Satellite Reign

Satellite Reign is an incredible successor to Syndicate that gets more right than not. Where it falls down on bugs and control issues, it shines brightly in aesthetics and fantastic combat mechanics.

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Satellite Reign is a real-time, class-based strategy game set in a fully simulated, cyberpunk city. Control a team of four agents in single-player or co-op mode, using stealth, agility, and firepower to complete missions and battle for control of the city. With a wide range of abilities and upgrades available, every choice you make will shape the outcome of your mission.

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Reviews

73%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,411 reviews

story225 positive mentions

optimization82 negative mentions

Great graphics and atmosphere, reminiscent of classic Syndicate games.
Offers multiple ways to approach missions, allowing for creative strategies.
Engaging gameplay with a mix of stealth, hacking, and combat mechanics.

Poor AI pathfinding and controls can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
Frequent bugs, including agents getting stuck in walls and issues with saving.
Difficulty spikes and enemy scaling can make the game feel unbalanced at times.

story
1,753 mentions
13 % positive mentions
81 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story in "Satellite Reign" is often described as minimal and lacking depth, primarily conveyed through text logs and mission briefings rather than engaging narrative elements. While players can uncover some lore through exploration and hacking, many feel that the overall plot is generic and fails to provide a compelling reason to engage with the missions, which tend to be repetitive and formulaic. Despite this, the game's cyberpunk setting and the freedom to approach missions in various ways are appreciated, though they do not compensate for the story's shortcomings.
- “There is plenty of text that shares lore or mission context and adds to your sense of purpose.”
- “The infiltration and combat can be quite fun, the story is a small but enjoyable enough premise, and many people like the ending.”
- “The story is there, but will be mostly incomprehensible if you haven't read the prequel novella.”
- “Basically no story.”
- “The story is almost non-existent and the ending is horrible, but for the most part you will just fail to realize it's even there.”
gameplay
1,000 mentions
24 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Satellite Reign" is a blend of real-time strategy and stealth mechanics, set in a vibrant cyberpunk world that allows for multiple approaches to missions. While many players appreciate the depth and tactical options available, criticisms arise regarding repetitive mission structures, inconsistent AI behavior, and various bugs that can disrupt the experience. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic homage to the "Syndicate" series, but its execution can be hit or miss, leading to a mixed reception among players.
- “Satellite Reign is a worthy spiritual successor to Syndicate and Syndicate Wars, as it keeps everything that made these games such great cynical cyberpunk experiences, while adding modern gameplay ideas that meaningfully expand on the formula: Satellite Reign is set in a mostly contiguous open-world city environment filled with lots of interactive environmental features that combine to create very dynamic gameplay scenarios.”
- “The gameplay is complex and rewarding, especially when you complete a mission by the skin of your teeth using shrewd tactics and imaginative work-arounds.”
- “The gameplay is fun and unquestionably worth the price of admission (especially on sale).”
- “Regular crashes (expect to randomly crash to desktop once an hour or more), hideously un-immersive gameplay (troops/agents will stack on top of each other, incredibly inconsistent detection and safe zones, gameplay loops that encourage abusing the game's bugs being the norm/embraced by the community being widely accepted).”
- “Game is tedious, the pathfinding of your characters is bad and combat is annoying with constantly spawning enemies; some mechanics seem to not work at all (or at least completely differently from the description).”
- “The worst thing, though, is the fact that the core mechanics here feel clunky as heck.”
graphics
551 mentions
52 % positive mentions
46 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive cyberpunk aesthetic, effectively capturing the essence of a dystopian future filled with neon lights and detailed environments. Many players appreciate the artistic style and atmospheric design, although some have noted performance issues and optimization problems that detract from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the game's visuals are often highlighted as a standout feature, making it visually appealing even if the gameplay may not always match that quality.
- “The graphics are phenomenal, even if you need to zoom all the way out or in to appreciate them, buildings/city and characters respectively.”
- “The visuals were stunning, and the music and lighting helped create an incredible atmosphere.”
- “Graphically, the game looks gorgeous with some excellent neon-lit buildings and a strong aesthetic style.”
- “Perhaps I let it sit too long; the graphics were dated, to be honest.”
- “Even with all the graphics settings at the bottom, the FPS is way too low to enjoy.”
- “The game itself is pretty good, nice visuals, style, etc., but the game runs so poorly, not lag, just poor optimization with the Unity engine.”
music
295 mentions
