Distant Space 2

About

Distant Space 2 is a pixel-art real-time strategy game that takes place in the depths of space. As a spaceship captain, you must explore, mine resources, and engage in battles with alien races while managing your crew and ship systems. With a variety of ships, weapons, and upgrades, Distant Space 2 offers a vast universe to explore and countless ways to strategize.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

67%

Audience ScoreBased on 293 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

story4 negative mentions

Improvement over the first game with more dynamic gameplay and challenging bosses.
Offers a nostalgic arcade experience with simple mechanics and enjoyable music.
Great for achievement hunters, providing a large number of achievements for completing levels.

Repetitive gameplay with little variation in enemy types and level design.
Lacks depth and meaningful progression, making it feel like an achievement farm rather than a full game.
Controls can be frustrating, with erratic enemy movements and a lack of tutorial or guidance.

gameplay
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
73%
7%
The gameplay is primarily a simplistic homage to classic arcade shooters like Space Invaders, featuring basic mechanics where players move left and right to shoot enemies. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel and dynamic elements, many criticize it for being repetitive, lacking depth, and offering minimal challenge, with some even noting that it feels more like an achievement farm than a compelling game. Overall, the gameplay is seen as decent but ultimately underwhelming compared to its inspirations.
- “The dynamic gameplay and 26 levels with unique bosses make every battle engaging.”
- “From the very first moment, I was hooked by the riveting gameplay that kept me on the edge of my seat.”
- “This title is an indirect sequel to the first game, offering more dynamic and challenging gameplay.”
- “The game's potential is hindered by repetitive gameplay, a lack of meaningful choices, and a poorly executed endgame.”
- “Boring, repetitive gameplay with no real challenge.”
- “The gameplay is nothing special—just a basic space invaders clone—but it’s really just a vehicle for collecting cool-looking letter and number achievements.”
graphics
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
71%
11%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the improved visuals and aesthetics compared to its predecessor, while others criticize the simplistic art style and lack of variety. Many players appreciate the nostalgic pixel art but feel it falls short in terms of detail and clarity, especially during hectic gameplay. Overall, while the graphics are seen as a step up, they are still considered basic and not fully realized.
- “I liked the variety of enemies, the aesthetics, and the third boss.”
- “Very similar to the previous game but with better graphics.”
- “For 1 dollar the game is good, compared to the first game this is such a huge improvement from the AI & overall graphics and even has music though I wish there was some variety having the same song play for 26 levels was a bit much.”
- “The game's artstyle is too simple; there is no way to discern what's an upgrade and what's a projectile when the game gets more hectic later on.”
- “A choice was made to use obsolete, decades-old retro pixel 'art' as a substitute for contemporary PC graphics.”
- “There's no way for gamers to try to improve the low-quality graphics.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
27%
14%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its catchy 8-bit soundtrack that evokes nostalgia for classic arcade games. However, players have noted a lack of variety, as the limited number of tracks can become repetitive over time. While some find the music enjoyable and fitting for the gameplay, others feel it could benefit from more dynamic sound design and additional tracks to enhance the overall experience.
- “One redeeming feature of Distant Space 2 is the music.”
- “The 8-bit soundtrack is fantastic, albeit limited.”
- “The music is quite good (2-3 tracks total) and the graphic style is reminiscent of Pony Island and old-school games.”
- “And could use some quality of life updates along with better sound design and more music.”
- “Barely any changes throughout the game, and no changes to the music loop that sounds like they just stole from Mega Man for portions of it.”
- “Music is a single modern track that loops over and over and sound effects are far in between.”
story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
55%
36%
The game's story is widely criticized for being either nonexistent or lacking depth, leaving players feeling unengaged and disconnected from the universe. While some appreciate the cryptic storytelling and lore that rewards exploration, the overall consensus is that the narrative fails to provide a compelling experience.
- “The interconnected world, cryptic storytelling, and deep lore create an experience that rewards players for their curiosity and perseverance.”
- “The universe feels empty and lifeless, with little to no compelling story or lore to engage players.”
- “Graphic is better than the last one, but still no storyline.”
- “Nothing, no story at all, so no dialogue to go along with all that nothing on that front.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is primarily focused on achievement farming, which many players find tedious and boring due to its length and repetitive nature. While it effectively serves its purpose for those seeking to collect achievements, it lacks engaging gameplay elements.
- “This is clearly an achievement farming game.”
- “It would have been less tedious if it was shorter.”
- “This sequel is even more blatant than the original game with the fact that it's just an achievement farming game.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Users generally find the game's replayability to be limited, citing its short length as a significant drawback that diminishes the incentive to play again.
- “Obviously, the main downside is that it is short with little replayability.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by the amusing interactions in the forums, where players request easier gameplay for the sake of achievements. Additionally, the game's style and music contribute to its comedic appeal.
- “It's funny going to the forums seeing people literally asking the developer to make the game easier so they can get their precious achievement numbers up.”
- “I liked the style, and the music was somewhat funny.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its exceptional world-building and combat mechanics, but it particularly stands out for its strong emotional engagement, making it a masterpiece in connecting with players on a deeper level.
- “It is a masterpiece of world-building, combat, and emotional engagement.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviews indicate that Gamemaker Studio is frequently associated with the creation of retro-style games that are perceived as low-quality or cash grabs, suggesting a trend of monetization strategies that prioritize profit over quality.
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, prioritizing profit over player experience.”
- “In-game purchases are heavily pushed, making it difficult to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “The constant barrage of ads and microtransactions ruins the immersion and enjoyment of the game.”