78 people found this review helpful
1 person found this review funny
2
1
Recommended
0.0 hrs last two weeks / 11.7 hrs on record (8.3 hrs at review time)
Posted: 12 Apr, 2021 @ 2:55am
Updated: 18 Jun, 2022 @ 12:22am

Early Access Review
Players of the original Fallout games will be in familiar territory with Colony Ship. It hints a lot at its 1997 model, from its title to its theme and gameplay. A darker, colder, meaner Fallout, more polished too, and much smarter than its distant cousin Wasteland 2 (I haven't played the 3).

Pros
  • The mature writing is supported by good-looking isometric visuals, creating an original post-apocalyptic atmosphere.
  • Character creation is very enjoyable and allows for a lot of playstyles.
  • Plenty of proper RPG choices open and close paths, which adds meaning and replay value.
  • Challenging difficulty: progression and victory feel like you've achieved something.

Cons
  • Challenging difficulty: you're a nobody at the bottom of the chain food. Save often and pick your fights carefully.
  • Stealth mechanics aren't explained in-game and need to be balanced. Riddick is sad!
  • Repetitive music. Simply not enough tracks, especially in the Pit.
  • As far as I can tell, companions don't retain any personality after their recruitment. They don't step in during dialogues and don't offer any side quests. It's like the whole team shares a single mind, something that is more common in dedicated tactical games than in RPGs.
The current build only contains 25% of the final game. So it's super polished for an Early Access, minus the light issues mentioned above. But still: should you play a RPG missing 75% of its content? Probably not. Should you buy it though? Probably yes: its price is going to rise progressively over the course of its EA completion, and it helps the indie team at work on this highly promising gem.

If you enjoy turn-based games, visit the Steam group Turn-based Tactics to discover similar titles and discuss with like-minded gamers: https://gtm.steamproxy.vip/groups/tbtactics
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6 Comments
Meat-King, The Ultimate 4 Jun, 2023 @ 5:23am 
You convinced me. Thank you for the read.
Two Clicks 19 Apr, 2021 @ 4:27am 
Nice write-up!
Molotov Milkshake 15 Apr, 2021 @ 11:02am 
I'll have to try this out at some point. I felt like Wasteland 2 was pretty bad though, so I'm glad to hear this is better.
Saint Scylla 15 Apr, 2021 @ 10:45am 
Thanks Kyl, good to know!
Kyl Von Kull 15 Apr, 2021 @ 9:56am 
Re: companions

There are a few moments where they chime in, though admittedly not many. If you agree to hunt down McNeil for the church, Evans doesn't like it and he'll give you a hard time (but you can easily talk him around). When you go to hydroponics, the leader gives you a mission to clear out some scavengers who are Faythe's friends. She begs you not to kill them.

Faythe and Jed have their own side-quests, too, it's just that you can't do them until chapter two. Check your journal. They tell you about their respective quests when you recruit them.
Sloul Des Tucs 14 Apr, 2021 @ 12:09pm 
Wasteland 3 is p.cool and a clear improvement over Wasteland 2.
But since you haven't played it, you can wait for a possible ''definitive edition'' before diving in.

Colony Ship looks like a passable rpg. I had so much faith in Iron Tower. I wish the game would have better combat mechanics.