The player will take the lead of one of the three factions, each with its individual characteristics, strengths, weaknesses, technologies and special skills, such as climate control, espionage and precognition.

During the missions, you will have to manage your resources, expand your colonies and extend your control of the map to assemble an army capable of crushing your opponents. Epic battles will ensue between formidable armies comprising numerous units that vary depending on the faction, each having its strengths and weaknesses: infantry, all types of tank, naval units and gigantic colossi of war several meters high; real machines of destruction!

You will also use scientific research to develop a tech tree enabling you to unlock new units and upgrades, access new structures to develop your colony and to use new special skills.

In this futuristic RTS, you search the galaxy for a resource called Etherium. Colonizing planets of various terrains and climate types, you must evolve your armies by researching new technologies, exploit vicious climate changes, and upgrade your colony depending on your strategy. In the campaign, travel space encountering rival factions but also mysterious sub-factions, searching for the mysterious Etherium. 

The sub-factions - who you will fight or rally to your cause - in this round of screenshots include the hulking Guardians - an ethereal force able to reconstruct itself - battling it out against the Intar, whilst on Pilo the Vectides stand off against the dystopian Raiders, a motley band of post-apocalyptic skirmishers. Arctis hosts a war between the Consortium against the Parasites, an alien force that fights in packs - never fewer than 3.

The Raiders

Organized into clans, micro societies ruled by ultra-violence bordering on barbarism, Raiders make their presence known on each of the deposit planets. Only a lack of unity and cohesion has so far prevented the Raider clans from claiming any status as a great power, but anyone who could subdue and unify the clans would have some serious shock troops to deploy in the etherium war.

The Parasites

Dangerous creatures that feed on etherium, the Parasites infest certain of the deposit planets. While most agree that their total eradication would be the best course of action, certain scientists advocate studying them, arguing that it would be possible to control them and use them as a weapon; one that would cut down any opponents without hesitation.

The Guardians

Guardians are autonomous drones with limited AI. Refusing any communication whatsoever, they defend the old, devastated colonies of a race that has clearly been extinct for millennia with ruthless efficiency. Anyone who could reprogram, and therefore control them, would have a formidable argument to bring out onto the battlefield...

Etherium has a unique and dynamic weather control system that has a direct impact on the player's gameplay and strategy. You can use a sandstorm to approach the enemy base unseen, or mount a rearguard attack crossing a freezing river with your tanks. This weather control system will also work through synergy with the special skills of the factions. For example, one of the empires may create localized weather conditions, to help its army, or hamper the opponent's forces. Another faction will have the ability to see into the future to predict where and when the next climatic events will occur, and devise a strategy based on future events.

The solo campaign in Etherium is non-linear, so you are free to decide how your conquests progress: you can choose which of the planet's continents or moons will provide the setting for your next mission. It may be more advantageous to conquer particular territories, but these may also be better defended. You will also have to stop the enemy from recapturing territories you have gained! Every continent and moon has very diverse environments, and varied terrain that will force you to adapt your strategy and employ different tactics: arid desert, jungles and swamps that impede the advance of the tanks, icy worlds, island archipelagos... you must consider the terrain very carefully before implementing your strategy! You will also encounter six secondary factions during the campaign (raiders, alien beings, etc). You could of course fight them, but alternatively you could also rally them to your cause, to exploit their units and special skills!

Finally, Etherium will also test the strategic skills of every player in online modes, where up to four players can compete simultaneously.