via Firesquid
Modu Mechanics and Gameplay
You’re a human, both in-game and out, and command the Modu on the planet Arkadia, where you’ll eventually face off against the Chimera, a hostile alien race that also weaponizes these squidy creatures. The demo doesn’t introduce them yet, but it does pit you against Arkadia’s native fauna to teach the basics of Modu control.
Your basic orders are swim, attack, and stop—but the real fun is under the ‘grow’ command. First you sprout an extension of the Modu’s body, then you graft a specific organ on top. Each organ has its own function: the Mouth is your melee gnawer, the tentacle Turret spits at range, and the Brain boosts attack and swim speed.
Those three organs are all the demo offers, but Moduwar’s site teases a full ‘Organs Tree’. At its bottom are three glands that can be expanded upon: Electric Gland, Frost Gland, and a Vile Tumor. I’m guessing these tie into the three Modu factions we’ll see in the full game: human‑controlled, free Modu, and the Chimodu under Chimera control.
Detach and re-combine any organ you’ve grown and control it independently—distract and flank foes, or swim faster than your central Modu Heart (smaller chunks swim faster). Just remember: each part costs precious regenerable resources, so deploy wisely.
I have to admit, the key bindings take time to get used to, but I’m very curious to see more of these modular Modu in the full release, building new and unique detached units and seeing them in action.
via Firesquid
A Decade of Dedication
I had the chance to chat with Alon Kaplan, Biohex Studios’ CEO, who also scored Moduwar. He told me it all kicked off a decade ago as a Game Jam brainstorm between two friends, as many indie games do. Over the years, people drifted in and out, but the core team stuck around—building and expanding that idea into what is Moduwar today.
Fast forward to now: Biohex Studios is a registered company, and Moduwar is poised to drop under Firesquid, the indie strategy publishers behind Reus 2, Space Prison, and more.
Why the origin story? Because when you’re eyeing a pre‑release, knowing about the sweat and tears behind it doesn’t necessarily make the hype feel emotionally worth it—but when it feels stable, it does. A decade of dedication is about to pay off, and I’m anticipating it.
Arkadia is Beautiful
One thing that sets the Moduwar demo apart from other games at that stage is its polish. The game looks bright and beautiful, the models move seamlessly, the UI is comfortable—every element says “years of careful iteration and improvement.”
Normally I treat demos like awkward first dates: fun to try, but you’re always bracing for rough edges, hanging on to your suspension of disbelief. That’s why I usually skip them. Yet Moduwar’s sheen reeled me in from the very first click. If this is the demo, I can’t wait to see how much glossier Early Access will be, and how the full game will shine.
via Firesquid
What Can We Expect in the Future?
As I anticipate a bright future for Moduwar, it’s worth noting what’s on the horizons of Arkadia. Fittingly, the game appears set to grow just like the Modu themselves.
In addition to a full single-player campaign—which I’m especially looking forward to—there will be a multiplayer mode supporting up to four players per match. A skirmish mode is also planned, along with a monster arena.
Beyond the gameplay modes, the Modu themselves are expected to become much more diverse. The ‘Organs Tree’ I mentioned earlier looks particularly promising for players who enjoy RPG-style elements like character building and skill variety.
Modu Made a Friend
As an RTS fan, I’m excited this Starcraft-Spore-LEGO hybrid is coming soon. If Moduwar sounds like a game you’ll like, I encourage you to wishlist it, to play it when it comes out, and form your own opinion. I will surely return to Arkadia on Early Access and when the full game is out.
