Absolute Territory
- August 31, 2020
- Digitum Software
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Get on itch.io StoreAbsolute Territory is a first-person space combat game featuring Newtonian physics and tactical warship gameplay. Engage in a 21-mission campaign and two leaderboard game modes, battling large warships and enemy starfighters. Customize your load-outs, manage flight assist and power settings, and outwit hostiles in this immersive and challenging space flight experience.
PC
Virtual Reality
Windows
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game offers solid dogfighting mechanics reminiscent of classic space combat sims like Wing Commander, providing an engaging experience.
- The developer is actively improving the game and is responsive to player feedback, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game features a mission editor and Steam Workshop support, allowing for user-generated content and additional replayability.
- The game lacks a substantial campaign, with minimal content that can be completed in under 30 minutes, making it feel unfinished.
- Graphics and sound design are basic and lack depth, with static mission briefings and generic models that do not convey much flavor.
- Controls can be poorly defined, requiring remapping, and there are bugs in the tutorials that can disrupt the learning experience.
- story25 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 76 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is largely criticized for its minimalism, with many reviewers noting that it lacks depth and character development, relying instead on static mission briefings and basic text without voice acting or cutscenes. The campaign consists of only a few missions, and while there are some creative elements, the overall narrative feels underdeveloped and reminiscent of classic space combat games like Wing Commander, focusing more on action than storytelling. Players seeking a rich narrative experience may be disappointed, as the game prioritizes mission variety and gameplay mechanics over a compelling storyline.
“Reminds me of playing Wing Commander, but the storyline is conveyed in a Freespace way, as in done through the mission briefings.”
“Peppered throughout are a few much more creative missions I quite enjoyed, though note these seem weighted towards the latter half of the game.”
“While there were new space sim releases recently, it's been a while since we had a new mission-based Wing Commander / Freespace / Tie Fighter-like game.”
“Frankly, you should just play the classics if you can, as there's no story here, just action and more action, with half of the HUD elements unexplained and no manual or reference in-game, just tutorial missions (available in the sim, or play through as a part of the campaign).”
“The so-called 'campaign' consists of two missions, whereas even the tutorial has four.”
“We know nothing about the factions we are fighting for or against; mission briefings are static text with workmanlike writing.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are a mixed bag, with some users noting that they resemble 90s-era visuals and are generally basic, while others appreciate the realistic physics and decent quality when settings are adjusted. The static ship panels detract from the experience, but the overall performance and gameplay, particularly in dogfighting, are praised.
“This is an amazing space dogfighting sim, obviously inspired by the original Wing Commander games, but with realistic physics and good graphics.”
“What you can expect is very solid dogfighting (with multiple playable ships), excellent performance, and good graphics (hint: go to settings and make sure graphics quality is set to 'beautiful'; in my case it was autoset to lowest, for some reason).”
“Graphics aren't the best, but the gameplay is great; I loved drifting (using the momentum to continue moving in one direction but turning around to shoot).”
“The briefing consists of text screens only, with no graphics at all.”
“The ship panels are quite annoying because they are just static background graphics that can be ignored.”
“The graphics are reminiscent of the 90s era, nothing to write home about.”
- gameplay4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The gameplay is rooted in classic mechanics, featuring a regenerating shield and armor, with an emphasis on fundamental space combat elements. While the graphics may not impress, players appreciate the engaging mechanics like drifting and sliding, which enhance the overall experience.
“The basic gameplay is the same from decades ago: your fighter is protected by a regenerating shield and some armor.”
“Graphics aren't the best, but the gameplay is great; I loved drifting (using the momentum to continue moving in one direction but turning around to shoot).”
“This game's priorities are squarely on the fundamental mechanics of what makes a good space combat sim, largely to the exclusion of all else.”
“The basic gameplay is the same as it was decades ago: your fighter is protected by a regenerating shield and some armor.”
“The gameplay feels outdated and lacks innovation, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The mechanics are clunky and often lead to frustrating experiences during combat.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the lack of grinding in the game, noting that the straightforward, text-only briefings allow for quick immersion into the action without unnecessary delays or repetitive tasks.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find the grinding mechanics to be overly repetitive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is frustrating and feels like a chore rather than fun.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's music consists of only three tracks—menu, combat, and non-combat—which, while pleasant, are considered generic and lack variety.
“The music tracks are enjoyable and set the right mood for both combat and exploration.”
“I love how the soundtrack enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”
“The variety in the music keeps the gameplay engaging and immersive.”
“There are only three music tracks: menu, combat, and non-combat. While they are pleasant enough, they feel very generic.”
“The limited variety in the music tracks makes the gameplay feel repetitive and dull.”
“The soundtrack lacks depth and fails to enhance the overall gaming experience.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers solid dogfighting mechanics and excellent performance, with good graphics that can be enhanced by adjusting the settings to 'beautiful', as the default may be set to the lowest quality.
“What you can expect is very solid dogfighting with multiple playable ships, excellent performance, and good graphics. Make sure to adjust the settings to set graphics quality to 'beautiful'; it was autoset to the lowest for me, for some reason.”
