Lead your orbital battleships to victory in Flotilla! Fight, trade, and explore new planets in your journey through the galaxy. Featuring tactically rich 3D combat, flank and surprise the enemy from any direction. And when the dust settles, generate another uniquely randomized universe for a brand-spanking new adventure!
Players command a fleet of ships that they can move and rotate freely in a 3D space environment. The combat is turn-based, with players issuing orders to their ships in 30-second increments, followed by those orders being executed in real-time. This creates a dynamic where players must carefully plan and position their ships, as shots take time to reach their targets, requiring anticipation of enemy movements. The key to success in combat is mastering the concept of flanking. Ships are heavily armored on the front and top, but vulnerable on the sides, rear, and underside. Players must maneuver their ships to expose these weak points to the enemy while protecting their own vulnerable areas. This adds a layer of tactical depth as players constantly reposition their ships during the battle. Players can also upgrade their ships with various systems and abilities over the course of a campaign, providing a sense of progression and allowing them to customize their fleet to their preferred playstyle.
Each playthrough generates a new, randomized campaign. Players begin with a small fleet of ships and journey across a star map, visiting various planets and encountering random events and encounters. These encounters can range from friendly interactions with zany alien characters, to hostile battles against pirates, bounty hunters, and other factions. The random nature of these events, combined with a terminal illness that limits the player's lifespan, creates a sense of urgency and unpredictability that drives replayability. Players must make a series of choices during these encounters, with the outcomes affecting the resources, ships, and upgrades they acquire, contributing to a sense of narrative progression.
Individual playthroughs typically last around 30 minutes, making the game easy to pick up and play in short bursts. Despite its brevity, the tactical combat, ship upgrades, and randomized encounters provide enough complexity and replayability to keep players engaged across multiple playthroughs. The minimalist visual style and classical music soundtrack also contribute to a streamlined, focused experience.