It’s been a few weeks since we got a first taste of the latest sci-fi survival factory title, StarRupture, and developer Creepy Jar has shared more details about the game’s hostile alien race, the Vermin.

These creatures will do everything they can to slow your progress—as if the exploding star on planet Arcadia-7 wasn’t enough. While alien swarms have been around in games, seeing Vermin Swarmers charge across the open plains at you is a new experience. They can be seen rushing toward the factory, with spiky forelegs ready to turn players into shish kababs. Having seen these firsthand, I can say: bring lots of ammo.

The next one you’ll likely find is the exploding blue vermin. These fast, gruesome vermin will bolt over hills toward you in a mad dash to cover you in whatever their blue, squishy interior is made of. Exploder Vermin like to hide underground and jump out at players as you approach. If they explode, they will whip the other vermin into a frenzy, and getting their sticky viscera out of your space suit is another problem entirely.

Spitter Vermin are another of Arcadia’s wildlife that players will come across. These butt-ugly things spit acid, and while their range is short, they are no less of a headache to deal with, especially in swarms. I died to them more than the other vermin during the playtest—nasty little snot slingers.

The Spitter’s cousin, the Flinger Vermin, adds range to its acid splash. While they do shoot their projectiles, that is not the worst of it. The shot fragments, sending a shower of toxic sludge across the ground, causing problems for survivors who are having to dodge close-range Spitters or other vermin. Stepping into the pools will cause damage and take down shields.

And then there is the Goliath. A monster of a vermin with large forelegs used as a battering ram as it charges toward players. These vermin will crush you if you get in their way. You’ll need a bigger boot if you want to stomp this thing. However, it doesn’t just charge at you; the Goliath also has the ability to slam the ground, causing a wave of energy to crash into players.

Early Access for StarRupture is scheduled for January 6th, 2026. I, for one, can’t wait to return to Arcadia and discover more about the planet and the vermin creatures. And of course, pay off my debt to the corporate overlords who sent me to work on this alien world. I’m still not sure how I got into debt.