Rebel Galaxy

Rebel Galaxy is nearly perfect in every way. It provides the perfect mix of player choice, balance, and challenge for fans of space combat games who don't mind the lack of 3D flight.

86%Game Brain Score

story, music

grinding, stability

86% User Score Based on 5,825 reviews

Critic Score 67%Based on 23 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $1.83

Buy NowGet on Steam€16.79

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About

Rebel Galaxy is a space combat simulation game set in a procedurally generated open world. Take control of a starship and explore the universe, completing missions, trading goods, and engaging in thrilling battles. Customize your ship, recruit crew members, and upgrade your arsenal as you uncover the mysteries of the galaxy and forge your own path as a rebel leader.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+12

86%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,825 reviews

story724 positive mentions

grinding491 negative mentions

Engaging combat mechanics with a unique broadside system that feels reminiscent of naval battles.
Beautiful visuals and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
Offers a variety of playstyles, allowing players to choose between being a trader, pirate, or mercenary.

Repetitive missions and grinding can lead to a lack of engagement over time.
Limited movement on a 2D plane can feel restrictive and detracts from the space exploration experience.
The story is relatively short and lacks depth, leaving players wanting more after completing the main campaign.

story
4,085 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
75%
7%
The story in "Rebel Galaxy" is generally considered decent but somewhat simplistic and linear, serving primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay rather than a focal point. Players often find the main storyline short, with many opting to engage in side missions that can become repetitive, though the game offers a variety of mission types and opportunities for exploration. While the narrative may not be groundbreaking, it provides enough intrigue to keep players invested in upgrading their ships and completing missions, with a fun, engaging atmosphere reminiscent of space westerns like "Firefly."
- “The story is interesting enough and the voice acting is well done.”
- “The main story is a tad bit short, but it was a lot of fun.”
- “The story is decent and adds to the game so you're not just grinding all the time.”
- “The story is thin, easily the least developed I've seen in the genre.”
- “The main story is very short and uncreative... it seems like a cliché.”
- “The story is a bit sparse/short relative to the amount of grinding required to confidently beat it, but even the grinding is enjoyable compared to a lot of games in this genre, due to satisfying combat mechanics.”
music
2,622 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
48%
4%
The music in "Rebel Galaxy" has received widespread acclaim for its unique blend of country, rock, and blues, effectively capturing a "space cowboy" vibe reminiscent of the TV series "Firefly." While many players appreciate the soundtrack's thematic fit and energy, some note that it can become repetitive over extended play sessions. Fortunately, the game allows players to customize their experience by adding their own music, enhancing the overall enjoyment and immersion.
- “The music is well timed to kick in when it needs to and thematically appropriate to being basically a cowboy in space.”
- “This soundtrack and how it is handled in the game is actually more than half of the fun and the joy!”
- “The soundtrack is a blend of cowboy-themed tunes that encapsulate the 'space western' ambiance.”
- “The music is charming in the beginning but gets old really soon.”
- “The soundtrack is repetitive.”
- “The music gets old fast.”
gameplay
1,166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
56%
6%
The gameplay of "Rebel Galaxy" is characterized by its engaging and accessible mechanics, blending exploration, combat, and trading in a 2D space environment reminiscent of naval battles. While the core gameplay loop is addictive and offers a variety of missions and ship upgrades, it can become repetitive over time, particularly due to the grind for resources and the simplistic nature of some mechanics. Overall, players appreciate the fun combat and atmospheric soundtrack, though some express a desire for deeper gameplay elements and more variety in missions.
- “A wide variety of side missions and exploration bonuses reward those willing to spend time to strengthen their ships outside of the main campaign missions, and the factions you choose to ally with will play a key part in future gameplay, yet opportunities to change their allegiances always abound.”
- “The gameplay mechanics of Rebel Galaxy are a blend of exploration, combat, trade, and diplomacy, all set against a cosmic backdrop.”
- “The core gameplay loop is oddly addictive.”
- “One particular annoyance is the space travel, where your vehicle is automatically dropped out of warp when you run near some random rock that won't even hit your ship because it's slightly above or below it, but the game deems it as a proximity hazard; this often forces people to warp in and out of space repeatedly, and while factually accurate, gameplay-wise it is somewhat tiresome.”
- “The gameplay loop is overly simple and becomes tedious and boring fast.”
- “Gameplay-wise, side missions and random encounters get repetitive, all locations look too much like one another, and I find that the ships were very few.”
graphics
814 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
