This "space station builder simulation roguelite" puts you in charge of a space station. Fight off enemy ships, fleets and rival stations to dominate your corner of space. Build and upgrade your station, hire and manage your crew. Survive as long as you can.
Players can unlock over 170 component upgrades, 130 unique ships, 90 perks, 40 gadgets, and 40 weapon synergies to continuously enhance and tailor their space station. This deep progression system allows players to specialize in different strategies, such as focusing on powerful laser weaponry or a diverse arsenal of armaments. The meta-progression system outside of individual runs also provides a sense of long-term advancement, as players can unlock powerful new managers to carry over into future playthroughs.
Combat is a central focus, challenging players to tactically manage their station's defenses, weapons systems, and crew to fend off enemy attacks. The game features a variety of weapon types, including lasers, rockets, and specialized systems, each with unique strengths and synergies. Players must carefully allocate power, prioritize targets, and coordinate their crew's roles to emerge victorious in these high-stakes encounters.
Randomized events, enemy encounters, and upgrade choices ensure that each playthrough feels unique. This, coupled with the threat of permanent death, creates a tense and high-stakes decision-making experience that is core to the roguelite genre. Players must adapt their strategies on the fly to overcome the unpredictable challenges presented by the randomized elements.
The combination of deep customization, combat depth, and roguelite mechanics results in a highly replayable experience. Players have reported enjoying the sense of discovery and mastery that arises from experimenting with different builds and strategies, as the interaction of the various systems leads to emergent and surprising gameplay scenarios.
While the core gameplay has been widely praised, some players have noted areas for improvement. These include concerns about balance, particularly in the early game, as well as a desire for more content and variety in terms of enemy types, events, and overall progression. Additionally, some players have suggested quality-of-life improvements, such as better crew management and the ability to more easily undo or adjust certain decisions.