Void Destroyer 2
Early access review to be updated at release.
I’ve spent around 70 hours playing this game until I reached the end of the current story missions (early access) with another 30 hours spent fallen asleep with the game open at various points throughout.
This is the best spacecraft combat game I have ever seen, period. And I’m kind of a fan of the genre. I’ve played the legendary Independence War: 2 Edge of Chaos with its amazing controls, story and combat. The equally revered and economically focused X3: Terran Conflict, its 1.5 style expansion Albion Prelude, and the good at piracy but nothing else X: Rebirth. I love the indie games like the arcady SPAZ/SPAZ2, Funny/Simple 3030 Deathwar, the very charming and intense submarine stealth style of Objects in Space, the small scale survival of the Evochron series, the stylish but shallow Rebel Galaxy and the very promising Starsector with its focus on fleet combat and even empire building. I conquered galaxies in the truly excellent Sword of the Stars and the be-the-space-pirate-bastards-that-bother-4X-players-in-their-early-game Distant Worlds: Universe, managed a space station and fleets in Halcyon 6, watched armadas annihilate eachother in Sins of a Solar Empire and carefully managed limited resources while running from an ancient enemy in Homeworld 1/2. Truly great experiences we are all very fortunate to have been able to enjoy and which shaped my expectations and standards for quality.
– Real player with 284.2 hrs in game
Read More: Best Open World Mining Games.
First and Only review to anything. So here is what the game is and about.
Void destroyers 2 is an Early Access, Indie, Strategy, Sci-fi Space Sim. Its always nice to start off with pretty much nothing and working your way up into something powerful or a fleet of something powerful. For Void destroyers 2, it does just that. To becoming something powerful you will be needing money, and reputation. Money is the big part, but reputation gives you access to buying bigger ships of different factions.
– Real player with 275.2 hrs in game
Interstellar Rift
Update JUL 2017:
Much has changed since this review was first posted. There’s a lot of new content, more than enough to justify the price tag in my opinion. Here’s a short list.
-
Enormous playing areas, an entire galaxy!
-
First person tools (and a weapon)
-
Harder and more diverse AI controlled enemies
-
More diverse missions
-
Automation! Woo!
I just keep coming back to this game.
This is the upteenth time I’ve revisited it, and each time it gets better. There’s a good amount of toys, things to play with, and sooo much more stuff to look forward to. Not only am I happy with how the game is now, but I’m also very excited about what’s coming in the future.
– Real player with 1127.0 hrs in game
Read More: Best Open World Building Games.
Ok, at the 350hr stage time for a review.
Firstly this is an Early Acess title in the “alpha” stage of development.
What this means is it is far from finished. So, if you want a “finished” product
wait a year or three, I reckon it will be fantastic by then if a couple of things happen*.
What i like about the game so far.
Content, hard to comment at this stage of development but so far much
better than i expected. By quite a bit.
There is quite a lot of content INSIDE** the ships, a ton of stuff came in the last patch
– Real player with 416.1 hrs in game
Rebel Galaxy Outlaw
Great game.
It brought me back to the times of Wing Commander Privateer, Privateer 2.
It is hard, yes, and I would never finish it on Old school playstyle without flightstick. But developers tried to make it easier with seetings like Aim assist or Pursuit for other playstyles.
I’ve seen some rewievs complaining about difficulty - but hey you can always get better equipment by trading or mining first before diving in to systems with more powerful enemies.
Thank you Double Damage Games, it was great adventure!
– Real player with 83.5 hrs in game
Read More: Best Open World Action-Adventure Games.
I’m writing this as I take a break from RGO after it’s hurt me, again, by crashing and losing my save file. Yet I’m still recommending the game because I think it’s just a great, fun, space shooting experience. The in-moment gameplay is fun. The combat has a visceral feel. It gets chaotic, and is at its core a good time shooting things in space. Just flying around is a joy. I love the very strong style. There seems to be a Firefly influence - a western in space - that comes through in the cheesy rock radio, the myriad grungy details added to the setting, and the drawling accents of the various NPCs. I like that the game gives you a lot of freedom. Right from the start you can go where you want and do what you want. That whole story thing sound boring? Grab a mining laser and go and make some money shooting at rocks for a while. This game feels to me something akin to GTA in space: there’s a heavily stylised and detailed setting, mini-games in the bar, constant voiced reactions from the player character, factions and reputation, and the radio station complete with in-universe adverts and jingles. But they clearly didn’t have a GTA-sized budget, so while there are such things, there’s nowhere near as much of them as you’d find in GTA. All things considered, there’s a lot to like in Rebel Galaxy Outlaw.