49 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and fitting synthwave soundtrack, which enhances the cyberpunk aesthetic and overall gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the nostalgic ties to the original Syndicate series, noting that the soundtrack effectively complements both exploration and combat scenarios. However, some critiques mention a lack of variety and occasional monotony in the music, with a few players finding certain tracks annoying during intense moments. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's immersive environment.
- “The music is great, with some lovely ambient tracks for when you're moving through the city's open areas, and also some solid synthwave tracks for when combat begins.”
- “The blinding neon lights against perpetual rain along with the synth-heavy soundtrack nail the atmosphere and setting (make sure to buy the OST).”
- “The music is beautiful and fits perfectly, working in harmony with a symphony of neverending rain.”
- “Audio is somewhat skimpy, the music - befitting as it is - tends to be monotonous with not much variety.”
- “I got tired of the music pretty quick too.”
- “Not to mention the awful music at the end that totally didn't fit the entire ambiance of the game.”
atmosphere
277 mentions
65 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive cyberpunk setting, characterized by stunning visuals, a gritty neon aesthetic, and a captivating synth-heavy soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the consistency of the atmosphere across various city areas, effectively evoking a dystopian world reminiscent of classic titles like "Syndicate" and "Blade Runner." Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing the gameplay experience despite some criticisms regarding repetitive quests and technical issues.
- “The atmosphere in this game is amazing, and stays consistent throughout the 4 main city areas you steadily progress through.”
- “The visuals were stunning, and the music and lighting helped create an incredible atmosphere.”
- “Fantastic cyberpunk atmosphere, art, and an immersive environment.”
- “The atmosphere is bleak, as is your mission.”
- “The few good things of the game are the music and the atmosphere of the city, but for me it is clear that the designers have very little experience playing with other games, and are terrible at the construction of a game, don't know what entertainment really means, and lack empathy for the average new player.”
- “The atmosphere is there, features are there, feels very syndicate-y, but the alarming amount of bugs and the infuriatingly broken AI, not to mention the quirky, non-responding controls, makes it unenjoyable.”
optimization
230 mentions
9 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates, stuttering, and long loading times, even on high-end hardware. Many players express frustration over the game's poor optimization, particularly due to its reliance on the Unity engine, which seems to exacerbate the problems. Despite some enjoyable gameplay elements, the overall consensus is that the game's performance issues significantly detract from the experience.
- “If you're willing to tough out amateur level developer mistakes and poor optimization then this is a pretty satisfying tactics game.”
- “There are definitely some widespread performance issues, but if you can deal with them, this is a lovely blend of small-squad tactics, isometric RPG, and cyberpunk.”
- “Gameplay has improved, loads of content has been added, the game has been substantially optimized and loads of bugs have been fixed.”
- “Absolutely horrendous optimization which takes all the fun out of it sadly.”
- “The performance of this game is absolutely atrocious.”
- “The consensus is that this game is very poorly optimized, so prepare yourself for very low fps if you play it, even at the lowest possible settings.”
stability
201 mentions
2 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
98 % negative mentions
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Players have encountered game-breaking glitches, AI pathfinding problems, and frequent crashes, leading to frustration despite the game's enjoyable core mechanics. While some users find the game fun and nostalgic, many agree that its current state is plagued by instability, making it difficult to fully appreciate.
- “Bug free: check.”
- “No glitches, no crashes, no horrible mechanics I hated.”
- “No glitches, no crashes, no horrible mechanics I hated.”
- “A buggy, frustrating, unpolished mess with only the tiniest veneer of charm and addictive gameplay loops.”
- “It is rife with bugs and glitches that make the game much, much more frustrating than it should be.”
- “The game has a few possibly game-breaking glitches that trap you into lead pipes or other objects that you can walk into but not ever escape.”
replayability
82 mentions
24 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its varied playstyles, randomized gear, and multiple mission approaches that encourage returning to the game. However, others feel that the overall replay value is limited, particularly for single-player experiences, and suggest that additional content or features could enhance it further. While many find enjoyment in replaying the game, opinions vary widely on how much incentive there is to do so beyond the initial playthrough.
- “I wish they had made more DLC or a sequel, but the game has replay value, so I can return to it whenever I want; every playthrough is different.”
- “The gear you may find doing missions is somewhat randomized, which adds replay value, not to mention the Iron Man and Uber damage options you can enable on new games.”
