2018 seems like a bygone era right now, but it was the year that British developer Payload Studios first introduced us to their game, TerraTech.
TerraTech Legion
Qualification: TerraTech Legion
Genres: Survivor, Bullet Heaven
Released: April 30, 2026
Developer: Payload studies
Available in: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam
Price: $9.99
Play Xbox anywhere: ✔️
Xbox Game Pass: ✔️
However, you can’t start with the ultimate modular tank. TerraTech Legion combines its Lego-like building mechanics with a gameplay loop from the survival and bullet-sky genres.
In TerraTech Legion, the galaxy has been taken over by a swarm of AI bots that are destroying everything in their path, but players can take command as one of four technological horsemen, each with their own unique specifications and building abilities.
Initially, only tech jockey Mikela is available to players, but her Ranger 1, complete with stun and shockwave abilities, is a great introductory vehicle for players new to TerraTech.
After choosing a technician and a mission, players are placed on a map with a basic vehicle to take on the swarm, although early attack methods are extremely limited. Ranger 1, for example, starts with only a small weapon, which doesn’t seem to be of much use against the horde. Fortunately, Mikela’s signature boost allows players to ram into enemies and temporarily stun them, giving the weapon a chance to take down some members of the swarm for XP.
Like other survivors and bullet skies, TerraTech enemies drop XP and crates for the player to pick up. Modular parts that fit into the vehicle are stored until enough XP is collected to maximize the player’s current level. At that moment, a beacon with a regenerative health field is released. Driving towards the beacon gives the player a new menu where they can freely build their vehicle before returning to battle.
Leveling up also unlocks special boxes, which can only be accessed during the build menu, giving players the opportunity to select upgrades that can be attached to their build. In true Survivor style, the boxes drop three upgrades for players to choose from, although some modifiers that crop up throughout the game may affect the available options.
There are over 200 blocks that you can acquire and add to your vehicle build, giving you the opportunity to develop technology that fights the swarm any way you want. Change wheels to tracks, add circular saws and lasers. Build a stacked behemoth with guns and lasers above and below to create a mobile destruction tower, or choose Jean Pierre as your technician and gather some battering rams and heavy armor to create an indestructible tank that wipes out the swarm on impact.
But don’t be too ambitious. Players have to manage the vehicle’s weight, balance, and available modules to ensure that once they return to the battlefield, they can still drive to their destination, lest the robots they were supposed to destroy don’t blow it to pieces.
TechTerra Legion is a roguelike, so if your vehicle falls apart during a race, you’ll have to pick up the pieces and start from scratch. However, there are some permanent upgrade tracks for each tech rider that can help make potential races go a little smoother. The longer you can stay alive, the more likely you are to encounter the big bosses in each of the four levels, the ultimate challenge for your vehicle building skills.
Choose your rider, build your vehicle and survive the swarm in TerraTech Legion, developed by Payload Studios and published by Mythwright, available now on Xbox Series|S, Xbox on PC and Xbox cloud gaming with support for Xbox Play Anywhere rights. The game costs less than $10 at launch and is available on Xbox Game Pass last and PC Game Pass. A $5 Supporter Pack DLC can be purchased for those who want some exclusive cosmetic skins.
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