Starcom: Unknown Space

Counting all the science fiction games set in space would be as hard as counting the stars in the sky. After all, who doesn't love a good space game, we can go through dozens of examples and they are as unique as they get. Some games focus on open-world exploration, others on the story of a specific character, and still others prefer to put you in the shoes of one or more people from different races. There is no single formula that works for every game in this genre, but there are some constants: and vastness is one of them. And today we'll be talking about Starcom: Unknown Space, a new indie game that aims to explore complex mechanics or roleplay and exploration to create a rich gameplay experience in space. So, let's finally get started with it.

About the game

Space, the final frontier, has always been one thing to marvel at us mere humans. It is an inspiring sight to behold, and admire the vastness, and the infinite lights scattered all over the universe. In Starcom: Unknown Space you will find yourself in a galaxy full of planets where players can explore, fight enemies, build ships, and discover secrets hidden deep within the cosmos. You will have to choose which faction you want to ally with.

In Starcom: Unkown Space you place as the commander of a ship, and you'll be given the to transform it into whichever style you want. These can vary from being a deep-space explorer, or maybe a fast scout ship, or if you're more into getting in direct conflict you can get it to be a heavy-armored beast and mow down the enemies in your way. But how can you customize your ship to your liking then?

The game offers a grid system where you can expand the ship you're using as you see fit, and this means adding all the parts you might need as if they're LEGO pieces. Using your ship you'll be able to explore the depths of space and find new worlds. Of course, we are not alone in the universe, there are countless alien species out there, and not all of them are friendly. You will have to make alliances with some and even attack other factions to gain influence.

That's what we meant when we mentioned that there are complex roleplaying mechanics involved in the game. Your interactions matter, and the way you negotiate and interact with the alien species you find along the way too. Building alliances is a vital aspect of this game, and you'll want to do it to expand your crew, reinforce and modify your ship, advance in the story, and even develop new technologies.

An in-depth exploration?

There are many great games you can look up to when you're making a title about exploring space, but that does not mean you have to emulate them or copy what they did. For example, when it comes to a great space game, with RPG mechanics, where interaction among characters is vital, the Mass Effect may be the gold standard. But it doesn't have much going on for space exploration.

If we're talking about a game where you can explore space and discover new planets, then the obvious example is No Man's Sky, a game with unlimited space exploration, where every planet you visit comes packed with all kinds of crazy creatures. Every single planet is unique and has new species to be discovered. And it is also an indie game, as surprising as it may be.

Pros:

• Interesting roleplaying mechanics
• Vast open world
• A lot of things to do

Cons:

• Boring gameplay