Silica Review

[Michael {United Critics}]

🎮Gameplay	8.5	An ambitious RTS-FPS hybrid with immersive, large-scale battles, though it’s a slow burn and requires patience and tactical coordination.
📷Graphics	8	Impressive visuals with large-scale units and landscapes, though optimisation on lower-end PCs needs work.
🎧Narration/Audio	9	It’s a personal preference, but I do like the soundtrack and sci-fi combat experience.
😮Variety	7	Few combat roles and unit types, the game needs more variation.
🎰Re-playability	9	If you can withstand the low player base count, then solo runs are also fun.
💲Price	8	A solid value for fans of RTS-FPS hybrids, though keep expectations in check due to Early Access status.

📝Story/Plot without spoilers:

Silica transports players to Baltarus, an unforgiving desert planet filled with a never ending power source, Balterium. But, you are not alone, as you will jump into a scenario where humans and aliens clash in epic battles for survival and dominance. Rather than a narrative-driven experience, Silica gives players the freedom to shape their own battlefield story as either an RTS commander or a ground soldier. This unique hybrid allows players to become both the strategist and the soldier, where every skirmish, every structure, and every destroyed enemy forms part of a grander story in a living, evolving war zone.

🎮Gameplay:

A Unique Blend of RTS and FPS Mechanics
Silica’s gameplay is as ambitious as it is immersive. It combines elements of real-time strategy with first-person shooting, allowing players to toggle between commanding an army from above and jumping into the thick of battle as a foot soldier. This freedom offers unique perspectives and dynamic shifts in gameplay, though the hybrid nature requires a tactical mindset and patience. Starting each session slowly, you’ll watch as your base gradually grows, resources accumulate, and powerful units are unlocked.

RTS Mode - The Commander's Perspective
As an RTS commander, the game takes on a classic strategy feel with a twist. You control resources, manage unit production, and make strategic decisions that shape the outcome of battles. Commanders in Silica don’t just oversee—they actively coordinate infantry, refinery, scouting, vehicle production, and defensive structures to secure vital areas. The game’s large map encourages players to explore and expand early on, setting up resources, scouting enemy territory, and harvesting Balterium.
RTS fans will find the control smooth and intuitive, but the slow burn means that a deep engagement only arises when armies clash. Leading massive armies and summoning alien monsters or human tanks adds an extra layer of excitement to the experience, especially as battles intensify. Silica rewards patience and team play, so working closely with your squad or guiding players as commander is key to victory.

FPS Mode - Infantry’s Point of View
In FPS mode, Silica transitions to an on-the-ground shooter experience where players take up the role of infantry, tank operators, or even alien creatures. While powerful units and vehicles can turn the tide of battle, foot soldiers play a crucial role in scouting, defending, and slowly gaining ground until reinforcements arrive. Unlike pure FPS titles, individual soldiers aren’t designed to wreak havoc on their own; instead, strength in numbers is vital. This perspective allows for a sense of scale, where the true power lies in teamwork and tactics over solo exploits.
FPS mode shines when you’re part of a well-coordinated team or if you’re advancing under a skilled commander. Once the battle reaches its peak, the FPS experience is unmatched, especially during nighttime engagements where lighting effects and atmospheric sounds amplify the immersion. Plus you can enable the night vision for better visibility.

Vehicles and Night Battles
One of Silica’s standout features is the use of both land and air vehicles. Tanks, armoured cars, and scout vehicles each bring unique advantages, particularly in open desert combat. Vehicle controls, though still in refinement, allow for exhilarating gameplay that dramatically shifts the balance of power.

Balance and Optimisation
As of now, Silica is in Early Access, meaning there are noticeable performance issues on lower-end PCs, and FPS can dip during large battles. This can be frustrating for players with mid-range setups who want to experience the full scale of the game. You will also occasionally find some bugs. For example, when I start a mission, I cannot change the graphic settings as the dropdown is not clickable, but it works in the main menu. Additionally, I feel the overly huge scale can disrupt the immersion, as soon you will feel like a needle in a hay. This scale would have worked if the player base was hitting peak numbers, but right now, it’s very hard to find a game. However, the developer seems committed to regular updates and improvements to the AI and player base issue.

Needs more Variety
The ambition is there with the plot, scale and the graphics. But variety is somewhat lacking. It’s a good game just to turn on and have some fun, but it needs something more. More units/enemy types, maybe shorter maps and more missions with better AI. Something is missing alongside playerbase!

📷Graphics:

The game’s visuals are a standout feature, especially for fans of realistic art styles. From the eerie alien landscapes to the massive military vehicles, Silica captures the desolate beauty of planet Baltarus. Though the game looks impressive, lower-end PCs may struggle to maintain smooth FPS, particularly in multiplayer. Once optimised, Silica’s graphics could be among its strongest selling points, creating an immersive experience for players across various hardware.

📝Main Pros and Cons:

Pros-

• Unique RTS-FPS hybrid gameplay.
  
• Large-scale battles.
  
• Immersive world with impressive visual scale.

Cons-

• Requires better optimisation for lower-end PCs.
  
• Needs a strong, consistent player base for full experience.
  
• FPS gameplay can feel slow if commander support is lacking.

✉️Miscellaneous Information:

Different Modes-

• Prospector- FPS mode, where you will explore the dusty wastes in the search of Balterium.
  
• Strategy- Spotlight mode for FPS/RTS combo to assert dominance.
  
• Area- Ready for a face-off? Just select your favourite unit and jump in for an FPS free-for-all battle.

😇Honest Rating:

It’s a weird one to explain, the game itself is very good except for needing some improvements in the AI, but at the core, it requires a solid player base to be even close to being enjoyable. There are not enough players present to fit the current scale of the game. I would say to keep an eye on it and give it time. It has come a long way, and I trust that the developer will polish the game’s fate.

Rating: 8/10

Reviewer: Guri
Loved shooting bullets at night time.