Fight a Giant Space Mushroom in Houston, We Have a Spungus
Independent studio Knifing Mantis has announced Houston, We Have a Spungus, an unusual tower defense game that replaces traditional enemy waves with one gigantic and very much alive space mushroom. The game is coming to PC via Steam in early 2027, with its Steam page and announcement trailer now live.
Instead of stopping enemies from reaching your base, you’ll be fighting to contain the Spungus, a strange alien organism that emerges from a wormhole and slowly spreads across the map, consuming everything in its path. You can’t actually destroy it. Your goal is simply to hold the line long enough for HQ to launch a nuclear bomb at its source.
The Spungus isn’t your typical boss, either. The organism consists of millions of simulated cells that expand from its edges. Damaging the biomass creates holes, but the Spungus can use its limited energy to grow new cells and keep pushing forward. Since fresh cells appear along the front line, your defenses constantly have to deal with new threats at full health.
Players will have 15 turrets across five categories, although only six can be taken into each run. Nine orbital abilities add another layer of strategy, while four Spungus types force players to adjust their loadouts based on their resistances. Every destroyed cell also earns money, even when the run fails. That cash goes toward more than 400 permanent upgrades, gradually expanding your arsenal.
With its bizarre premise and surprisingly deep systems, Houston, We Have a Spungus could offer a fresh twist on the tower defense formula. Just remember: when the mushroom comes knocking, apparently the only solution is nuclear.