Review: Earth Must Die – Minority Mindset

Independent video games keep amazing us with their high-quality and innovative designs, and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. But I wouldn’t have expected to see a new game that feels like the old point-and-click flash games from the early days of the internet.

Size Five Games’ new game, Earth Must Die, is a delightfully funny surprise! This BAFTA-winning studio hasn’t lost its touch, delivering a wonderfully absurd adventure. Playing as VValak Lizardtongue, the hilariously clumsy heir to a galactic empire, felt less like playing a game and more like watching a new Adult Swim cartoon. His comical incompetence is genuinely entertaining.

It’s certainly not a bad thing – especially for those of us who grew up watching that network’s funny, quirky shows – but it does make you wonder how good the game actually is. And does having a lot of famous voice actors help the game, like it has for titles such as Dispatch?

A Vibrant and Satisfying Genre Throwback

What immediately grabbed my attention with Earth Must Die was its vibrant and stylish animation, which strongly reminded me of the surreal, funny animated shows that were popular on Adult Swim during my childhood and early adulthood. Beyond the beautifully designed sci-fi world, the characters are also incredibly creative – from the hilariously arrogant VValak to even the smallest creatures inhabiting Tyryth and other places.

Each location you explore feels like a beautiful work of art, and the characters are all wonderfully strange and individual. The game is consistently stunning to look at, never breaking the sense of being there, and it’s clear a huge amount of effort went into creating this vast world that VValak wants to control.

Honestly, the game just looks amazing, and that really helps tell the story. It feels like something you could easily watch as a fun, lighthearted show on TV, but that doesn’t take anything away from how good it is as a game. It actually adds to the experience!

VValak is a Delightfully Fun Villain to Play

It’s unusual for a game to let you play as a true villain instead of a hero or someone who eventually chooses the right side. But playing as VValak Lizardtongue works incredibly well – in fact, I wouldn’t have wanted to play as anyone else in this strange and captivating world.

I honestly felt more like I was front-seating a new Adult Swim series than playing a game.

VValak (spelled with two V’s) is the youngest and most self-centered son of Quintaran Tankheart, a famous military leader who also led The Ascendancy – a large alliance of planets committed to peace, harmony, and advancement. The game begins with Tankheart near death, and his older twin sons poised to take over his largely ceremonial position.

The game starts you playing as VValak, whose first goal is to take the throne from his brothers and sisters – he believes he’s the only one who deserves it. Everything about VValak, from his ridiculously ornate red robe to his dramatic way of moving, screams self-importance. He’s a wonderfully over-the-top and comical character, reminiscent of classic cartoon villains.

His true personality emerges gradually through conversations with various characters in the game. Though he’s adept at using words to get what he wants, he often relies on bluffs and posturing in serious moments, revealing a lack of understanding of social norms due to his privileged upbringing. He clearly sees himself as superior, yet those around him rarely seem to notice, making him consistently amusing to observe.

Even though VValak gradually realizes he can’t fix every problem with magic, he never loses his core personality. This makes playing him as a villain surprisingly enjoyable and lighthearted.

Point-and-Click Controls are Nostalgic But Finicky

Earth Must Die excels at telling its story through characters and the game’s world, but the actual gameplay feels less developed. It uses a point-and-click system reminiscent of older, simpler animated side-scrolling games from the 90s and 2000s. This is a charming idea that generally works, though it can sometimes feel a little too basic.

As you play alongside VValak and Milky, you’ll find things in the world you can interact with in specific ways. VValak will comment on these interesting spots, usually by talking about them, and can also ask another character to take action. He’s not one to physically touch things himself, though!

Even though the gameplay elements are fairly simple, they fit VValak’s personality perfectly, which is a good thing. Still, it would have been nice to see a few more interesting features added, without sacrificing the game’s classic and straightforward appeal.

All Dialogue and No Action (But It Works)

Interestingly, Earth Must Die relies entirely on dialogue for its gameplay. Your main skill isn’t fighting – it’s talking! As a newly appointed, and rather unqualified, leader of a peace alliance, you’ll need to use your words to navigate challenges and achieve… galactic peace (or perhaps domination!).

Even though the gameplay is straightforward, Size Five Games is fantastic at creating funny conversations that feel natural for the characters and world. It might not be for players who want more action, but it’s ideal for anyone who enjoys a relaxed experience and wants to feel like a scheming villain without any stressful chases or complicated button presses.

A Stacked British Comedy That Might Not Hit for Everyone

It’s impossible to talk about Earth Must Die without highlighting its incredible voice cast, featuring many popular British comedians. They all perfectly embody their characters, adding tons of personality and making each performance truly memorable.

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Joel Fry (known from Game of Thrones) perfectly embodies the character of VValak, capturing the game’s unique blend of villain and protagonist. Ben Starr (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) also appears as a key Terranoid character, though his performance is surprisingly disguised. The cast is rounded out by a fantastic group of well-known British comedians – including Martha Howe-Douglas (Ghosts), Alex Horne (Taskmaster), and Mike Wozniack (Man Down) – bringing plenty of talent and personality to the world of Tyryth.

Humor is a tricky part of any story, whether it’s on TV or in a video game, because what one person finds funny, another might not. This is especially true with British humor. While one character in the game has a unique comedic style, most of the others rely on the classic British approach – dry wit and a tendency to make fun of themselves.

I enjoyed a lot of the humor, and it felt appropriate for the character of Valak and her storyline, though not every joke quite landed perfectly for me.

Closing Comments:

Earth Must Die is a delightfully funny and over-the-top sci-fi adventure, boasting a truly memorable villain. It’s a game that strongly appeals to those with a fondness for retro classics, though younger players might not connect with its unique style. For fans of that era, Size Five Games has created another winner. While the point-and-click gameplay and puzzles can occasionally be a little tricky, it doesn’t detract from the game’s charming, nostalgic appeal.

2026-01-25 20:43