Drox Operative 2

About

Drox Operative 2 is a science fiction action RPG that lets you build your own spaceship and explore a dynamic galaxy filled with alien races. Make important choices that will alter the balance of power, negotiate or combat other space pirates and space stations, and upgrade your ship with new weapons and technology. Your actions will shape the outcome of the galaxy and determine the fate of the Drox Operative.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 218 reviews

gameplay14 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

Drox Operative 2 offers a fun and addictive gameplay loop, reminiscent of classic ARPGs, with a unique twist of playing as a mercenary in a dynamic 4X universe.
The game features a vast variety of weapons, equipment, and ship customization options, allowing players to tailor their experience to their preferred playstyle.
The introduction of exploration mode significantly reduces random enemy ambushes, making the game more enjoyable for players who prefer a more relaxed experience.

The game can feel repetitive over time, as players often find themselves completing similar missions and grinding for loot.
Despite improvements, some players feel that Drox Operative 2 is too similar to the first game, lacking significant new content or features to justify it as a true sequel.
The user interface and graphics are considered dated by some players, which may detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
63%
10%
The gameplay is described as fun and addictive, with a solid core loop that offers engaging mechanics and a variety of playstyles, though it can become repetitive over time. Players appreciate the emergent gameplay elements and the depth provided by random events and faction dynamics, but some criticize the outdated graphics and clunky interface. Overall, while the game retains familiar mechanics from its predecessor, it introduces enough new features to keep the experience interesting, despite some lingering issues with balance and control configurations.
- “The simulated world gives meaning and character to the gameplay environment compared to the usual hand-crafted ARPG environments, offering the creative playfulness and depth required to keep the flame going.”
- “To analogize: playing as a mere cog, getting to choose which machine I work for and which machine(s) I sabotage; all while acquiring upgrades and leveling up, makes for such an engaging gameplay experience.”
- “The random events and faction dynamics allow for some interesting emergent gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop is somewhat repetitive; it's not like you get to develop a nation in the traditional sense, but having the scope narrowed down to one ship really lets you cut out all the boring stuff and get right into the action.”
- “This is a terrible mechanic, and it would have been much better if the game had scaled monster levels to keep up with your level, or a percentage-based experience system where, for example, killing one enemy gives 0.5% experience.”
- “It's such a chore to level, and the gameplay isn't fun enough to actually make that grinding worthwhile, so that's why I'm barely giving this game a 'recommended'.”
graphics
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
79%
8%
The graphics of the game have received mixed feedback, with many users noting that while they are an improvement over the previous title, they still lack the polish of triple-A games. Some appreciate the clean and simple art style, which enhances the gameplay experience, while others feel the graphics are outdated and could benefit from further enhancements. Overall, the visuals are considered decent and enjoyable, but they do not reach next-gen standards, and the focus remains on the engaging gameplay.
- “A very fun game, with gorgeous visuals, quick action, multiple viable builds and interesting loot galore.”
- “But, this has noticeably better graphics, smooth gameplay and they are going to add to the game still and listen to feedback.”
- “The graphics look like they've been sharpened while still keeping an appearance faithful to the first game.”
- “If you can forgive it for being an iteration on an old title with fairly outdated graphics, there's a lot of good gameplay here before the core loop may start getting a little repetitive.”
- “The game is not graphically intensive at all.”
- “The only thing keeping it from a triple-A price tag is the graphics - which I would gladly pay if it had even a hint of extra prettiness added to it.”
story
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
83%
8%
The story in the game is characterized by a dynamic and procedurally generated quest system that allows players to engage in a variety of missions, often leading to unexpected outcomes and consequences based on their choices. While some players find the quests repetitive, the game offers a unique narrative experience that evolves with each playthrough, emphasizing player agency and the impact of their actions on the game's living world. Overall, the storytelling is enriched by a blend of exploration, faction interactions, and customizable gameplay, making each session feel distinct and engaging.
- “I don't think there are any other companies out there which take the approach Soldak does with such dynamic worlds and quests that actually need to be done and aren't just markers in some story.”
- “The way the game unfolds its own story in each play session is entirely unique.”
- “The quests you get are based on the state of the 4X game, and succeeding in them or failing to complete them in time have natural consequences for the strength of AI empires and the random monsters.”
