Zeta Leporis RTS

[h1] Information / Review English [/h1] Zeta Leporis RTS falls into the retro real-time strategy genre, which was developed by Jason Gieske. The game is still in the development phase, so errors may still occur. [h1] Gameplay / Story [/h1] The story takes place around the star Zeta Laporis and a long-forgotten civilization that only consists of remnants. As the saying goes, stars disappear from one day to the next and stop shining. Instead, a new star shines somewhere, which is reborn in heaven/space. As in every TD game, you have to build your towers to fend off the different waves. In this game we are dealing with asteroids. The various towers can be removed so that they become stronger, this is also important later on, otherwise you have no chance. [h1] Pro [/h1] + Retro real-time strategy + some enemy and tower variants + suitable background music + appropriate graphic style + simple controls + fair price + Tutorial + Achievements [h1] Contra [/h1] - only English translation available - partly still quite confusing [h1] Conclusion [/h1] Zeta Leporis RTS offers an interesting concept that takes place in the vastness of the galaxies. I'm excited about what's to come next. [h1][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/26335619-Adult-World-Gamers/] First of all, thank you to the developer for providing us with this key for the group. Here you can find more good reviews from others and me at and if you liked the review, then we would be happy about a thumbs up and I would be happy about an award as Goddie [/url][/h1] [h1] Information / Review Deutsch [/h1] Zeta Leporis RTS fällt in das Genre Retro-Echtzeitstrategie, welches von Jason Gieske entwickelt wurde. Das Spiel befindet sich noch in der Entwicklungsphase, daher können noch Fehler auftreten. [h1] Gameplay / Geschichte [/h1] Die Geschichte spielt Rund um den Stern Zeta Laporis und eine längst vergessene Zivilisation, welche nur noch aus Überresten besteht. Wie sagt man so schön, Sterne verschwinden vom ein auf dem anderen Tag und hören auf zu leuchten. Dafür leuchtet irgendwo ein neuer Stern, welcher wiedergeboren wird im Himmel/Weltall. Wie in jedem TD-Spiel musst du deine Türme bauen, um die verschiedene Wellen abzuwehren. In diesem Spiel haben wir es mit Asteroiden zu tun. Die verschiedenen Türme können entfernt werden, damit sie stärker werden, das ist auch im späteren Verlauf wichtig, sonst hat man keine Chance. [h1] Pro [/h1] + Retro-Echtzeitstrategie + einige Gegner und Türme Varianten + passende Musikuntermalung + passender Grafikstil + einfache Steuerung + fairer Preis + Tutorial + Errungenschaften [h1] Kontra [/h1] - nur englische Übersetzung verfügbar - teils noch recht unübersichtlich [h1] Fazit [/h1] Zeta Leporis RTS bietet ein interessantes Konzept, welches aber noch Abstimmung benötigt. [h1][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/26335619-Adult-World-Gamers/] Zunächst einmal vielen Dank an den Entwickler, der uns diesen Schlüssel für die Gruppe zur Verfügung gestellt hat. Hier findest du weitere gute Bewertungen von anderen und mir unter und wenn dir das Review gefallen hat, dann würden wir uns über einen Daumen nach oben freuen und ich mich über einen Award als Goddie [/url][/h1]

