2018 feels like a bygone era at this point, but it was the year British developer Payload Studios first introduced us all to TerraTech.
TerraTech Legion
Title: TerraTech Legion
Genres: Survivorlike, Bullet Heaven
Edition: April 30, 2026
Developer: Payload Studios
Available: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Steam
Price: $9.99
Xbox Anywhere Play: ✔️
Xbox Game Pass: ✔️
However, you cannot start with the last modular tank. TerraTech Legion mixes its Lego-like building mechanics with gameplay from the survival and bullet paradise genres.
In TerraTech Legion, the galaxy has been taken over by hordes of humans AI bots that destroy everything in their path, but players can take on the mantle as one of four tech jockeys, each with unique build characteristics and abilities.
Initially, only tech jockey Mikela is available to players, but her Ranger 1 – complete with stun and shockwave abilities – is a great all-round entry tool for players new to TerraTech.
After selecting a tech jockey and a mission, players drop into a bare-bones mech-built map to face off against the herd, though early attack methods are pretty limited. For example, Ranger 1 starts with only one small weapon, which doesn’t seem very effective against the army. Fortunately, Mikela’s signature allows players to attack enemies and temporarily stun them, giving the weapon a chance to take down some of the mob to gain XP.
Like other survivors and bullet skies, TerraTech enemies drop XP and crates for the player to collect. The modular parts that attach to the vehicle are stored until enough XP is accumulated to maximize the player’s current level. At this time, the beacon with the health regeneration area falls. Driving in a beacon gives the player a new menu where they can freely build their vehicle before returning to battle.
Leveling up also unlocks special crates, which can only be accessed during the build menu, giving players the chance to select upgrades that can be added to their builds. In survival style, the crates leave three upgrades for players to choose from, though some modifiers accumulated throughout your playthrough may affect the options available.
There are over 200 blocks that you can acquire and add to your vehicle’s construction, allowing you to create technology that fights the herd in any way you want. Swap wheels for tracks, add buzzsaws and lasers. Build a stacked behemoth with guns and lasers up and down the sides to create a mobile destruction tower, or choose Jean Pierre as your tech jockey and combine multiple rams and heavy armor to create an indestructible tank that takes out a mob on impact.
However, don’t be overly ambitious. Players must manage the vehicle’s weight, balance, and available modules so that you can still get to your destination without being overwhelmed by the bots you have to destroy once you return to the battlefield.
TechTerra Legion is a roguelike, so if your car breaks down during a run, you’ll have to pick up the pieces and start over. However, for every tech jockey, there are some constant ways to improve that can help make potential runs a little smoother. The longer you survive, the more likely you are to face each of the four levels’ big bosses, the ultimate challenge to your car-building skills.
Choose your jockey, build your car and survive the herd in TerraTech Legion, developed by Payload Studios and published by Mythwright. Xbox Series X|S, Xbox and Xbox on PC Cloud Game With support for Xbox Play Anywhere rights. At launch, the game is under $10 and available now Xbox Game Pass Last and PC Game Pass. A $5 Supporter Pack DLC is available for those who want some exclusive cosmetic skins.
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