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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.
80%Game Brain Score
story, music
grinding, stability
86% User Score Based on 11,650 reviews
Critic Score 74%Based on 23 reviews

Platforms

MOMac OSPCPCP4Playstation 4P5Playstation 5SDSteam DeckWinWindowsXOXbox OneXSXXbox Series X|SPlaPlayStationXboxXbox
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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
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
Rebel Galaxy screenshot
+12

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,673 reviews
story1.4k positive mentions
grinding983 negative mentions
  • The game features a captivating atmosphere with a unique blend of space western vibes, enhanced by a fantastic soundtrack that resonates with players.
  • The graphics are visually appealing, with detailed ship designs and vibrant environments that contribute to an immersive experience.
  • Players appreciate the lack of monetization tactics, allowing for a focused gameplay experience without distractions from ads or in-game purchases.
  • The storyline is considered simplistic and linear, with many missions feeling repetitive and lacking depth, leading to a grind-heavy experience.
  • Gameplay can become monotonous over time due to similar mission structures and a lack of meaningful character development.
  • There are notable bugs and performance issues, particularly with escort missions, which can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • story
    8,173 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 and predictable, with many missions feeling repetitive, primarily revolving around combat and fetch quests. While the narrative provides enough motivation to engage with the game, it lacks depth and memorable characters, leading to a grind-heavy experience as players focus on upgrading their ships and completing missions for credits.

    • “The story is interesting enough and the voice acting is well done.”
    • “The story is solid, I really like the graphics and sound - having the ability to set music folders for intro, cruising, on the station and combat adds a lot but the space cowboy sounds in the default soundtrack work - especially to magnify the firefly feels of surviving on the ragged edge of space civilization.”
    • “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 missions quickly turn into 'start at point A, get to point B, blow ships up, return to point A, get money.' So it's rather repetitive.”
  • music
    5,250 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in *Rebel Galaxy* has received widespread acclaim for its unique blend of country, rock, and blues, often drawing comparisons to the beloved *Firefly* series. Players appreciate the dynamic soundtrack that enhances the game's atmosphere, with many noting that it effectively captures the "space cowboy" vibe. However, some reviews mention that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness over time, though the option to customize the soundtrack with personal music libraries is a significant plus. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that greatly contributes to the game's enjoyment.

    • “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 absolutely fantastic, with entries from indie artists who collectively reinforce the space western feel of the game.”
    • “The music is charming in the beginning but gets old really soon.”
    • “The soundtrack is repetitive.”
    • “The music gets old fast.”
  • gameplay
    2,334 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Rebel Galaxy" is characterized by its engaging blend of exploration, combat, and trading mechanics, set within a vibrant, open-world environment. Players can enjoy a unique 2D naval combat system that emphasizes broadside attacks, though some find the gameplay repetitive and grindy over time. While the game offers a satisfying core loop and a fun atmosphere, it may lack depth and variety in missions, leading to a mixed reception regarding its long-term appeal.

    • “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 core gameplay loop is oddly addictive.”
    • “One of the standout features of Rebel Galaxy is its open-world gameplay that allows players to explore various star systems, take on missions from different factions, and engage in thrilling space battles.”
    • “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.”
    • “It reaches a point where the gameplay can become exceedingly repetitive, especially if you're aiming to snag all the achievements.”
    • “Gameplay is a largely shallow experience, consisting of repetitive missions - some dragged out with the 'your princess is in another castle' trope; ie go to x number of locations and do the same thing, with the mcguffin invariably at the last one.”
  • graphics
    1,630 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Rebel Galaxy" have received generally positive feedback, with many players praising the vibrant visuals, detailed ship designs, and dynamic lighting effects that create an immersive space environment. While some reviews note that the graphics may not be cutting-edge compared to AAA titles, they are considered impressive for an indie game, running smoothly even on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's aesthetic, combined with its engaging soundtrack, enhances the overall experience, making it visually appealing despite its 2D gameplay mechanics.

    • “In terms of presentation, Rebel Galaxy boasts stunning visuals and a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The visuals are meticulously crafted with detailed spaceships, stations, and celestial bodies.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the trading is awesome, the missions boards are sometimes buggy.”
    • “The graphics do more to obscure the locations of locations and 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.”
    • “Its kinda old so graphics are outdated but doesn't take away from the game.”
  • grinding
    991 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. Many reviews highlight that while grinding for upgrades and money is a significant part of the gameplay, it can become tedious and repetitive, especially as players progress through the story. However, some players find the grind enjoyable due to the engaging combat and variety of missions, suggesting that those who appreciate grinding in games may still find it rewarding. Overall, the game is characterized as "grindy," with a notable emphasis on farming for resources to enhance ships and equipment.

    • “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
    319 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Rebel Galaxy" is widely praised for its captivating space western vibe, reminiscent of beloved series like "Firefly" and "Cowboy Bebop." Players appreciate the stunning visuals, dynamic soundtrack, and immersive audio that enhance the game's sense of vastness and adventure. While the gameplay may have its flaws, the overall atmosphere, characterized by gritty charm and engaging music, significantly contributes to the enjoyment and immersion of the experience.