36%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant visuals and attention to detail, particularly in ship and environment design. Many players noted that the graphics are impressive for an indie title, running smoothly even on lower-end systems, and effectively complementing the game's atmosphere. While some reviews mentioned that the graphics may not be cutting-edge compared to AAA titles, they still contribute significantly to the overall enjoyment and immersion of the gameplay experience.
- “The visuals are meticulously crafted with detailed spaceships, stations, and celestial bodies.”
- “The graphics are smooth, the gameplay is fun, and the story is really kind of great to watch unfold.”
- “The graphics are stunning, the game is very exciting and addictive.”
- “The graphics do more to obscure the locations of items than to enhance the gameplay, and the lame writing and delivery of the story really killed any good favor it had built up with its fun tall ship style combat.”
- “The visuals give you a seizure practically, and the whole storyline and method of gameplay is just dumb and pointless.”
- “It's not triple-A, but it does have the art style.”
grinding
495 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The reviews indicate that the game features significant grinding, particularly for upgrading ships and equipment, which can become tedious and repetitive over time. While some players find the grind enjoyable due to engaging combat and a variety of missions, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, especially when the main story is relatively short and lacks depth. Overall, the grinding aspect is a defining feature of the game, appealing primarily to those who enjoy such gameplay mechanics.
- “This game is awesome, kind of a short storyline and honestly not a ton of content. Well, at least what I experienced wasn't that much, but it wasn't all grindy, and more importantly, it stayed fun.”
- “The game's really not too grindy...unless you want to get a destroyer early in your playthrough - they are super expensive.”
- “I finished the main quest in 40 hours and I was not really grinding.”
- “The same-y feeling fights, cookie cutter missions and environments, and tiered equipment list ends up creating a monotonous and grindy experience.”
- “The level of dissatisfaction I had after grinding money to get the biggest ships and progressing through the story only to feel like it was all futile is really quite irritating.”
- “First and foremost, the game is a slog of grinding boring repetitive missions over and over again.”
atmosphere
158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of space western elements, reminiscent of beloved series like *Firefly* and *Cowboy Bebop*. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, engaging combat, and a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the immersive experience, creating a gritty yet adventurous vibe. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, effectively capturing the essence of a vast, lawless space frontier.
- “With fat dogfights, a great blues-rock soundtrack, and an atmospheric western vibe, the game perfectly captures the vastness of space.”
- “The atmospheric visuals and music (and occasional humor) is where this game truly shines, and outweighs any minor flaws this game has.”
- “The atmosphere is perfect with stellar music and excellent graphics.”
- “There are too few, and they lack proper lore and atmosphere.”
- “You are going to die a lot, and it's not because the little fighters have more firepower than you, but because of the atmosphere that will destroy your ship in the middle of space, or some 20 clicks from a moon, yes a moon, smaller than your ship, and destroys you with its atmosphere.”
- “Shame, because I was kind of digging the atmosphere, music, and feel, up to the point where you have to fight things.”
replayability
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
10%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it highly enjoyable due to its procedurally generated maps and various faction choices, while others feel it becomes repetitive and lacks depth after completing the campaign. Many appreciate the sandbox elements and random events that can provide fresh experiences, but a significant number of reviews indicate limited replay value once the main story is finished. Overall, while there are opportunities for different playstyles and approaches, the consensus suggests that replayability may not be substantial for everyone.
- “Chances are you might want to play again though because there is pretty decent replayability - the system maps and galaxy map will be different and you can try a totally different approach on your next run - help the militia to rescue citizens, miners and traders from marauding gangs, stay neutral and work for the merchants' guild, take whatever pays the most as a member of the mercenaries guild - you can even go full pirate and ally with the red devils and double jack bandits.”
- “The sandbox elements give it tons of replay value, and there is really nothing else like it.”
- “Great fun, limited replayability.”
- “Can get repetitive once you have reached the endgame and maxed weaponry; not too much replayability beyond siding with different factions (option of 2, but you can technically align with both and they only unlock some mid-tier ships).”
- “Not much replayability once you have completed the campaign and become uber-powerful.”
- “The main downside to it though is it can feel a tad bit grindy at parts, and there honestly isn't a whole lot of replayability.”
stability
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and minimal glitches, particularly on Linux, there are notable issues with specific missions, especially escort tasks, which are frequently described as buggy and frustrating. Some users experienced game-breaking bugs, such as disappearing save files and AI pathfinding problems, suggesting that the game feels somewhat unpolished and rushed. Despite these issues, many players still find the game enjoyable and recommend it, albeit with caution regarding its stability.
- “Runs great out of the box on Linux.”