- “Gameplay is fairly good, offering multiple ways to solve a task, customizable characters, different loadouts, and cybernetic upgrades, which increase replayability.”
- “I don't think I'd play it again, as there seems to be very little replayability, unless you are doing it for the achievements.”
- “As for replayability, there is not really that much of a reason to play it more than once.”
- “It's rather short and there isn't a lot of replayability in it.”
grinding
70 mentions
3 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized, with many players finding the gameplay tedious and repetitive, often feeling like a chore rather than an engaging experience. Players report slow leveling, limited early-game options, and frustrating mechanics that lead to a cycle of busywork, particularly in mid- to endgame scenarios. While some appreciate the atmosphere and slight RPG elements, the overall sentiment is that the game suffers from excessive grinding and poor controls, detracting from its potential enjoyment.
- “It's addicting and fun for me because it's cyberpunk, tactically deep, and has slight RPG elements.”
- “You can earn money over time by hacking ATMs, so there's no grinding for currency.”
- “Unfortunately, the game often feels like a chore, leveling is slow, and your abilities/options are very limited in the early game, forcing you to handle things in a very specific, cautious, and often tedious way.”
- “It became tedious busywork that became frustrating to look at, especially with the game-breaking bugs.”
- “90% of the gameplay is tedious and glitchy stealth, and you now fight an infinite amount of dumb bullet sponges.”
humor
42 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its wicked sense of humor, with players finding amusement in absurd situations, such as hijacking turrets and witnessing hilariously bad AI behavior. The humor is further enhanced by clever item descriptions, funny easter eggs referencing sci-fi media, and the chaotic fun of multiplayer gameplay. However, some players feel that the humor can only carry the experience so far, as the overall gameplay lacks depth and customization.
- “The game has a wicked sense of humor.”
- “Add to that the well-toned amount of humor that is woven into mostly item descriptions, and you got yourself a great way to have a good time!”
- “It can get pretty hilarious at what you can hack and do with said hacked item.”
character development
18 mentions
22 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with many reviewers noting the absence of meaningful choices, inter-character dialogue, and narrative progression. While skill-based progression is acknowledged as well-paced, it ultimately leads to a singular strategy that diminishes the role-playing experience. Overall, players express a desire for more intricate character arcs and world-building to enhance engagement.
- “In terms of character development, you have a limited but quite nicely paced progression.”
- “Character development skill-wise is done well, but once you are maxed out, there is pretty much one strategy to rule them all: hijack heaviest minigunners with shields, rage with soldier, slow time with support if a lot of enemies -- steamroll everything.”
- “- multi-faceted character development.”
- “There is zero character development (there shouldn't be because these agents are meant to be expendable proxies), which adds to the cruelty of a futuristic world.”
- “There are no cut scenes to fill in meaningful character development and no inter-character dialog as seen in other turn-based RPGs.”
- “100% gameplay, 0% roleplay, no real character development or choices besides skill points or which mission to do next.”
emotional
12 mentions
83 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The emotional impact of the game varies significantly among players; some found the ending deeply affecting and memorable, while others criticized the lack of story and character development, leading to a disconnect and minimal emotional engagement. While one player experienced profound emotional turmoil from the game's conclusion, others felt that the absence of narrative depth rendered the experience hollow and unworthy of further investment. Overall, the emotional resonance of the game appears to hinge on individual player experiences and expectations.
- “Satellite Reign's ending left me in deep emotional turmoil, which makes it somewhat difficult to decide what to play next, as most games will pale in comparison to this neon-infused masterwork.”
- “(no spoilers) The ending for me personally was almost a little emotional.”
- “All of the fun, none of the heartbreaking reality of replaying the original.”
- “When there are so many other isometric games that have done this genre better, I couldn't justify pushing myself deeper into a boring story with dull characters.”
monetization
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is criticized as a typical Kickstarter cash grab, with an overwhelming presence of advertisements and a lack of immersive sound design. While the city’s visuals are praised for their nostalgic appeal, the absence of engaging audio elements detracts from the overall experience, making it feel hollow despite the vibrant scenery.
- “Tldr: your average Kickstarter cash grab.”
- “You can zoom the camera all the way down and get a good look at the advertisements on the buildings and the dystopia of cyber street life.”
- “The scenery of the city is great, reminiscent again of the great syndicate of old, reminding me with its overpasses, huge video screens on buildings beaming advertisements or propaganda into the street and the people wandering about, going to bars and hanging out at the market.”