Captain Forever Trilogy
- May 22, 2018
- Farbs
Captain Forever Trilogy is a spaceship building game where you construct ships on the fly by capturing parts from defeated enemies. The trilogy includes three games: Captain Forever, Captain Successor with additional modules and ships, and Captain Impostor, which allows for instant cloning of ships. The updated version features a new renderer, new audio, and enhanced visuals for a smoother and more immersive experience.
Reviews
- The game offers a nostalgic experience with well-executed mechanics that allow players to build and customize their ships from enemy parts.
- It features a challenging gameplay loop that rewards skill and strategy, making it engaging and fun to play, especially in multiplayer mode.
- The graphics and music are well done, enhancing the overall atmosphere and enjoyment of the game.
- The difficulty can be overwhelming, with frequent forced enemy encounters and a lack of checkpoints, leading to frustration for players.
- Some players feel that the game lacks depth in terms of content and replayability, making it feel repetitive after a few successful runs.
- The controls and AI can be confusing and frustrating, with some players experiencing issues with enemy detection and ship maneuverability.
- gameplay14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a dynamic and engaging loop that combines action and strategic building mechanics, allowing players to construct and modify their ships in real-time during battles. While some players feel the need for a slow-down mechanic to enhance the experience, the integration of boss mechanics and metroid-vania-style progression adds depth and variety. Overall, the minimalist interface and innovative mechanics contribute to a unique gameplay experience that stands out in its genre.
“Challenging and fun with mechanics that were ahead of its time.”
“To cut a long story short, this game is well named, as the core mechanics and minimalist 'command interface' aesthetic give it everything it needs to stand the test of time, and it has.”
“Imho, this game would be a lot better with some kind of slow down time mechanic that gives you some breathing room.”
“The gameplay loop of this game is not interesting.”
“The gameplay ends up very dynamic and varied because the heat of battle doesn't leave a lot of time to attach things nicely, and depending on how many other ships you pissed off in the meantime, you may lose more parts in the process of attaching things than you gained.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their minimalist yet stylized design, effectively capturing the retro aesthetic of classic browser games while enhancing the overall atmosphere. Users appreciate the excellent menu graphics and audio, which contribute to the game's immersive experience, and note significant improvements in performance and visuals compared to the original version. Overall, the graphics successfully evoke a sense of nostalgia while remaining engaging and fitting for the game's themes.
“I definitely think its low price warrants the purchase, as each mode in itself is a greatly new way to play Captain Forever and it's a pretty major graphical improvement/performance improvement over the original browser version.”
“The difficulty and obtuseness definitely makes it feel like a game from that era, which is fitting considering the vector-style graphics and strange story elements given through the various 'read me' files before starting each game.”
“The graphics and audio are simple, but stylized, and the atmosphere they help build really helps sell the hostility that the universe you're fighting in has for you.”
“For such minimalist graphics, the atmosphere really draws you in - I especially love the commentary from other ships in the corner of your eye.”
- story7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The story in the game is often described as obscure and difficult to grasp, with many players expressing confusion about its narrative elements. While some appreciate the mysterious aspects embedded in the gameplay, others feel that the lack of a clear storyline detracts from the overall experience, likening it to a retro game with minimal quest lines or character interactions.
“The difficulty and obtuseness definitely makes it feel like a game from that era, which is fitting considering the vector-style graphics and strange story elements given through the various 'read me' files before starting each game.”
“It pleases me greatly to be able to say that joy has persevered and can be found right here in the Captain Forever trilogy, along with a great deal of improvements and a mysterious story embedded into the very makeup of the game itself.”
“I wish I could go over the story, but I'm honestly not sure what the story even is.”
“What story is present seems about as obtuse as the rest of the package.”
“No story, no quest line, just an asteroids clone with some added parts/abilities.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in this collection is highly praised for its quality, featuring a dope soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Users appreciate the excellent menu graphics and find the game enjoyable to play alongside other audio, such as music or podcasts.
“This collection of what I originally played in browsers back in the day is so well done, with excellent menu graphics and music, at a reasonable price.”
“Dope soundtrack.”
“Fun, you can make it strategic if you want to; it's easy to play while listening to music, podcasts, etc.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game offers decent replay value and is enjoyable without requiring an extensive time commitment to complete. However, players note that once the main content is finished, the replayability diminishes significantly.
“Awesome game, lots of fun, has decent replay value, doesn't take hundreds of hours to beat.”
“But once you beat the game, it doesn't really have that much replay value.”
“After completing the main storyline, I found little incentive to play again.”
“The lack of varied endings makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's minimalist graphics and stylized audio effectively create an immersive atmosphere that enhances the sense of hostility in the universe. Players appreciate how these elements draw them in, particularly the engaging commentary from other ships that adds depth to the experience.
“The graphics and audio are simple, but stylized, and the atmosphere they help build really enhances the sense of hostility that the universe you're fighting in has for you.”
“The graphics and audio are simple, but stylized, and the atmosphere they help build really sells the hostility that the universe you're fighting in has for you.”
“For such minimalist graphics, the atmosphere really draws you in - I especially love the commentary from other ships in the corner of your eye.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its low price and significant graphical and performance improvements compared to the original browser version, enhancing the overall gameplay experience across various modes.
“I definitely think its low price warrants the purchase, as each mode in itself is a greatly new way to play Captain Forever, and it's a significant graphical and performance improvement over the original browser version.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is effectively integrated, balancing moments of desolation with lighthearted elements, such as the whimsical tunes created by firing lasers. Overall, it contributes to a unique tonal experience that enhances gameplay.
“Not having played the original browser version much, I can't really tell how much things have improved, but it all fits very well in its tones ranging from desolate to humorous, and your lasers forming a little tune as they fire.”