- “As a result, you fulfill hundreds of missions without even following a 'quest'.”
- “You can do quests too, but I find quests to be redundant and highly recycled.”
- “This game isn't a game where you reach the end of the storyline and then you win either.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight that the game is excessively grindy, requiring days of repetitive gameplay to reach higher levels, which detracts from the overall enjoyment. Many players find the grinding tedious and unfulfilling, leading to reluctance in recommending the game, although some have managed to reduce the grind through tweaks. Overall, those averse to grinding should consider avoiding this title.
- “The 2nd biggest con that this game has is as a direct result from the 1st con, and that is: the game is exceptionally grindy.”
- “The fact that it takes days of grinding to reach end game is what makes me almost not want to recommend this game.”
- “It's such a chore to level, and the gameplay isn't fun enough to actually make that grinding worthwhile, so that's why I'm barely giving this game a 'recommended'.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
13%
25%
Overall, the game boasts significant replayability due to its randomly-generated elements, diverse character options, and a dynamic skill tree system that encourages players to experiment with different strategies and combinations. The integration of a real-time 4X background and varying factions further enhances the unique experiences in each playthrough, making it a highly replayable title.
- “Unlocking randomly-generated 'young races' adds lots of replayability, trying to get the perfect mix of race.”
- “Scratches the space shooter itch - and seems to have a lot of replayability with the different races, procedurally generated sectors, and real-time 4X game with the factions that shape the galaxy.”
- “Differences between the first and second game, there is a new skill tree system with 'class specific' skill lines providing a lot more replayability, and there's a bunch of new variations on weapon types; those are pretty much the only noticeable things.”
- “As usual, no game (or galaxy) is the same; replayability is enormous.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while it runs well on lower-end systems, some users report bugs, particularly in multiplayer modes, which can lead to lag issues. Despite these concerns, players remain hopeful for improvements and deeper gameplay.
- “Despite the lackluster presentation, it runs great on my low-end Ubuntu laptop! This one might be a diamond in the rough - I hope it ends up having as much depth as it seems to have (it's my first Soldak game).”
- “That said, some of the new features are currently buggy.”
- “Multiplayer is a bit buggy with the laser/plasma cannons; firing them in full auto causes the server to lag for anyone who isn't the host.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is praised for being enjoyable and non-distracting, complementing the visuals effectively. Additionally, players appreciate the introduction of new tracks and enhanced audio quality alongside improved graphics.
- “Nice visual effects and music that you can hear without distracting you.”
- “New music and improved graphics including new shaders and more layers of space.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with players noting significant performance issues even on high-end PCs, despite some improvements in the skill system and visual effects. While the early game experience is more generous, the serious performance hiccups are a concern that players hope will be addressed in future updates.
- “It's done with a reworked skill system, a more generous early game, slightly improved visual effects, and some serious performance hiccups (which I assume will be worked out).”
- “This game suffers from heavy performance issues even on high-end PCs.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Drox Operative 2 features a unique and humorous take on the ARPG genre, incorporating quirky mechanics and funny gimmicks that enhance gameplay, such as the challenge of managing components and thrusters. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend humor with engaging mechanics, making it a standout experience.
- “Drox Operative 2 is an amazing game that exceeds what Drox Operative was. It's developed by Soldak Entertainment, who has a knack for turning ARPGs into something quirky. The game is filled with so many weird and funny gimmicks, like leveling up and trying to collect too many components, which can slow you down unless you have good thrusters. It's just so good!”
- “The humor in Drox Operative 2 is fantastic! The quirky interactions and unexpected scenarios keep me laughing while I play. It's refreshing to see a game that doesn't take itself too seriously.”
- “I love how Drox Operative 2 incorporates humor into its gameplay. The absurd situations and witty dialogue make every mission entertaining and keep me coming back for more.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization strategy has drawn criticism, with some users feeling that the game feels more like an incremental update rather than a full sequel, leading to disappointment regarding its value.
- “I want to assume good intent, so I won't call it a cash grab, but it's super disappointing that this is basically Drox Operative 1.1, not 2.”
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, as it seems designed to squeeze every last penny from players rather than enhance the gaming experience.”
- “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”