PC

  News 
  Reviews
  Previews
  Hardware
  Interviews
  All Features

Areas

  3DS
  Android
  iPad
  iPhone
  Mac
  PC
  PlayStation 3
  PlayStation 4
  Switch
  Vita
  Wii U
  Xbox 360
  Xbox One
  Media
  Archives
  Search
  Contests

 

Spaceforce: Rogue Universe

Score: 77%
ESRB: Teen
Publisher: DreamCatcher Interactive
Developer: Provox Games
Media: DVD/1
Players: 1
Genre: Flight/ Simulation/ Free-Roaming

Graphics & Sound:

Space-based combat simulators are a genre that are long overdue for a comeback. Considering all that companies like LucasArts were able to do with past hardware, I could only imagine what they would do with the power provided by current machines. A next-gen X-Wing, TIE Fighter or even a proper Wing Commander don't seem to be anywhere on the horizon, leaving it to companies like Provox Games to pick up the slack.

Spaceforce: Rogue Universe is every bit as breathtaking as you would expect a next-gen space sim to look. Space may be a big, empty place, but there is always something to look at - whether it is a planet, space station or multi-colored nebulae. You'll also see a number of long-dead ships and space junk floating around. Though they probably don't seem like a big deal at first, they help to give the in-game universe a "used" feel that many games seem to omit. A number of different ships are available, all of which reflect the personality and style of their race.

With the exception of voicework, Spaceforce's soundtrack is excellent. Music has a distinctly sci-fi feel and flows with the in-game action. It is low-key while cruising around (which, by the way, you will do A LOT of throughout the game) and hectic while locked in combat.


Gameplay:

Spaceforce: Rogue Universe is split into two different games. One is a story-driven campaign that has you traveling the galaxy in search of vengeance. The other is a free-form, open-world (or should I say, open-universe...) game where you create an in-game persona and travel the galaxy completing quests. Both are equally as entertaining, so there is no reason to feel like you are "missing out" if you choose one over the other. At the same time, the open-world part lasts a little longer and is a little more satisfying - so if you don't favor one or the other, go with the open one. Besides, the storytelling is pretty bad, so you really aren't missing a whole lot other than some cheesy dialogue and a better sense of direction. Still, it is nice to have the option of choosing which mode you would rather.

Either way, you begin with a basic fighter that you can upgrade or trade-in for other models. You can upgrade just about anything on the ship, giving it the "hot rod" feel of the Millennium Falcon. The only limiting factor is cash, which you earn by completing missions. Although the game boasts over 2000 missions, there are only 6 - 7 types of missions. Regardless of what missions entail, most of your time is spent locked in combat with other ships - so a good ship is key to any type of success. The upside is that there is always something to do; the downside is that some missions are outright tedious and pay very little - especially when you consider that the universe is a very, very expensive place.

When playing in the open-world portion of the game, you are given a choice of professions, each with advantages and disadvantages. In the long run, your choice of profession doesn't matter, though some are more helpful that others. A few of the profession bonuses relate to minor upgrades while others alter other aspects, mostly relating to the number of missiles you can carry or number of wingmen. Some abilities go unseen, so you may not notice they are working for you. Like nearly every other aspect of game, the lack of easy-to-access documentation kills player creation, leaving you with even more trial-and-error.


Difficulty:

Spaceforce: Rogue Universe's greatest failing is its high learning curve. There is no tutorial, so you are simply dumped out into a vast universe in a ship with no guidance. Not only do you not know how to fly, but you also don't know where to go. This is especially true when playing the free-roaming side. A list of controls is available in the Options menu, though it isn't much help. This is common for most of the game; most of your time is spent relying on trial-and-error to figure out what does what and where to go next. Of course, once you figure out what to do the game is a snap, but the trip from novice to intermediate is long and winding.

Multiple difficulty levels are available though the difference between the settings is vast. The default difficulty is brutal even when you know what you are doing. Dropping the difficulty helps, though things are still pretty rough, and the game is never "easy." The steep learning curve makes the early pacing slow, though once you purchase enough upgrades, the game opens up and is a blast to play.


Game Mechanics:

Both keyboard and mouse and flight stick support is offered, though you'll definitely want to invest in a good joystick to get the most out of Spaceforce: Rogue Universe. Mouse controls are workable, though it doesn't lend itself to combat all that well, especially when dogfights get intense and require lots of quick reaction moves.

Compared to other space combat sims, Spaceforce's control system is simple to pick up. There are still a number of nuances you will need to learn as you play, though some of the more complicated aspects of the genre aren't there. Although it does make the game accessible to the non-sim players, it also takes away some of what makes the genre what it is.

Combat is typical of most space fighters, though it doesn't flow as well as it could. Your standard guns are as useful as an air-rifle on an elephant, so it takes a while to do enough damage. You also have access to rockets, though your reserves are limited, so you will eventually have to rely on your guns in combat, resulting in long, drawn-out gunfights.

Spaceforce: Rogue Universe should come as a welcome addition to any space combat sim fans library - steep difficulty level and all. In fact, were it not for the learning curve, Spaceforce would be just the thing to kick off the long-needed genre revival.


-Starscream, GameVortex Communications
AKA Ricky Tucker

Minimum System Requirements:



Windows 2000/XP/Vista; 2.0 GHz Pentium 4 or equivalent; 768 MB RAM; Direct X v. 9.0c; 3000 MB HDD space; Direct X 9 Compatible Video Card (Radeon 9500, GeForce 5800)
 

Test System:



Windows Vista; 1.6 GHz Dual-Core processor; 2 Gig RAM; Direct X v.10; 120 GB HDD; GeForce Go7600

Nintendo Wii Legend of the Dragon Sony PlayStation 2 Grim Grimoire

 
Game Vortex :: PSIllustrated