- “It runs great even on my potato PC that struggles with games almost a decade old; I can even play with most of the fancy graphics options, and it also allows full custom music for all instances, be it during combat, ambient exploration, while idling, or while in a station.”
- “It's smooth as hell to play, bug free (I'm aware that of course there'll be bugs these days in most titles, but I haven't found anything I'd call a bug).”
- “Missions that are not story ones are at best boring, at worst infuriatingly buggy.”
- “Do not try your hand at being an armed escort though, as the game becomes unforgivably and game-breakingly buggy during these missions.”
- “All in all, though, for the price I paid on sale I can hardly give this game a not-recommended, but it comes with a heavy dose of warning: this still feels like an unpolished and buggy early-access game (at one point I got stuck in a piece of debris and had to reload the game).”
optimization
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
50%
10%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance and ability to run well on lower-end hardware, with many users reporting no significant bugs or performance issues. While the graphics are generally considered good, some players noted that it may not be fully optimized for 4K resolutions or keyboard and mouse controls. Despite minor criticisms, the game is recognized for its solid performance, intuitive controls, and enjoyable gameplay experience.
- “Good graphical and mechanical design, well optimized, no bugs, repetitive, almost grind, but enjoyable.”
- “Well optimized and fun to play, and it has a killer soundtrack.”
- “Game is really well optimized that can run 60fps easily even on weaker machines, overall controls are simple enough that beginners won't have trouble starting a game.”
- “Another console game, not optimized for keyboard and mouse :/”
- “Graphics kinda meh and not optimized for 4k.”
- “Somebody said it might have a data leak, so if that was fixed and it was optimized a bit, that might help.”
humor
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised for its light-hearted and quirky nature, often drawing comparisons to beloved series like "Firefly" and "Farscape." Players appreciate the comedic voice acting, funny character interactions, and amusing in-game scenarios, which enhance the overall experience and make even repetitive tasks enjoyable. The combination of a whimsical soundtrack and humorous dialogue contributes to a charming atmosphere that resonates well with fans of comedic storytelling.
- “Rebel Galaxy has a great sense of humor, and the combat can be picked up readily even by terrible players such as myself.”
- “The character voice acting is humorous and appropriate and gives the game a wonderful charm.”
- “The game's light-hearted atmosphere with a few funny lines of text here and there blend well with combat and music.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely driven by its immersive soundtrack and the feeling of being a space cowboy or rebel, which resonates with players. However, many reviews highlight a lack of emotional depth in the story and character development, leading to a sense of superficiality despite the engaging gameplay. Overall, while the game excels in creating a thrilling atmosphere, it falls short in delivering a more profound emotional connection.
- “The music is so good and really made me feel like I was a space cowboy in the frontier of space.”
- “Great game, made me feel like a rebel space pirate/smuggler.”
- “This game made me feel like a mix between Han Solo and Captain Mal.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
Character development in this game is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting a weak storyline and limited RPG elements. While some appreciate the character designs and atmospheric elements, the overall consensus is that the game fails to deliver compelling character arcs or meaningful interactions, leaving players wanting more in terms of narrative engagement and character growth.
- “And more varied character development, dialogue, and faction options would enhance the role-playing experience in this space action RPG.”
- “The character design is impressive, especially the aliens, and the engine graphics are beautiful, complemented by an outstanding soundtrack.”
- “There isn't much character development, but the developers put a lot of thought into the details, such as the alien languages, where players can learn the meanings of words through translations.”
- “Missing RPG elements; there is not much character development.”
- “Very thin on story, plot, and character development.”
- “The story and character development is a bit weak though and could use some novelist skills to bump it up a bit.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
20%
50%
The game is praised for its lack of monetization tactics, such as microtransactions and in-game purchases, which enhances the overall enjoyment and immersion. Players appreciate the focus on gameplay and exploration without the distractions of ads or additional costs, contrasting it with the prevalent monetization strategies seen in many mobile games. Overall, the absence of greedy monetization practices is seen as a significant positive aspect of the game.
- “No gimmicks, no major tech breakthroughs, no greedy monetization; just a fun space game.”
- “Exploration, open universe, upgradable ships, no microtransactions, factions, markets... so much going on, I can't wait to play more.”
- “Well, in short, the game is a blast, no previous knowledge of other games required, no need for a gamepad or joystick, and apparently, which is not the norm, no microtransactions.”
- “I don't need 'live services', microtransactions, multiplayer, and all the other stuff.”
- “- no in-game purchases bullshit.”
- “(hint: iOS/mobile games mostly suck due to microtransactions)”