– Real player with 38.8 hrs in game
Elite Dangerous
I’ve played this game a wee bit, but using words to describe how I feel is difficult, so I’ll just go ever each aspect and things I find important to mention.
Point #1, Starting Out:
Steep learning curve. The game is extremely difficult to get “good” at at base level. The first couple of weeks (Yes, weeks!) were spent looking up tutorials and flying around aimlessly. Learning that you have to plot routes on the galaxy map took me a while too! Really learning the little details and small things about this game will take a lot of time, and it can be frustrating trying to figure out why your ship constantly overheats when fuel-scooping, or what “Jump Exceeds drive fuel use limit of 5 Tons” even means. This complexity makes the game feel like you are actually flying a spaceship, which I quite like, but some people may not like that steepness to the game.
– Real player with 2423.7 hrs in game
After 2000 hours of gameplay, I feel like I did almost everything I could on the game. The truth is, I probably didn’t.
I’m not a fanboy and I do store this game from time to time in my library giving it some time to allow me to miss it. But I can ensure you that this is the kind of game that you would actually miss, indeed.
From the beauty and tranquility of mining on frozen rings of distant planets, to surface exploration on the most daring and unexpected places, asteroid belts 10x bigger then the biggest gas giant, alien life on different forms and places, stuff that you spend hours amazed defying what you thought it could be possible.
– Real player with 2233.0 hrs in game
Gaia Beyond
Gaia Beyond is a handcrafted 2D Action-RPG in space.
-multiple save slots, quicksave and quickload, autosaves.
-open world
-quest with multiple solutions
-ship building, upgrade-able weapons
-fight stations with your ship
Sure we’re fans of the genre and bound to like the game more than the usual fare,but those looking for an original and thrilling, handcrafted open world 2d space shooter, this will not disappoint. Gaia Beyond introduced a world with characters I actually cared about, and combat gameplay I could get behind. This game really does have something for every sci-fi shooter fan: Good writing, characters with depth(you get to meet the most spaced-out guys in the galaxy), huge amount of side quests(some with multiple solutions), factions, intimidating ships, upgrade-able ships and weapons, mining, trading, nice OST etc. It was not a very demanding game. You were just a simple nobody mining and shooting your way up, trying to make your way in this seemingly peaceful mysterious space. While all the ships were actually flying in the game world in real time, most of the time it was quite relaxed. Some fights were tough when I didn’t upgrade or choose my guns properly. It played especially good on big monitor(this game has 4K support). No other 2d space shooter I’ve ever played has impressed me like this one. Maybe Starsector has better combat than this but that’s the only thing it is better. I’d played 3030 Deathwar Redux , Star Valor, and Starcom Nexus, this game is better. After playing for around 30 hours , I doubt that I had reached even halfway of the main story, this game is loooooong. Yuki, one of the game writer, said the game is still a bit rough around the edges, but I could see that they were updating and patching up the game almost monthly, and they were quite active on the forum answering questions and acknowledging bugs, so I would not worry about that at all.
– Real player with 51.1 hrs in game
I would recommend this so much, but…I’d wait until the main quest is extended by at least 300%.
In a nutshell: Great game but I’d wait until the main quest is extended by at least 300%. Don’t bother grinding unless you really want to, regardless of main story.
Long review: This is a very cool 2D “Galaxy on fire 2-ish” space action RPG game where you explore, mine, hunt and upgrade your ships and weapons. Kind of like Zelda / Diablo in a spaceship and a huge map set in our solar system in a dystopian future.
– Real player with 34.3 hrs in game
Ring Miner
Another great lil simulation game from Stolk! The physics are robust and the interface is intuitive. Driving around and digging through asteroids feels good, but at the moment this is mostly just a sandbox to play around in. I’m hoping more missions and things to DO will be added in the future, but even in its current form it’s a good chill-out game for messing around in while listening to some music or a podcast.
