One developer. One game. Overwhelmingly Positive rating. From Glory to Goo by Stratagem Blue launched into Early Access in April 2024 and has been quietly proving that indie developers can deliver exactly what players actually want from survival RTS games. The latest version 0.2.3 added a roguelite mode alongside new buildings, units, and quality-of-life improvements. This is what happens when a developer understands their genre, respects their players, and ships consistent updates.
The premise is simple but high-stakes: your spaceship crashes near a colony on an alien world. You must establish a base, manage resources, defend against waves of an alien life form called The Goo, and eventually evacuate your people. It sounds like They Are Billions, but Stratagem Blue built something with its own identity combining space combat, colony management, and tower defense into something genuinely special.
A Colony Under Constant Siege
From Glory to Goo forces you to think vertically. You’re managing a ground colony and an orbiting spaceship simultaneously. Ground forces gather resources like water and power to support colonists still in orbit. The spaceship provides research, defensive fire support, and resource shipments. Losing either means catastrophic failure.
The resource system is beautifully interconnected. Effort is your workers’ labor output. Water is essential for survival. Power maintains all buildings. Run out of power and facilities shut down. Neglect water and your colonists weaken. There’s constant tension between expansion and maintenance. Building more defenses consumes power. But not building enough defenses means getting overrun.
The Goo Never Stop Coming
Your enemy is The Goo, an alien life form that grows exponentially as your colony expands. The bigger your base, the more Goo you attract. This creates genuine strategic tension – aggressive expansion brings resources but also proportionally increases threat level. Periods of quiet are opportunities to build defenses before the next wave hits. Survival mode requires surviving a set number of waves. Endless mode lets you see how long you can last.
Captains With Unique Playstyles
Different captains offer completely different gameplay experiences. Each captain provides unique units, special abilities, and distinct mechanics. You’re not just changing cosmetics – you’re fundamentally altering how you approach colony building and defense. One captain might specialize in aggressive expansion. Another might focus on defensive structures and walls. A third might leverage space combat advantages.
Unlocking new captains through gameplay gives progression meaning beyond just stats. You’re genuinely excited to try new captains because they change how the game plays. This is smart design for roguelite modes – variety keeps runs fresh.
Exploration Incentives Beyond Combat
Expanding the map isn’t just about resources. You discover wreckage from previous expeditions with valuable tech. You encounter native alien species you can ally with or destroy. You rescue lost colonists. Each biome has unique exploration rewards. This transforms expansion from pure military conquest into strategic exploration balancing resources and survival.
One Developer, Multiple Game Modes
Stratagem Blue just added roguelite mode to an already feature-complete early access game. That’s significant. Most early access titles struggle to add one well-executed mode. Stratagem Blue is adding modes players actually want while maintaining quality. The survival mode is tight, focused, and punishing. The roguelite mode adds replayability through captain variety and procedural elements. The choice of which to play based on mood shows respect for player preferences.
Overwhelmingly Positive Reception
Steam’s rating system doesn’t hand out Overwhelmingly Positive easily. From Glory to Goo earned it through consistent quality, meaningful updates, and genuine respect for the survival RTS genre. Players recognize when a developer understands their game and their audience. This rating reflects that.
Early Access Done Right
From Glory to Goo is available now on Steam for $11.99 at a 25% launch discount. A free demo is available if you want to try before committing. Currently at version 0.2.3 with regular updates promised. Stratagem Blue maintains active Discord community engagement and regularly incorporates player feedback into development.
This isn’t a “permanent early access” title sitting stagnant. This is development happening in real-time with community involvement.
FAQs
What platforms is From Glory to Goo available on?
From Glory to Goo is available on Steam PC in Early Access. Console versions have not been announced.
Is there a demo I can try?
Yes, a free demo is available on Steam. It gives a genuine sense of gameplay before purchasing the full version.
How much content is in Early Access?
Multiple game modes, numerous captains, various biomes, full survival campaigns, and recently added roguelite mode. This isn’t a skeleton early access – it’s substantial content.
How often does Stratagem Blue update the game?
Regular updates have been released since April 2024 launch. Version 0.2.3 just shipped with roguelite mode. Updates typically include new content, balance changes, and quality-of-life improvements.
Is this single-player or multiplayer?
From Glory to Goo is entirely single-player focused. The experience is designed as a personal strategic challenge.
How long are typical matches?
Matches vary depending on difficulty and captain choice. Expect anywhere from 30 minutes for quick skirmishes to several hours for longer campaigns.
What games is this similar to?
From Glory to Goo draws inspiration from They Are Billions, Diplomacy Is Not An Option, Starcraft, Command & Conquer, and Age of Darkness. It combines horde survival, colony building, and real-time strategy mechanics.
Does it require pause functionality?
Yes, the game is pauseable RTS. You can pause to plan strategies rather than requiring real-time reflexes.
Conclusion
From Glory to Goo represents indie game development at its finest – a solo developer creating exactly what players want from survival RTS games without compromise. The roguelite mode addition, multiple captains, thoughtful resource management, and dynamic difficulty scaling through The Goo’s expansion makes every run feel distinct. With an Overwhelmingly Positive rating and regular updates, Stratagem Blue has proven that early access games can deliver complete, satisfying experiences. At $11.99 with a free demo available, From Glory to Goo is an absolute steal for anyone who loves survival RTS games, horde defense mechanics, or just wants to see what one passionate developer can create. Download the demo on Steam and prepare for some serious colony-building chaos.