They Are Billions asks players to build a city that will fall. That contradiction is the whole game. You gather wood, stone and iron to raise walls, farms and barracks. Then hordes of zombies arrive, and every decision you made earlier becomes a target. The game is a strategy title for PS4, Switch 2, PC and XONE, built around managing resources while fighting waves of enemies that keep coming back. It scores 7.6 out of 10, matching the published critical score.
Trailer, via Numantian Games.
Building the City
The core loop is simple. Gather resources, build structures, assign workers, train soldiers, defend against waves. But the game adds layers quickly. Buildings can be upgraded, workers can be reassigned, and the enemy waves grow larger and more aggressive over time. The difficulty curve is steep, and the game does not hold your hand.
What sets They Are Billions apart is its focus on resource management. You are constantly juggling food, wood, stone and iron, and each wave strips away some of what you have built. The game forces you to make difficult choices about what to protect and what to sacrifice. A strong economy is the key to surviving the later waves, and the game rewards players who plan ahead.
The Hordes Arrive
The zombies in They Are Billions are not standard fodder. Each wave brings new types of enemies, from fast runners to armored brutes, and the game mixes them together in unpredictable ways. This variety keeps the combat fresh, even after dozens of hours. The game also includes special events, like fires and floods, that add chaos to your carefully laid plans.
The game’s difficulty is its defining feature. Early waves are manageable, but the later ones are brutal. You will lose cities, and you will lose often. The game is designed to be replayable, and each playthrough offers a different set of challenges. The difficulty is not a flaw; it is the point.
Managing the City
The city-building aspect of They Are Billions is where the game shows its depth. You place buildings, roads and walls to create a functional settlement. The game tracks population density, food production and worker efficiency, and you need to balance all three to survive. The interface is clean and easy to use, though the sheer amount of information can be overwhelming at times.
There are several key systems to master:
- Resource tracking: wood, stone, iron and food
- Worker assignment: laborers, farmers, builders and soldiers
- Wall placement: defending choke points and resource nodes
- Barracks training: upgrading troops and choosing tactics
Each system feeds into the others. A weak economy means fewer soldiers, which means weaker defenses, which means you are less prepared for the next wave. The game forces you to think about the long-term consequences of every action, and that is where its replayability comes from.
Surviving the Later Waves
The late-game content in They Are Billions is where the game shines. The waves become relentless, and the strategies you used earlier stop working. You need to adapt, experiment and try new approaches. The game does not offer much guidance, so you are left to figure things out on your own.
The game also includes a campaign mode, which adds a narrative layer to the strategy. The story follows a group of survivors trying to rebuild society after the zombie outbreak, and it ties into the gameplay in meaningful ways. The campaign is shorter than the main game, but it provides a different perspective on the world.
The campaign mode is worth playing for the story alone. It gives context to the otherwise abstract strategy, and it makes the city-building feel more personal. The campaign is not required, but it enhances the experience.
The Replay Value
They Are Billions is a game that rewards persistence. You will lose cities, and you will start again. The game is designed to be played multiple times, and each run feels different. The procedurally generated maps and enemy waves mean you are never facing the exact same situation twice.
The game also includes a multiplayer mode, where you can compete against other players online. This mode adds a social element to the strategy, and it changes the way you approach the game. Playing against another human is a different challenge entirely.
The multiplayer mode is a fun addition, but it is not essential. The single-player campaign is the heart of the game, and it is where the depth of the strategy is best felt.
Final Verdict
They Are Billions is a challenging, rewarding strategy game that demands patience and planning. It is not for everyone, and its difficulty will frustrate some players. But for those who enjoy deep tactical gameplay, the game offers a satisfying experience. The resource management and city-building mechanics are top-notch, and the wave-based combat keeps things exciting.
The game is available on PS4, Switch 2, PC and XONE, and it runs well on all platforms. The graphics are functional rather than flashy, but they get the job done. The sound design is solid, with tense music and realistic zombie noises.
They Are Billions is a game that respects its players. It trusts you to learn its systems and make smart decisions. It is not a forgiving game, but it is a fair one. The difficulty is earned, and the victories feel earned too.
They Are Billions scores 7.6 out of 10.
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