Infinite Space III: Sea of Stars
- October 29, 2015
- Digital Eel
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Get on itch.io StoreSea of Stars continues the Infinite Space series of games that defined the genre of short-form space roguelikes in Strange Adventures in Infinite Space (2001) and Weird Worlds: Return to Infinite Space (2005). It compresses a galaxy-spanning starship adventure into the space of a single sitting, but as the game world is randomly generated each time you play, you will keep coming back for more. The…
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Reviews
- The game offers a rich and engaging experience with a variety of quests and tactical combat options, making it enjoyable for fans of the series.
- The 3D graphics and new ship upgrade mechanics enhance the visual appeal and gameplay depth, providing a fresh take on the franchise.
- It is a great game for quick sessions, perfect for players looking for a fun and casual gaming experience that can be completed in a short time.
- The user interface is clunky and non-intuitive, making navigation and menu management frustrating compared to previous entries in the series.
- The transition to a 3D map has been criticized for being confusing and unnecessary, detracting from the streamlined experience of earlier games.
- Many players feel that the game lacks substantial new content and improvements, making it feel more like a reskin of its predecessor rather than a true sequel.
- story22 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is characterized by a diverse array of missions and quests that enhance player engagement, though some players wish for longer mission durations. The overarching plot involves exploring a galaxy filled with various challenges, including encounters with powerful alien races, which adds depth to the gameplay. However, the shift towards more frequent missions has led to a perceived loss of urgency and stakes, as players can now retire anywhere without penalty, diminishing the sense of accomplishment tied to mission completion.
“The plot seems to explore the game's galaxy to find stuff!”
“Though there is also at least one other plot going on, one game I played ended when some mysterious, powerful alien race appeared and destroyed this 'human homeworld' whilst I was busy elsewhere!”
“For in a sea of epic games that have epic starlanes, great clashes of fleets, super high-end graphics and whatever bells and lights you fleshlings like, Sea of Stars is the title that keeps pulling me back, and grants me the greatest feeling of story and involvement.”
“The plot seems to be exploring the game's galaxy to find stuff!”
“I've come to despise the label 'rogue-like', which more and more is the refuge of game designers who can't come up with anything better than a random map with no story.”
“I miss having to return to glory [home planet] to complete missions; just being able to retire anywhere seems a little cheesy.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Gameplay is described as addictive yet polarizing, with some players appreciating the enhanced resolution and variety of actions, while others feel that the shift to 3D and new mechanics do not significantly improve the experience. The game offers a mix of short-term fun and challenging rogue-lite elements, but some find the core mechanics outdated and frustrating, particularly for those unfamiliar with the genre. Overall, it appeals to fans of science fiction and humorous storytelling, but may disappoint those seeking deeper, cerebral gameplay.
“Gameplay is also addicting.”
“It had the same basic gameplay but enhanced resolution and a greater variety of actions.”
“Consider purchasing the game if you are a fan of science fiction, rogue-lite gameplay that can be quite challenging if you ratchet up the difficulty, and stories that can be quite humorous but surprisingly impactful if you give them a chance.”
“The change to a 3D planet configuration doesn't change the gameplay in a positive way.”
“Random events can be frustrating to those unfamiliar with roguelike gameplay.”
“It's pretty, but that's about all I can say for it; as the actual gameplay doesn't seem to differ in any way from what's provided by a 2D starmap, it seems like a change made for the sake of change.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are generally considered good but not perfect, with mixed opinions on the transition to 3D. While some players appreciate the aesthetic and tactical navigation offered by the 3D map, others find it cluttered and less streamlined. Additionally, there are criticisms regarding the ship models, which some feel lack detail compared to the previous 2D graphics.
“For in a sea of epic games that have epic starlanes, great clashes of fleets, super high-end graphics and whatever bells and lights you fleshlings like, Sea of Stars is the title that keeps pulling me back, and grants me the greatest feeling of story and involvement.”
“Everything - from the 3D map and graphics, to the extra content (which makes up for that which was removed) lifts it well above its illustrious predecessor, which is saying something considering I also loved Weird Worlds.”
“I recently started playing the third game in the series which transitions to 3D graphics.”
“Unfortunately, SOS seems to get all the worst aspects of this change: the ship models are not especially detailed, arguably being a downgrade from the 2D graphics in Weird Worlds.”
“I actually like the 2D art style better.”
“I recently started playing the 3rd game in the series, which transitions to 3D graphics.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players appreciating its lighthearted and whimsical elements, such as amusing scenarios and quirky character interactions. The blend of humor with challenging gameplay and engaging storytelling adds a unique charm, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of science fiction and rogue-lite genres. Overall, the game offers a fun and entertaining escape, perfect for short play sessions.
“A game that focuses on basic exploring to find cool stuff, combat, random events, and humor is just my speed.”
“Consider purchasing the game if you are a fan of science fiction, rogue-lite gameplay that can be quite challenging if you ratchet up the difficulty, and stories that can be quite humorous but surprisingly impactful if you give them a chance.”
“You no longer return to hope in glory to retire as the fleet's new admiral, or get shaken down by thugs and left to rot as a funny-spore farmer; instead, you just get a short blurb that notes you retired/died in combat/got eaten by a space whale/whatever, and your score.”
- music4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the exploration experience with unique and immersive sounds. Reviewers highlight the exceptional tracks that accompany intense moments, such as fleet encounters, making it a standout feature for those who appreciate ambient and stellar soundscapes. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant draw for players seeking a rich auditory experience alongside engaging gameplay.
“Strongly consider buying this if you enjoy ambience and atmosphere, excellent stellar music, great space combat, and an even better sense of humor.”
“The bone-chilling music from the digital eel nightmare band grabs me in a way no other sci-fi soundtrack has; it is atmospheric when exploring, each sound delightfully plucked from the best of brainstuff.”
“And the songs that play as my fleet dares to broach the garthan red zone, or play with the laughing colors of the urluquai... fantastic.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Overall, "Infinite Space III: Sea of Stars" offers significant replayability with its blend of familiar elements and new surprises, making it an enjoyable way to pass time. However, some users note that the replay value may diminish after several rounds, suggesting a mixed experience depending on player engagement.
“If you have 30-45 minutes to spare, it's great to kill time and it has great replay value.”
“[b]Infinite Space III: Sea of Stars[/b] delivers so much replay value, in another new incarnation, with old favorites and new surprises (I got a few already)!”
“The replayability of this genre is great, and it also helps you kick back, take a risk, and forget that there is no save button.”
“Replay value is somewhat limited after a few rounds.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, featuring bone-chilling music that enhances the exploration experience. Reviewers highlight the blend of stellar sound design and humor, making it an engaging environment for players who appreciate rich ambience and space combat. Overall, the game offers a captivating atmosphere that encourages players to invest time in its unique UI and gameplay.
“The bone-chilling music from the digital eel nightmare band grabs me in a way no other sci-fi soundtrack has; it is atmospheric when exploring, each sound delightfully plucked from the best of brainstuff.”
“Strongly consider buying this if you enjoy ambience and atmosphere, excellent stellar music, great space combat, and an even better sense of humor. It offers a fantastic experience for those willing to invest some time into learning or re-learning the UI.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
“Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is flat and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
“The world feels empty and devoid of character, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the emotional impact of the game is diminished by its complex user interface and controls, which detract from the overall experience and may frustrate players, making it less accessible even to adults.
