in Space

About

in Space is a single player arcade shooter game. It was developed by Ed Curtis-Sivess and was released on April 27, 2015. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

"in Space" is a retro-style sidescrolling shooter that focuses on precision and strategy. The game offers procedurally generated levels, score multipliers, and color puzzle mechanics. As you progress, you can unlock new ships with unique abilities and advance through different modes that put a fresh spin on the core mechanics. A separate retrospective, including written pieces and playable builds from the game's development, is available for an additional purchase .

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 98 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

The game is addictive and provides a fun distraction, especially for its low price.
It features enjoyable music and retro graphics that evoke nostalgia.
The gameplay mechanics are simple yet engaging, with unique modes that require strategy and accuracy.

The game suffers from technical issues, including glitches and unresponsive controls.
It lacks sufficient explanations or tutorials, making it difficult for players to understand the objectives.
The gameplay can become repetitive quickly, with limited content and only two main modes.

gameplay
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
66%
9%
The gameplay is characterized as a basic side-scrolling shooter with two main modes: "match 3" and "survival." While it features simplistic mechanics that are easy to grasp, the game offers a rewarding challenge that emphasizes strategy and puzzle-solving rather than mindless action. Overall, it is described as addictive and enjoyable, with a focus on gameplay complemented by retro-style graphics and soothing music.
- “In space is an addictive, surprisingly enjoyable space shooter with enjoyably simplistic mechanics.”
- “It's a fun space shooter with surprisingly intense and unique gameplay and some of the best music around.”
- “The gameplay is its main focus, and they humorously note that due to budget constraints, everything else was cut, and what it does, it does well.”
- “Basic side scroller with minimal variation in gameplay.”
- “This is where the aforementioned simplistic mechanics come in.”
- “Its a 2D scrolling shooter with match 3 mechanics.”
music
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The music in the game is widely praised for its incredible soundtrack, featuring soothing techno and trance elements that enhance the gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the retro Atari-esque visuals that complement the electronic background music, creating a relaxing atmosphere. However, some users noted issues with the sound not functioning properly when pausing the game.
- “It's a fun space shooter with surprisingly intense and unique gameplay and some of the best music around.”
- “Oh and by the way, the soundtrack on this is fricken incredible!”
- “The Atari-esque graphics and sound effects are a nice touch, and the electronic background music is quite soothing and complements the gameplay.”
- “Game music and sound doesn't really seem to work if I press pause (esc button).”
- “There is techno/trance music during the game.”
- “The electronic background music is quite soothing and complements the gameplay.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The graphics of the game are described as extremely basic, reminiscent of early titles like Space Invaders and even older systems like the Commodore 64. However, many players appreciate the retro aesthetic, noting that the Atari-inspired visuals and soothing electronic soundtrack enhance the overall experience, making it a charming throwback worth its low price.
- “Throw in some cool Atari-esque visuals and a decent soundtrack and you've got a game that is more than worth the 79p it's sold for.”
- “The Atari-esque graphics and sound effects are a nice touch, and the electronic background music is quite soothing and complements the gameplay.”
- “The graphics are extremely basic (even more basic than Space Invaders).”
- “This game exemplifies the difference between a 'retro game' and a 'retro-aesthetic game'.”
- “Omg, I just bought a new PC; this game is for C64. I love these games with old graphics.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is primarily derived from its self-aware commentary on budget constraints, playfully acknowledging that while gameplay is the main focus, other elements were sacrificed. Additionally, players find amusement in the quirky notifications from Discord, particularly the phrase "playing in space," which adds a lighthearted touch to the experience.
- “The gameplay is its main focus, and they humorously tout that due to budget constraints, everything else was cut, and what it does, it does well.”
- “It's funny when you use Discord (instead of Skype's poor call quality) because it says you're 'playing in space.'”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story conveys a powerful message about resilience and the unpredictability of life, emphasizing that perseverance in the face of adversity can lead to unexpected and rewarding outcomes.
- “The moral of the story is that you never know what life has in store for you. If I had given up when all odds were against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express that the emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply, often evoking strong feelings and personal connections. The experiences portrayed in the game touch on relatable themes, enhancing the overall emotional impact.
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, stability appears to vary among users, with some experiencing no issues on Windows 7 x64, while others report bugs on Windows 8.1 x64. This suggests that the game's performance may be influenced by the operating system used.
- “Although I haven't experienced any buggy gameplay mechanics (running Windows 7 x64), one of my friends has (running Windows 8.1 x64).”
- “Although I haven't experienced any buggy gameplay mechanics (running Windows 7 x64), one of my friends has (running Windows 8.1 x64).”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
150%
The monetization system in the game relies on an in-game currency, humorously referred to as "squids," which is used for upgrades rather than real-money microtransactions. Players express confusion over this naming choice, but the absence of real-money purchases for upgrades is noted positively.
- “The in-game store offers upgrades without requiring real money, which is a refreshing change from typical microtransactions.”
- “I appreciate that the in-game currency is creatively named, adding a fun element to the overall experience.”
- “I looked in the in-game store for upgrades, not microtransactions that require real money, and the in-game currency is called 'squids' or something. I was just baffled.”
- “The in-game store is confusing, especially with the currency being called 'squids.' It feels like a gimmick rather than a serious monetization strategy.”
- “The way the game handles monetization is frustrating. It seems like they are trying to push players towards spending real money for upgrades.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a solid level of replayability, making it a worthwhile purchase, though players should not anticipate an extensive amount of content.
- “Definitely worth the price, but don't expect a very large amount of content; just a good amount of replayability.”