Starship Troopers: Casper Van Dien Returns For ‘Ultimate Bug War’ Retro FPS

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A new Starship Troopers game is on the way, and Casper Van Dien is officially back as Johnny Rico.

Dotemu and Auroch Digital have revealed Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War, a fast-paced, retro-inspired shooter coming to Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in early 2026.

The announcement came with a new video starring Michael Van Dien, reprising his role and calling on people to join the battle against the alien Arachnids. You can watch it here:

Casper Van Dien Reprises Johnny Rico

Okay, so Casper Van Dien is back, and it’s not just a cameo! He’s essentially in the game as a character explaining the new training program the Federation is running. It’s a clever way to pull him back into the universe and directly address players, encouraging them to sign up and join the fight. It feels like a neat little immersive touch, honestly.

The video establishes the game’s old-school look and feel, and its use of wartime messaging, much like the original 1997 movie.

The Story: 25 Years After the Original Film

Ultimate Bug War takes place 25 years after the events of Starship Troopers. The game lets you experience the story of Samantha Dietz, a celebrated war hero, as she remembers her dangerous mission to eliminate the deadly Assassin Bug during the First Bug War. Players will revisit familiar locations like Klendathu and Planet P, and encounter new enemies in previously unseen areas.

The game features:

  • A solo campaign built around fast, gory, 3D-pixelated FPS combat
  • 14 weapons, including the Morita rifle
  • 11 Tactical Supports
  • A Federation Mech you can pilot

Play as the Bugs

Auroch Digital has introduced a new training mode that lets players control the alien Bugs. This allows players to learn how the Bugs behave, or just experience the game from their perspective by battling the human Troopers.

Coming in Early 2026

The strategy game Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War will be released early next year. Players interested in the game can add it to their Steam wishlist and stay informed about news and updates by following the official Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.

Watch the trailer:

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2025-12-05 02:01