Starsector – The interstellar Gate System has collapsed, what do we do Captain?
All gameplay and images of Starsector are courtesy of Fractal Softworks.
It seems the space genre of video games will never quite die on me, and I think that’s a good thing. There are however some games that do not see the light of day when it comes to defining or redefining the genre. Luckily, their savior, Lord Cat is here to save the day! Now, Starsector, a game by indie devs Fractal Softworks seems to be doing a different kind of space game: Going back to the old formula.
“WHAT!!?” You scream behind your monitor in a blinding conniption! “They can’t do that! Things must change! Old Formula would just make it bad! DOWNVOTE!” Okay, maybe I’ve simulated a slightly dramatic response just now, but it seems to be the community’s initial reaction to anything old school.
pew pew!
Let’s break this Sci-fi game down and get into the nuts and bolts. So we got ourselves a 2D point and click shooting, densely packed, open world, mission based space RPG. Sounds good right? Right! Almost sounds like a 2D Freelancer! ( Any older gamers around still ? )
So with all this good stuff, you may ask “What makes all these features for Starsector an old Formula instant classic?” Well allow me to explain the game mechanics that I thought were wonderful and you be the judge! Shall we?
Graphics: Graphics, graphics, GRAPHICS!!! It’s all people care about now . While yes, I am excited that I live in a time where I’m almost unable to tell the difference between a rendered living room and my actual one side by side, games don’t need this technology to be fun. Think of it like the icing and sprinkles on a cake; they taste great together, and work well paired, but without cake, its just icing your stuffing down your nom nom tube. The point is, Starsector does not have all the pretty visuals that I dream about. It’s basic pixel graphics, but that’s a good thing! Why? Because that’s not the central focus!
“see that massive ship that has bigger weapons than us…Let’s mug him!”
Story: Choose your own! Well, not really, but Starsector’s central focus is YOU! You decide your own fate, just know that there are quests and side missions available that are fitting for the role you choose to play, even the money grabbing salvage guy, which in honesty we all tend to pick. Money talks, boy-o! The missions have their own story but if you are like me, clicking past stuff to do the next thing in RPGS is the way to go! That and reading was never my strong suit.
Gameplay: Guns, check! Rockets, check! Lasers, check! Red Bull, check! All systems are go! Starsector adds more depth to organizing your fleet and attacking opponents that I ever imagined. There are more things to managing a fleet and its ships than your typical spaceship gameplay. A good number of tutorials give you the rundown on how to fly, operate and manage your fleet ( yes, you get to command a fleet of ships with you!) shooting your many guns and using your shields; the whole nine yards! It’s weird to say, but it is oddly satisfying to fire at your opponents in a coordinated flanking maneuver of red lasers and watch them burn through their shields. The guns look and feel like they pack a good punch and shields seem to protect you as intended. Fleet management after a few tutorials is easy to master. When it comes to flying, it is a bit difficult to maneuver in combat, but once you get familiar with your ship, it becomes easier.
MORE PEW PEWS!!!
Overall, if you are dying for a revamped game that reflects classic titles of the old space genre, like Wing Commander and Freelancer, and you don’t mind that it’s still in Alpha, then look no further. Starsector needs to be on your list! Game devs are finally realizing that the old ways do not have to die, they can be revamped!
Ill give this game 12 of the 16 Red Bulls I slammed this week alone, playing this game. I think I have a Red Bull problem.
The post Starsector: You’re in the Captain’s chair appeared first on PopNerdTV.