot of sci fi concepts into a overarching theme of what it's like to be a commander/overseer of continuing operations leading soldiers into dangerous territories with even more dangerous aliens. For ALIENS geeks out there you're basically playing the part of a commander Gorman -- you call the shots, but it's the soldiers on the ground that are doing the fighting and the dying for you, and reaping the rewards of your good decisions and suffering the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This might be the old school gamer and diehard Aliens fan in me, but I love this game! So easy to pick up and play, yet difficult to master. You play as a remote commander directing your team to complete each mission and escape. There's plenty variety in your squads, weapons, and loadouts to keep gameplay fresh (re-playability). The visuals are very "Alien-like" with a lot of easter eggs for the hardcore fans. The audio is great too... intense and immersive. This is just a fun game that…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Imagine the motion sensor from the movie Alien. Now turn that into a tactical FTL style roguelike. A singular dot on a CRT screen. Except that dot has helped you survive, saved VIPs, fended off monsters and you shed a solemn tear now that you have to sacrifice it as bait so some other dots can escape. With that premise in mind the game offers multiple different squads, weapons, loadouts and strategies that keep the gameplay fresh and rewarding. For it's price it is an excellent innovative…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Xenopurge is out of early access, and better than ever. I think this might be my game of 2025! Huge congrats @TrapticsGames! Go kill aliens here ⬇️ store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/...
positive · AI labelView post →Xenopurge, an auto-battler, strategy roguelite game, was released into early access today. Help an elite squad of soldiers stop the alien Xeno threat to humanity by issuing commands from your remote station. Look out for our upcoming review! store.steampowered.com/app/2983410/...
neutral · AI labelView post →Surprise video! Thanks to @firesquid.games I had opportunity to play early access version of Xenopurge a little early! Give it a look here, the game deffo scratched my management and tactical needs hehe: youtu.be/F8-zkOWGjKo #vtuber #xenopurge #vsky
positive · AI labelView post →
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