Given the fact that the movie Starship Troopers was such a blast to watch, whether for the over-the-top violence or the cutting-edge satire, I’ve continued to periodically return to it over the years for a quick injection of fun. When I saw that it was being used as the base of a first-person shooter, I’ll admit that I was a bit surprised, but seeing that they got back Casper Van Dien to play the part of Johnny Rico for it was all it took to at least get me invested in the hope it would work out. The resulting game is a mix of ups and downs, absolutely shining in terms of both intentional and possibly unintentional comedy, but perhaps being a little too rocky an experience as a whole to get more excited about.

Starting with what works well, the tone of the movie is absolutely pulled through the game experience, with the throwback-style intermission FMV sequences front and center. Whether it’s Johnny Rico pushing the merits of becoming a citizen, or seeing kids decked out in military gear ready to take on the bugs, the satirical propaganda element is fully in effect. The fact that even in-game friendly fire is very much on, and you’re just as likely to take out your own troops as they cross over in front of you mindlessly, adds even more fun to that side of the equation. As for the action, I’d recommend getting your feet wet on easier difficulties initially, as the bugs have a tendency to swarm in from all directions and it can be pretty overwhelming at times… also undeniably consistent with the movies. You’re less a one-person killing machine, and more of an effective cog in a larger force that feels like it has a tendency to let you down, so there are good times and bad.

The tough part is that at some point you need to see past the nods and winks to what may well be broader commentary on military combat, and the general tone of the movie, getting down to whether the game itself is fun. The most firm answer I could give is probably “that depends”. In general, you’ll tend to find yourself low on ammo and a bit desperate, which can at times add to the thrill of surviving, but more often ends in disaster and that can be frustrating. Navigating the battlefield can absolutely be a challenge at times, and while that can sometimes lead to you finding secrets, it can also make campaigns drag out longer than they should. Thrilling moments like taking control of a mech suit tend to be short-lived while feelings of confusion of aggravation will tend to more powerfully linger. Then there’s the vaunted bug campaign, which quite possibly could have helped to buoy the experience as a whole but instead feels like a distraction offering up very different play, that never quite came together. While you can undoubtedly feel the love and effort here, this will likely only appeal to fans of the movie who are willing to overlook some warts in the name of living the somewhat horrifying life of a space marine.