14 DAY TRIAL // Power shots from medium lasers manage to disable the engine and weapons of the enemy from the group that’s assaulting me. But that leads to heat overload, so I need to turn off my own weapons for a few turns and focus on movement and evasion to keep them from hitting me.
I largely succeed with my tactical gambit, although I have to repair my shield generator using a special ability. With no heat and recharged lasers ready to burn shields and armor, I return to the battle and chase down the two escorts that were capable of fighting back. I recover a few credits from their burning hulls.
I then reach my target and fire until it blows up, completing my mission. Another enemy tries to ambush me on the way back to the station but it’s easy to deal with him. Once I reach my destination I get some better weaponry, some reputation, and pick up some cargo that can net me a profit as I travel to a new system.
Relic Space is developed by Fourfold Games and published by Fourfold Games and Aurora Punks. The game is now in Early Access on Steam. The title mixes a large and open universe with turn-based ship combat exploration and combat.
Gamers take on the role of an Omega Pilot, choosing from a range of origins and looks. The galaxy is affected by a major catastrophe and the Order, supersoldiers that failed to protect humanity, are seeking to secure knowledge to prevent other potential threats. I hope that there’s a lot of variety in the universe because the setup isn’t very original.
Relic Space’s gameplay is centered around the player’s ship. It will take them from station to station and will give them the tools to deal with enemies. They can also move cargo to make more money and pick up relics and take them to stations. The game features a lot of star systems to explore.
These are the hubs of the world, featuring characters that offer up new missions and more info about the universe, as well as the option to trade, get better equipment, or pick up better ships. The three featured factions have their own research and activity, making the world feel inhabited and evolving.
Space exploration and battles are turn-based and take place on a hex grid. Relic Space simulates individual weapons and systems. This leads to tense engagements where players have to evaluate when and how to adjust energy consumption and how to use special abilities as they push toward victory. Leading enemies on a merry chase and hoping that they miss is often a good idea.
The game’s core loop is good, even in Early Access, and it has the seeds for an interesting single-player story. I hope that there’s innovation when it comes to enemy design and general weirdness in this science-fiction setting.
Relic Space is an indie project that focuses on options and open-ended play rather than looks. Most of the game’s graphics are functional, making it easy for players to see their options and choose a preferred course of action. The sound design is suitably science fiction, although the combat sounds are a little generic, with a decent soundtrack.
Conclusion
The game’s mechanics are solid and the combat system works. I’m interested to see how the relics and the factions feature in the narrative and if the universe manages to feel engaging in the long term. Relic Space has ambition and good ideas and will appeal to any space sim fan who appreciates turn-based action.
A preview key was provided by the publisher