If you remember and/or like the original "simple" RTS games of yore -- I'm talking like Dune 2000 era -- this game is right up that alley. It's pretty straightforward - build resource buildings on deposits to claim them, other buildings for research and military production, and start pumping out a massive swarm of fighters, frigates, destroyers and more to protect your economy and obliterate your enemies. Maybe the most unique feature is that each building has its own stockpile of resources that it uses for production, so you have to build and maintain a logistics line (represented by "cargo barges" that automatically pick up and deliver things where needed) or else your production grinds to a halt. Pros: - Unlike a lot of Early Access RTS games I've tried, the AI is actually capable of putting up a pretty convincing fight, especially at default map settings. - The big swarms of fighters are fun to watch and it's pretty satisfying when you get the big ships toward the end of a game. It feels epic, especially with all 12 players. - Even though it *is* a fairly simple RTS, it's still got enough depth that it takes some time to figure out what works best for you and your playstyle. Quirks (not really good or bad IMO, just things that take a bit of getting used to): - There's a lot of different units (cool!) but for the most part they do the same thing (eh). E.g. there's small, medium, large fighters, each with A, B, C variation, but there's no tactical choice to make here, it's a linear progression of fighting ability. So basically you have to remember to keeping going back to your engineering and upgrade your fighters (and other ships) or else you will fall behind the AI. - The economy logistics idea is cool but it's not super intuitive how it works at first. You *can* figure it out though, and the interface has already improved significantly since I last played this as part of the demo playtest. Cons: - After a few play-throughs it can start to feel a bit samey because the AI doesn't really seem to adapt what it does to make you deviate from whatever you've figured out is your optimal strategy. - No multiplayer so you are limited to the AI as opponents. That's not surprising to me considering that this is a solo dev game, and their first brought to Steam. Being an aspiring dev myself, I know that making an RTS is an incredibly ambitious undertaking so even if this game isn't perfect (yet?) it's sill pretty amazing. And like I said at the beginning, if you're the right type of person for it, it's already fun, even in Early Access!

Pretty good indie RTS. Needs more time in the oven but it is very solid right now. Worth a buy, especially at the price.

Edit: Since my review the game has seen multiple updates to fix most issues, balance the difficulty, added new units, and seen a graphical overhaul. So now easy turtle gives you so much room to breathe vs before, it's just perfect to learn the game without any issues. Medium is also a bit more balanced, while hard and higher is unaffected. So honestly I can recommend this more now easily. Edit edit: Seen a few more updates, inc a big one. It's a solid game atm for the price, and the dev seems to still be invested in it. Easy 100% if you like achivments too, tho needs time Original Review: This is fairly close to most mid 90s space RTS, as is the difficulty. So don't buy this expecting fast & easy games etc, as matches can drag out. But then again, there are so many settings to adjust that it's easy to find a sweet spot for most to have fun with it still, and it's fairly easy to get into. It's not a perfect game, or highly recommendable. But as far as games with this visual style, it's alright still. Tho ofc there are still room for improvements in some areas. But for the price you can't really complain much. On a sale for anyone that likes OG RTS. Then this is honestly worth a look. Tho if you want something more long lasting, then this might not be it... yet.

Old school RTS that is fun. Music has original Star Craft vibes. Give it a shot!

