Hazardous Space Game Sample - PC
12* The game will be out of "Early Access" on February 7th, 2019, unless the date changes.
Hazardous Space is an interesting indie game made by a small team (who mostly seem Russian) going by the name of "Coffee Cat Games" (with the game being developed with the "Unity" engine). The game is published by a new indie publisher, "Black Tower Entertainment", who is also looking to publish two other 2019 games so far, "Sin Slayers" and "Encased". HS is a good enough concept, but would benefit from some tweaks...which, as of this typing, is exactly what is taking place --- the game has received numerous updates to the feedback that was given and because of such, it is shaping out to be a cleaner, smoother experience. That said though, one thing you should know right out of the gate is that this game is TOUGH, in its current state. If you prefer games that are difficult, HS is probably something you will enjoy. If not, I don't know what to tell you!
The basic story of the game is introduced in its opening, but know that you control Max, the leader of a team who decided to investigate a space station with his mechanically gifted gal-pal, Enigma, and skilled doc, Seilgrex. Things aren't as they seem, and you shortly discover that many inhabitants on the vessel have been contaminated and basically work to eliminate you.
"Hazardous Space is a roguelike 2D turn-based action game with RPG elements, where there is no room for friendly NPCs or safe locations. Using tactics, various kinds of weapons, and your character's skills, fight your way through hordes of enemies and try to get off the station."
That basic synopsis works, but for more detail, here's what you need to know. You start the game with different items every time (with some exceptions, with the "perks" system). The station layout seems different each time as well...and you need "energy" to move, go through rooms, and if it runs out...you begin to lose HP until you die. To make matters worse, there is a toxic cloud that insta-kills you if you stay in it too long and makes sure you keep moving (the toxic cloud can be disabled, which makes things considerably easier...though the game is still tough without it). Furthermore, "energy" is also used to boost your stats in a sort of "risk versus reward" fashion. You use too much energy and don't come across enough energy replenishing supplies, you are essentially screwed. You don't boost stats, the enemies are gonna wreck you over time.
Skills also use energy, and certain weapons have limited ammo. There is an "AP" system that dictates how many actions you have in combat and different actions cost different AP. Different weapons are also effective against different enemies and you can attack different parts of an enemy to inflict more or less damage (but accuracy varies depending on what weapon you use and where you strike).
The systems are reasonably thorough, but without considerable luck, you will die fairly quickly, as you may have limited healing items, limited energy items, so on and so forth. The game is generally "run and survive", with little in the way of NPCs or "villages" or the like, so much of the game is essentially what you see. You get blueprints that can help you make new stuff on your travels, but the resources to craft are as random as most else.
The perks you get make things considerably easier, but you are allowed to only equip three perks at a time, as you come across them (some you get from dying a certain number of times, etc.)...but it is a neat system in and of itself. You can also disable it, like you can the toxic cloud, if you choose. The visuals, played in a "side view" (think Valkyrie Profile, in viewpoint alone), are serviceable, but nothing out of the ordinary. The sounds are mostly atmospheric and the music "works" for the game and setting, but don't expect too much. The game is one to be played for replayability and getting further and further, in my view. It's challenging and I am drawn to games that possess randomization as key components, but that is not something that will appeal to everyone.