Tap, Play, Repeat: Why ÆRTHLINGS Is My New Obsession

I’ve been diving into ÆRTHLINGS for a few weeks now, and honestly, they’re so much more than a set of mini figures. There’s an entire game built around them, and that’s what makes them truly interesting.

At first, I assumed they were just collectibles: cute, colourful, something to stick on a shelf. And as someone who doesn’t really get caught up in the whole collectibles craze, I usually grab them, put them somewhere, and forget about them within a few weeks. But with ÆRTHLINGS making such a huge splash at PAX Australia, I was curious to see what all the fuss was about.

Then I downloaded the app. That’s when things got a lot more interesting and a whole lot more fun.

The Figures Themselves

Let’s start with the physical side because, honestly, that’s the first thing you notice. The ÆRTHLINGS figures look fantastic, especially if you’re into that retro 8-bit aesthetic. Each one oozes personality with quirky designs, vibrant colours, and a weight that feels surprisingly premium in hand. They’re not flimsy or cheap, which honestly surprised me. At this price point, I expected light, hollow plastic, but instead, they have that satisfying heft that makes you want to pick them up and play with them. I’ve even caught myself fidgeting with them during calls.

The paintwork (or screen printing)? For the most part, solid. Clean lines, bold colours, and a finish that gives them a nice display quality, while the paint adds a subtle texture. One of mine did have a tiny smudge on the back, not a dealbreaker, but it’s the kind of thing you notice if you’re inspecting them up close… or if you have an OCD housemate who spots everything. If you’re a perfectionist collector, that might bug you. Personally, I didn’t notice until it was pointed out, so it’s minor.

Now, here’s where things get interesting: each figure has an NFC chip inside. That’s the magic that connects them to the game. You tap the figure to your phone and, boom! your character unlocks in the app. It’s quick, intuitive, and honestly satisfying the first time you do it. It feels like you’re bridging the physical and digital worlds in a way that’s more than just a gimmick.

Gameplay: What’s It Like?

The app is where ÆRTHLINGS truly comes alive. It’s not just a companion, it’s the heart of the experience. And when you’ve got figures this cool, that’s saying something!

Gameplay blends strategy, collection, and light RPG elements into a casual and approachable format. You start by building a team from the figures you own. Each character has unique stats, abilities, and elemental traits, so team composition matters. Some hit hard, others buff allies or apply control effects like stuns and slows. It encourages experimentation; swapping figures to find the best combo for each challenge.

Currently, the campaign mode is the main attraction. It guides you through the story of rebuilding the shattered planet ÆRTH, offering a series of missions that gradually ramp up in complexity. You earn resources to upgrade your ÆRTHLINGS, boosting stats and unlocking new abilities.

Mini-games and survival challenges are woven throughout the experience. These are quick diversions where you can earn extra resources and craft gear to aid your progression. It’s a smart way to break up the campaign battles. Which is a great touch, as the campaign can be a little same-y, so having these little mini games really cleanses the palette, then has you excited to get back to it.

Trading is a standout feature. You can swap physical figures with friends, and when you do, the game rewards you with MUTÆTION points that evolve your ÆRTHLINGS. Don’t worry, you don’t lose the digital character when you trade the figure. Which worried me at first, as I managed to open a Legendary ÆRTHLINGS, and I didn’t want to lose it from my game. As he/she/it is my MVP.

And here’s the exciting part: PvP is coming soon. According to the latest App Store update, multiplayer battles are on the horizon. I’m genuinely excited. The idea of testing your team’s synergy against others brings a whole new layer to the game. If they nail the balance and matchmaking, it could be a real game-changer. And I think it will attract even more players. As let’s be real, who doesn’t love being a sweaty PvP player? I say this knowing I have a cheeky legendary ÆRTHLING in hand. Yet will I be as confident when it comes and we have more players? We’ll wait and see, but I’m excited!

ÆRTHLINGS’ strategy isn’t overly complex; you’re not playing chess, and that is OK, as it’s far from mindless. Timing abilities, crafting gear, and choosing the right team for each mission all matter. I’ve caught myself thinking way too often, “Okay, if I swap this figure for that one, maybe I can counter that annoying stun ability.” And yes, the gameplay loop is addictive. Short campaign missions, collectible-driven progression, light strategy, and the promise of PvP all combine to make it easy to fall into the “just one more match” mindset.

App Integration: Smooth or Clunky?

The app itself feels polished and modern. Syncing your figures is fast, well, if you remember to turn on the NFC Scan. Just tap and play. I haven’t encountered any major bugs, though I did see one odd moment where a figure wouldn’t register correctly until I restarted the app. Not game-breaking, but worth a mention.

There’s also a social layer built in. You can trade figures digitally, which sounds fantastic on paper. Trading unlocks new MUTÆTION points and characters while letting you keep your originals, a clever way to make sharing meaningful.

That said, there’s a catch!

The NFC chips inside the figures are writable and unprotected, with no passwords or encryption. In theory, that means anyone could alter the data on a chip before you scan it. This isn’t paranoia, it’s simply how open NFC technology works. When security isn’t locked down, the data is open to changes.

This was a big concern for me, so I spent a couple of weeks testing it. I tried everything I could to modify the data without damaging the figure, and honestly, I couldn’t pull it off without risking bricking the ÆRTHLING entirely. That put my mind at ease. It seems the implementation is more resilient than the raw NFC spec suggests.

Still, I’d be cautious when buying second-hand figures. While tampering looks difficult in practice, it’s not impossible. If you’re trading or purchasing outside official channels, make sure you trust the source. It’s better safe than sorry.

Final Thoughts

After a few weeks with ÆRTHLINGS, I can confidently say this is more than just a line of collectible figures with a gimmicky app. It’s a clever fusion of physical and digital play. The figures themselves are impressive: vibrant, well-made, and surprisingly premium for the price. They’re fun and easy to display, but even better when you tap them into the app and watch the game come alive.

The app experience is smooth, polished, and packed with content. The campaign mode offers a solid foundation, mini-games keep things fresh, and trading adds a social twist that makes collecting feel collaborative rather than competitive. The upcoming PvP mode has me genuinely excited; it’s the missing piece that could elevate ÆRTHLINGS from a cool concept to a full-blown obsession for strategy fans and collectors alike.

Is it perfect? Not quite. The NFC security concern is real in theory, though my testing suggests tampering isn’t easy without risking damage to the figure. Still, if you’re buying second-hand, stick to trusted sources or trading with friends. And while the strategy isn’t super deep, that’s by design; it’s accessible, fun, and easy to pick up without feeling shallow. This is great for new players and great for those who just want a fun game to relax to.

Bottom line: ÆRTHLINGS nails the balance between collectible charm and engaging gameplay. If you’re curious, dive in now; the foundation is strong, and with multiplayer on the horizon, the best is yet to come.