Xenopurge – A Deep, Tactical Auto-Battler That Puts You in Command

Xenopurge by Traptics and Firesquid delivers a refreshing twist on the tactical auto-battler genre

Placing you not on the battlefield, but behind a bank of cold, flickering monitors. Rather than embodying the classic boots-on-the-ground commander, you operate from a remote control center—issuing high-level directives, monitoring multiple screens, and feeling the weight of every choice as your squad pushes deeper into hostile territory. This indirect style of command creates a unique pressure: you’re safe, but your team isn’t, and every decision reminds you of that distance.

The game shines in how it blends its atmospheric sci-fi setting with its strategic systems. The tone evokes influences from Alien and Space Hulk, presenting dimly lit space corridors and abandoned facilities where danger feels ever-present. Missions unfold through procedural level generation, ensuring that no two incursions feel alike. Whether you’re conducting a search operation, escorting valuable assets, performing extractions, or destroying Xeno hives, each run pushes you to adapt to unpredictable layouts and enemy patterns.

What truly stands out is how Xenopurge emphasizes planning over reactive micromanagement. You dictate priorities, map routes, and issue limited commands from a curated list of instructions, but once your squad is in motion, you’re relying on foresight rather than reflex. This creates a compelling tension: you’re setting the stage, but your team must survive the execution. When things go wrong—and they often do—the stakes feel personal.

As part of M.A.C.E. (Mercer’s Advanced Combat Enterprises), you’ll recruit and equip new squad members, each bringing their own tactical tendencies to the battlefield. This allows you to shape a squad that fits your preferred command approach, adding an enjoyable layer of customization. The roguelite progression loop further reinforces this sense of growth. Even when a mission ends in failure, you return with new insights, unlocks, and tools that gradually turn you into a more capable commander across successive runs.

Sessions are intentionally quick and intense—most runs land around the 60-minute mark—making Xenopurge ideal for short bursts or extended play sessions. Its pacing keeps you on your toes, offering a constant flow of high-stakes decisions without overwhelming micromanagement. The evolving Xeno threat ensures that each mission demands fresh thinking, and the escalations feel meaningful and earned.

Xenopurge succeeds by offering a tactical experience that feels both familiar and distinct. Its remote-command perspective, roguelite systems, atmospheric tension, and emphasis on deliberate planning come together to create a strategy game that feels deeply engaging from the first mission onward. Whether you're drawn to methodical sci-fi tactics or looking for a fresh twist on the auto-battler formula, Xenopurge delivers an experience that is sharp, tense, and persistently rewarding.