– Real player with 4.6 hrs in game
Ring miner is a space mining simulator in which you control a lander and a rover. You pilot the lander around a ring of space rocks (around Jupiter), find one that looks suitable (the next one in the ring), land on it, then explore and mine elements in order to collect each one in the periodic table.
This game has complete three dimensional movement, a gravity indicator to help with analyzing landings, the possibility to completely annihilate space rocks, and what is basically an infinite amount of rocks to mine. I have not played anything like this before and I think it’s pretty unique. Check out the gameplay video to see what I mean.
– Real player with 3.9 hrs in game
Starbase
LauriFB is the disease of this game. Everyone that was loyal has left. The only people here now are the multiple dev accounts or the yes men that the devs like having around oblivious to their own existence. Or the few left in the ship designer.
No PVP - they banned them all for not PVPing the way FB wanted them to (banning in an alpha LOL)
No PVE - Devs are idiots - no trade, no missions, no bounties, nothing to create a single drop of PVP. They even stated NO PVE EVER, should tell you their brain capacity. I mean look at all the other successful MMO sandbox space titles with PVP only. HAHA
– Real player with 1236.8 hrs in game
Played this game for quite awhile in earlier days. just came back to try it out while im still waiting for capital ships. but Super surprised at how smooth the game runs now. definately get the sense that theyve been working on it.
For those who care, the ship and station building is unsurpassed by anything i ever played. you will lose ships to the EZ builder unless thats been fixed. the level of freedom you have to do what you want is just amazing. when capital ships come out which make it so u can have a mobile safezone out in pvp space you will litterally be able to live anywhere and do as u will, store your own ships, explore the great reaches of undiscovered space. seriously cant wait for that. and if you have a group the scale and scope of what you can do is pretty redic.
– Real player with 150.6 hrs in game
Starship Simulator
Starship Simulator is a true work of passion, born of many a childhood dream to experience what it would truly be like to live and work on a massive deep space exploration vessel, just like the ones you see depicted in classic science fiction. A dream of walking among the stars, exploring distant worlds, and answering one of mankind’s oldest questions… what awaits us in the great unknown?
You will serve as a crewmember on the maiden voyage of mankind’s first-ever deep space exploration vessel - the Magellan Class. The ship has been designed and built from the ground up with an unprecedented level of detail. From the bare structural framework to the miles of cables and conduits, every part of the ship is fully simulated and designed to be scientifically plausible. Nothing is mere surface detail. Every button does something, and every piece of hardware serves a real purpose.
Real Structural Framework
The bare titanium that defines the physical structure of the ship has been designed in line with the latest manufacturing techniques used in the real world today, projected forward 200 years with advances in 3D Printing and AI-driven automation in mind. Unlike typical games where nothing exists behind walls and under floors, our ship exists as a completely solid and physical vessel.
Cables, Pipes & Hardware
Every system on the ship has simulated hardware driving it, and these systems are connected together by a complex network of pipes, cables, and conduits that exist in real-time. As an Engineer, you can follow every cable from source to destination while it passes through various pieces of hardware along the way.
Fully Explorable
With over 200 rooms spread over 7 decks, you are free to explore the entire ship on foot without barriers or loading screens. Gaze out of the panoramic lounge windows while the action outside of the ship is taking place in real-time, or hop in a shuttle and take it out for a quick spin. Our goal is to create a truly immersive sci-fi experience.
Our focus on science and realistic simulation also extends to the galaxy itself, with currently over 2 billion procedurally generated star systems to explore.
Procedural Generation
Our procedural algorithms are based on real-world astrophysics in order to generate not only believable but also scientifically plausible star systems. If you want to find Earth-like worlds, then you will need to seek out a star’s habitable zone where liquid water can exist. This is based on not only the distance from the star but also the planet’s albedo and atmospheric makeup.
Life Among the Stars
When you find a planet that’s capable of supporting life, your scans will reveal the nature of that life and how advanced it is. It could be anything from simple bacteria to ancient alien civilizations that are millions of years more advanced than you. How will they react to your presence, and do you attempt to contact them?
Breathtaking Beauty
A NASA astronaut once said that without exception, every person to have ever looked down upon the Earth from aboard the ISS has shed a tear over its sheer beauty. We find that incredibly inspiring, and we’re leveraging all the latest technologies and pushing Unreal Engine to its limits in order to achieve the most stunning visual experience possible. Entering orbit around a distant exoplanet should take your breath away.
