14 DAY TRIAL // Space Trader is a really promising FPS action/trading game with eye candy visuals and a really interesting concept that lacked one major thing: a publisher. Fortunately, the problem has just been solved, since indie developers Hermitworks Entertainment have signed a distribution agreement with Meridian4 and I must say I'm one of the people who are highly anticipating the release of the title.
Space Trader - Merchant Marine comes with great story, too: in the far future, humanity is ruled by a Big Brother kind of thing, called The Ministry of Accounts, an organization that tracks, records and taxes any transaction made in the daily life. A new breed of marketeer arises to challenge the authority and, of course, make profit: the Space Trader. You will be one of these ruthless bounty hunters and track down crime bosses, thugs or search for rare items to trade with. All in all, a pretty nice concept that brings a twist to the first person shooting genre - and which will hit the game store stands thanks to the recent deal between Meridian4 and the developers.
"When we were first presented Space Trader, we were thrilled to see a small, independent developer, close to home producing such a unique title." said Andy Sher, CEO of Meridian4. "With its clever mix of FPS and Trading, we were, as I'm sure gamers will be, hooked immediately."
There is a host of game modes in Space Trader: the campaign, in which you start as a rookie trader and earn your way to the Master Trader status; challenge missions (Moon Madness, Free Trade and Red Eye Trader) and an interesting multiplayer mode called "Competitive Cooperative" in which you team up with a friend but compete against him or her for the best score.
You will be able to visit seven planetary locations, each planet's moons and even stops along the way where you will meet over 100 characters to fight against or accept missions from. Basically, you will have to do what every trader does: buy low, sell high (over 40 different commodities from Iron Ore to Organs). And, of course, the most fun part of them all: you'll have a wide array of unique weapons available to fight against the enemies and become a Master Trader! I'm hyped and hope to hear when the game gets released as soon as possible.