Earth vs. Mars Demo Now Playable on Steam — Relic Labs Unleashes Genetic Strategy Warfare

Earth vs. Mars Demo Now Playable on Steam — Relic Labs Unleashes Genetic Strategy Warfare originally appeared on GameDaily .

Get ready to splice, strategize, and survive. Relic Labs , a new experimental initiative from the legendary studio behind Company of Heroes and Homeworld , has launched the free demo for Earth vs. Mars , a turn-based strategy game of alien invasions, tactical combat, and wild genetic experimentation.

Set in a near-future Earth under siege from Martian invaders, Earth vs. Mars puts players in command of Earth's last line of defense. Armed with the Splice-O-Tron, players can bioengineer hybrid soldiers—combining human volunteers with the DNA of cheetahs, rhinos, and even flies—to outwit and overpower alien forces. The demo introduces players to the game's unique mechanics through three skirmish maps and three playable commanders, offering a taste of what's to come in the full release.

What's in the demo?

Three Skirmish Missions:

• Downtown Showdown : Urban close-quarters combat—perfect for beginners.

• Independence Bay : A tactical land-and-sea engagement.

• Hazy Hills : A foggy night battle with ambushes around every corner.

Three Unique Commanders:

• Annabel Corman: UFO conspiracy theorist with healing and sabotage abilities.

• Colonel Marcus Shaw: War hero turned general with reinforcement and strike powers.

• Eric: A reluctant spliced soldier whose combat buffs turn him into a battlefield monster.

Players will also have access to a full tactical help database in-game, ensuring a smooth onboarding into the game's systems.

If you love the demo, here's what's coming in the full game:

• 30+ mission story campaign

• 9 commanders with 20 unique powers

• Playable Martian faction

• Online multiplayer (2–4 players)

• A full-featured map editor

• Expanded Splice-O-Tron with 10 DNA options—from axolotls to eagles

"We're excited for players to try Earth vs. Mars—the first title under Relic Labs. It's our chance to explore smaller, weirder ideas in the strategy space, while continuing to support our larger projects," said Philip Harris, Game Director of Earth vs Mars .

This story was originally reported by GameDaily on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.