Players can choose to occupy one of a number of different roles on the ship, with each one presenting the player with unique and interesting gameplay challenges.
Captain
Born to be in command, as the Captain, you will be making the big decisions such as which star systems the ship should explore, whether or not an alien species should be contacted, or whether or not to stand your ground or retreat in a hostile situation. How well you handle first contact situations will have a very real impact on how the mission plays out.
Pilot
Taking the Helm, as the ship’s Pilot, you will be responsible for safely navigating the ship through space. You will also pilot the shuttles and other support craft as required by the current mission objectives.
Science Officer
Working on the Bridge and in the Science Labs, as a Scientist, you will be responsible for performing scans of stellar objects and analysing any gathered data. You’ll also be performing tests on samples and artefacts acquired by the ship on its travels.
Tactical Officer
Working on the Bridge and around the ship, as a Tactical Officer you will be responsible for defending the ship and her crew. You’ll man the tactical Bridge station during combat, and serve as the security detail on any away missions.
Engineer
Working in Engineering and around the ship, as an Engineer, you will be responsible for maintaining and repairing the ship’s many systems. Keeping everything in tip-top condition will ensure the ship is always ready to meet any new challenge, but neglect your daily maintenance duties and critical systems will begin to fail.
Doctor
Working in the Medical Facility, the Doctor is responsible for the crew’s physical wellbeing. You will be dealing with everything from simple cuts and bruises to strange alien pathogens that could infect the entire crew.
Morale Officer
Working in the Mess Hall as the ship’s Chef you will be responsible for preparing healthy meals for the crew, but also as their Bartender, you will perform the important role of listening to their concerns and offering helpful advice. It’s up to you to look after their mental health.
Passenger
As a guest aboard the ship, you will have no duties to perform, allowing you to simply relax and explore the ship at your leisure.
Stellar Wanderer
Stellar Wanderer is a beautiful old-school space combat sim set in a vast open-world universe.
Grow your skills and pick the best path that suits your play style. Choose your class as a Fighter, Trader, Tank or Engineer - each with its own bonuses and special abilities. Follow the story line or choose your favorite side missions. Prove your space flight skills, mine for resources, transport merchandise, be a respected bounty hunter or even become the most dangerous pirate in the galaxy!
Experience a variety of gorgeous space sets, each with several interest points. Earn credits for the ship of your choice or choose multiple ships. Tune your ship with more than 100 items!
Features
• Story mode with 10 hours of gameplay and voice acting.
• Choose your class between Fighter, Trader, Tank or Engineer.
• Buy a variety of ships with unique characteristics.
• Dock to deep space stations to find the best weapons, shields, engines and upgrades for your ship(s).
• Explore space systems with gorgeous visuals and unique atmosphere.
• Mine valuable minerals on contract or just for yourself.
• Hunt renegades and fight space pirates.
• Protect friendly ships or escort them across dangerous zones.
• Haul goods across star systems or make emergency medical transports (just make sure you properly stash that occasional contraband - wink).
• Prove your flight skills in… space races!
• Use immersive cockpit or third person view.
• Play with mouse and keyboard or with any Xbox-type controller. Or better yet… with your HOTAS joystick!
Immortal Space God
#### After an unwinnable war, survive against all odds.
Immortal Space God is a space combat simulator with survival crafting elements.
You regain consciousness in a hangar. Damaged and abandoned, barely capable of building and launching fighter drones. This is all you need to repair your ship, find a proper base of operations and claw your way back from the brink.
What will you - the player - be doing?
-
Engage in ship to ship combat using fighter drones - if they die, just build some more.
-
Gain schematics and resources to build new craft and upgrades.
-
Customize your ship(s).
-
Repair and build up bases of operations.
-
Explore an open world, filled with hostile craft, platforms and various locations.
-
Gain wingmen to take on bigger threats and challenges.
For Void Destroyer 2 players - what’s different?
-
Greater focus on combat - smaller scale fights, but more detailed including destroyable subcomponents.
-
Simplified controls and flight mechanics.
-
Greater ship customizations - including changing weapon loadouts.
-
No economy, build using ore and components.
-
Destroying ships yields crafting material, ship and upgrade schematics.
-
Less story and more player progression freedom - at the cost of challenging combat.