Zero-K

Zero-K is a real-time strategy game where you build armies of robots and fight across changing terrain. Its units and projectiles use simulated physics, and you can play a galaxy-spanning campaign solo or in co-op, face AI and survival challenges, or compete in multiplayer battles.

Units and physics

Zero-K has more than 100 varied units, with abilities such as terrain manipulation, cloaking and jumpjets. Small, nimble units can dodge slow projectiles, while hills block weapon fire, line of sight and radar. Gravity guns can toss units across the map, and transporting a battleship to a hilltop can give it greater visibility and gun range.

The units include Fleas that can swarm and cling to walls, jumping cans with steam-spikes, underwater buoys that ambush ships, fire-spewing mechs that can be thrown from air transports, carriers with helicopters, and a Jumping Jugglenaut with dual-wielded gravity guns. Other available abilities and weapons include teleports, shields, EMP, napalm, black hole launchers, mind control and self-replication.

Shape the battlefield

The terrain changes during battles. Craters can bog down enemy tanks, and you can dig canals to bring navy units inland, build ramps and bridges, or raise entire fortresses. The planetary energy chisel can also burn your portrait into the continental crust.

Campaign and survival

The campaign spans more than 70 missions and can be played solo or in co-op. You explore the galaxy and discover technologies, while choosing how to customize your commander, including whether to use cloaking or resurrection. You can also face challenging AI that does not cheat, or work with friends to survive waves of chicken-monsters.

Multiplayer

Multiplayer supports 1v1 matches, team battles up to 16v16, free-for-all, co-op, ladders, replays, spectators and tournaments. You can fight AI or waves of chicken-monsters with others, compete in 1v1 ladders and tournaments, or play free-for-all. PlanetWars is a competitive online campaign with web-game strategic elements, diplomacy and backstabbing; it is currently on hiatus pending an overhaul.

Orders and control

You can set the camera, queue and level of control without limits. Paint a shape to have units form up in that formation, and use construction priorities to direct builders. Units can also be ordered to kite, strafe or zigzag to dodge bullets.

Maps and battles

The game includes hundreds of maps. You can combine unit abilities and weapons to devise team tactics, and fight with no paid advantages or unfair multiplayer.