A fun game that could have been great with a bit more play balancing and depth.
This is an iPad port, but the port is well done. I would have never guessed this game started out as on the iPad.
PROS:
* For a $20 game, the graphics are FANTASTIC. Not top of the line, but if the polygon count was a bit higher then the graphics would be on par with a modern AAA title. The space stations are a bit blocky, but the ship models look fine. Planets and background textures are fantastic, as are most of the special effects. Lighting is, for the most part, on par with Eve Online, X3, etc.
* The ability to mine asteroids, trade, and run side missions is a welcome diversion from storyline quests.
* Mouse and keyboard controls work GREAT, much better than I expected.
* A fully realized sandbox experience, but there is also a story line that is not great but slightly more fleshed out than, say, Space Pirates and Zombies (also a good indie game).
* A fair amount of ship models and upgrades.
* Cash rewards for unlocking achievements. Finally, a game that actually gives you a reward when you unlock an achievement!
* The game has a fun arcade feel.
* There's a little mini game you play when mining asteroids that I enjoy.
CONS:
* I wish the game had MORE of everything. The game lacks depth. Combat is fun but simplistic. Trading is fun but simplistic. Mining is fun, but simplistic. You get the idea. But hey, it's a $20 game, what do you expect? I would have gladly paid $30 or $40 for a game like this with more depth of content, however.
* Weapon sounds are pretty wimpy.
* You see nice big battleships but are never tasked with a mission to take one out. That's a shame, because it would be really fun to do that.
* Combat is VERY EASY on normal difficulty. I think I died once in 10 hours of gameplay at this level. Fortunately, there are 4 difficulty levels. Unfortunately, you can only choose them when you start a new game. I strongly recommend you start on at least "Hard" difficulty unless you are a total noob to these types of games.
* Storyline can be completed in only 6 hours or so. But, the sandbox play style extends the playability.
Overall a nice diversion, but lack of difficulty makes the combat not as fun as Space Pirates and Zombies (SPAZ), although the graphics are much better, and the story and characters are slightly more developed.
If they came out with some DLC and fleshed this game out more, it would be a real winner. As it is, it's fun but just needs more depth and content. I still recommend it, especially if you like these types of games.