Introduction: A Fresh Take on Real-Time Strategy
Released in 2019, They Are Billions brought a refreshing wave of panic and tactical depth to the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre. Combining colony building, tower defense elements, and survival mechanics against terrifyingly massive swarms of infected, the game challenges players to build, manage, and defend human settlements in a bleak post-apocalyptic world.
Developer and Available Platforms
The game was developed and published by Numantian Games, an independent Spanish development studio known for their previous RPG work on Lords of Xulima. They Are Billions captured immense attention during its Steam Early Access phase before officially releasing its 1.0 version in June 2019.
Today, They Are Billions is available on multiple platforms:
- PC (Windows): Available on Steam, GOG, and Humble Store (offering the definitive experience with custom map support).
- PlayStation 4: Digital release adapted for controller play.
- Xbox One: Digital release with gamepad optimization.
- PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X/S: Playable via backward compatibility.
Story and Narrative Context
Set in a post-apocalyptic 22nd century, a sudden and hyper-aggressive infection destroyed civilization, reducing humanity to a few thousand survivors. The single-player campaign, titled The New Empire, places you under the command of Emperor Quintus. From the safe confines of Crater City, your mission is to expand into the wilderness, reclaim lost territories, and discover the origins of the catastrophe while rebuilding human society under a totalitarian regime.
The narrative is primarily conveyed through tactical mission briefings, research logs, and ancient artifacts found during hero mission explorations. While the story is not heavily cinematic, the atmospheric lore adds genuine gravity to your survival efforts.
Graphics and Technical Performance
Visually, They Are Billions shines through its custom engine built specifically to render thousands of individual entities on screen simultaneously. The game utilizes a beautiful 2D isometric visual style featuring detailed steampunk aesthetics—brass machinery, steam pipes, Victorian-era attire, and heavy industrial architecture seamlessly contrast with the desolate, toxic environment.
Watching up to 20,000 infected storm your fortified walls in real-time without severe framerate drops is a technical triumph for an independent studio.
Gameplay Mechanics: The Brutal Edge
The core gameplay relies on balancing resource gathering (Wood, Stone, Iron, Gold, Oil, and Food) with defensive engineering. One single infected unit breaking through your outer wall can infect a nearby tent, triggering a chain reaction that can wipe out your entire colony in seconds.
Key gameplay highlights include:
- Survival Mode: A randomly generated map challenge where you must survive a set number of days against periodic zombie waves culminating in a final massive attack.
- Campaign Mode: Over 48 missions offering a tech tree to unlock new buildings, units, and empire perks.
- Tactical Pause: Players can pause time to issue commands, queue buildings, and assess defenses without losing control.
Final Recommendation and Verdict
They Are Billions is an exceptional, highly tense strategy game that rewards careful planning, quick reflexes, and strong economic management. Its difficulty curve can be unforgiving to casual gamers, as a single mistake can undo hours of progress. However, for RTS fans looking for a genuine challenge and a unique steampunk atmosphere, it is an essential title.
blockquote>Verdict: 8.5/10 — A masterclass in strategic tension and defense building that RTS enthusiasts should not miss.
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