    • “With fat dogfights, a great blues-rock soundtrack and an atmospheric western vibe, the game perfectly captures the vastness of space.”
    • “The atmosphere is duly gritty and blue-collar, and the game gripped me with a sense of open-world adventure.”
    • “The atmospheric visuals and music (and occasional humor) is where this game truly shines, and outweighs any minor flaws this game has.”
    • “There are too few, and they lack proper lore and atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics aren't amazing compared to some others certainly, but they work well enough and add somewhat of a gritty feel and atmosphere to the game which all works in its favor.”
    • “Shame, because I was kind of digging the atmosphere, music and feel, up to the point where you have to fight things.”
  • replayability
    225 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    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 after completing the campaign. Many reviews highlight that, despite the potential for different playstyles and random events, the overall content can feel limited once the main story is finished, leading to a consensus that replay value is moderate at best. Overall, while some players appreciate the sandbox elements and the ability to approach the game differently in subsequent playthroughs, many agree that it lacks substantial replayability after reaching endgame content.

    • “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 casual gameplay, amazing graphics and art style, tons of different options of things to do and things to buy and fit your ship, replayability for hundreds of hours and the music, omg the music!”
    • “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).”
    • “There's a reason why I'm on my third playthrough, even though the game itself doesn't necessarily have much replayability.”
    • “Once you finished the story, the replay value is zero.”
  • stability
    132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance and minimal glitches, especially on Linux systems. However, there are notable issues, particularly with escort missions, which are frequently described as buggy and frustrating. While some players experienced no significant problems, others highlighted that the game feels somewhat unpolished and reminiscent of early-access titles due to various bugs and gameplay inconsistencies.

    • “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, during 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).”
    • “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).”
    • “This game is sadly buggy; you can't save, so you're at the will of single checkpoint saves (hence I can't go back after spending so much money on new ships only to have them vanish).”
  • optimization
    104 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs, even on lower-end hardware. Players appreciate the well-optimized graphics and consistent frame rates, although some note that it may not be fully optimized for keyboard and mouse controls. While there are occasional performance issues, such as during specific gameplay scenarios, the general consensus is that the game runs efficiently and is enjoyable to play.

    • “Well optimized and fun to play, and it has a killer soundtrack.”
    • “In terms of performance, the game is pretty well optimized and I haven't experienced any FPS drops nor crashes or glitches in the game so far.”
    • “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 :/”
    • “Can't get that much just doing bounties, taking on pirates and trading... I like the concept of the trade but I would like it optimized.”
    • “Bugs-wise, you're going to encounter some wacky ones, like a faction sending you to do a hit on their own guys, meaning that sure, you can do the mission, but you're going to lose tons of rep with them, stuff spawning inside other stuff and abysmal, I do mean abysmal performance.”
  • humor
    94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its quirky and light-hearted humor, which is woven throughout the gameplay, character interactions, and dialogue. Players appreciate the comedic elements, such as funny NPCs, amusing mission outcomes, and humorous audio comments that enhance the overall experience. The blend of entertaining music and a whimsical atmosphere contributes to a charming and enjoyable gaming environment reminiscent of shows like "Firefly" and "Farscape."

    • “Rebel Galaxy has a great sense of humor, and the combat can be picked up readily even by terrible players such as myself.”
    • “The game's light-hearted atmosphere with a few funny lines of text here and there blend well with combat and music.”
    • “It's loaded with the kind of wink/nudge humor you'd find in TV series like Farscape or Firefly - for example, one of the commodities you can trade is called 'narco-cola' and it is just that.”
  • emotional
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its immersive soundtrack and the feeling of being a space cowboy or rebel, which resonates with players. However, many reviewers note that the simplistic story and lack of character development diminish emotional attachment, leaving a desire for deeper narrative engagement. While the gameplay offers instant gratification and enjoyable combat, it ultimately falls short of delivering a profound emotional experience.

    • “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
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is largely criticized for being minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting a weak storyline and insufficient RPG elements. While some appreciate the character designs and the thought put into certain aspects, such as alien languages, the overall consensus is that the game fails to deliver a compelling narrative or meaningful character interactions. Players seeking rich character development and engaging storylines are likely to be disappointed.

    • “This game is everything I hoped Eve would be, with some cool character designs coupled with good ship combat and exploration.”
    • “The character design (those aliens!) and engine graphics are beautiful, and the music is so damn good.”
    • “There isn't much character development; however, they put a lot of thought into what was there, such as if you listen to the alien languages, you can actually pick up what words mean in the translations.”
    • “There is no RPG-esque character development; the only limitation on what ship/equipment you can use seems to be money and, to a lesser extent, faction.”
    • “Killer soundtrack, great atmosphere, but it loses its novelty quickly due to a super linear storyline and lack of 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
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is praised for its lack of monetization tactics, such as microtransactions and in-game purchases, which is a refreshing change from many modern titles. Players appreciate the focus on gameplay and exploration without the distractions of ads or additional costs, making it a fun and engaging experience. Overall, the absence of greedy monetization practices enhances the enjoyment 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)”

74%Critics’ scoreBased on 23 critic reviews

Buy Rebel Galaxy

28h Median play time
33h Average play time
13-40h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 194 analyzed playthroughs

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