Zeta Leporis RTS, developed and published by Jason Gieske, is a minimalist real-time strategy game that leans heavily on the foundations of classic RTS design while operating within a clearly indie scope. Set in a distant star system where autonomous factions battle across fragmented asteroid fields, the game establishes a tone that is more mechanical than narrative-driven. There’s little emphasis on story or character; instead, the focus is placed squarely on systems, resource flow, and tactical decision-making. The core gameplay follows a familiar structure: gather resources, construct buildings, produce units, and engage in combat to control the map. What stands out is how unapologetically traditional the design feels. Rather than simplifying mechanics for accessibility, the game expects players to actively manage multiple layers at once—economy, production, defense, and offense—often under constant pressure. This creates a pacing that feels deliberate and sometimes demanding, especially for those not accustomed to juggling several responsibilities simultaneously. For players with experience in older RTS titles, this approach will feel recognizable, even comfortable. One of the more distinctive aspects of the game is its setting. Instead of large, continuous terrain, battles unfold across clusters of asteroids, creating a segmented battlefield. This changes how positioning and expansion are approached, as players must think about controlling multiple nodes rather than a single contiguous space. While this doesn’t completely redefine the RTS formula, it introduces subtle strategic considerations, particularly when coordinating attacks or defending multiple locations at once. The game currently centers on skirmish-style gameplay, reflecting its early access state. Matches are largely self-contained, with the primary appeal coming from experimenting with strategies and improving efficiency over repeated sessions. Without a structured campaign or varied mission objectives, the experience relies heavily on the strength of its core mechanics to maintain engagement. For some players, this creates a satisfying sandbox environment; for others, it may feel limited in scope. Artificial intelligence plays a key role in shaping the experience, and it can be both engaging and uneven. Opponents are capable of maintaining pressure and forcing players to stay active, which helps sustain tension throughout a match. However, there are moments where the AI’s behavior can feel inconsistent or overly aggressive, leading to difficulty spikes that don’t always feel balanced. This can make matches unpredictable in ways that are not always tied to player decision-making. Visually, Zeta Leporis RTS adopts a clean and functional style that prioritizes clarity. Units, structures, and interface elements are easy to read, which is essential for a strategy game that requires constant attention. At the same time, the presentation is fairly sparse, lacking the visual detail or polish that might give the game a stronger identity. The asteroid environments, while fitting the theme, can feel repetitive, and the overall aesthetic remains utilitarian rather than memorable. As an early access title, the game shows clear signs of ongoing development. Certain systems feel incomplete, and the overall experience lacks the refinement expected from a fully released RTS. Features such as multiplayer and additional content are still evolving, and while updates suggest a commitment to improvement, the current state can feel more like a foundation than a finished product. This makes the game more appealing to players who are comfortable with works in progress rather than those seeking a polished experience. Despite its limitations, Zeta Leporis RTS succeeds in capturing the essence of classic strategy gameplay. It doesn’t attempt to modernize or reinvent the genre; instead, it focuses on delivering a straightforward, systems-driven experience that rewards planning and efficiency. There is a certain appeal in its simplicity and directness, particularly for players who enjoy managing resources and outmaneuvering opponents without the distraction of excessive features. However, that same simplicity also defines its weaknesses. The lack of content variety, combined with uneven balance and a somewhat bare presentation, limits its long-term appeal. Without additional modes or deeper systems, the experience can begin to feel repetitive, especially for players who are not inherently drawn to the RTS genre’s core loop. In the end, Zeta Leporis RTS is a modest but earnest entry into the real-time strategy space. It offers a solid foundation built on classic mechanics and a unique setting, but it is still in the process of becoming a more complete and polished experience. For fans of traditional RTS gameplay who are willing to engage with an evolving project, it provides a functional and occasionally rewarding experience, even if it hasn’t fully reached its potential. Rating: 7/10

Good Game!

A neat little game which feels inspired by the old RTS's of the 90s and early 2000s. It's getting frequent updates and after reporting a bug, the dev fixed it in just a few days. Easy recommend for the low price tag!

Zeta Leporis is fun. Like, almost surprisingly so. The stand outs for me are the resource delivery mechanic and the AI. Unlike a lot of RTS games, your buildings need a constant supply of materials. Most games I feel use a central pool of resources that you spend but here your supply ships automatically zip about depositing and picking up ore, fuel and energy. It's an interesting gameplay mechanic and hard to get right but in Zeta Leporis it works. I put this down to the really solid supply ship AI. They zip around like worker bees. It adds such a good vibe to the game and adds just the most interesting wrinkle to the gameplay that you might not get from the videos or screenshots. The AI is good too. It's hard. Like, I've played for several hours and haven't won a game yet but I've gotten closer each time. I don't feel frustrated, I feel challenged. There's just something about this game that WORKS. Finally, the game has a lot of charm. The tutorial is good (although it didn't explain where fuel (a higher level resource) came from). The voices for the units (and tutorial) and really charming. It's kind of home made but in the best way. I've just had a big smile on my face the whole time I've been playing. Things I would like to see? Hmm, I'd love to see more feedback from the ships and buildings about their status. For example, I'd love to know if my mineral ores are "saturated" with cargo ships. I would also love to see the design language tightened up. For example, the icons for the different resources/ship limits/fighter limits are very similar shaped and colours. There's also a few quality of life things that could be polished too -- eg shift-click to add a unit to the current group. These are minor quibbles. Zeta Leporis RTS! A serious surprise to me in a good way.

Awesome game. One of the best indie rts.