Waddya Buyin’? Space Pirates And Zombies
Like this? (No Votes Yet)Harvey Dent said that the night is darkest just before the dawn. And it certainly feels that way this week, in terms of new game releases. This week will be the end of the winter doldrums, and we’ll soon be back into a purchasing frenzy. Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the first out the game when it releases this week (no points for guessing what next week’s Waddya Buyin‘ will be).
Don't be a spaz.
Sadly, even when looking forward, I’m finding a flavour that hasn’t yet been satisfied by the games this year. For all the big budget, triple-A titles, there’s just something lacking in the pantheon of games. That flavour is that of a massive, epic, sci-fi, spaceship simulator.
There was a time when such games were aplenty, and people were genuinely excited about the Freelancers and Wing Commanders. But that time has since passed. Games like EVE Online, the X series, and the upcoming Jumpgate Evolution still keep the flame from snuffing out. But for all intents and purposes, the genre is effectively dead.
Permission to board Goatse Station 1 granted.
Except on the iOS for some unfathomable reason. There must be some mystic coincidence that games like Ultraviolet Dawn, Warpgate and Galaxy of Fire (1 and 2) are amongst the many popping up on iOS devices. The genre still enjoys a little love on the indie scene, with diehards remaking Elite and Wing Commander Privateer on open source engines. And games like Space Pirates And Zombies (SPAZ) are able to be made.
SPAZ is a top-down space combat game, where players take ships to explore the known universe. Players pilot their ship and navigate the galaxy in search of fortune, all the while fending off aggressors who have the same idea.
You... might wanna get that growth looked at by a professional.
The game appears to have the best that the genre has to offer: Massive number of ships, and an enormous amount of customisation options. A persistent galaxy containing hundreds of randomly generated star systems. Multiple warring factions for players to exploit, and take advantage of. Dynamic campaign that allows players to move the overall story arc at their desired pace. Space zombies.
SPAZ reminds me of Escape Velocity Nova, a game that I loved dearly. If SPAZ is anything like that at all, I know I’ll be playing this for a looooong while.
SPAZ will be released on Steam on 16 August 2011, amongst other digital distribution outlets (Impulse, Gamers Gate, etc) for $14.95 (after 25% discount for early purchases).
From Dust finally gets its Steam release this week and I bought Recettear yesterday, but unless I run out of ISK and need a PLEX in EVE, I don’t see me buying anything else (entertainment-wise) this week.
I’m also going to pick up the Valley of Death DLC for Red River. So that I can finally play it, now that my XBL is up again.