Silica

Silica combines real-time strategy and first-person shooter on the desert planet Baltarus. Here, the human factions Sol and Centauri fight native aliens for resources and military control. Players lead armies from above or join the battle themselves.

Silica has been available as a full version for Windows PC since Nov 3, 2026. Early access began on May 3, 2023. All existing owners receive version 1.0 with the new campaign at no extra cost.

Silica is available on Windows PC via Steam. The PC version offers single player, online PvP, co-op strategy matches and Steam Workshop.

A commander builds bases, produces troops and directs units from a bird’s-eye view. At the same time, other players can fight directly as soldiers, vehicle crews or alien creatures. Land and air vehicles, as well as large harvesters, determine the battles on Baltarus.

The campaign, the duel mode and Steam Workshop support are part of the full version 1.0. No separate expansion is required.

For minimum requirements, Steam lists Windows 10 (64-bit), 16 GB RAM, a Core i5-7400 and a GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon RX 570. Recommended are 32 GB RAM, a Core i5-10400 and a GTX 1080 or RX 5700. 48 GB of storage space is required.

Version 1.0 adds a voiced single-player campaign. Between missions, a three-dimensional map shows the front lines on Baltarus. The campaign offers freely selectable save points, automatic checkpoints and a fast Centauri jet bike.

The two human factions, Sol and Centauri, rely on bases, infantry and vehicles. The aliens differ through their creatures and direct close-combat roles. The asymmetric units change the flow of battles and players’ tasks.

The commander can arrange units in line formations, set precise attack points and select similar troops at the same time. The full version also improves target selection and vehicle navigation in large battles.

The game includes classic strategy, co-op strategy with selectable difficulty, the Centauri campaign and competitive one-on-one matches. In duel matchmaking, players choose their faction and can exclude certain maps.

Multiplayer matches connect the strategic commander with fighters on the ground. Custom servers are supported. With version 1.0, a more direct duel matchmaking and improvements to dedicated servers were added.

On the Steam Workshop, players share their own scenarios and download new content. Improved sandbox tools make it easier to place, scale and move objects.

The Steam version offers German menus and subtitles. English has menus, subtitles and full voice acting. The mission dialogue of the Centauri campaign is also voiced.

Martin “Dram” Melichárek developed Silica within the Bohemia Incubator program. The publisher is Bohemia Interactive. During early access, cooperative strategy matches and the Commander AI were added, among other things.